Humor: Rumah Baru

Ketika keluarga Hadi pindah ke rumah baru, seorang kerabat yang berkunjung bertanya pada Semi yang berusia lima tahun, "Apa kamu suka rumah barunya."

"Bagus sekali rumah ini!" katanya.

"Aku punya kamar sendiri, Miki punya kamar sendiri, dan Jimi punya kamar sendiri. Tapi kasihan Ibu, ia masih sekamar dengan Ayah!"

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Blessings on the Other Side

Today's Scripture

“When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings” (Psalm 84:6).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

Do you feel like you are walking through a tough place in your life today? When you walk through the “valley of weeping”, God is walking with you. He wants to strengthen and empower you to keep moving forward. He is leading you to a place of blessing and refreshing! Be encouraged today, it’s not over until God says it’s over, and He always causes us to triumph! The Bible says that weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning! It also says that the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn shining brighter until the full day. No matter how dark your circumstance may seem, you are on a path that is shining brighter and brighter. Know today that there is a place of victory on the other side of your challenge. Keep believing and keep expecting. As you continue to meditate on the goodness of God and declare His favor in your life, you will be strengthened and refreshed in your inner man. You will rise higher and higher, and you will live the life of victory the Lord has in store for you!

A Prayer for Today

Father in heaven, thank You for leading me to my place of blessing. I trust that You are faithful and believe that You have a good plan for my life. Help me to always hear Your voice so I can follow You all the days of my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

From : Joel Osteen Ministries

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Kemurahan Hati Yang Sejati

Waktu sebuah angin topan menimpa sebuah kota kecil dekat-dekat sini, banyak keluarga mengalami musibah. Sesudah itu, semua surat kabar lokal memuat banyak berita kemanusiaan yang menarik dengan liputan keluarga-keluarga yang paling menderita.

Di edisi Minggu, sebuah gambar khusus begitu menyentuh hatiku. Ada seorang ibu muda berdiri di depan sebuah rumah-mobil yang hancur, raut wajahnya mencerminkan kesedihan yang begitu memelas. Seorang bocah laki-laki, sekitar 7 atau 8 tahun, berdiri di sampingnya, matanya memandang ke bawah. Seorang gadis kecil sedang memegang erat-erat gaun ibunya, matanya memandang ke lensa kamera, lebar terbelalak penuh kebingungan dan rasa takut. Berita yang menyertai gambar itu memberikan nomor-nomor ukuran pakaian tiap anggota keluarga itu. Perhatianku makin bertambah, aku mengamati ukuran-ukurannya hampir menyamai punya kami. Ini sebuah kesempatan bagus untuk mendidik anak-anakku membantu mereka-mereka yang kurang beruntung dari anak-anakku. Gambar keluarga muda itu aku tempelkan pada lemari es, kuterangkan bencana mereka itu pada putra-putra kembarku, Brad dan Brett, yang berumur 7 tahun, dan pada putriku Meghan yang baru berumur 3 tahun. Aku berkata, "Kita ini punya begini banyak, mereka itu sekarang hampir-hampir tak memiliki apapun. Ayo, mari kita membagikan milik kita dengan mereka." Aku bawa turun 3 kotak besar dari gudang bawah-atap yang lalu kutaruh di ruang keluarga. Meghan diam-diam mengamati kedua kakaknya dan aku yang sedang mengisi salah satu kotak itu dengan makanan kaleng dan lain-lainnya yang tahan lama, juga sabun dan kebutuhan kebersihan lainnya. Waktu aku memilah pakaian-pakaian, aku menyemangati putra-putraku untuk melihat-lihat mainan mereka dan menyumbangkan apa yang kiranya sudah kurang digemari. Si Meghan terus memandang, diam saja, saat mereka itu mulai menumpuk mainan maupun 'game' yang mau dibuang. "Nanti habis ini akan ibu bantu carikan sesuatu untuk gadis kecil itu," kataku.

