THE PARADOX OF OUR TIME IN HISTORY

The paradox of our time in history is that :
We have taller buildings, but shorter tempers;
Wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints;
We spend more, but have less;
We buy more, but enjoy it less.
We have bigger houses and smaller families;
More conveniences, but less time;
We have more degrees, but less sense;
More knowledge, but less judgment;
More experts, but more problems;
More medicine, but less wellness.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.
We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life;
We've added years to life, not life to years.
We've been all the way to the moon and back,
But have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor.
We've conquered outer space, but not inner space;
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul;
We've split the atom, but not our prejudice.
We have higher incomes, but lower morals;
We've become long on quantity, but short on quality.

These are the times of tall men, and short character;
Steep profits, and shallow relationships.
These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare;
More leisure, but less fun;
More kinds of food, but less nutrition.
These are days of two incomes, but more divorce;
Of fancier houses, but broken homes.
It is a time when there is much in the show window
And nothing in the stockroom;
A time when technology can bring this letter to you,
And a time when you can choose either to make a difference
Or just hit delete.
--- Copyright © 1998 Jeff Dickson
--- Submitted by Jenny Lange, Illinois
--- Submitted by Stephanie L., Age 16 --- Minnesota
--- Author's name supplied by Jean LaClair 12/18/01
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A LETTER FROM THE HEART

December 13, 1999

My father was diagnosed with cancer almost 2 years ago and through the really, really hard times, I tried to keep my sanity by writing. Your site on grief made me cry, but also made me realize that I am definitely not alone as I'm dealing with my father's cancer. I'd like to submit a letter that I wrote late one night when my father was going in for his 4th brain surgery.

Dear Dad,

I want to say thank you for being such a wonderful father. Though you've brought us many a struggle with your various ailments over the years, you've taught me more about life than any other experience could have. It's been tough. You've thrown more at me than I ever thought my 21 years could handle. You've taught me that nightmares can come true.

Finding out that you have terminal stage IV cancer, out of nowhere, on Christmas Day; what does one even do with that as part of reality? But it was from that pit of desperation and fear that hope somehow sprang forth. My life did not end at that moment and neither did yours.

Dad, you've taught me what heroes are made of: how to go in and do what you have to do, even when it's hard and scary and you know it's going to be painful. As I sat at your feet through many chemo sessions, I saw an incredible person. I learned how precious life is. It was worth the toxic chemicals that were pumped into your vein. It was worth the horrible side effects including loss of hair, strength, and abscessing finger nails.

As I am constantly immersing myself in the world of medicine as a pharmacy major, you've taught me to always remember the personal aspect of what I will soon be calling my career; the part that seems to get lost amid the exams, labs, and lectures. This is what pharmacy is about, people like you, Dad, who are alive today because of what I read in my textbooks.

You've taught me that world isn't about money. What good is a 401K that gives you 10 million at age 60 if you die at 59? Life is too precious, too unpredictable, to be put on hold for 40 years.

You've taught me never to give up...even when it seems that all odds are against you and medical professionals only give you a few months to live. Don't believe in anyone who doesn't believe in you. As long as their is a tiny chance, you can be the exception because you are like no one else. But, you've also taught me not to fear death. Fight the good fight, but know that you can never beat God.

Dad, you've taught me how amazing and resistant the human body can be. Surgeons have opened you up and touched your lungs, heart, and brain...and they are still working enough to sustain life. God has done an incredible job in creating us, why mistreat this wonderful gift? No one is made perfect though. True beauty is shown on the inside.

As I look at you now, Dad, I don't see the pale, bald, slow man before me, I see my father; the person who taught me how to ride a two wheeler, and how to drive a standard shift car. The person who drove me to swim meets and sat there for hour upon boring hour in the hot, humid pool bleachers, never complaining. The person who built my loft freshman year at college in the hundred degree heat. The person who went to work everyday, even though he felt physically worse than I could ever imagine, to his daughter a wonderful chance at a promising future. That's who I see--and that whom I see is the most beautiful person I can imagine.

Though it's been hard getting through the days after learning of your diagnosis, I'm thankful that from this disease I have grown to appreciate every day of my life at such a young age.

Love,
Christine

--- Christine M. Walko --- Pennsylvania
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CHOICES

Portia Nelson reports that she has written her autobiography in just five short chapters. It goes like this:

CHAPTER ONE
I walk down the street.
There's a hole in the sidewalk.
It is a very deep hole.
I fall in... I am helpless.
It isn't my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

CHAPTER TWO
I walk down the same street.
There's a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don't see it.
I fall in... again.
I can't believe I'm in the same place, but it isn't my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

CHAPTER THREE
I walk down the same street.
There's a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in... it's a habit, but my eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

CHAPTER FOUR
I walk down the same street.
There's a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

CHAPTER FIVE
I walk down another street.
What a marvelous progression from... a helpless victim of life... to a victim of self... to taking responsibility... to self-discipline... to making better choices!
--- Author Unknown --- Sent in by Andrew Ho --- Malaysia
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What If?

One Of Life's Biggest Questions:

What If?

What if, GOD couldn't take the time to bless us today because
we couldn't take the time to thank Him yesterday?

What if, GOD decided to stop leading us tomorrow because
we didn't follow Him today?

What if, we never saw another flower bloom because
we grumbled when GOD sent the rain.

What if, GOD didn't walk with us today because
we failed to recognize it as His day?

