siLenT_nOiSe

There is a me, she is as happy as can be,

A smile on her face is all anyone can see

Her laughter rings loud, true and with glee

There is nothing that can stop this girl from feeling free.

There is a me, she is as elated as can be

She hugs her friends tightly, wipes their tears away,

She is their comfort, they are her everything,

She embraces her family, keeps them from going astray,

Their closeness she cannot deny, try as she may.

There is a me, she is as blissful as can be,

She floats higher than the vast blue sky,

No one can bring her down; no words can take her to the ground,

She walks life tall, and looks the world straight in the eye,

She knows she is only lost to be found, and not everything spoken is a lie.

There is a me, she is as sad as can be,

The tears spilling down her face are all anyone can see,

Her muffled sobs are a cry aching for help; she tries to hold back,

But nothing can stop this girl from feeling what she lacks.

There is a me, she is as cheerless as can be,

She hides alone in her room and is closed off to touch,

Her insides are in turmoil, and she thinks way too much,

Her heart weighs heavily, but her mind refuses to set her free.

There is a me, she is as melancholy as can be,

For her there is no future, no light to guide her way,

Her thoughts remain to herself; she has nothing to say,

Her only hope to get away is to let herself pray.

There is a me, she tries to find a balance between darkness and light,

Her feelings she writes, her dreams she no longer denies,

She accounts for her past, and her future is on the rise,

She attempts to distinguish the truth amidst the lies,

And the right from the wrong,

There is nothing that can stop this woman from singing her song. 

Do you ever just get that feeling where you don't want to talk to anybody? you dont want to smile, and you don't want to fake being happy. but at the same time, you don't know exactly what is wrong either. there isn't a way to explain it to someone who doesn't already understand. if you could want anything in the world it would be to be alone. people have stopped being comforting.. and being alone never was. at least when you're alone no one constantly asks you what is wrong and there isn't anyone who wont take 'i don't know' for an answer. you feel the way you do just BECAUSE. you hope the feeling will pass soon and that you will be able to be yourself again, but until then all you can do is wait..

To let go isn't to forgot, not to think about, or ignore. It doesn't leave feelings of anger, jealousy, or regret. Letting go isn't about winning or losing. It's not about pride and it's not about how you appear, and it's not obsessing or dwelling on the past. Letting go isn't blocking memories or thinking sad thoughts, and doesn't leave emptiness, hurt, or sadness. It's not about giving in or giving up. Letting go isn't about loss and it's not about defeat. To let go is to cherish the memories, but to overcome and move on. It is having an open mind confidence in the future. Letting go is learning and experiencing and growing. To let go is to be thankful for the experiences that made you laugh, made you cry, and made you grow. It's about all that you have, all that you had, and all that you will soon gain. Letting go is having the courage to accept change, and the strength to keep moving. Letting go is growing up. It is realizing that the heart can sometimes be the most potent remedy. To let go is to open a door, and to clear a path and set yourself free.

Letting go isn't a one time thing, it's something you have to do over and over everyday.

There is no shame in finding someone else to be attractive, or good company. Even if they don't like you, there is still no shame. If you happen to be fond of someone, and they're not fond of you, it's OK...You don't have to wait and see if they'll love you back. You can announce it...

Joy in life comes from expressing ourselves, in taking risks and jumping in. Everyone is not going to like you. But you can like who you like.

If love was supposed to be the best thing in the world why does it hurt so much?

Only you can know how much your heart can tolerate. So you tell me, can your heart tolerate being just friends with someone you love?

But if you're always looking for reasons not to be with somebody, and you always find 'em, then I guess at some point maybe you should let go and give your heart what it deserves.

Love the heart that hurts you, but never hurt the heart that loves you.

Some people never need help. One man caught his foot in railroad tracks. He tried to pull it out, but his efforts only seemed to make matters worse.

He heard a noise and turned around to see a train coming. In a panic he prayed, "Dear God, please get my foot out of these tracks and I'll stop my heavy drinking and smoking!"

Nothing happened. He was still stuck, and the train showed no sign of slowing.

So he prayed again, "Oh, Lord, please get my foot out and I'll stop drinking and smoking and carousing and cussing!"

Still nothing. He tugged and pulled as the train bore down. In sheer desperation, he pled for help a final time. "Lord, please, if you get my foot out of the tracks, I'll do anything! I'll ... I'll ... I'll become a minister!

