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God has hit me right between the eyes........AGAIN!!!!!

1/28/2013

God has the most interesting way of talking to me......and many, many times it is through music. If you know me, you know how important music is in my life. So many times I would beg Him to speak to me audibly so that I would know it was Him. Although I never have heard Him just speak out loud to me with His actual voice.......He would bring a song that contained a message that spoke directly to my heart.....as if I was the one it was written for! This song is no different! Just a few days ago Russ, the drummer in the band I manage, were talking about the music we play. Worship music is wonderful, especially for Christians who know what worship is and who worship is for. However, what we play is music with a message. This is music that speaks specifically about God, who He is, what He does, what He expects, how He works and so on. It can speak to the lost and the found......it can break through hardened hearts and help mend crushed spirits! The songs we sing were written from blood, sweat and tears......from experience......from the heart of God that comes out through instruments! The song below is a song like this! I stayed up a bit later and had JCTV on, and this video started to play and instantly I was taken from what I was working on......to being totally immersed in the heart of God! HIS LOVE........HIS LOVE........HIS LOVE!
How many times have we spoken with empty words......left people with a bitter taste because of our words? Our love......that comes from God....is the proof of HIS love! Can you heart this? Please, play this song.....close your eyes and listen! Listen with your heart........then listen again! I can't quit listening......my heart yearns to love with HIS love! I am Bankrupt without love.......Let my life be the PROOF of YOUR LOVE!!!!!!!!

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An incredible story that is worth reading!

1/26/2013

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Testimonies come in many different forms. I posted this here because it is a beautifully written piece of fiction with some incredible life lessons. Sometimes we may never know how our life may touch someone else, but in one way or another......for good or for bad.......we will affect the lives of others. As a Christian, it is truly our job to affect the lives of others by showing the love of Jesus not only through our words, but through our actions and deeds. Better yet, the actions and deeds MUST match up to our words, or we WILL do harm. As you take the time to read this special work of fiction, think about the small things you could do to make a huge eternal difference! May God bless you greatly as you look deeply into your heart and soul!

As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children an untruth. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. However, that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.

Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he did not play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. In addition, Teddy could be unpleasant.

It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big "F" at the top of his papers.

At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.

Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners... he is a joy to be around.."

His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle."

His third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken."

Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class."

By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper That he got from a grocery bag Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume.. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to." After the children left, she cried for at least an hour.

On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her "teacher's pets.."

A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling* her that she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.

Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in life.

Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he had ever had in his whole life.

Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer.... The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.

The story does not end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he had met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit at the wedding in the place that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom.

Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. Moreover, she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together.

They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, "Thank you Mrs. Thompson for* believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference."

Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, "Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you."

(For you that don't know, Teddy Stoddard is the Dr. at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines that has the Stoddard Cancer Wing.)

Warm someone's heart today. . . pass this along. I love this story so very much, I cry every time I read it. Just try to make a difference in someone's life today? tomorrow? Just "do it".

Random acts of kindness, I think they call it?

Heartwarming though it is, the tale of little Teddy Stoddard and his inspirational teacher, Mrs. Thompson, is a work of fiction. The original story, which first appeared in significantly different form in the magazine Home Life in 1976, was written by Elizabeth Silance Ballard (now Elizabeth Ungar) and called “Three Letters from Teddy.” The main character’s name was Teddy Stallard, not Teddy Stoddard.

In 2001, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette columnist Dennis Roddy interviewed the author, who expressed amazement at how often and how freely her short story has been adapted, rarely with proper credit. “I’ve had people use it in their books, except they made it as if it happened to them,” she told Ruddy. Paul Harvey used it in a radio broadcast. Dr. Robert Schuller repeated it in a televised sermon. It has been passed from person to person as a “true story” on the Internet since 1998. Though it is loosely based on her personal experiences, Ungar insists the story is pure fiction.

