Hole in the Fence

There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence.
The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence. Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all.

He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.

The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. But it won't matter how many times you say I'm sorry, the wound will still be there. A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one. Remember that family and friends are very rare jewels, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share words of praise and they always want to open their hearts to us."

Be sure to send this to your family and friends. Seek forgiveness for all the nails you hammered into their fence. Equally important, be sure to forgive those who have hammered nails into your fence.

The Rude, Demanding, and Outright Nasty

I write this because I've been noticing more and more people that I have interactions with at work and in general are being more and more rude, overly demanding, and just outright nasty.


I work as a medical biller/coder and have done so for nearly 5 years. I am a collections agent and an appointment scheduler. I can check patients in for an appointment and I can check them out when they are done. If you have general questions about your insurance, I can help. If you have questions about your financial account with the practice I work for, I can help. I can even help you with some clinical questions or concerns, but most I would have to refer you to someone else.


So I basically work in customer service for the medical industry.


As such, I've been noticing more and more rude, demanding, and outright nasty people. They have a problem and instead of simply stating the issue and letting someone like me help, they feel like they have to yell, demand, and even throw profanity into the mix.


What is wrong with people? What ever happened to basic manners? What happened to the Golden Rule?


When I'm in a restaurant or fast food place, I hear the way some people place an order and it rubs my fur the wrong way.

I want a burger with fries and a Coke (in an unfriendly tone of voice).

I need a burger with fries and a Coke.

Burger with fries and Coke.

How about this instead, which is what I do in a very friendly tone of voice...

If I could get a burger with fries and a Coke please. Thank you.

Like I said, that's the way I order. I did that at a McDonald's drive thru one time. As I pulled up to the window to pay and get my order, the drive thru attendant told me that I was the nicest person she has ever had order thru her drive thru. She also told me that her day wasn't going all that well with people being just plan nasty and demanding. She told me I had made her day! Mission complete.


Would simple manners kill anyone?????


Now I don't mean to sound like no one has manners anymore, but I've noticed fewer and fewer people that do.


Take for example this one person who called me because of a balance on her account.


Now, I didn't take the initial call, but our call center person who did told me to stand by because when she answered the call, this lady started by yelling at her and calling her a "clown" and that this person wanted to talk to one of the "clowns" in our billing department.


When I got on the phone, this person started yelling at me before I could even get her to tell me who she was so I could pull up her account. Then she got mad at me for even asking who she was, like I should have already known! Then she lays into me for about 20 minutes because she has a balance on her account like it's my fault that it's even there. She was even kind enough to call me a "clown" and that I needed to get my $%^* together. Then, what made me the most upset, at one point in our conversation, she says, "Jesus, take the wheel!" Really????? Seriously???? As you're being rude and outright nasty to me, you seriously have the audacity to invoke the name of the person who taught the Golden Rule??????


Conversely, I've had people call up or come into the clinic to question a bill, but they were much more pleasant, even if we couldn't come to an agreement over the reason there is a balance on their account.


Our how about the person who is just plan rude and always speaks in an unfriendly tone. He always seems mad at the world.


Just imagine how great it would be if everyone followed the simple Golden Rule.

Twas the Month Before Christmas

Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land, Not a Christian was praying Nor taking a stand.

Why the PC Police had taken away
The reason for Christmas - no one could say.

The children were told by their schools not to sing
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.

It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say
December 25th is just a 'Holiday'.

Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!

CDs from Madonna, an X-BOX, an I-Pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!

Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.

As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.

At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears
You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.

Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.

At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.

And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace.

The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.

So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.

Choose your words carefully, choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday!

Please, all Christians join together and wish everyone you meet

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Christ is The Reason' for the Christ-mas Season!

You Reap What You Sow

This is a great story that helps restore my faith in humanity, even if it's not true.

Good morning said a woman as she walked up to the man sitting on the ground...

The man slowly looked up. This was a woman clearly accustomed to the finer things of life. Her coat was new. She looked like she had never missed a meal in her life.

His first thought was that she wanted to make fun of him, like so many others had done before. "Leave me alone," he growled....

To his amazement, the woman continued standing. She was smiling -- her even white teeth displayed in dazzling rows. "Are you hungry?" she asked.

"No," he answered sarcastically. "I've just come from dining with the president. Now go away."

The woman's smile became even broader. Suddenly the man felt a gentle hand under his arm.

"What are you doing, lady?" the man asked angrily. "I said to leave me alone."

Just then a policeman came up. "Is there any problem, ma'am?" he asked.

"No problem here, officer," the woman answered. "I'm just trying to get this man to his feet. Will you help me?"