Suddenly his foot shot out of the tracks and he got up and dusted himself off as the train whizzed by. Then he looked toward Heaven and said, "Never, mind, Lord, I got it out myself."

Some people seemingly never need help from anyone. They rarely call on friends or even family to lend a hand. They seldom, if ever, confide in a good listener. They seem to believe they should be completely self sufficient; that needing assistance is an unwelcome weakness.

But others find great value in occasionally asking for assistance, and in offering it, too. Needing help, even once in a while, reminds them that they were not meant to journey this life alone. It is a group outing, not a private experience.

Those who find help when they need it are fortunate. But those who give help generously are the most fortunate of all. Few experiences can produce a sense of joy and satisfaction like that of truly easing the burden of another human being, with no thought of return. Fact is... when we help someone else, we can hardly help but be happy. At those magical times we may wonder who really helped whom!

~ Steve Goodier ~

For all the negative things we say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it.

  You say: "It's impossible"
God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)

  You say: "I'm too tired"
God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)

  You say: "Nobody really loves me"
God says: I love you (John 3:16 and John 13:34)

  You say: "I can't go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 and Psalm 91:15)

  You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)

  You say: "I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)

  You say: "I'm not able"
God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)

  You say: "It's not worth it"
God says: It will be worth it (Roman 8:28)

  You say: "I can't forgive myself"
God says: I FORGIVE YOU (I John 1:9 and Romans 8:1)

  You say: "I can't manage"
God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)

  You say: "I'm afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)

  You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your cares on ME (I Peter 5:7)

  You say: "I don't have enough faith"
God says: I've given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)

  You say: "I'm not smart enough"
God says: I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)

  You say: "I feel all alone"
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)

Where would you go, if you could go anywhere? Perhaps I should simplify the question and ask, where would you go if money were no object and I was picking up the tab? You mean it wouldn't cost me a penny? Yep, that's what I mean! Air fare, hotel, spending money? You got it! Even the most extravagant of my wishes will be master to your wallet? Double yep! Wow!

Think carefully. Don't squander this opportunity. You don't often come across someone as generous as I! Ok, so where would you go? Would you escape from the late winter/early spring blahs and fly to some exotic tropical retreat to be pruned and pampered? Would you visit the family you never see enough, and treat them to the time of their lives? Would you see the pyramids, spy the Eiffel tower, or visit Mickey? How about Venice with the one you love? Rome? Humm . . . Keep going, there are lots of places to pick from, aren't there?

What if I told you that I just found a way to travel back in time? Where would you go, and who would you visit? Would you join Neil Armstrong as he took mankind’s first step on the moon? Would you step off the ship with Columbus? Would you sign on as Leonardo's (DaVinci, not DiCaprio) brush cleaner?

Perhaps you would rather return to the days when the world was covered with old growth forests and the seas were full of fish, and "pollution" was a word as yet uninvented? Or, maybe you’re much more practical and just want to travel back to a time when life didn't seem as complicated as it is now?

Ok, let's go off on another tangent. What about travelling back into Biblical times? If you could pick a couple of events to view what would they be? Creation itself? Imagine having a front row seat at the moment the universe came into being! Imagine watching the Master Painter create everything from billions of stars to butterflies! Ok, may-be that's a little too "out there" for you. How about the parting of the Red Sea? You've seen a facsimile of it on television for the past thirty years or so. How about visiting the real thing? How about picking up a starfish off the damp sea floor for a souvenir? And, what about the fall of Jericho? Wouldn't you like to be in on that and blow your own horn?

What about the events that took place during the time of Jesus? Would you want to be in the crowd when Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount? Oh, to hear those words actually spoken by our Lord! Not for you? Ok, how about the feeding of the 5,000? Wouldn't it be wonderful to eat a miracle? Maybe you'd love to see Jesus walk on the water or raise Lazarus from the grave? That would certainly send your faith into orbit!

Ok, I got it, who of us wouldn't want the opportunity to be there with Mary, Peter and John as they saw the empty tomb and the resurrected Lord, the first time? Oh, to be there when Thomas fell at Jesus' feet and declared, "My Lord and My God!" To be there for those 40 days and learn from the resurrected Lord -- WOW!

I wonder if any of us would travel back to the cross to witness the birth of full and complete forgiveness? I 'kinda figure that not many would. It would be too difficult, too painful. But wouldn't it also be the greatest opportunity a follower of Christ could ever have? To look into those eyes, to see that face, to hear those words, "Father, forgive them!" And, unlike the crowd, we would know that the words were meant for us! Imagine! Imagine seeing love in action. Imagine seeing God's Son proclaim, through exhausted tears mixed with royal triumph, "It is finished!"

