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WITandWISDOM(tm) - January 5, 2001 ~~~~~~~ THOUGHTS: Our brains become magnetized with the dominating thoughts which we store in them and, through a process which no one understands, these thoughts, like magnets, attract forces, people, and life circumstances which harmonize with them. - Napoleon Hill Source: Peter's Pearls, www.peterspearls.com.au ~~~~~~~ SPECIAL THOUGHTS: I shook my head in disbelief. This couldn't be the right place. After all, I couldn't possibly be welcome here. I had been given an invitation several times, by several different people, and had finally decided to see what this place was all about. But, this just couldn't be the right place. Quickly, I glanced down at the invitation that I clutched in my hand. I scanned past the words, "Come as you are. No jacket required," and found the location. Yes, I was at the right place. I peered through the window again and saw a room of people whose faces seemed to glow with joy. All were neatly dressed, adorned in fine garments and appeared strangely clean as they dined at this exquisite restaurant. Ashamed, I looked down at my own tattered and torn clothing, covered in stains. I was dirty, in fact, filthy. A foul smell seemed to consume me and I couldn't shake the grime that clung to my body. As I turned around to leave, the words from the invitation seemed to leap out at me, "Come as you are. No jacket required." I decided to give it a shot. Mustering up every bit of courage I could find, I opened the door to this restaurant and walked up to a man standing behind a podium. "Your name, sir?" he asked me with a smile. "Jimmy D. Brown," I mumbled without looking up. I thrust my hands deep into my pockets, hoping to conceal their stains. He didn't seem to notice the filth that I was covered in and he continued, "Very good, sir. A table is reserved in your name. Would you like to be seated?" I couldn't believe what I heard! A grin broke out on my face and I said, "Yes, of course!" He lead me to a table and, sure enough, there was a placard with my name written on it in a deep, dark red. As I browsed over a menu, I saw many delightful items listed. There were things like, "peace," "joy," "blessings," "confidence," "assurance," "hope," "love," "faith," and "mercy." I realized that this was no ordinary restaurant! I flipped the menu back to the front in order to see where I was at. "God's Grace," was the name of this place! The man returned and said, "I recommend the 'Special of the Day.' With it, you are entitled to heaping portions of everything on this menu." You've got to be kidding! I thought to myself. You mean, I can have ALL of this! "What is the 'Special of the Day,' I asked with excitement ringing in my voice. "Salvation," was his reply. "I'll take it," I practically cried out. Then, as quickly as I made that statement, the joy left my body. A sick, painful ache jerked through my stomach and tears filled my eyes. Between my sobs I said, "Mister, look at me. I'm dirty and nasty. I'm unclean and unworthy of such things. I'd love to have all of this, but, but, I just can't afford it." Undaunted, the man smiled again. "Sir, your check has already been taken care of by that Gentleman over there," he said pointing to the front of the room. "His Name is Jesus." Turning, I saw a man whose very presence seemed to light the room. He was almost too much to look at. I found myself walking towards Him and in shaking voice I whispered, "Sir, I'll wash the dishes or sweep the floors or take out the trash. I'll do anything I can do to repay you for all of this." He opened His arms and said with a smile, "Son, all of this is yours if you just come unto Me. Ask Me to clean you up and I will. Ask Me to take away the stains and it is done. Ask Me to allow you to feast at My table and you will eat. Remember, the table is reserved in your name. All you must do is accept this gift that I offer you." Astonished, I fell at His feet and said, "Please, Jesus. Please clean up my life. Please change me and seat me at Your table and give me this new life." Immediately, I heard the words, "It is finished." I looked down and white robes adorned my squeaky clean body. Something strange and wonderful had happened. I felt new, like a weight had been lifted, and I found myself seated at His table. "The 'Special of the Day' has been served," the Lord said to me. Salvation is yours." We sat and talked for a great while and I so enjoyed the time that I spent with Him. He told me, me of all people, that He would like me to come back as often as I liked for another helping from God's Grace. He