A Little "Snack" - Food For Thought - Uma "Merendinha"

Hello there, dear visitors! Oi, caros visitantes (Que falam Inglês)!

I will be traveling in the south of the state of Parà, in which I live and work, until the end of this month of September, and that is why I won't be able to post anything next week-end; so I'm sending you a little "snack" to let your mind chew on something cool, until I come back. It's not music to hear, but those words are music to my hear! So, I hope you'll like and enjoy it!

Marc

PS: Desculpa aos que não falam Inglês; ainda não saiu a versão portuguesa!

______________________________

The poor homeless man wanted to impress the lady of the house with how hungry he was, thinking he’d get a good handout in the way of a good meal, so he got down on his hands and knees on the front lawn pretending to be eating grass. When the lady came out on the front porch and saw him she said, “Oh my dear, you poor man! Why don’t you go round in the backyard! The grass is much longer back there!”

The newsboy was standing on the street corner giving out newspapers in return for twenty-five-cent donations when someone walked up, took two papers, and handed him a quarter, saying grandly, “I want you to know, young man, that I don’t give you this because I feel that I have to or because I think it’s my duty or because I even think your paper’s worth it! I just enjoy giving!” To which the boy replied, “Well, mister, why don’t you give a dollar and have a real good time!”

We all need a good sense of humor. “A merry heart does good like medicine!”1 God created us with a sense of humor and the ability to laugh at things that are funny. So I’m sure He has a sense of humor, especially when I look at some of the things and people He has created and the funny situations He lets them get into.

Someone has said that a sense of humor is the ability to see the funny side of a serious situation and to laugh at things when they’re not the way they ought to be. Like the very formal preacher I knew who always wore a formal frock coat, or what we used to call “tie-n-tails” in the pulpit, similar to our modern tuxedo. He was so particular about the crease in his trousers that while waiting in his study for his part of the service to begin, during Sunday school, he would take them off and hang them up rather than sit down in them!

Until one Sunday morning he suddenly remembered, just as they were dismissing Sunday school, that he was supposed to make an important announcement to the children, so he quickly jumped up and dashed out of his office onto the platform, shouting, “Children, children! Just a moment! I have something very important to show you!” As the kids turned around and looked back at him on the platform, for a moment there was a stunned silence, followed by a roar of laughter as they looked at the preacher standing there with the announcement in his hand held high in the air and his bare knees clearly visible above the altar rail!

His congregation obviously had a good sense of humor! However, he did not! When he looked down to see what they were laughing at, he nearly fainted, and barely managed to stumble back into his office, where he collapsed, instead of being able to laugh at himself and his own ridiculous failure to remember to put his pants on before he went on the platform!

There is such a thing as being too serious and too sober about some things and taking some things too seriously, especially yourself! The ability to laugh at yourself and your own silly mistakes is a great asset and helps to keep you humble. But someone who can’t laugh at his own mistakes or take the mistakes of others with a sense of humor either has too much pride or too severe a sense of life.

God intended for us to enjoy living, and He has given us the ability, the senses, and the environment to enjoy it, including Himself. And our main purpose in life, as the saying goes, is “to love God and enjoy Him forever!”2 And, I might add, to help others enjoy life by helping them to do the same by telling them of God’s love and the happy life that they can have through knowing Him!

God created you to enjoy the life He’s given you and to love and enjoy Him forever, and to try to help others to do the same! If there’s anything in this world that Christians are supposed to be, it’s a happy people, because we’ve got more to be happy about than anyone else in the world! We have the happy love of Jesus, who takes all our burdens, carries all our cares, and even lightens our sorrows. Even of our service for Him, He says that His yoke is easy and His burden is light.3

If you’re finding His yoke too hard or the burden of His service too heavy to bear, then maybe you’re transgressing by not obeying Him, not casting all your cares upon Jesus, for He careth for you. “Cast your burden on the Lord and He shall sustain you.”4 Let go and let God! Let Jesus do it! Don’t work so hard! Just let the Lord do it through you. Maybe you’re trying too hard instead of letting God do it by His power, His love, His grace, and His strength!

