The Secret

One day, one friend asked another,
"How is it that you are always so happy?
You have so much energy,
and you never seem to get down."

With her eyes smiling, she said,
"I know the Secret!"
"What secret is that?"
To which she replied,
"I'll tell you all about it,
but you have to promise to
share the Secret with others."


"The Secret is this:
I have learned there is little I can do
in my life that will make me truly happy.
I must depend on God to make
me happy and to meet my needs.
When a need arises in my life,
I have to trust God to supply
according to HIS riches.
I have learned most of the time
I don't need half of what I think I do.
He has never let me down.
Since I learned that 'Secret', I am happy."


The questioner's first thought was,
"That's too simple!"
But upon reflecting over his own life
he recalled how he thought a bigger house
would make him happy, but it didn't!
He thought a better paying job
would make him happy, but it hadn't.
When did he realize his greatest happiness?
Sitting on the floor with his grandchildren,
playing games, eating pizza or reading a story,
a simple gift from God.

Now you know it too!
We can't depend on people to make us happy.
Only GOD in His infinite wisdom can do that.
Trust HIM!

And now I pass the Secret on to you!
So once you get it, what will you do?



YOU have to tell someone the Secret, too!
That GOD in His wisdom will take care of YOU!
But it's not really a secret...
We just have to believe it and do it...
Really trust God!

GIVE THANKS
WITH A GRATEFUL HEART
GIVE THANKS
TO THE HOLY ONE
GIVE THANKS
FOR HE'S GIVEN
JESUS CHRIST, HIS SON
(X2)

AND NOW LET THE WEAK SAY
I AM STRONG
LET THE POOR SAY
I AM RICH
BECAUSE OF WHAT
THE LORD HAS DONE
FOR US
(X2)
GIVE THANKS...

as we prepare to observe Lent, many of us find ourselves preoccupied with the hardships brought on by the global economic crisis that followed closely on the heels of a global food crisis. amid dire economic news, we see the signs of stress placed upon our families and friends--the stress of dealing with home foreclosures, layoffs and increased costs of living. But these growing needs are not only evident in our own country and communities. they exist and manifest themselves many times over and with greater intensity in poor countries overseas.

this is an opportunity for us to deepen our faith and renew our commitment to helping the poor through prayer and personal sacrifice.

we should put emphasis on sacrifice and "almsgiving, which represents a specific way to assist those in need and, at the same time, an exercise in self-denial to free us from attachment to worldly goods.


have a meaningful lenten season

READ: Philippians 2:12-18

It is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13

We always crave change in a new year. This is why on January 1 we start diets, exercise programs, and new hobbies. Of course, a month later were usually back to our old bad habits. Maybe thats because we crave too big a change and do not have enough power and will to make the changes.

I wonder how many Jesus-followers have made commitments to change and grow spiritually but are experiencing frustration because they dont have the will and power to carry out those steps.

Paul addresses this issue in his letter to the Philippians. As he encouraged them to work out their salvation with fear and trembling (2:12), Paul said they would not be on their own. God Himself would energize them to grow and carry out His tasks. The first area affected would be their desires. God was at work in them, giving them the desire to change and grow. He was also working to give them the power to make the actual changes (v.13).

God has not left us alone in our struggles to attain spiritual growth. He helps us want to obey Him, and then He gives us the power to do what He wants. Ask Him to help you want to do His will.

Every day more like my Savior,
Every day my will resign,
Until at last Christ reigns supremely
In this grateful heart of mine.


The power that compels us comes from the Spirit who indwells us.

1. Give God what's right -- not what's left.

2. Man's way leads to a hopeless end -- God's way leads to an endless hope.


3. A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing.


4. He who kneels before God can stand before anyone.


5. In the sentence of life, the devil may be a comma--but never let him be the period.


6. Don't put a question mark where God puts a period.


7. Are you wrinkled with burden? Come to the church for a face-lift.


8. When praying, don't give God instructions - just report for duty.


9. Don't wait for six strong men to take you to church.


10. We don't change God's message -- His message changes us.


11. The church is prayer-conditioned.


12. When God ordains, He sustains.


13. WARNING: Exposure to the Son may prevent burning.


14. Plan ahead -- It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.


15. Most people want to serve God, but only in an advisory position.


16. Suffering from truth decay? Brush up on your Bible.

17. Exercise daily -- walk with the Lord.

18. Never give the devil a ride -- he will always want to drive.

19. Nothing else ruins the truth like stretching it.

20. Compassion is difficult to give away because it keeps coming back.

21. He who angers you controls you.


22. Worry is the darkroom in which negatives can develop.


23. Give Satan an inch & he'll be a ruler.


24. Be ye fishers of men -- you catch them & He'll clean them.


25. God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.


Now take 60 seconds and give this a shot! Let's just see if Satan stops this one. All you do is:


1. Simply say a small prayer for the person who sent you this, e.g. LORD, God, bless this person in

whatever it is that You know he or she may be needing this day....)


would have caused a multitude of people to pray to God for other people.


Then sit back and watch the power of God work in your life for doing the thing that you know He loves.


What we do in life echoes in eternity....

Lord I come to You
Let my heart be changed, renewed
Flowing from the grace
That Ive found in You
Lord Ive come to know
The weakenesses I see in me
Will be stripped away
By the power of Your love

~ chorus ~
Hold me close
Let Your love surround me
Bring me near
Draw me to Your side
And as I wait
Ill rise up like the eagle
And I will soar with You
Your Spirit leads me on
In the power of Your love

Lord unveil my eyes
Let me see You face to face
The knowledge of Your love
As You live in me
Lord renew my mind
As Your will unfolds in my life
In living every day
By the power of Your love

(repeat chorus twice)

And I will soar with You
Your Spirit leads me on
In the power of Your love
(repeat)