Bocah-bocah laki-laki itu mengisikan mainan-mainan yang mereka pilih untuk disumbangkan ke dalam salah satu kotak sedangkan aku mengisi kotak ketiga dengan pakaian-pakaian. Meghan datang berjalan sambil mendekap erat-erat di dadanya, Lucy, boneka kainnya yang selain sudah luntur, kucel bocel dan lusuh kumal namun begitu ia sayangi. Ia berhenti sejenak di depan kotak yang memuat mainan-mainan itu, menempelkan wajahnya yang bulat kecil mungil pada muka lukisan Lucy yang datar ceper, memberinya sebuah ciuman selamat tinggal, lalu menaruhnya dengan lembut di atas lain-lainnya. "Lho, Sayang," aku berkata, "Lucy tidak perlu kau berikan. Itu kan kesayanganmu?" Meghan mengangguk dengan hikmat, matanya agak berkilau membasah dengan air mata yang tertahan. "Lucy membuatku begitu bahagia, Bu. Mungkin nanti dia juga akan membuat gadis kecil itu bahagia sekali." Aku, yang semula maunya mengajar, malah mendapat pelajaran. Anak-anak laki-laki itu telah melihat dan melongo, mulut terbuka, saat adik perempuannya meletakkan boneka kesayangannya ke dalam kotak. Tanpa sepatah kata, Brad berdiri dan menghilang ke kamarnya. Ia muncul kembali dan membawa salah satu mainan tokoh aksi-aksian yang paling ia kagumi. Terlihat ia agak ragu-ragu, maju-mundur sambil menggenggam mainan itu, lalu ia melirik Meghan dan kemudian diletakkannya di kotak, di samping Lucy. Sebuah senyum pelan-pelan melebar di muka Brett, lalu ia lompat berdiri, matanya bersinar-sinar saat ia lari pergi mengambil beberapa buah mobil-mobilan dari kumpulan Matchbox yang ia begitu sayangi. Begitu terkagum, aku menyadari bahwa merekapun juga menangkap isi makna sikap dan tindakan Meghan. Dengan menahan air mata, aku merangkul ketiga anak-anakku dalam pelukanku. Dengan rasa menelan yang berat, aku memandangi Meghan agak lama, termenung sebentar memikirkan bagaimana caranya aku bisa mengajar putra-putraku pelajaran yang Meghan baru ajarkan kepadaku, karena tiba-tiba saja aku sadar bahwa setiap orang bisa memberikan apa saja yang memang mau dibuang.

Kemurahan hati yang sejati ialah bila memberikan apa yang justru paling kau sayang dan hargai. Kebajikan murni sejati dan jujur ialah di saat gadis umur tiga tahun mengorbankan boneka tersayangnya, meskipun sudah kumal, kepada seorang gadis kecil lainnya yang tak ia kenal, dengan harapan bahwa itu akan membawa kadar kebahagiaan yang sama seperti yang ia terima. Dengan mengambil contoh dari si kecilku, aku mengambil kembali jaket coklatku berjumbai-jumbai yang lama dari kotak pakaian. Aku ganti itu dengan jaket baru berwarna hijau-pemburu yang baru kutemukan minggu lalu waktu ada obral. Aku harap wanita muda di gambar itu akan menyukainya sama seperti aku.

("True Generosity" by Elizabeth Cobb)

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Grandfather's Table

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law and four year old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered.

The family ate together at the table, but the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. "We must do something about grandfather," said the son. "I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor."

So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. When the family glanced in grandfather's direction, he sometimes had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four year old watched it all in silence.

One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" Just as sweetly the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Momma to eat your food from when I grow up." The four year old smiled and went back to work.

The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no words were spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table.

For the remainder of his days, he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

***

Children are remarkably perceptive. Their eyes ever observe, their ears ever listen, and their minds ever process the message they absorb. If they see us patiently provide a happy home atmosphere for family members, they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives. The wise parent realizes that every day the building blocks are being laid for the child's future.

Let us be wise builders.

- Author Unknown -

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Suara Guntur

“Bakarlah semak seperti yang Engkau lakukan untuk Musa, Tuhan, dan aku akan ikut Engkau. Runtuhkanlah dinding-dinding Yerikho, Tuhan dan aku akan bertempur. Redamkanlah badai seperti yang Kau lakukan di danau Galilea, Tuhan dan aku akan dengar.”

Demikian orang itu duduk di sebelah semak, dekat dengan dinding-dinding di tepi laut dan menanti Tuhan berbicara kepadanya.

Dan Tuhan mendengar orang itu, sehingga Tuhan menjawab. IA mengirim api, tidak untuk membakar semak, melainkan untuk gereja. IA meruntuhkan dinding-dinding, tidak yang dibuat dari batu, melainkan dari dosa. IA meredam sebuah badai, bukan di laut, melainkan dari jiwa.

Kemudian Tuhan menanti orang itu agar ia menjawab. Dan Ia menanti… Dan menanti… Dan menanti…

Namun, karena orang itu memperhatikan semak-semak, dan bukan hatinya; batu dan bukan kehidupannya, laut dan bukan jiwanya, maka orang itu mengambil kesimpulan bahwa Tuhan tidak melakukan apa-apa.

Akhirnya, ia memandang Tuhan dan bertanya, ”Apakah Engkau telah kehilangan kuat-kuasaMu?”

Dan Tuhan memandangnya dan berkata, ”Apakah kamu telah kehilangan pendengaranmu?”