The officer scratched his head. "That's old Jack. He's been a fixture around here for a couple of years. What do you want with him?"

"See that cafeteria over there?" she asked. "I'm going to get him something to eat and get him out of the cold for awhile."

"Are you crazy, lady?" the homeless man resisted. "I don't want to go in there!"

Then he felt strong hands grab his other arm and lift him up. "Let me go, officer. I didn't do anything."

"This is a good deal for you, Jack" the officer answered. "Don't blow it."

Finally, and with some difficulty, the woman and the police officer got Jack into the cafeteria and sat him at a table in a remote corner. It was the middle of the morning, so most of the breakfast crowd had already left and the lunch bunch had not yet arrived...

The manager strode across the cafeteria and stood by his table. "What's going on here, officer?" he asked. "What is all this, is this man in trouble?"

"This lady brought this man in here to be fed," the policeman answered.

"Not in here!" the manager replied angrily. "Having a person like that here is bad for business."

Old Jack smiled a toothless grin. "See, lady. I told you so. Now if you'll let me go. I didn't want to come here in the first place."

The woman turned to the cafeteria manager and smiled.......

"Sir, are you familiar with Eddy and Associates, the banking firm down the street?"

"Of course I am," the manager answered impatiently. "They hold their weekly meetings in one of my banquet rooms."

"And do you make a godly amount of money providing food at these weekly meetings?"

"What business is that of yours?"

"I, sir, am Penelope Eddy, president and CEO of the company."

"Oh."

The woman smiled again. "I thought that might make a difference." She glanced at the cop who was busy stifling a giggle. "Would you like to join us in a cup of coffee and a meal, officer?"

"No thanks, ma'am," the officer replied. "I'm on duty."

"Then, perhaps, a cup of coffee to go?"

"Yes, maam. That would be very nice."

The cafeteria manager turned on his heel, "I'll get your coffee for you right away, officer."

The officer watched him walk away. "You certainly put him in his place," he said.

"That was not my intent. Believe it or not, I have a reason for all this." She sat down at the table across from her amazed dinner guest. She stared at him intently.. "Jack, do you remember me?"

Old Jack searched her face with his old, rheumy eyes. "I think so -- I mean you do look familiar."

"I'm a little older perhaps," she said. "Maybe I've even filled out more than in my younger days when you worked here, and I came through that very door, cold and hungry."

"Ma'am?" the officer said questioningly. He couldn't believe that such a magnificently turned out woman could ever have been hungry.

"I was just out of college," the woman began. "I had come to the city looking for a job, but I couldn't find anything. Finally I was down to my last few cents and had been kicked out of my apartment. I walked the streets for days. It was February and I was cold and nearly starving. I saw this place and walked in on the off chance that I could get something to eat."

Jack lit up with a smile. "Now I remember," he said.. "I was behind the serving counter. You came up and asked me if you could work for something to eat. I said that it was against company policy."

"I know," the woman continued. "Then you made me the biggest roast beef sandwich that I had ever seen, gave me a cup of coffee, and told me to go over to a corner table and enjoy it. I was afraid that you would get into trouble... Then, when I looked over and saw you put the price of my food in the cash register, I knew then that everything would be all right."

"So you started your own business?" Old Jack said.

"I got a job that very afternoon. I worked my way up. Eventually I started my own business that, with the help of God, prospered." She opened her purse and pulled out a business card.. "When you are finished here, I want you to pay a visit to a Mr. Lyons... He's the personnel director of my company. I'll go talk to him now and I'm certain he'll find something for you to do around the office." She smiled. "I think he might even find the funds to give you a little advance so that you can buy some clothes and get a place to live until you get on your feet... If you ever need anything, my door is always opened to you."

There were tears in the old man's eyes "How can I ever thank you?" he said.

"Don't thank me," the woman answered. "To God goes the glory. Thank Jesus...... He led me to you."

Outside the cafeteria, the officer and the woman paused at the entrance before going their separate ways....

"Thank you for all your help, officer," she said.

"On the contrary, Ms. Eddy," he answered. "Thank you. I saw a miracle today, something that I will never forget. And thank you for the coffee!"

God is going to shift things around for you today and let things work in your favor.

If you believe, share it.
If you don't believe, ignore it.
God closes doors no man can open & God opens doors no man can close.
If you need God to open some doors for you...share this.

Have a blessed day and remember to be a blessing...

