Happy Mother's Day

When I was a child, these words were sung to music. I haven't them heard it in a long time, but lest we forget here is that tribute to mothers:

M...is for the million things she gave me,

O....means only that she's growing old,

T...is for the tears she shed to save me,

H...is for her heart of purest gold;

E...is for her eyes, with love-light shining,

R...means right, and right she'll always be.

Put them all together, they spell "Mother," a word that means the world to me.

Time

I was walking around the beautiful campus of Chambrel. I could hear the chirping of several species of birds, a gentle breeze was rustiling the leaves on the trees, making still a different kind of noise. I paused at one of the ponds to watch a mother duck calling her new hatched babies to her side. As I continued my walk , I paused again to enjoy the sweet smell of rose bushes along my path and I was thinking this is a good way to spend time.

Time is one of mankind's most valuable commodities. For some people it seems there just aren't enough hours in a day. For others, as we gow older, time seems to stand still. That's why we must make wise use of the time we have.

We should avoid living in the the past, an unwholesome preoccupation with old mistakes and fallures. Suspicion and resentment, nursing a grudge are also major factors to avoid.

We waste time and energy fighting conditions we cannot change. Co-ooperate with life, instead of trying to run away from it.

Resuse to indulge in self-pity when life hands you a raw deal. Accept the fact that nobody gets through life without some sorrow and misfortunes.

Someone has offered thses guidelines:
Take time to pray - it's a source of power.
Take time to read - it's a fountain of wisdom.
Take time to exercise - it's a way for better health.
Take time to play - it's the secret of youth.
Take time to be friendly - it's a path to happiness.
Take time to laugh - it's the music of the soul.
Take time to dream - it's a road to greater vision.
Take time to worship - it's the highway of reverence.
Take time to love - it's Godlike.

Cherich your pricelss time... and use it wisely.

Ben Franklin said "Time is money" and added "Lost time is never found again."

Henry Van Dyke penned these words:

Too slow for those who wait,

Too swift for those who fear,

Too long for those who grieve,

Too short for those who rejoice,

But for those who love, time is not.

Laughter

We have a 'Theme Dinner' every month here at Chambrel. The most recent was 'Chamelot,' where two of our men dressed as Sir Lancelot and Percival had a duel with swords. Everyone in the dining room exploded in laughter as each man tried to pierce the other with their flexible swords.


No matter our mood, once we start to laugh, everything else dissipates. Laughter endears us to one another, it connects us in an elemental way. Really good relationships are those where people laugh at the same things.


Laughter cuts down tension which can cause hypertension, ulcers, frustration and unhappiness. Moreover if you could be more light-hearted, nonchalant and less serious in most situation, it will be beneficial to you. The experts say: "People who find it hard to laugh at themselves are often very defensive and depressed. Whereas people who easily laugh at themselves are secure, comfortable and composed and their self-respect is intact."


Taken from an article written by Leslie Garcia, Staff Writer of the Dallas News: A hearty laugh dispels cares, worries, doubt and relieves the great strain of modern life. "Laughter involves every major system in your body," a quote from Annette Goodheart. She continues: "Your diaphragm convulses, causing all internal organs to be massaged. Your muscles relax, your blood is highly-oxygenated, you enhance your cardiovascular fllexibility." Laughter, pure and unadulterated, till-you-cry, hold-your-sides, wet-your pants,upend-your-giggle-box, can-hardly-breathe, is your gift to yourself and those around you.


Abraham Lincoln once said: "With the fearful strain that is on me night and day, if I did not laugh, I should die."




Mark Twain commented: "The human race has only one really effective weapon and that is laughter."




Will Rogers added: "We are all here for only a spell, so get all the good laughs you can."


From a practical stand point, laughter can make you feel better. Laughter stimulates your muscles, circulates brain activity and hormones, and soothes your mind. It gives you a feeling of greater security in the face of threats or challenges and it exands your mind.


If 'non-laughers' became laughers, they would get relief from their problems because humor and happiness are a natural twosome. Finally, we don't laugh because we're happy, we're happy because we laugh.

Laugh and the whole world laughs with you,

Weep and you weep alone.

For the sad old earth must borrow its mirth,

But has trouble enough of its own.

Elle Wheeter Cos

One Day at a Time

I was 4 years old in 1929 when wall street hit bottom. I remember the lean years that followed. Once again we are experiencing an economic crisis. The whole world seems to be one great sea of unrest. But the Lord has given us a sure cure for care in these verses of scripture.