So quit taking yourself so seriously! Stop and praise the Lord and have a good laugh at your own weaknesses and ridiculous inability to do anything or accomplish anything for the Lord, knowing that if anything’s going to get done, it’s got to be the Lord who does it through you.

Smile! You’re on candid camera—God’s candid camera—and He wants you to be happy! Cheer up! Things could be a lot worse, and they probably will be, but why worry about it now? Fret not thyself for tomorrow! Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof!5

I heartily agree with the young man who wrote me that we need to have more of a sense of humor, to be able to laugh at something funny, and mostly ourselves, instead of, as he put it, “practicing with balls and chains and thumbscrews today so we’ll be able to bear them tomorrow!” That’s not the way God does things. He doesn’t make you try to practice suffering today what you’re going to have to suffer tomorrow. He says, “Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof!”

You’re not to add more to it in preparation for tomorrow, or to try to toughen yourself up for more evil tomorrow! You’re to enjoy today and take things as they come and let tomorrow take care of itself. “As your days, so shall your strength be!”6 God gives you power for the hour, grace for the trial—at the hour it comes, not before. So don’t worry about it!

When you’re weak, then you’re strong, and His strength is made perfect in your weakness. For His grace is sufficient for you.7 He takes the weak things to confound the mighty and the foolish things to confound the wisdom of the wise.8 “He’s not revealed these things unto the wise and prudent, but unto babes.”9 You’ve got to be a baby in the spirit in order to receive His wisdom!

If God can use us, He can use anybody, because we’re nobody, and you ought to absolutely crack up laughing at yourself and how ridiculous you are instead of trying to be too sober and taking yourself too seriously. If He can use you and me, He could even use Balaam’s ass! And He did!10

So for God’s sake and His work’s sake and your own sake, and especially for the sake of those around you, don’t try so hard and take yourself so seriously! It’s got to be God or you’ll never make it! That’s why He picked you! And that’s why people marvel, beholding the man, and knowing that it’s only because you’ve been with Jesus. They know it’s got to be God! They know it’s only Jesus! They know it’s a miracle of God that has changed your life. So why not have a good laugh at yourself and admit that it’s God that’s doing it all through you?

I once knew a dear old missionary who had evangelized Tibet for twenty-five years, four years of it behind communist lines, and I marveled at his humility and his grace and his blithely cheerful spirit. I thought what a great man he was and what a great work he had done and how famous he should have been. So I asked him a question, which I considered he of all people ought to know, and since I was planning to be a missionary myself. I asked him, “What do you think a missionary needs the most?”—expecting some solemn and profound answer from his greatly superior wisdom and vast wealth of years of experience.

So you can imagine how shocked I was when he said simply, with a sly smile, “A sense of humor—to be able to laugh when you feel like crying!” He said that, often, under the almost unbearable tension of the most frightening circumstances, a good laugh nearly saved their lives and their nerves! After all, if you know the Lord’s going to take care of it somehow, you can afford to smile and to laugh at how impossible the situation is, how ridiculous the circumstances are, and you know God’s got to do a miracle! So why not laugh about it?

We do have other things to do besides laugh. But for God’s sake, laugh while you’re doing them! And most of all, like my mother, be able to laugh at yourself and a good joke on yourself, because you’re the funniest thing God ever made, and you couldn’t be any more ridiculous! That ought to help keep you humble!

Humor certainly does help to humble you! There’s nothing like a good joke on yourself to keep us from getting so self-righteous and so super-sober and severely serious that we can’t enjoy a good joke on ourselves and can’t see how funny we are, how ridiculous we are, how nothing we are, and what a joke we are and what a good laugh God must get out of us and what He’s doing with us. What a joke! What a laugh we are!

