If you didn't know what Afflatus meant don't worry, we didn't know either till we looked it up. It's just a posh word for inspiration/thoughts.
We only used Afflatus as a page title to move away from the usual... "Inspirational" page title, and to try and grab your attention of course, lol.Anyway, we hope you gain pleasure from reading this page.
We may not always realize that everything we do
Affects not only our lives but touches others too.A single happy smile can always brighten up the day
For anyone who happens to be passing by your way.And a little bit of thoughtfulness that shows someone you care
Creates a ray of sunshine for both of you to share.Yes, every time you offer someone a helping hand,
Every time you show a friend you understand.Every time you have a kind and gentle word to give,
or help someone to find beauty in this precious life we live.For happiness brings happiness and loving ways bring love,
And giving is the treasure that contentment is made of.Giving
by Lex MathewsI had a professor in seminary who told us one day that there were four stages of giving, which he then proceeded to illustrate. "The first stage is like a man who stands up in church and says, 'Hey, everybody, look! I'm putting a hundred dollar bill in the offering!' The second stage is when the same man puts the hundred dollar bill in the offering but does not announce the fact. However, he makes it convenient somehow for someone to find out. The third stage is when he puts the hundred dollar bill in the offering and neither makes the announcement nor makes it convenient that someone find out. But he feels so righteous.
With that the seminary professor changed the subject and started talking about something else. One of the students interrupted him, saying, "Now wait a minute, didn't you say that there were four stages of giving?" "That's right," the professor replied, "Well then, what's the fourth stage?"
"Who knows?" the teacher replied.
A Season Away
Anon
Don't give up
because your day is blue
No matter what
you're going through
There will always be
a better dayHold On
I Say!If you give up to soon
you may never see
the Tulips bloom
Winter, Spring, Summer
or Fall
Each one is just a Season
that's all
One has to end
before the other one begin
And just like the seasons
your situation will also change
nothing ever stays the sameHold on
I Say!Because your answer
is just
A Season Away
I Want to Go Back in Time When I Want to Go Back in Time When.....
Decisions were made by going "eeny-meeny-miney-mo."
Mistakes were corrected by simply exclaiming, "Do over!"
"Race issue" meant arguing about who ran the fastest.
Money issues were handled by whoever was the banker in "Monopoly."
Catching the fireflies could happily occupy an entire evening.
It wasn't odd to have two or three "best" friends.
Being old, referred to anyone over 20.
The net on a tennis court was the perfect height to play volleyball and rules didn't matter.
It was unbelievable that dodgeball wasn't an Olympic event.
Having a weapon in school meant being caught with a slingshot.
Nobody was prettier than Mom.
Scrapes and bruises were kissed and made better.
It was a big deal to finally be tall enough to ride the "big people" rides at the amusement park.
Getting a foot of snow was a dream come true.
Abilities were discovered because of a "double-dog-dare."
Saturday morning cartoons weren't 30-minute ads for action figures.
No shopping trip was complete, unless a new toy was brought home.
"Oly-oly-oxen-free" made perfect sense.
Spinning around, getting dizzy and falling down was cause for giggles.
The worst embarrassment was being picked last for a team.
War was a card game.
Water balloons were the ultimate weapon.
Baseball cards in the spokes transformed any bike into a motorcycle.
Taking drugs meant orange-flavored chewable aspirin.
Ice cream was considered a basic food group.
Older siblings were the worst tormentors, but also the fiercest protectors.
If you can remember most or all of these, then you have LIVED!!!!
What We Remember
Author UnknownHis name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of college. He is brilliant. Kinda' esoteric and very bright. He became a Christian while attending college.
Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative church. They want to develop a ministry to the students, but are not sure how to go about it.One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and wild hair. The service has already started and so Bill starts down the aisle looking for a seat. The church is completely packed and he can't find a seat.
By now people are looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything. Bill gets closer and closer and closer to the pulpit and when he realizes there are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet. (Although perfectly acceptable behavior at a college fellowship, trust me, this had never happened in this church before!) Now people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is thick.
About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of the church, a deacon is slowly making his was toward Bill. The deacon is in his eighties, has silver-gray hair, a three-piece suit, and a pocket watch. A godly man, very elegant, very dignified, very courtly. He walks with a cane and as he starts walking toward this boy, everyone is saying to themselves, "You can't blame him for what he's going to do. How can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some college kid on the floor?"
It takes a long time for the man to reach the boy. The church is utterly silent except for the clicking of the man's cane. All eyes are focused on him. You can't even hear anyone breathing. The people are thinking, "The minister can't even preach the sermon until the deacon does what he has to do."
And now they see this elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With great difficulty he lowers himself and sits down next to Bill, takes off his shoes and socks, and worships with him so he won't be alone.
Everyone chokes up with emotion. When the minister gains control he says, "What I'm about to preach, you will never remember. What you have seen, you will never forget.
For What You Will BeAs I gazed up at the mountains, I was awed by their majesty; I bowed my head and asked myself, "Why should He care for me?" I am not beautiful like the mountains that tower so high above; "What is there about me that God can find to love?"
Father, I am not strong like the wind that makes your tall trees sway; I cannot sing sweetly like your tiny birds; will you love me anyway? But most of all, I am simply me, and often have cause to fear; In spite of all my weaknesses, do you promise to be near?