Matt.6:34 “Take therefore no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.”

Matt. 6:25-33 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value then they?”

I believe God is saying this: Build an invisible fence around today and stay within that enclosure. Do not try to look beyond it, and live your life the best you can, moment by moment, prayerfully, earnestly, joyfully, knowing He will be with you. He assures strength for today. He will supply tomorrow’s strength when tomorrow comes.

The words to the song, ‘One Day At A Time,” can have meaning for us:
I’m only human, I’m just a man
Help me believe in what I can be and all that I am
Lord for my sake teach me to take
One day at a time.
One day at a time sweet Jesus
That’s all I’m asking from you.
Just give me the strength to do every day
What I have to do
Yesterday’s gone sweet Jesus and
Tomorrow may never be mine.
Lord, help me today, show me the way
One day at a time.

Do not be distracted by looking forward to things you cannot see and cannot understand.. Short horizons make life easier . Life does not come to us all at one time, it comes only one day at a time.
It is a blessed secret this living by the day. Anyone can carry his burden, however heavy, till night . Anyone can do his work, however hard, for one day.
Dare to live your day as He would have you, one day at a time, and remember His promise. Deut. 33:25 “As thy days, so shall thy strength be.”

I may never see tomorrow, There’s no written guarantee.
And things that happened yesterday belong to history.
I cannot predict the future, I cannot change the past..
I have just the present moment, I must treat it as my last,
I must use this moment wisely, for it soon will pass away.
And be lost to me forever as part of yesterday.
I must exercise compassion, help the fallen to their feet.
Be a friend unto the friendless, make an empty life complete.
The unkind things I do today may never be undone,
And friendships that I fail to win may nevermore be won.
I may not have another chance on bended knees to pray
And thank God with humble heart,
For giving me this day.
Unknown

What does Easter Represent?

When I was a child , Easter Celebration traditionally meant that special Sunday when we all got new spring clothes , and went to Sunday School and church to display our colorful outfits. As an adult, Easter has a much deeper meaning. It is the day when Christ rose from the dead and left the heartwarming message for all mankind that if you believe in Him, you too shall have everlasting life.

One poet wrote these lines: “Lift your glad voices in triumph on high.
For Jesus hath risen, and man cannot die.

Martin Luther wrote: In His life, Christ is an example, showing us how to live; in His death, He is a sacrifice, satisfying for our sins; in His resurrection, a conqueror; in His ascension, a king; in His intercession, a high priest.

A wise man wrote: This is part of the glory of Christ as compared with the chief of his servants that He alone stands at the absolute center of humanity, the one completely harmonious man, unfolding all which was in humanity, equally and fully on all sides, the only one in whom the real and ideal met and were absolutely one--He is the absolute and perfect truth, the highest that humanity can reach; at once its perfect image and supreme Lord.

Why must we relive this emotional journey? Luke tells us : Witnessing Jesus’ death is necessary to order that we may also be witnesses to his resurrection. Luke 23:49

This story of the ‘Empty Egg’ summarizes Easter for me as an adult.

Jeremy was born with a twisted body and a slow mind. At the age of 12 he was still in second grade, seemingly unable to learn. His teacher thought Jeremy really belonged in a special school . It wasn’t fair to him to be with the other 19 younger children who didn’t have a learning problem. His parents thought it would be a terrible shock for Jeremy if he was taken out of school.
Spring came, and the children talked excitedly about the coming of Easter. The teacher told them the story of Jesus, and then to emphasize the idea of new life springing forth, she gave each of the children a large plastic egg and told them to bring it back the next day with something inside that shows new life. The teacher wasn’t sure Jeremy understood, but she forgot to phone Jeremy’s parents to explain.
The next morning the children placed their eggs in the large wicker basket which the teacher had on her desk.. When the first egg was opened , there was a flower. “oh yes, a flower is certainly a sign of new life,’ the teacher said . The next egg contained a plastic butterfly, which looked very real. “Yes, that is new life, too. We all know that a caterpillar changes and grows into a beautiful butterfly,” the teacher explained.. Suddenly, Jeremy spoke up, “teacher, aren’t you going to talk about my egg?” Flustered, the teacher replied, “But Jeremy, your egg is empty.” He looked into her eyes and said softly, “Yes, but Jesus’ tomb was empty, too.” Time stopped. When she could speak again, the teacher asked him, “Do you know why the tomb was empty?” “Oh, yes,” Jeremy said, “Jesus was killed and put there. Then His Father raised Him Up.
Three months later , Jeremy died. Those who paid their respects at the mortuary were surprised to see 19 eggs on top of his casket, all of them empty.”