For God’s sake, why don’t you break down that stupid self-righteous pride of yours and laugh at yourself—at how ridiculous and foolish you are to think you can save the world, when it’s only God that’s doing it through you, showing that even the foolishness of God is greater than the wisdom of men!11

Have a good laugh at all your troubles! It’ll do you good, and it’ll do God good, because it’ll show Him you’re not worried but you’re still trusting Him! Praise the Lord!

We all need a good laugh. Have a sense of humor! Keep humble with good humor! Laugh at yourself. Just don’t overdo it, as there’s a time for everything. There’s a time to laugh, and a time to weep—a time for everything.12 But let’s always be able to smile through our tears. A ray of sunshine is even more beautiful in the midst of rain.

Let’s have a little more sunshine and laughter and not so much gloom and doom! Let’s give people a little more heaven! “Laugh and the world will laugh with you! Cry, and you’ll cry alone!”13 So let’s be happy!

Walk with God and You'll Never Walk Alone - Caminhe Com Deus and Nunca Andaràs Sò

This is beautiful song sang by Ray Charles, where it says "Don't be afraid of the dark" being himself blind,sure he knew what he was talking about! "When I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light unto me." (Micah 7:8b) Tried and proven!!
Esta é uma bela canção cantada por Ray Charles, que diz "Não tenha medo da escuridão"
Sendo ele cego, com certeza ele devia saber do que estava falando! "Se morar nas trevas, o Senhor serà a minha luz." (Miquéias 7:8b)Experimentado e provado!!




Lyrics - letra

You'll Never Walk Alone
When you walk through a storm,
Hold your head up high,
And don't be afraid of the dark.
At the end of a storm,
There's a golden sky,
And a sweet silver song of a lark.

Walk on through the wind,
Walk on through the rain,
Though your dreams be tossed and blown....

Walk On! Walk On! With hope in your heart,
And you'll never walk alone....

You'll never walk alone

Walk On! Walk On! With hope in your heart,
And you'll never walk alone....

You'll never walk alone.

Portuguese

Você Nunca Andará Sozinho
Quando você anda através da tempestade
Mantenha sua cabeça erguida
E não tenha medo da escuridão
No final da tempestade
Existe um céu dourado
E o doce canto de um sabià
Ande através do vento
Ande através da chuva
Mesmo que seus sonhos tenham sido jogados e perdidos

Caminhe! Caminhe! Com esperança em seu coração
E você nunca caminhará sozinho

Você nunca caminhará sozinho


This is another song, sung by Elvis, inviting you to humbly ask God to take your hand, so He can lead you on the path of righteousness and keep you from stumbling.
Esta outra canção, cantada por Elvis, lhe sugere de humildemente pedir a Deus de pegar a sua mão, para que Ele o guie na vereda da justiça e o impedir de tropeçar.

Precious Lord, Take My Hand


Lyrics - Letra

Precious Lord, take my hand
Precioso Senhor, pegue a minha mão
Lead me on, let me stand
Guie-me, deixe-me ficar em pé
I'm tired, I'm weak, I'm alone
Estou cansado, estou fraco, estou solitário
Through the storm, through the night
Através da tempestade, durante a noite
Lead me on to the light Guie-me para a luz
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home
Pegue minha mão precioso Senhor, levar-me para casa

When my way grows drear precious Lord linger near
Quando meu caminho cresce precioso Senhor ficar perto
When my light is almost gone
Quando a minha luz está quase no fim
Hear my cry, hear my call
Ouvir o meu clamor, ouve meu chamado
Hold my hand lest I fall
Segurar a minha mão para que eu não cair
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home
Pegue minha mão precioso Senhor, levar-me para casa

When the darkness appears and the night draws near
Quando a escuridão aparece ea noite se aproxima
And the day is past and gone
E o dia é passado e ido
At the river I stand
No rio eu estou
Guide my feet, hold my hand
Guia meus pés, segure minha mão
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home
Pegue minha mão precioso Senhor, levar-me para casa