What if, GOD took away the Bible tomorrow because
we would not read it today?

What if, GOD took away His message because
we failed to listen to the messenger?

What if, GOD didn't send His only begotten Son because
He wanted us to be prepared to pay the price for sin.

What if, the door of the church was closed because
we did not open the door of our heart?

What if, GOD stopped loving and caring for us because
we failed to love and care for others?

What if, GOD would not hear us today because
we would not listen to Him yesterday?

What if, GOD answered our prayers
the way we answer His call to service?

What if, GOD met our needs
the way we give Him our lives???
--- Author Unknown --- Submitted by Tammy --- Texas
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You!

What Do You Want From Life?
What Are You Willing To Give?

You!

What is happening to my marriage?
What is happening to me?
What is happening to my children?
What is happening to my wife?
What is happening to my life?
What is happening to my career?
What is happening?

Why is it going worse each month?
Why is this world so cruel and cold?
Why is there so much violence?
Why is there so much corruption?
Why is it so?
Why?

These questions arise daily
The answers to them seems so difficult
While in fact, it is so simple...
The simple fact is...
We have done everything without God
We have forgotten where we came from
We have forgotten who has paid the price
We have lost our charity
We have lost our faith
We have lost our trust
We have lost our love
We have lost ourselves

God said in His book
We must love one another
We must have faith
We must have charity
We must trust in Him

We have come to trust only ourselves
We have come to believe in worldly values
We have come to seek worldly goods
We have come to look only after our own destiny
We have come to distrust everyone
We have come to love ourselves

YOU want to have financial freedom
YOU want to have worldly goods
YOU want to have a successful marriage
YOU want your kids to grow up, having a meaningful life
YOU want to have a successful career
YOU want everything...
Do YOU want God?
Look for yourself,
Open your eyes
Open your ears
Open your heart
Open your soul
Open yourself
Because God WANTS YOU!

He loves YOU
He cares for YOU
He has faith in YOU
He waits for YOU
He has plans, greater that YOU can imagine - for YOU

God waits patiently for YOU
To come back to Him
To tell Him that YOU need Him
To tell Him that YOU trust Him
To tell Him that YOU love Him
To tell Him that YOU are His
To be led by Him
To be fed by Him
To be guided by Him

If God is for YOU, who can be against YOU?
Who can overpower God?
Who can tell the wind to blow?
Who can tell the waves to stop crashing onto the beaches of the world?
Who can tell the sun to stop shining?
Who can?
Can YOU?

If YOU can not do these things
Why do YOU trust in yourself?
Trust in Him that can do all of these things
Him that can do so much more than these things
He can change everything
If YOU allow Him to do it
If YOU trust Him enough

God waits for YOU
He loves YOU
He cares for YOU
He has plans for YOU
He knows YOU

Why YOU?
Because YOU are His child
Confess to Him
And come back to Him
He was, is and will always be there for YOU!
It is up to YOU!
--- Copyright © 1998 Chris Putter --- South Africa
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Food For The Soul

Food For The Soul

An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer, a building contractor, of his plans to leave the house building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire. They could get by.

His employer was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but it was easy to see that his heart was no longer in his work. He had lost his enthusiasm and had resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end his career.

When the carpenter finished his work and his boss came to inspect the new house, the contractor handed the front-door key to the carpenter. "This is your house," he said, "my gift to you."

What a shock! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently. Now he had to live in the home he had built none too well.

So it is with us. We build our lives in a distracted way, reacting rather than acting, willing to put up less than the best. At important points we do not give the job our best effort. Then with a shock we look at the situation we have created and find that we are now living in the house we have built for ourselves. If we had realized, we would have done it differently.

Think of yourself as the carpenter. Think about your house. Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Build wisely. It is the only life you will ever build. Even if you live it for only one day more, that day deserves to be lived graciously and with dignity.

The plaque on the wall says, "Life is a do-it-yourself project." Who could say it more clearly? Your life today is the result of your attitudes and choices in the past. Your life tomorrow will be the result.
--- Author Unknown --- Submitted by Amy Yates --- Texas
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Who Is A Real Friend?

A Friend Is...

Anyone can stand by you when you are right,
But a Friend will stand by you even when you are wrong.

A simple friend identifies himself when he calls.
A real friend doesn't have to.

A simple friend opens a conversation
With a full news bulletin on his life.
A real friend says, "What's new with you?"

A simple friend thinks the problems you whine about are recent.
A real friend says,
"You've been whining about the same thing for 14 years.
Get off your duff and do something about it."

A simple friend has never seen you cry.
A real friend has shoulders soggy from your tears.

A simple friend doesn't know your parents' first names.
A real friend has their phone numbers in his address book.

A simple friend brings a bottle of wine to your party.
A real friend comes early to help you cook
And stays late to help you clean.

A simple friend hates it when you call after he has gone to bed.
A real friend asks you why you took so long to call.

A simple friend seeks to talk with you about your problems.
A real friend seeks to help you with your problems.

A simple friend wonders about your romantic history.
A real friend could blackmail you with it.

A simple friend, when visiting, acts like a guest.
A real friend opens your refrigerator and helps himself.

A simple friend thinks the friendship is over
When you have an argument.
A real friend knows that it's not a friendship until after
You've had a fight.

A simple friend expects you to always be there for them.
A real friend expects to always be there for you!

--- Author Unknown --- Submitted by Jeff Pappas --- Texas
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