Celtic Woman - A New Journey - The Prayer

Celtic Woman - O, America!

Celtic Woman - You Raise Me Up

Celtic Woman - Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) - Chris Tomlin

America-my country 'tis of thee

God Bless the USA

Child's Ten Commandments

1. My hands are small; please don't expect perfection whenever I make a bed, draw a picture or throw a ball.  My legs are short; please slow down so that I can catch up with you.
2. My eyes have not seen the world as yours have; please let me explore safely.  Don't restrict me unnecessarily.
3. Housework will always be there.  I'm little for only a short time - please take time to explain things to me about this wonderful world, and do so willingly.
4. My feelings are tender; please be sensitive to my needs.  Don't nag me all day long.  (You wouldn't want to be nagged for your inquisitiveness.)  Treat me as you would like to be treated.
5. I am a special gift from God; please treasure me as God intended you to do, holding me accountable for my actions, giving me guidelines to live by and disciplining me in a loving manner.
6. I need your encouragement to grow.  Please go easy on the criticism; remember, you can criticize the things I do without criticizing me.
7. Please give me the freedom to make decisions concerning myself.  Permit me to fail so that I can learn from my mistakes.  Then someday I'll be prepared to make the kind of decisions life requires of me.
8. Please don't do things over for me.  Somehow that makes me feel that my efforts didn't quite measure up to your expectations.  I know it's hard, but please don't try to compare me with my brothers and sisters.
9. Please don't be afraid to leave for a weekend together.  Kids need vacations from parents, just as parents need vacations from kids.  Besides, it's a great way to show us kids that your marriage is very special.
10. Please take me to Sunday School and church regularly, setting a good example for me to follow.  I enjoy learning more about God.

Written by Dr. Kevin Leman

The Trouble Tree

The Trouble Tree

    I hired a plumber to help me restore an old farmhouse, and after he  had just finished a rough first day on the job, a flat tire made him  lose an hour of work & his electric drill quit, his ancient one ton  truck refused to start. As I drove him home, he sat in stony silence.
    On arriving he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked toward  the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips  of the branches with both hands. Upon opening the door he had undergone an amazing transformation. His tanned face was wreathed in smiles and  he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss.
    Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity  got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do at the  little tree.
    "Oh, that's my trouble tree," he replied. "I know I can't help having  troubles on the job, but one thing's for sure, those troubles don't  belong in the house with my wife and the children. So I just hang them  up on the tree every night when I come home and ask God to take care  of them. Then in the morning I pick them up again." Funny thing is,"  he smiled, "when I come out in the morning to pick them up, there aren't  nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before."

Submitted by Rich

Family

Family

I ran into a stranger as he passed by,
"Oh excuse me please" was my reply.

He said, "Please excuse me too;
I wasn't watching for you."

We were very polite, this stranger and I.
We went on our way and we said good-bye.

But at home a different story is told,
How we treat our loved ones, young and old.

Later that day, cooking the evening meal,
My son stood beside me very still.

When I turned, I nearly knocked him down.
"Move out of the way," I said with a frown.

He walked away, his little heart broken.
I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken.

While I lay awake in bed,
God's still small voice came to me and said,

"While dealing with a stranger,
common courtesy you use,
but the family you love, you seem to abuse.

Go and look on the kitchen floor,
You'll find some flowers there by the door.

Those are the flowers he brought for you.
He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue.

He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise,
you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes."

By this time, I felt very small,
And now my tears began to fall.

I quietly went and knelt by his bed;
"Wake up, little one, wake up," I said.

"Are these the flowers you picked for me?"
He smiled, "I found 'em, out by the tree.

I picked 'em because they're pretty like you.
I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue."

I said, "Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today;
I shouldn't have yelled at you that way."
He said, "Oh, Mom, that's okay.
I love you anyway."

I said, "Son, I love you too,
and I do like the flowers, especially the blue."

Author Unknown - Submitted by CAPR