How To Be Happy For A Lifetime

Someone said this about happiness:To be happy for an hour -- take a nap.
To be happy for a day -- go shopping.
To be happy for a week -- take a vacation.
To be happy for a month -- get married.
To be happy for a year -- inherit a fortune.
To be happy for a lifetime -- help others.
You and I may argue with a couple of points on that list, but the author is exactly right about how to be happy for the rest of your life. Lasting contentment can always be found in helping others. It is truly a secret that many people have never discovered! Marion Preminger stumbled upon it and wrote about where lasting happiness is to be found in her auto biography ALL I WANT IS EVERYTHING. Born in Hungary in 1913, Marion was raised in a castle, surrounded by wealth, servants and the notoriety of an aristocratic upbringing. At a Viennese ball, she met a handsome young man, the son of an Italian doctor. They rushed into a marriage that lasted only ayear.She returned to Vienna to embark on a career of acting. There she fell in love with the German director Otto Preminger. They married and she followed him to America where he began a promising career as a Hollywood movie director. But her new Hollywood life style could not sustain her marriage and Preminger eventually divorced her.Marion returned to Europe to live the life of a Parisian socialite until 1948. Then everything changed when she read that Dr. Albert Schweitzer was visiting Europe from his home in Africa. She determined to meet with the notable missionary doctor.She first encountered Schweitzer doing one of the things he loved to do best while visiting Europe -- playing a church organ for his own enjoyment. He invited her to dine with him. After the meal, Marion knew she had finally found what she'd been looking for. She accompanied Schweitzer every day during the remainder ofhis European visit. He invited Marion to come back to Africa with himand work as an untrained staff member in the Lamberene hospital.She left her life of status and ease and moved to Africa.Once there, the girl who was raised like a princess became a servant.She changed bandages, bathed bodies and fed lepers. She gave her lifeaway to the poor and, because of it, found the happiness she'd craved for so long.It was Albert Schweitzer who asserted, "One thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve."However, wherever and whom ever you choose to help is unimportant.There are those in need everywhere. But when you figure out how to sincerely serve other people, you'll have also learned how to be happy for a lifetime. Steve Gooder

THIS WEEKS PRAYER

This week say, “yes,” to God and ask Him to help you focus more on Him than on the seemingly enticing sights and sounds of the season. Ask Him to show you areas where you could be lured away from quality time with Him and commit to guarding that time and your relationship with Him. Pray that revival would ignite in our churches and spread throughout the country. Pray for President Bush, Congress, the Supreme Court, our troops and their families. I Thes. 5:17-18

Marvin Harris Joins the Church

 

THIS WEEKS PRAYER

This week thank the Lord for the many blessings that we have and that we are able to bless others as we are blessed. Pray that those serving in the military will receive God’s love through the outpouring of cards, letters and packages being sent to them. Pray for their families during this Thanksgiving season and ask God to help you reach out to others in need during this time. Continue to pray for protection from terrorism within and without our borders. Pray for the newly elected legislative body, a smooth governmental transition and godly wisdom for all concerned. Remember Israel, the persecuted church and those suffering around the world. I John 4:7-8

THIS WEEKS PRAYER

Thank God this week that although we do not always understand His ways, we can rest in the assurance of His presence and continual guidance. Continue to pray for our nation’s leaders and those newly elected into office. As you pray for the protection of Israel and our own borders, pray that the spirit of repentance would descend upon our churches and throughout the nation. Pray that America would turn back to God, be a beacon of righteousness and finance God’s kingdom around the world. Remember to pray for the persecuted church and for each continent by name. Psalm 124; Rom. 8:14; Rom. 8:26-28

KEEPING HOPE ALIVE

We cannot live only on hope. But neither can we live without it. Nobody knew this better than John Chapman. John Chapman was a man of great hope. He was born in 1774 inMassachusetts. In the early 1800's he got in on the opening of landin the Northwest Territory, as it was then called, of the new United States. He found small plots of land suitable for farming and cleared them by hand. He bought fruit seed in Pennsylvania every year and carried it to his many apple orchards, usually on his back the trees were large enough to transplant, he sold them to settlers homesteading the West. Eventually, he had little apple orchards spread around what would become the states of Ohio,Michigan, Illinois and Indiana. Most people forgot, or never knew, his real name, and took to calling him Johnny the Apple Man or JohnnyAppleseed. Johnny was a gentle man with a big vision. He was liked by most people who knew him, the native Indians and white settlers alike.His vision was to spread the goodness of apple trees everywhere people settled. Apples, he believed, gave the promise of harvest and hope that the wilderness would become home. Every tree he grew was a symbol of hope. Johnny had another curious habit. He loved books, but did not have the means to carry more than two, usually a Bible and a book of inspiration or theology. Because Johnny wanted to share his books, he carefully cut chapters out of whatever inspirational book he had available and loaned one or two chapters to families that wanted to read. He'd later swap those chapters for others when he came back through. In this way he left hope and encouragement wherever he traveled. His grave can be found today in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It says, "Johnny Appleseed (John Chapman). He lived for others."Johnny understood his greatest task in life: to keep hope alive. When we keep hope alive, then hope keeps us alive.
Steve Goodier

