Maineiac

There's a pretty little legend
That I would like to tell
Of the birth and death of Jesus
Found in this lowly shell.

If you examine closely,
You'll see that you find here
Four nail holes and a fifth one
Made by a Roman's Spear.

Pictures from a beach in Maryland. Isn't the artwork awesome? The artist, Randy Hofman, creates new sculptures each day as the ocean washes away his work. See below for more information on these truly inspirational creations!

I went to a party,
and remembered what you said.
You told me not to drink, Mom
so I had a Sprite instead.

I felt proud of myself,
the way you said I would,
that I didn't drink and drive,
though some friends said I should.

• Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
• When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
• Follow the three Rs: Respect for self - Respect for others - Responsibility for all your actions.
• Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
• Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
• Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

A man who gets treed by a lion but enjoys the scenery is an optimist.

***

He who cannot forgive breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass.

***

"Many find that things can be done in a day if they don't always make that day tomorrow."
- Unknown

We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another.

Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll be more content when they are.

After that, we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage.

I am Thankful,

For the teenager who is watching TV and not doing dishes, because that means he is at home, not on the streets.

For the taxes that I pay, because it means that I am employed.

For the mess to clean after a party, because it means that I have been surrounded by friends.

For the clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means I have enough to eat.

Last week I took my children to a restaurant. My six-year-old son asked if he could say grace. As we bowed our heads he said, "God is good. God is great. Thank You for the food, and I would even thank you more if Mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And Liberty and justice for all. Amen!"

Along with the laughter from the other customers nearby, I heard a woman remark, "That's what's wrong with this country. Kids today don't even know how to pray. Asking God for icecream. Why, I never!"

A good woman is proud. She respects herself and others. She is aware of who she is. She neither seeks definition from the person she is with, nor does she expect them to read her mind. She is quite capable of articulating her needs.

A good woman is hopeful. She is strong enough to make all her dreams come true. She knows love, therefore she gives love. She recognizes that her love has great value and must be reciprocated. If her love is taken for granted, it soon disappears.

This is how hope works:

It looks for the good in people and situations, rather than finding the worst;

It discovers what can be done instead of throwing up its hands at what can't;

It considers problems large and small, as opportunities to move forward when it would be easier to quit;

It makes us human, helping us find the very best in ourselves for those around us and the situations we face.

- Kevin Eikenberry

Quite a few of us grew up with Captain Kangaroo, as you or your children probably did. I knew nothing of his background, only that his show was both entertaining, educational, and as kids, we looked forward to it with great anticipation. Captain Kangaroo turned 76 recently (DOB: 6/27/27); It reminded me of the following story. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

(Thanks, Gloria, for sending this in!)

This is something to think about when negative people are doing their best to rain on your parade. So remember this story the next time someone who knows nothing and cares less tries to make your life miserable.

A woman was at her hairdresser's getting her hair styled for a trip to Rome with her boyfriend. She mentioned the trip to the hairdresser, who responded, "Rome? Why would anyone want to go there? It's crowded and dirty and full of Italians. You're crazy to go to Rome. So, how are you getting there?"

OPENING PRAYER - KANSAS STATE SENATE

It seems prayer still upsets some people.

When Minister Joe Wright was asked to open the new session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting the usual generalities, but this is what they heard:

"Heavenly Father, we come before You today to ask Your forgiveness and to seek Your direction and guidance.

"Hey Dad," one of my kids asked the other day, "what was your favorite fast food when you were growing up?"

"We didn't have fast food when I was growing up," I informed him. "All the food was slow."

"C'mon, seriously. Where did you eat?"

"It was a place called 'at home,'" I explained. "Grandma cooked every day and when Grandpa got home from work, we sat down together at the dining room table, and if I didn't like what she put on my plate, I was allowed to sit there until I did like it."

Good women are indeed all around us. You pass them on the streets, in the malls and the halls at work.

Most you can't see because you don't know what a good woman really looks like.

She may not be flashy enough or rich enough to turn your head.

She might not wear a tight skirt or push a Lex.

She might not have a "body like Janet with a Halle Berry face."

A professor stood before his Philosophy 101 class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

• WAKE UP - Decide to have a good day. "Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
  - Psalms 118:24
• DRESS UP - The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance; but the Lord looks at the heart."
  - I Samuel 16:7

New billboards are getting attention in Arizona. Some reported seeing one or two messages, but the newspaper listed all of them. The billboards are a simple black background with white text. No fine print or sponsoring organization is included. Here's a list of all of the "God Speaks" billboards. These are awesome... enjoy.

A fifth grade teacher in a Christian school asked her class to look at TV commercials and see if they could use them in some way to communicate ideas about God. Here are some of the results:

God is Like...

BAYER ASPIRIN - He works miracles.

a FORD - He's got a better idea.

COKE - He's the real thing.

When worry or fear tests your faith
And anxious thoughts assail,
Remember God is in control
And He will never fail!
- Unknown