LIVE WELL, LOVE MUCH, LAUGH OFTEN

Red Kettles & Bell Ringers

Boys and Girls,

Red Kettles & Bell Ringers

As you open your pocketbooks for the next natural disaster, please keep these facts in mind:

The American Red Cross President and CEO Marsha J. Evans' salary for the year was $951,957 plus expenses.

The United Way President Brian Gallagher receives a $675,000 base salary along with numerous expense benefits.

UNICEF CEO Caryl M. Stern receives $1,900,000 per year (158K) per month, plus all expenses including a ROLLS ROYCE. Less than 5 cents (4.4 cents) per donated dollar goes to the cause.

The Salvation Army's Commissioner Todd Bassett receives a salary of only $13,000 per year (plus housing) for managing this $2 billion dollar organization. 96 percent of donated dollars go to the cause.

The American Legion National Commander receives a $0.00 salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

The Veterans of Foreign Wars National Commander receives a $0.00 salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

The Disabled American Veterans National Commander receives a $0.00 salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

The Military Order of Purple Hearts National Commander receives a $0.00 salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

The Vietnam Veterans Association National Commander receives a $0.00 salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

No further comment is necessary.

Please share this with everyone you can.

LUCIA REVEALS THE THIRD SECRET OF FATIMA‏

You may be inspired by this message and perhaps inspire others to change.

Nationality: Portuguese

Born: 3-28-1907, Aljustrel , Portugal

Died: 2-13-2005 (aged 97)

Convent of Carmelitas

Coimbra, Portugal

LUCIA REVEALS THE THIRD SECRET OF FATIMA

Regardless of whatever Creed or Religion, it is better to be prepared and be in good terms with GOD,...who created us; for we never know when we will be leaving this world

LAST SECRET OF FATIMA

The Church has given permission to reveal to the people the last part of the message. The Blessed Virgin appeared to three children in Fatima , Portugal , in 1917........ This is a proven fact; one of these children was Lucia, (died 2-13-05).

She was a cloistered nun, and lived in a monastery in Portugal. Lucia disclosed the message for the first time; to Pope Pius Xll who, after reading, sealed it and stored it away without making it public.

Later Pope John XXIII read it and, in the same manner as his predecessor, he kept it out of the public eye because he knew that once revealed; it would bring desperation and panic to mankind,

But now the time has come, and permission has been granted from Pope John Paul II to reveal it to the children of God; not to create panic, but to make God's people aware of this important message and be prepared.

The Virgin told Lucia:

"Go, my child, and tell the world what will come to pass during the 1950's - 2000's. Men are not practicing the Commandments that God has given us. Evil is governing the world and is harvesting hate and resentment all over. Men will fabricate mortal weapons that will destroy the world in minutes; where half of the human race will be destroyed!

The war will begin against Rome, and there will be conflicts amongst religious orders.

God will allow all natural phenomena like smoke, hail, cold, water, fire, floods, earthquakes, winds and inclement weather to slowly batter the planet.

These happenings will come to pass before the year 2012!

For those who don't/won't believe. This is the time. Your beloved mother told you: those lacking charity towards others, in words & deeds and those who do not love their neighbor like my beloved Son has loved you all cannot survive! They will wish to have died. God will punish severely those who do not believe in him, those who despise him and those who did not have time for him.

I call upon all of you to come to my son Jesus Christ. God will help the world, but all of those who do not show fidelity and loyalty will be destroyed!"

Father Agustin, who lives in Fatima, said that Pope Paul VI gave him permission to visit Sister Lucia, a cloistered nun (she did not leave the monastery nor was allowed to receive any visitors). Father Agustin said that she received him greatly overwhelmed and told him:

"Father, Our Lady is very sad because nobody is interested in her prophecy of 1917, though the righteous are walking through a narrow path, the evil ones are walking through an ample road that is leading them straight to their destruction! Believe me, Father; the punishment will come very soon. Many souls will be lost and many nations will disappear from the earth.

But, in the middle of all these, if men reflect, pray and practice sincerity, good deeds, kindness and respect, the world can be saved. However, if men persist with evil ways greed, hatred, selfish acts, rivalry, and rif, the world will be lost forever! The time has come for all to pass on the message of our Blessed Lady to their families, friends, and to the entire world.

Continue praying, make penitence and sacrifices. We are close to the last minute of the last day and the catastrophes are near. Due to this, many that were far from the Church will return to the open arms of the Church of Jesus Christ. The joining of the churches will result in one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church; England, Russia, China, Jews, Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, Protestants, etc..... All will return believing and worshipping God our Creator, in his beloved Son and in Blessed Mother Virgin Mary."

WHAT AWAITS US ???