THIS WEEKS PRAYER

Thank God this week for the freedom and privilege we have to cast our vote according to our conscience. Pray that Americans across the nation would vote for what is godly and righteous. Pray that our current leadership and those newly elected into office would recognize their dependence on God and seek Him for wisdom in all the decisions they make. Continue to pray for the protection of our cities and borders, schools, young people, troops, Israel and the persecuted church. 1 Cor. 16:13; Mat. 5:37

Men's Support Group Meeting

We had a great time in the Lord last night. The anointing of God was so powerful Chad Sizemore led us in worship and shared his testimony. Several other men shared spontaneously as the Spirit inspired them. Men were coming forth for prayer and God was delivering.Others were seeking to be filled with His Spirit. God is still restoring lives, He is blessing and we are looking to Him for guidance and direction for the future of this ministry.

You know you are too old to Trick or Treat when:

10. You get winded from knocking on the door.
9. You have to have another kid chew the candy for you.
8. You ask for high fiber candy only.
7. When someone drops a candy bar in your bag, you lose your balance and fall over.
6. People say: "Great Boris Karloff Mask," and you're not wearing a mask.
5. When the door opens you yell, "Trick or ...." and can't remember the rest.
4. By the end of the night, you have a bag full of restraining orders.
3. You have to carefully choose a costume that won't dislodge your hairpiece.
2. You're the only Power Ranger in the neighborhood with a walker.

And the number one reason Seniors should not go Trick Or Treating...
1. You keep having to go home to pee.

NOTICE of CANCELLTION
YOUTH CONFERENCE 2007

Dear Friend,

I have bad news. Due to a conflict of dates with another event here at the International Offices, I must CANCEL the YOUTH CONFERENCE scheduled for March 16-18, 2007 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This was an innocent oversight on my part which could negatively impact the other event scheduled for the same date. I (along with others) have worked very hard to find an alternate date and site, but with no success. I’m very sorry for any inconvenience or disappointment this might cause.

Let’s take the positive approach. This gives us a head start on 2008 conference planning, fundraising, etc. Stay tuned for 2008 dates coming in the near future. God has something better—something greater for youth and young adults, youth leaders, and youth ministries! Keep the ReVolution momentum going in your local youth group, state/regional activities, but especially in your heart—live out loud every day. Every day is a new opportunity to serve Jesus by serving others!

Love and blessings,
Youth Ministry Director


Youth Ministry Department
Church of God or Prophecy
P.O. Box 2910
3720 Keith Street NW
Cleveland, Tennessee 37320-2910
423-559-5304
423-559-5302 - Fax
www.youth.cogop.org

Some Tricker's that we Treated

 

 

 

A New Generation of Adults Bends Moral and Sexual Rules to Their Liking

The Barna Update: October 31, 2006
The Baby Boomer generation placed its unique stamp on the nation, including its application of morality. But how is the subsequent adult generation – the Baby Busters – reshaping the nation’s norms regarding morality and sexuality? How does their lifestyle compare to biblical standards? The latest Barna Update examines the lifestyles and perspectives of adults who are in their twenties and thirties and provides challenging insights about the imprint Busters are putting on morality. To read this free report, click on the link below or go to the Barna Group’s home page www.barna.org
A New Generation of Adults Bends Moral and Sexual Rules to Their Liking

THIS WEEKS PRAYER

This week let’s humble ourselves, repent and pray as we have never prayed before. Pray first for personal revival, and then that it would spread throughout the land. Continue to pray that our nation would turn back to God and that righteousness would prevail in our federal, state, and local governments. Pray that the candidates who have integrity and stand for righteousness would be the ones elected into office this November. 2 Chron. 7:14

Harvest Festival Was A Blast