Precious Lord, take my hand
Precious Lord, pegue minha mão
Lead me on, let me stand
Guie-me, deixe-me ficar
I'm tired, I'm weak, I'm lone
Estou cansado, estou fraco, estou solitário
Through the storm, through the night
Através da tempestade, durante a noite
Lead me on to the light Guie-me para a luz
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home
Pegue minha mão precioso Senhor, levar-me para casa


Now, this song really make you ask yourself "Where could I go but to the Lord?" Who can you really count on to keep you safe in this world? There's no other but Him!
Agora, esta canção manda você se perguntar " Aonde posso ir senão para o Senhor?" Com quem você pode realmente contar para mantê-lo seguro neste mundo? Não tem outro do que Ele!



Lyrics - Letra

Where Could I Go But To The Lord
Living below in this old sinful world
Hardly a comfort can afford
Striving alone to face temptation so
Now won't you tell me

Where could I go but to the Lord
Where could I go oh where could I go
Seeking the refuge for my soul
Needing a friend to save me in the end
Won't you tell me
Where could I go but to the Lord

Life here is grand with friends I love so dear
Comfort I get from God's own word
Yet when I face that chilling hand of death
Won't you tell me
Where could I go but to the Lord

Where could I go but to the Lord
Where could I go oh where could I go
Seeking the refuge for my soul
Needing a friend to save me in the end
Won't you tell me
Where could I go but to the Lord

Portuguese

Onde Eu Poderia Ir Além de Para o Senhor
Vivendo abaixo neste velho mundo de pecados
Mal posso pagar um conforto
Lutando sozinho para encarar a tentação então
Agora não vai me dizer

Onde eu poderia ir além de para o Senhor
Onde eu poderia ir, oh onde eu poderia ir
Procurando o refúgio para a minha alma
Precisando de um amigo para me salvar no final
Não vai me dizer
Para onde eu poderia ir além de para o Senhor

A vida aqui é grande com amigos que eu amo tão caramente
Conforto eu recebo da própria palavra de Deus
Ainda quando eu encaro a mão gelada da morte
Não vai me dizer
Onde eu poderia ir além de para o Senhor

Onde eu poderia ir além de para o Senhor
Onde eu poderia ir, oh onde eu poderia ir
Procurando o refúgio para a minha alma
Precisando de um amigo para me salvar no final
Não vai me dizer
Para onde eu poderia ir além de para o Senhor

Well, I hope this session will please you and that This week will be for you one of a closer relationship with our Sweet Lord and Lover

What is Jesus? Who is He? Quem é Jesus? O que ele é?

I See Love


Letra em Português
Eu Vejo Amor
Alguns vêem um mestre
De pé em uma montanha
Dizendo palavras de sabedoria
Alguns vêem um curador
Estendendo Suas mãos
Para dar visão a um homem cego
Alguns vêem um sonhador
Desperdiçando Sua vida
Com o que não pode ser
Alguns vêem um tolo
Morrendo por Seus sonhos

Mas eu vejo amor (eu vejo amor)
Eu vejo amor (eu vejo amor)
Luz do céu rompendo
Bem, eu vejo graça (eu vejo graça)
Eu vejo a face de Deus (eu vejo a face de Deus)
Brilhando o puro e perfeito amor
Quando eu Te vejo
Eu vejo amor

Alguns vêem um prisioneiro
Sozinho perante Seu julgamento
Sem ninguém para defendê-lo
Alguns vêem uma vítima
Espancada e abusada
Com todo o mundo contra Ele
Alguns vêem um martir
Carregando sua cruz
Pelo que acredita
Alguns vêem um heroi
Que liberta as pessoas

Eu vejo amor (eu vejo amor)
Eu vejo amor (eu vejo amor)
Luz do céu rompendo
Eu vejo graça (eu vejo graça)
Eu vejo a face de Deus (eu vejo a face de Deus)
Brilhando o puro e perfeito amor
Quando eu Te vejo

