Taking It With You There once was a rich man who was near death. He was very grieved because he had worked so hard for his money and he wanted to be able to take it with him to heaven. So he began to pray that he might be able to take some of his wealth with him. An angel hears his plea and appears to him. "Sorry, but you can't take your wealth with you." The man implores the angel to speak to God to see if He might bend the rules. The man continues to pray that his wealth could follow him. The angel reappears and informs the man that God has decided to allow him to take one suitcase with him. Overjoyed, the man gathers his largest suitcase and fills it with pure gold bars and places it beside his bed. Soon afterward the man dies and shows up at the Gates of Heaven to greet St. Peter. St. Peter seeing the suitcase says, "Hold on, you can't bring that in here!" But, the man explains to St. Peter that he has permission and asks him to verify his story with the...

Your Sister in Christ, Toia

FreeNaturePictures.com Happy Wordless Wednesday Your Sister in Christ, Toia

"Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits." (I Corinthians 15:33) All company is not good company. The company you keep can determine or have an huge impact on your future. You can chose to keep company with a person who is of positive influence, full of encouragement, reflecting Godly conduct, etc. Or you can chose to keep company with a person who is negative, never encouraging, self-involved, etc. When you are striving to grow spiritually and increase in God, be mindful of who you keep in your circle. This is where you need to tap into your gift of spiritual discernment. The people you need in your circle are the ones you can call on anytime for spiritual advice. People who can give build you and not pull you down. People who can encourage you in God's word. People who are honest and genuine. You don't want to be around anyone who wants to corrupt the good that God is doing in you. Proverbs 1:10 says, "My son (or daughter), if sinners entice you, ...

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz... You Are a Katharine! You are a Katharine -- "I am happy and open to new things" Katharines are energetic, lively, and optimistic. They want to contribute to the world. How to Get Along with Me * Give me companionship, affection, and freedom. * Engage with me in stimulating conversation and laughter. * Appreciate my grand visions and listen to my stories. * Don't try to change my style. Accept me the way I am. * Be responsible for youself. I dislike clingy or needy people. * Don't tell me what to do. What I Like About Being a Katharine * being optimistic and not letting life's troubles get me down * being spontaneous and free-spirited * being outspoken and outrageous. It's part of the fun. * being generous and trying to make the world a better place * having the guts to take risks and to try exciting adventures * having such varied interests and abilities What's ...

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places.] Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; (Ephesians 6:10-17) Your Sister in Christ, Toia

Where is God?!? A couple had two little boys, ages 8 and 10, who were excessively mischievous. They were always getting into trouble and their parents knew that, if any mischief occurred in their town, their sons were probably involved. They boys' mother heard that a clergyman in town had been successful in disciplining children, so she asked if he would speak with her boys. The clergyman agreed, but asked to see them individually. So the mother sent her 8-year-old first, in the morning, with the older boy to see the clergyman in the afternoon. The clergyman, a huge man with a booming voice, sat the younger boy down and asked him sternly, "Where is God?” They boy's mouth dropped open, but he made no response, sitting there with his mouth hanging open, wide-eyed. So the clergyman repeated the question in an even sterner tone, "Where is God!!?" Again the boy made no attempt to answer. So the clergyman raised his voice even more and shook his finger in the boy's...

I saw this video on Around the Island and just had to post it. You will gasp or say "Oh, Nooooo!"....You may even LOL. But check it out..... Words of advice: Never let anyone with 2-left feet participate in your wedding. Your Sister in Christ, Toia

image from Frustration.In Your Sister in Christ, Toia

VICTORY I refused to be discouraged To be sad, or to cry; I refuse to be downhearted, and here's the reason why... I have a God who's mighty, Who's sovereign and supreme; I have a God who loves me, and I am on His team. He is all wise and powerful, Jesus is His name; Though everything is changeable, My God remains the same. My God knows all that's happening; Beginning to the end, His presence is my comfort, He is my dearest friend. When sickness comes to weaken me, To bring my head down low, I call upon my mighty God; Into His arms I go. When circumstances threaten to rob me from my peace; He draws me close unto His breast, Where all my strivings cease. And when my heart melts within me, and weakness takes control; He gathers me into His arms, He soothes my heart and soul. The great "I AM" is with me, My life is in His hand, The "Son of God" is my hope, It's in His strength I stand. I refuse to be defeated, My eyes are on my God; He has promised ...