With eyes closed tight against burning tears, I wished He could hear me pray; - Then I felt His Spirit tell me, "Child look up, I have something to say. You are simply you, the spirit I love, a part of my great plan; I put you here to learn of life and to return to Me again. "You are more beautiful to Me than the loveliest mountain ever made. And your strength far exceeds that of the wind's, so do not be afraid.
I love you not for what you are, but for what I know you will be; I am always beside you watching you grow; you are very special to me."
A smile touched my lips; I knew it was true, Father had always been there Giving me comfort and blessings and love and my own special talents to share. So I will do my best to make Him proud. I am not afraid, for you see, He loves me not for what I am, but for what He knows I will be.
Gifts To The Poor
From the Jewish philosopher, Maimonides 12th centuryThere are eight degrees or steps in the duty of charity. The first and lowest degree is to give, but with reluctance or regret. This is the gift of the hand, but not of the heart. The second is, to give cheerfully, but not proportionately to the distress of the sufferer.
The third is, to give cheerfully and proportionately, but not until solicited.
The fourth is, to give cheerfully, proportionately, and even unsolicited; but to put it in the poor man's hand, thereby exciting in him the painful emotion of shame.
The fifth is, to give charity in such a way that the distressed may receive the bounty, and know their benefactor, without their being known to him. Such was the conduct of some of our ancestors, who used to tie up money in the corners of their cloaks, so that the poor might take it unperceived.
The sixth, which rises still higher is to know the objects of our bounty, but remain unknown to them. Such was the conduct of those of our ancestors, who used to convey their charitable gifts into poor people's dwellings; taking care that their own persons and names should remain unknown.
The seventh is still more meritorious, namely to bestow charity in such a way that the benefactor many not know the relieved persons, nor they the name of their benefactors, as was done by our charitable forefathers during the existence of the Temple. For there was in that holy building a place called the Chamber of the Silent, wherein the good deposited secretly whatever their generous hearts suggested, and from which the poor were maintained with equal secrecy.
Lastly, the eighth, and the most meritorious of all, is to anticipate charity, by preventing poverty; namely, to assist the reduced fellowman, either by a considerable gift, or a loan of money, or by teaching him a trade, or by putting him in the way of business, so that he may earn an honest livelihood; and not be forced to the dreadful alternative of holding out his hand for charity. To this Scripture alludes when it says: and if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee, then thou shalt relieve him; yea, though he be a stranger or a sojourner; that he may live with thee. This is the highest step and the summit of charity's golden ladder.
Surviving the Tough Times
by Rose H. AbdonThere is no way that we are going to escape trials and difficulties in life, no matter how hard we try. However, the secret to surviving them is our response to them.
Remaining joyful through our trials is one way author Tony Evans says will help us withstand life's tests: When you are in the middle of a trial, you don't want
your emotions to dictate your actions for the same reason a truck driver on the highway doesn't want his cargo to dictate the ride. When that cargo starts shifting and sliding back and forth, the driver soon has a truck that is out of control, swerving back and forth.A lot of us are like that truck in our lives. Our feelings swing us back and forth and take us where they want to go, instead of where we need to go. So even though you may not be particularly happy about the circumstances you're in at the moment, you can make a decision that you will be joyful because of what you know.
Remember, happiness is circumstantially driven. It depends on what happens. But joy is not related to circumstances, it is a decision.
Hear The Music Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?You'd better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.Do you run through each day on the fly?
When you ask "How are you?", do you hear the reply?
When the day is done, do you lie in your bed,
With the next hundred chores running through your head?You'd better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.Ever told your child, "We'll do it tomorrow"?
And in your haste, not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch, let a good friendship die,
'Cause you never had time to call and say "Hi"?You'd better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift....thrown away.Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.
Stop for a Moment
David WaddellWith human minds we emotionally bind ourselves to things we cannot see.
Hopelessly setting a course that will deprive us of the strings of peace that were given to you and me.We often pass up rainbows, a spring shower, a sunset, or even just a smile.
Yet in the name of prosperity and growth we'll go the extra mile.God gave us the ability to experience the delicate sides of this earth.
But often we don't allow ourselves to fully appreciate what it's worth.Have you ever whistled with a songbird, been touched by a breeze, or smelt the seasons in the air?
Or did you just consider them daily problems and not ever really care?Have you ever had a falling leaf placed gently at your feet?
Carried by a loving wind just for you to meet.Did you let it say good morning friend, or kick it to the side?
Thinking that you're late for work or you'll never catch your ride.During a crowded traffic jam have you ever looked up high?
To see how God directs the clouds as they go flying through the sky.What was your thought today as you tumbled out of bed?
"Thank you Lord for this day" or "Man do I feel dead".You see it's up to us to find these things as we're traveling down life's road.
Because God sends these gifts to cross our paths and relieve or heavy load.
If You Can Remember If you can remember
to start each day
with a prayer
you will find it
A much easier day
to bearIf you can remember
To be generous to those
who need your generosityTo be kind to everyone
Including those who are
Unkind to youTo be a comfort to those
Who are in need of compassionTo be a friend to a friend
In needTo be Thankful to God
Indeed
for everything that
he has given youIf you can remember
to do these things
each dayYour Heavenly Father
will remember
You.
If I Had My Life To Live Over
by Erma BombeckI would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day cause my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television - more while watching life.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."
There would have been more "I love you"... more "I'm sorry"...but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it...live it... and never give it back.
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