Well, we really don't have to imagine about either of these last two events. We can visit them anytime. In fact we must visit them every day! Why? Because we are nothing if we don't visit the cross, or look upon the empty tomb. Life is empty for me if the cross I can't see, and life's too large a cross to bear if the empty tomb's not there! Whenever I sin, whenever I fail, the cross reminds me of forgiveness---past, present and future. Whenever I doubt His love, I look at the cross and see His perfect love already proven, already given. I need to visit the cross each day.

I also need to visit the empty tomb each day as well. Why? To remind me that life has victory that is full and eternal. Some days, victory is hidden beneath a vail of pain or sorrow just as it was that first Easter. But, when I look at the tomb and realize that the very same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in me (Eph 1:18-20), victory becomes a tangible hook on which to hang my hat. The day-to-day battles may be won or lost, but by visiting the tomb I can't deny that I am, and forever will be, victorious in Christ.

Visit the cross and the empty tomb? No need not to. God already paid for the tour! Act now and, as an added bonus, receive a cruise to eternity! Talk about your Love Boat! Now, that's a trip no one should miss! Where would YOU go?

"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are -- yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."   Hebrews 4:14-16

The story is told of a country lad who was hired for a salesman's job at a city department store.  It was one of those massive stores that has every department imaginable.  In fact it was the biggest store in the world - you could get anything there.

The boss said, "You can start tomorrow, Friday morning, and I'll come and see you when we close up."

When the boss looked up the young man the next day at closing time, he saw him shaking hands with a beaming customer.  After they parted, he walked over and asked, "Well, that looked good!  How many sales did you make today?"

"That was the only one," said the young salesman.

"Only one!?!" blurted the boss.  "Most of my staff make 20 or 30 sales a day.  You'll have to do better than that!  Well, how much was the sale worth?"

"$227,340 and change," said the young man.

The boss paused for a moment, blinking a few times.  "H... H... How did you manage that?!?"

"Well, when he came in this morning and I sold him a small fish hook.  Then, I sold him a medium hook, and then a really large hook. Then I sold him a small fishing line, a medium one, and then a big one. I then sold him a spear gun, a wetsuit, scuba gear, nets, chum, and coolers.  I asked him where he was going fishing and he said down the coast. We decided he would probably need a new boat, so I took him down to the boat department and sold him that twenty-foot schooner with the twin engines. Then, he said that his Volkswagen probably wouldn't be able to pull it, so I took him to the car department and sold him the new Deluxe Cruiser, with a winch, storage rack, rust proofing, and a built-in refrigerator.  Oh, and floor mats."

The boss took two steps back and asked in astonishment, "You sold all that to a guy who came in for a fish hook?!"

"No," answered the salesman. "He came in to buy a blanket."

"A blanket?"

"Yeah, an extra blanket for the couch.  He just had a fight with his wife. I said to him, 'Well, your weekend's ruined, so you may as well go fishing...'"

One thing leads to another.  And that's the way it should work in our spiritual lives. As we grow and mature in Christ, we continue to add virtue upon virtue.

"But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love." (2 Peter 1:5-7).

Wherever you are in your spiritual life, I pray that you'll take a step up today, adding something that will make you a little more in the image of Jesus Christ.  As you add one thing to another, you'll be closer to that goal by the end of the year.

Have a great day!

Sometimes in life,
You find a special friend,
Someone who changes your life
Just by being a part of it

Someone who makes you laugh
Until you can't stop
Someone who makes you believe
That there really is good in the world

Someone who convinces you that
There really is an unlocked door
Just waiting for you to open it.
This is a Forever Friendship

When you're down,
And the world seems dark and empty,
Your forever friend lifts you up in spirit
And makes that dark and empty world
Suddenly seem bright and full.

Your forever friend gets you through
The hard times, the sad times,
And the confusing times.
If you turn and walk away,
Your forever friend follows.

If you lose your way,
Your forever friend guides you
And cheers you on.
Your forever friend holds your hand
And tells you that everything
Is going to be okay.

And if you find such a friend,
You feel happy and complete,
Because you need not worry.
You have a forever friend for life,
And forever has no end.

"Two are better than one...
If one person falls, the other can reach out and help.
But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble."
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NIV, NLT)