For the record, the only Stoddard connected with Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines was John D. Stoddard, an engineer and cancer victim, after whom the John Stoddard Cancer Center was named. He died in 1998.

* Taken from About.com Urban Legends

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Addicted to my pain.......what a concept!

1/13/2013

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Have you ever been riding in the car, listening to music, and realize the incredible message in the song you have mindlessly listened to before? Guilty as charged! I remember in my teenage years listening to some music that did not have a good message, and my dad telling me it was not a good idea to listen to it. Of course in my brilliant teenage mind I decided to tell my dad that I did not even listen to the words.......I just loved the music! Now, 30 years later, not only can I sing every guitar lick of the MUSIC that I loved, but I can sing every word that I, "did not listen to"! Music is a very powerful tool in life that can be used for good.......or bad. As Christians, we are responsible for what goes into our minds and our hearts. (just thought I would throw that in for free......hehehe.....because that was not what I actually wanted to talk about.) As I was listening to this song, God hit me upside the head with these incredible lyrics. Talk about thought provoking! Click on the song above then scroll down here for the lyrics in case you could not hear them like I did:

Striking the match that burns me
Pouring more gasoline unto the flame
I'm to blame
I'm all alone and bleeding
And every self-inflicted wound in me
Am I addicted to my pain?

And I can't love
Without You here
Will You wash away
All my fear?
Addicted to my pain
Cause I can't see
And I can't feel
God, I'm praying none of this is real
Addicted to my pain

I am the judge and jury
I always sentence me
To be condemned
There's no amends
I hate with no conditions
Will I ever be forgiven
For my rage
And break out of this cage?

And I can't love
Without You here
Will You wash away
All my fear?
Addicted to my pain
Cause I can't see
And I can't feel
God, I'm praying none of this is real
Addicted to my pain

Take this guilt
This bitter rage
Keeping me
Locked in chains
Can You heal my heart?
Can You take this pain?
Will You wash away
All these things?

And I can't love
Without You here
Will You wash away
All my fear?
Addicted to my pain
Cause I can't see
And I can't feel
God, I'm praying none of this is real
Addicted to my pain
My pain

Wow, how many times could this have been me........how many times have I held on to the pain because in some weird sick way, it became a comfortable place? One of the phrases really hit home to me because it is an identifier of the problem........FEAR! How many addictions are started because of fear? How many are held onto because of fear? Who is the ONLY one who can wash away that fear.........MY GOD! Perfect love casts out ALL FEAR!!!! There is only one who is capable of perfect love........and that is MY GOD! The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.........the God of the Bible.......MY GOD! When I was listening to this song.......I listened to it over and over and over again with tears streaming down my face! What pain have I held onto because it was easier than facing the reality of my fear? How many times have I climbed back into the cage that God freed me from before because it was more comfortable in there? (whooooo......that was a tough one to answer and be honest about!) I thank God for those who write songs like this that sometimes reach my mind and my heart when words just don't do the trick! I thank God for the revelation that He gives in the most creative ways! I pray that if you, or someone you know (which honestly......would cover just about EVERYONE you know in one way or another), please share this song with them! For me........it is something that is leading to a freedom from something I really had no idea I was struggling with........BUT GOD!!!!!! I pray Gods blessings over you and your families.......and I pray that He will open your eyes and your hearts that you might

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My name is Lorri and I am a proud wife, mother, Honeygram, and band manager! I pray that you will laugh, cry, find needed information, peace and encouragement as you pa-ruse this site!

March 2011

God has hit me right between the eyes........AGAIN!!!!!

An incredible story that is worth reading!

Addicted to my pain.......what a concept!

AuthorMy name is Lorri and I am a proud wife, mother, Honeygram, and band manager! I pray that you will laugh, cry, find needed information, peace and encouragement as you pa-ruse this site!

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My name is Lorri and I am a proud wife, mother, Honeygram, and band manager! I pray that you will laugh, cry, find needed information, peace and encouragement as you pa-ruse this site!