‘HE IS NOT HERE, FOR HE IS RISEN, AS HE SAID.’ Matt.28:1-10
HALLELUJAH!

Outside the Camp

Chambrel has a beautiful campus with three different ponds. There are two mallard ducks and one white duck that live here permanently. We call them the Chambrel ducks. However, in the Spring and Fall, many ducks arrive here for a short visit.

In walking this morning I noticed many visiting ducks. Most of them were mallards, but one stood out from the rest. It had what looked like a red beak rather than a yellow bill, a green head and multicolored feathers. Yet, it was readily accepted by the other ducks. I think there is a lesson here for us humans.

Lets think about the people that make up a Christian Church. People all over the world who believe in Christ and follow His teachings. The Church then is the CAMP ; The family of God; The household of Faith. In His last instructions to the disciples, Christ called on them to love one another as he had love them. John 17:21-“My prayer for all of them is that they will be of one heart just as you & I are, Father.”
Christ’s love and power flows out into the relationships in which we live. This then is the calling of the church. Let us practice loving each other. “So let us go out to Him, beyond the city walls.” Hebrews 13:13

Here at Chambrel there are people of every walk of life. Most are very cheerful and friendly and kind. For reason we don’t know, a few are grumpy and never smile . But when you offer a friendly word and a big smile , you will find most people will smile right back at you. Acceptance and kindness is something we can give to each other, and it is a gift that everyone can afford.

Love Others
God let me spread a little cheer,
Erase a doubt, cast out a fear,
Lend a prompt and willing hand,
Be there to listen and understand,
Let me be filled with thoughtfulness,
Love others more, my own self less
And lighten hearts with a smile or a word
Too seldom given, too seldom heard.

IRish Blarney

Ireland is known as the Emerald Isle, and we think of ‘green’, shamrocks, leprechauns and limericks when we think of anything Irish. We also associate the word ‘Blarney’ with the Irish people.

‘Blarney’ according to the Webster Dictionary is a stone in Blarney Castle near the city of Cork, Ireland believed to bestow skill in flattery on those who kiss it . Some would say it is nonsense, “Irish Blarney.’

There are many beautiful places to visit in Ireland. To list a few:

In Dublin you can visit Trinity College Library and see ‘The books of Kells and The Long Room.
You can worship in the beautiful St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin also
.
Killarney is called ‘heaven’s reflex’ for it has been one of the world’s favorite beauty spots for 200 years. The 'Ring of Kerry' road (about 110 miles long) has its base point in Killarney.

Kilkenny, is known as the ‘Marble City’. The tag ‘Marble City’ is derived from the black marble found nearby which is used for decorative purposes in the churches.

Waterford world famous for its Crystal which is shaped individually by Master Blowers, handcut by Master Craftsman making every glass unique - no two are exactly the same.

Dingle Bay can be seen from what is surely one of the world’s most picturesque roads.

But when in Ireland, visiting the Blarney Castle is a must. Nobody is certain how the legend ’ the gift of eloquence’ is derived from kissing the Blarney Stone. But it is said that Queen Elizabeth I of England is credited to giving the word “blarney” to the language when, commenting on the unfilled promises of Cormac MacDermont McCarthy , Lord of Blarney at the time, she is reported to have remarked: “This is all blarney; what he says, he never means.”

When we think of the Irish, we also think of Guinness beer and Scotch whiskey. There are many pubs in Ireland, including a Mitchell Pub, but the most famous is Seanache pub dating back to the 18h century. You will find the doors of the houses painted different colors. I was told that this helps the men find their way home after a night at the local bar. Maybe a little Irish Blarney!

A limerick to enjoy this St. Patrick’s Day:
May the blessings of love be on you,
Live within you and all around you’
May it be your shelter in the storming hours,
And your warming fire when chill winds blow.
May love make soft your path, that your steps never falter,
And widen your path that friends may always walk beside you.
May love shine out of the soul of you,
Like a welcoming light so that when others speak your name,
It will be to say here is one whose heart has never cared too little.