Everywhere there will be 'Peace Talks', but punishment will come.

A MAN IN A VERY IMPORTANT POSITION WILL BE ASSASSINATED AND THIS WILL PROVOKE THE WAR. A POWERFUL ARMY WILL DOMINATE ALL THROUGH EUROPE AND THE NUCLEAR WAR WILL COMMENCE.

This war will destroy everything; darkness will fall over us for 72 hours (3 days) and the one third of humanity that survives this obscurity and sacrifice, will commence to live a new era; they will be good people.

On a very cold night, 10 minutes before midnight, A GREAT QUAKE will shake the earth for 8 hours. This will be the third signal that God is who governs the earth. The righteous and those who propagate the faith and the message of the Lady of Fatima are:

"ONE SHOULD NOT FEAR, DO NOT BE AFRAID."

WHAT TO DO???

Bow your heads and kneel down and ask God for forgiveness because, only what is good and is not under the power of evil will survive the catastrophe. In order for you to prepare and remain alive and safe, I will give you the following signs:

ANGUISH AND IN A SHORT PERIOD THE EARTHQUAKE WILL COMMENCE! THE EARTH WILL SHAKE!

The shake will be so violent that will move the earth 23 degrees and then it will return it to its normal position. Then, total and absolute darkness will cover the entire planet. All the evil spirits will be mingling around and free, doing harm to all those souls that did not want to listen to this message and those who did not want to repent.

To the faithful souls, remember to light the blessed candles, prepare a sacred altar with a crucifix in order to communicate with God and implore for His infinite mercy.

All will be dark; and IN THE SKY A GREAT MYSTIC CROSS will appear to remind us the price that his beloved Son had to pay for our redemption.

In the house the only thing that can give light will be the HOLY CANDLES. Once lit, nothing will put them off until the three days of darkness are over. Also, you should have holy water that should be sprinkled abundantly on windows and doors. The Lord will protect the property of the chosen ones. Kneel down before the powerful cross of my beloved Son, pray the Rosary and after each Hail Mary you must pray the following:

Oh God forgive us our sins, preserve us from the fires of hell, and take all souls to heaven, especially those who are in more need of thy mercy. Blessed Virgin Mary, protect us, we love you, save us and save the world.

Pray 5 Creeds and the Rosary which is the secret to my immaculate Heart. All those who believe in my words go and take the message to everyone, DO NOT FEAR! FEAR NOTHING DURING THE LORD'S GREAT DAY! Talk to all, now that there is time. Those who keep quiet will be responsible for all those souls who will perish in ignorance. All those who pray humbly the rosary will have the protection of heaven. Those who are bound to die, I will help them die in peace, and they will be holy when they enter the other world.

I wish all my children to attend mass every first Friday and every first Saturday of each month; to confess and receive Holy Communion; and in doing so, save the world from its TOTAL DESTRUCTION!!

When the earth shakes no more, those who still do not believe in our Lord will perish in a horrible way. The wind will bring gas and it will disperse it everywhere, then the sun will rise.

Maybe you will survive this catastrophe. Do not forget that God's punishment is holy and ONCE IT HAS STARTED YOU SHOULD NOT LOOK OUTSIDE, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE!!!! GOD DOES NOT WANT ANY OF HIS GOOD CHILDREN TO SEE WHEN HE PUNISHES THE SINNERS!!!

All this encompasses with the writings of the Holy Scriptures. Read on the New Testament: Lucas 21 - 5:121, 12:19, 20:20, 29:33; Letters of St Paul 3 - 8 – 14; Isaiah 40, 1:5:9.

You must understand that God allows all this to happen. The Pope and Bishops are now awaiting another message that speaks about repentance and prayer. Please remember that God's words are not a threat, but good news.

Please reproduce these pages and send them to all you know so we all can have the opportunity to repent and be saved. We do not know if those receiving this message believe or not in God, but just think that, if you are receiving this message it is for a good reason from God who created us and loves us so much!

Our Creator is giving us the chance to be saved, no matter what religion or creed we may be. If you don't believe in this message, at least send it to others, it costs you nothing. To all those receiving it, they can have the opportunity to judge and decide for themselves.

Remember, we can avoid a great deal of evil if we practice the Commandments that Our Loving Father God gave us. Just 10 simple ways, that if we all put into practice we can obtain God's pardon.

Amen.

Christmas in America 2010

To start with, this latest post (it's been a long time since I written anything) comes on the heals of something that I posted in Facebook. This is what I put...