made it clear that He wanted me to spend as much time with Him as possible. As it drew near time for me to go back outside into the "real world," He whispered to me softly, "And Lo, I am with you always." And then, He said something to me that I will never forget. He said, "My child, do you see these empty tables throughout this room?" "Yes, Lord. I see them. What do they mean?" I replied. "These are reserved tables . . . but the individuals whose names are on each placard have not accepted their invitations to dine. Would you be so kind as to hand out these invitations to those who have not joined us yet?" Jesus asked. "Of course," I said with excitement as I picked up the invitations. "Go ye therefore into all nations," He said as I turned to leave. I walked into God's Grace dirty and hungry. Stained in sin. My righteousness as filthy rags. And Jesus cleaned me up. I walked out a brand new man . . . robed in white, His righteousness. And so, I'll keep my promise to my Lord. I'll go. I'll spread the Word. I'll share the Gospel . . . I'll hand out the invitations. And I'll start with you. Have you been to God's Grace? There's a table reserved in your name, and here's your invitation . . . "Come as you are. No jacket required." Author Unknown Submitted by Sharon Hamel, Phil Sarlo ~~~~~~~ THIS & THAT: THE LAWS OF GOLF: As every golfer knows, there are 103 "things" to keep in mind and perform each time you address a golf ball. However, very few golfers are aware that there are "Laws" of golf that also affect our games. Thought I would share these with you (not that it will help). LAW 1: No matter how bad your last shot was, the worst is yet to come. This law does not expire on the 18th hole, since it has the supernatural tendency to extend over the course of a tournament, a summer and, eventually, a lifetime. LAW 2: Your best round of golf will be followed almost immediately by your worst round ever. The probability of the latter increases with the number of people you tell about the former. LAW 3: Brand new golf balls are water-magnetic. Though this cannot be proven in the lab, it is a known fact that the more expensive the golf ball, the greater its attraction to water. LAW 4: Golf balls from the same "sleeve" tend to follow one another, particularly out of bounds or into the water (see law three). LAW 5: Golf balls never bounce off the trees back into play. If one does, the tree is breaking a law of the universe and should be cut down. LAW 6: No matter what causes a golfer to muff a shot, all his playing partners must solemnly chant 'You looked up' or invoke the wrath of the universe. LAW 7: The higher a golfers handicap, the more qualified he deems himself as an instructor. LAW 8: The person you would most hate to lose too will always be the one who beats you. From UGA Humor Source: The Funnies, andychaps_the-funnies- subscribe@egroups.com ~~~~~~~ KEEP SMILING: While she was enjoying a transatlantic ocean trip, Billie Burke, the famous actress, noticed that a gentleman at the next table was suffering from a bad cold. "Are you uncomfortable?" she asked sympathetically. The man nodded. "I'll tell you just what to do for it," she offered. "Go back to your stateroom and drink lots of orange juice. Take two aspirins. Cover yourself with all the blankets you can find. Sweat the cold out. I know just what I'm talking about. I'm Billie Burke from Hollywood." The man smiled warmly and introduced himself in return. "Thanks," he said, "I'm Dr. Mayo from the Mayo Clinic." Source: Bits & Pieces, March 3, 1994, Copyright (c) Economic Press, Inc., www.epinc.com ~~~~~~~ TRIVIA: You may have noticed the set of icons to the right of the Start button on your Windows taskbar. You can click on them to instantly launch the applications they represent. This is the Quick Launch area of your taskbar, and some applications automatically install an icon there. But you can customize it, deciding what stays, what goes and what other applications you would like to Quick Launch. If there are more icons than the ones displayed by default. If there are two small right hand arrows (>>) on the bar, click once on them. A menu will pop up showing more icons. If you want to get rid of one, put your mouse arrow over it, click your right mouse button, then choose Delete from the pop-up menu. If you want to add an application, click the Start button, choose the Programs item, then find the application you want to Quick Launch, Once you've found it, simply drag and drop it to the Quick Launch area of your taskbar. - By Wayne Cunningham Source: Access Magazine, (c) Copyright December 31, 2000 www.accessmagazine.com |