Final Notes

The woman also told her pastor that she wanted to be buried with her favorite bible. Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.

"There's one more thing," she said excitedly. "What's that?" was the pastor's reply. "This is very important," the woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."

The pastor stood looking at the woman not knowing quite what to say. "That shocks you doesn't it?" the woman asked. "Well to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the pastor.

The woman explained. "In all my years of attending church socials and functions where food was involved (and let's be honest, food is an important part of any church event; spiritual or otherwise); my favorite was when whoever was clearing away the dishes of the main course would lean over and say 'you can keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming. When they told me to keep my fork I knew that something great was about to be given to me. It wasn't Jell-O or pudding. It was cake or pie. Something with substance.

So I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder 'What's with the fork?' Then I want you to tell them, 'Something better is coming so keep your fork too.'"

The pastor's eyes were welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the woman goodbye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that that woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She KNEW that something better was coming.

At the funeral people were walking by the woman's casket and they saw the pretty dress she was wearing and her favorite bible and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over the pastor heard the question "What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled.

During his message the pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. The pastor told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either. He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you oh so gently that there is something better coming.

God is like Coca-Cola. He's the real thing.
God is like General Electric. He lights your path.
God is like Bayer Aspirin. He works wonders.
God is like Hallmark Cards. He cared enough to send the very best.
God is like Tide. He gets the stains out that othersleave behind.
God is like VO-5 Hair Spray. He holds through all kinds of weather.
God is like Dial Soap. Aren't you glad you knowHim? Don't you wish everyone did?
God is like Sears. He has everything.
God is like Alka Seltzer. Oh, what a relief He is!
God is like Scotch Tape. You can't see Him but you know He's there!
God is like American Express Card. Don't leave home (or earth) without Him!

Taken from the "TeenTalk" e-mail newsletter

Praise God for creating ways to celebrate with each other
Repent for when you got in the way of someone else trying to praise God
Ask God to help you get others involved in praising him
You can make God become alive in your own ways of praising him. Praise him in those ways.

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???

HEAVENLY VOICE MAIL?

What if God decided to install voice mail? Imagine praying, and then hearing this..."Thank you for calling My Father's House. Please select one of the following options:Press 1 for requests. Press 2 for thanksgiving. Press 3 for complaints. Press 4 for all other inquiries.

"Then you hear: "All the angels are helping othercustomers right now. Please stay on the line. Your call will be answered in the order it was received.

"How about this scenario?" If you'd like to hear King David sing a Psalmw hile you're on hold, press 4. To find out if a loved one has been assigned to heaven, enter his or her social security number. For reservations at My Father's House, press the letters J-O-H-N and then 3-1-6. For answers to nagging questions about dinosaurs,the age of the earth, and where Noah's ark is, please wait until you arrive here.

"Imagine hearing this, "Our computers show that you have already called once today. Please hang up and try again tomorrow.

"And on the weekends you hear, "This office is closed for the weekend. Please call again on Monday after 9:00 A.M."

-------------- Thank God that He is ALWAYS available to take our"calls." :o) John 6:37 -- "...And whoever comes to Me I will never turn away."

1. Your thumb is nearest to you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C.S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty".

2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.

3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.

4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is fact that this is our weakest finger; as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.

5. And lastly comes our little finger; the smallest finger of all. Which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "the least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinky should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

Should you find it hard to get to sleep tonight; Just remember the homeless family who has no bed to lie in.

Should you find yourself stuck in traffic; don't despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege.

Should you have a bad day at work; think of the man who has been out of work for the last three months.

Should you despair over a relationship gone bad; think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return.

Should you grieve the passing of another weekend; think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week, for $15.00 to feed her family.

Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from any assistance, think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.

Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror; think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine.

Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering; what is life all about, what is my purpose? Be thankful, there are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity.

Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities; Remember, things could be worse. You could be them!!!