"X-mas!!! Don't remove Christ from HIS birthday!!! Post this if you agree...Please don't X out the Lord!!!!! (I'd love to see this on everyone's wall!!!) Jesus is the reason for the season... Repost if you agree..."

This has stirred up a hornet's nest and I'm sitting down to answer a few things that have been brought up in several responses to my original posting. Please, I ask anyone who is going to read this to read the entire thing because there are going to be points where I'm going to sound like I'm not for Christmas as a religious event, even though I am.

But before I get to that, I'm going to post a link to a web page that I made dedicated to Christmas. In it, you will find information on both the Christan celebration as well as it's roots. Here's the link.... http://www.mypeacelovehappiness.com/holiday/christmas/christmas.html

Now... on with the rest of this post...  :-)

I had a family member remind me that Christmas has roots in the pagan celebration of the winter solstice, in which early Europeans celebrated the beginning of winter on the shortest day of the year in hopes that they would survive winter. Let's not forget that in those days, humans were closer to animals in that they didn't have the stores like we have now. They had to store their own food and if possible, hunt for food they couldn't. If you go to that link above, you can learn more from the History Channel.

It's true that in 350 A.D. Pope Julius I designated Decemberer 25th as the birthday of Christ to convert pagans. He used it as a "gimmick" in order to convert as many of the pagans as he could. He used it as a way to say that we Christians ALSO have similar celebrations that you pagans have.

It's also true that no one really knows when Jesus was born. It's also true that a person could argue that there was no way that Jesus could have been born in December. Why?

There's really only one good clue that I know of. In the story of Jesus' birth, we are told that heaven's angels came to shepards who were tending their sheep in their fields at night to tell them that the Son of Man has been born. There's a problem with this in the month of December, let alone the 25th. It would have been too cold outside for the shepards. They wouldn't have been outside overnight during that time of the year. They would have been at any other time of the year leaving us to wonder exactly when Jesus was born.

What about Santa Clause?

Hate to tell those who think Santa is a purely non-Christan figure, but you couldn't be any more wrong. He's based on the Christan saint, St. Nicholas, who was known for his generosity to those in need and his love for children. Sound familiar?

So the question that needs to be asked is.... What's the big deal? Why is the religious side of Christmas being attacked? Is it out of jealously? Out of hatred?

Let's not kid ourselves.... Christians in America are attacked. Maybe not physically, but in other aspects such as verbally, very much so.

We are told that because we have religion, we are stupid sheep blindly going about our lives and other things that I will NOT repeat here because this is a public form. We are told that there's no way God could exist because science cannot prove it. We are belittled because we believe even though we have not seen. We are called weak minded because we cling to something that this world tells us is a myth vice a truth.

Getting back to Christmas.... This is a posting to my original post.... "What I have a problem with are Christians that claim that Christmas time is only for THEIR religion. What I wanted to point out is that Christmas time was originally NOT for Christ but for celebrating the winter solstice. If Christians are going to complain for Christmas not being celebrated the way they want it to be, they should make their own holiday in the fall without trees or presents ect."

My answer.... sorry, but Christmas IS for Christans just as Ramadan is for Muslims and Hanukkah is for the Jewish. Christmas might have its roots in the pagan religions, but it's not the winter solstice anymore or we would be wishing each other "Merry Winter Solstice" and the word Christmas would have never come to be. Besides, why should we have to change? Why should those who don't like the religious side of the holiday get their way? Why can't they just leave us alone?

Another response to my original posting... " I don't see anyone biting anyone's head off for saying 'Merry Christmas.' In fact, Christianity is OBVIOUSLY dominant in our western culture and it's only paranoid Christians who feel persecuted when they actually have more power than any other religion in our country!"

It's true that Christianity is the dominant religion in America, but.... Just ask some employees or possibly Christian college students in a liberal school and they'll tell you that yes in deed, they have been at least verbally attacked for saying something as simple as "Merry Christmas." Please see my comments above concerning the attack on Christians in America. In fact, I'll have to remind the person who posted this... Don't forget that you called me weak minded because I have faith. Let me tell you, it's A LOT easier not to have faith because it's easier not be believe in something that you haven't seen for yourself. It's like believing or not believing in Santa Clause. It's easier not to believe because you haven't seen him. It takes someone of a strong mind and comment to ignore the world and remind faithful to one's beliefs.

So now the question is.... Who? Who will be responsible for killing Christmas as the celebration of the birth of Jesus? Is it up to the people? Is it up to the government?

If it's up to the people with majority rule, I don't see a significant change coming. If up to the government or minority rule, then we can kiss the religious holiday good bye just as we've already done with things like open prayer in public schools.

God bless America and her people!