“Hearing God through the Storm”
Max Lucado

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Extend Forgiveness

Today's Scripture

“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

When you’ve been hurt or offended, sometimes it’s tempting to hold on to unforgiveness. But we have to remember, when people wrong us, our battle is not against flesh and blood. In other words, that person who hurt you is not the real enemy. The Bible says that your adversary is the devil, and he knows that if you don’t forgive, then your prayers won’t be effective. Unforgiveness puts up a barrier in your life to the power of God. In fact, if we don’t forgive others, we can’t be forgiven by God. But when you choose forgiveness, you open the door for God’s healing power to flow through your life. Disarm the enemy in your life today by choosing forgiveness. Bless those who curse you and pray for those who wrong you. Look at what Jesus did—when He was betrayed, beaten, mocked, and disrespected, He chose forgiveness. As you follow His example, you will open the door for God to move in your life, and you’ll live in victory in every area of your life!

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, thank You for forgiving me and giving me new life. I choose today to extend the gift of forgiveness to others. I bless those who have wronged me and ask You to heal every broken place in my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

From : Joel Osteen Ministries

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Humor: Jabatan Baru

Sam sangat senang karena ia naik jabatan menjadi wakil presiden di perusahaan dimana ia bekerja dan terus membanggakannya selama berminggu-minggu pada istrinya.

Akhirnya, istrinya tak tahan dan berkata padanya, "Dengar, naik jabatanmu itu bukan apa-apa! Perusahaanmu itu bahkan punya wakil presiden untuk departemen buah apel di toko grosir!"

"Apa iya?" katanya. Lalu Sam ke toko grosir.

Sam berkata pada penjaga toko, "Apa aku bisa bicara dengan wakil presiden departemen buah apel?"

Penjaga toko menjawabnya, "Apel kaleng atau apel beku?"

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I LOVE This MAN

No one falls in love by choice,
it is by CHANCE.
No one stays in love by chance,
it is by WORK.
And no one falls out of love by chance,
it is by CHOICE



He did something for you, now do something for Him.
Spread His word, and you'll be rewarded.
How will you be rewarded?
Matthew 10:32 "Whoever acknowledges Me before men, I will acknowledge him before My Father in heaven. But whoever disowns Me before men, I will disown him before My Father in heaven

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Amazing Bell

This bell is who we are... Amazing!!

THE BELL

I KNOW WHO I AM
I am God's child (John 1:12)
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15)
I am united with the Lord(1 Cor. 6:17)
I am bought with a price(1 Cor. 6:19-20)
I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
I am a personal witness of Christ (Acts 1:8)
I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt.5:13-14)
I am a member of the body of Christ(1 Cor 12:27)
I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)
I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil.3:20)
I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31-34)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God(2 Cor.5:17-21)
I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)
I cannot be separated from the love of God(Rom.8:35- 39)
I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor.1:21-22)
I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8: 28)
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16)
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)
I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)
I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)
I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship( Eph. 2:10)
I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected (Phil 1: 5)
I have been redeemed and forgiven (Col. 1:14). I have been adopted as God's child(Eph 1:5)
I belong to God
Do you know
who you
are!?


Keep this bell ringing...pass it on:)

"The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make His face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn His face toward you
and give you peace."
Numbers 6:24-26

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Humor : Berapa Lama Sih?

Seorang yang sedang mabuk naik kereta di Limerick bertanya pada petugas soal lama perjalanan dari Limerick ke Cork, "Sekitar dua jam," jawab petugas.

"Kalau begitu, berapa lama perjalanan dari Cork ke Limerick ?", tanya orang mabuk itu lagi.

"Ya sama; dua jam," jawab petugas itu kesal.

"Apa yang membuatmu berpikir kalau perjalanan dari Limerick ke Cork dan dari Cork ke Limerick itu membutuhkan waktu yang berbeda?"

Orang mabuk itu menatapnya. "Hanya seminggu dari hari Natal ke Tahun Baru, namun dari Tahun Baru ke hari Natal itu rasanya sangat lama sekali, ya kan ?! Beda kan ?!"

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Now Faith

Today's Scripture

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

What are you hoping for in your life today? The Bible says that faith gives substance to the things you hope for. Notice this verse starts by saying, “Now faith…” It’s not “later” faith or “one day” faith. We have to believe that God is working behind the scenes right now. Faith is simply believing that God is a good and faithful God—that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Can you believe that God wants to move in your life, today? Do you believe He can provide for you need, today? Do you believe He can heal your relationships, today? Do you believe He can give you that promotion, today? Whatever you are hoping for, open your heart and expect that God is working on your behalf. Stand strong and declare that victory is already yours. As you face each day with faith and expectancy, you’ll increase in strength and see God’s hand in every area of your life!

A Prayer for Today

Father in heaven, today I choose to believe that You are working behind the scenes on my behalf. I trust that You have a good plan for me and that You are leading and guiding my every step. Help me stand strong in You, today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

From : Joel Osteen Ministries

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