Com Seu último suspiro
Eu vejo amor
Através de Sua morte
Eu vejo amor
Eu vejo paz nos olhos do Rei
Eu vejo esperança em Seu sofrimento (eu vejo amor)
Eu vejo calma no meio da tempestade
Eu vejo um Salvador

Eu vejo amor
Eu vejo amor
Luz do céu rompendo (céu rompendo)
Eu vejo graça
Eu vejo a face de Deus
Brilhando o puro e perfeito amor
Quando eu Te vejo (eu vejo amor)
Quando eu Te vejo (eu vejo amor)
(Céu rompendo)
Eu vejo graça
Eu vejo a face de Deus
Brilhando o puro e perfeito amor
Quando eu Te vejo
Quando eu Te vejo (eu vejo amor)
Quando eu Te vejo
Eu vejo amor
Eu vejo amor
Quando eu vejo

Alguns O vêem andando vindo de um túmulo vazio

This Man of Nazareth


Now that you know, Do You Want Him To Fill Your Life??
In The Room



His Love Is What We Need The Most!
I Need You!

Gospel Music - Alan Jackson

In the Garden, a beautiful song that often made me cry. It talks about a close relationship with our dear Jesus. Just sing along,close your eyes and feel His tender love for you in your needy heart.
In the Garden, uma bela canção que muitas vezes me fez chorar. Ela fala sobre um relacionamento pròximo com o nosso querido Jesus. Cante junto, feche os seus olhos e sinta o terno amor dEle por você no seu coração necessitado.

I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The song of God discloses

And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am his own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known

He speaks and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing

And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am his own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known

Português: Tradução e adaptação: Jesus e Marc

Sozinho na horta eu vou
Quando as rosas absorvem o orvalho
E a voz suave que ouço
É a voz de Deus que absorvo.

Ele anda comigo
Fala comigo,
Diz que sou todo Seu
A alegria compartilhada
Nenhum outro conheceu!

O som da Sua voz quando fala
A canção do sabià Ele cala,
E a mùsica que Ele me dà
No meu coração continua.

Ele anda comigo
Fala comigo,
Diz que sou todo Seu
A alegria compartilhada
Nenhum outro conheceu!

Now, here's another song interpreted by Alan Jackson. "I like to tell the story" No comment! Just listen to what it says and enjoy it! Have your little "Loving Jesus time"!!
Esta é outra canção interpretada por Alan Jackson. "Gosto de Contar a Estòria" Sem comentàrio! Apenas escute o que ela diz e desfrute! Tenha o seu "Tempinho de Amar Jesus"!




Refrão
I love to tell the story Amo contar a estòria
Of unseen things above, Do reino do Salvador
Of Jesus and his glory, De Jesus e Sua Gloria
Of Jesus and his love. De Jesus e do Seu amor

I love to tell the story, Amo contar a estoria
Because I know 'tis true; Que eu sei ser a Verdade;
It satisfies my longings Satisfaz a minha ansiedade
As nothing else can do. Como mais nada faria.

[Refrain:] [refrão]

I love to tell the story, Amo contar a estoria
'twill be my theme in glory, Serà meu hino na glòria
To tell the old, old story De contar a velha estòria
Of Jesus and his love. De Jesus e Seu amor.

I love to tell the story Amo contar a estòria
For those who know it best Para quem jà a conhecia,
Seem hungering and thirsting Parecendo também ansiosos
To hear it like the rest. De ouvir juntos aos outros.
And when, in scenes of glory, E quando, en cenas de gloria
I sing the new, new song, Canto esta nova canção,
'twill be the old, old story Serà a velha estòria
That I have loved so long. Que amei por um tempão!

[Refrain] [Refrão]

I sure hope these two songs inspired and fed you for this week! Stay close to Jesus and keep sharing His love, telling others about it, in truth, and in deeds!!

Com certeza, espero que essas duas canções tenham te inspirado e alimentado para esta semana! Fique pertinho de Jesus e sigue compartilhando Seu amor, falando dele para outros, em verdade e em ações!!