I saw this video on Keeper of the Cheerios. I thought I share with y'all. The lyrcis are to the bottom. But remember no matter what you are going through God is there. He is always there. Trust the unseen. Let go and let God. "Never" By: Barlow Girl I waited for you today But you didn't show No no no I needed You today So where did You go? You told me to call Said You'd be there And though I haven't seen You Are You still there? [Chorus:] I cried out with no reply And I can't feel You by my side So I'll hold tight to what I know You're here and I"m never alone And though I cannot see You And I can't explain why Such a deep, deep reassurance You've placed in my life We cannot separate 'Cause You're part of me And though You're invisible I'll trust the unseen [Chorus] We cannot separate You're part of me And though You're invisible I'll trust the unseen [Chorus] [Thanks to volley_chick243@hotmail.com for thes...

He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. (Psalm 1:3) Your Sister in Christ, Toia

This is one of my favorite worship songs. I would love for you to listen. I pray that it is blessings to you (spirit, soul, & body). Your Sister in Christ, Toia

DOMINATED MEN God looks over the millions of people and says, "Welcome to Heaven. I want the women to go with Saint Peter, and the men to form two lines. Make one line of the men that dominated their women on earth, and the other of men who were dominated by their women." There's much movement, but eventually the women are gone and there are two lines. The line of the men that were dominated is 100 miles long. The line of men that dominated women has only one man. God gets angry and says, "You men should be ashamed of yourselves. I created you in my image and you were all dominated by your mates. Look at the only one of my sons that stood up and made me proud. Learn from him!" He turns to the man and says, "Tell them, my son. How did you manage to be the only one on that line?" The man says, "I don't know, my wife told me to stand here." ________________________________________________________________ GETTING INTO HEAVEN A fellow finds hi...

Commons Wikimedia Image Your Sister in Christ, Toia

open mouth image by: tell.fll.purdue.edu/.../FLClipart/Medical.html "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one." (Colossians 4:6) "For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. "Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another." (Mark 9:49-50) Your Sister in Christ, Toia

CHURCH BULLETIN BLOOPERS The Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children. Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B.S. is done. The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday morning. Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door. Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community. HIGHWAY 119 A cop pulls over a car load of nuns.... Cop: 'Sister, this is a 65 MPH highway -- why are you going so slow?' Sister: 'Sir, I saw a lot of signs that said 22, not 65.' Cop: 'Oh sister, that's not the speed limit, that's the name of the highway you're on! Sister: 'Oh! Silly me! Thanks for letting me know. I'll be more careful. At this point the cop looks in the b...

Image found @ http://www.blogigo.co.uk/pari Your Sister in Christ. Toia

Politics can be such a touchy subject. One thing for sure....I am neither a Republican, a Democrat, nor Independent. I am a Dependent. That is truly depending on God to instill in my heart on who to vote for. In an election like this, you can't simply go with your own ambitions. Now, whomever God place on my heart to vote for, I am not going to go out of my way to discredit the other candidate. That's not my place. I believe God is not going to put the same candidate on everyone's heart. That's why I can't go about making and passing judgements on any candidate. If God place on my heart to vote for candidate A, it's not my job (unless God says otherwise) to make sure everyone else vote for candidate A. I don't know what God might have place on your heart. He could tell you to vote for candidate B. Discrediting presidential candidates, in my opinion, is no different than the people in the bible trying to discredit the woman of adultery. It is not o...

Bringing Harmony To Discord I once talked with a couple about their marriage. They completed personality "testing" and were discussing some differences that had frustrated them both over the years. I summarized some of those differences for them. "You are sensitive," I said to the husband. He nodded affirmatively. "You try to keep harmony in the relationship. It is important to you that you don't have too much conflict, so you tend to give in often in order to keep the peace." He agreed. "You like affection and will often reach out and hold your wife's hand for no reason at all." He smiled and nodded. "And you remember birthdays and special days - these are important to you." He continued to smile and nod. "And you particularly appreciate it when she says, 'I love you.' In fact, you need her to say that at least once a day." "EXACTLY!" he exclaimed with a broad smile, looking at his wife. Then I spoke...

The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills. (Habukkuk 3:19) Your Sister in Christ. Toia