Thanx Bre

A man from Norfolk, VA called a local radio station to share this on Sept 11th, 2003, TWO YEARS AFTER THE TRAGEDIES OF 9/11/2001.

His name was Robert Matthews. These are his words:

A few weeks before Sept. 11th, my wife and I found out we were going to have our first child. She planned a trip out to California to visit her sister.  On our way to the airport, we prayed that God would grant my wife a safe trip and be with her. Shortly after I said ‘amen,’ we both heard a loud pop and the car shook violently. We had blown out a tire. I replaced the tire as quickly as I could, but we still missed her flight. Both very upset, we drove home.  I received a call from my father who was retired NYFD. He asked what my wife’s flight number was, but I explained that we missed the flight.

My father informed me that her flight was the one that crashed into the southern tower. I was too shocked to speak. My father also had more news for me; he was going to help. ‘This is not something I can’t just sit by for; I have to do something.’
I was concerned for his safety, of course, but more because he had never given his life to Christ. After a brief debate, I knew his mind was made up.  Before he got off of the phone, he said, ‘take good care of my grandchild.  Those were the last words I ever heard my father say; he died while helping in the rescue effort.

My joy that my prayer of safety for my wife had been answered quickly became anger. I was angry at God, at my father, and at myself. I had gone for nearly two years blaming God for taking my father away. My son would never know his grandfather, my father had never accepted Christ, and I never got to say good-bye.
Then something happened. About two months ago, I was sitting at home with my wife and my son, when there was a knock on the door. I looked at my wife, but I could tell she wasn’t expecting anyone. I opened the door to a couple with a small child.

The man looked at me and asked if my father’s name was Jake Matthews. I told him it was. He quickly grabbed my hand and said, ‘I never got the chance to meet your father, but it is an honour to meet his son.’
He explained to me that his wife had worked in the World Trade Centre and had been caught inside after the attack. She was pregnant and had been caught under debris. He then explained that my father had been the one to find his wife and free her.  My eyes welled up with tears as I thought of my father giving his life for people like this. He then said, ‘there is something else you need to know.’

His wife then told me that as my father worked to free her, she talked to him and led him to Christ. I began sobbing at the news.
Now I know that when I get to Heaven, my father will be standing beside Jesus to welcome me, and that this family would be able to thank him themselves.
When their baby boy was born, they named him Jacob Matthew, in honour of the man who gave his life so that a mother and baby could live.
This story should help us to realize this: God is always in control.

We may not see the reason behind things, and we may never know this side of heaven, but God is ALWAYS in control.
Please take time to share this amazing story.  You may never know the impact it may have on someone.  God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good.  His love endures forever.  Psalm 136:1

“Nobody trips over mountains. It’s small pebbles that cause you to stumble. Pass the pebbles in your path & you’ll find you’ve crossed the mountain.” ~ Author Unknown

Some people know so much about one thing they look down on those who aren’t so knowledgeable.

They are snobs.  There are wine snobs, literary, fashion, food, even money snobs.

“I can change the world,” the politician boasts.  “But he can’t even change a tire,” the garage mechanic sneers.

Both are snobs because they look down on those who don’t share their special interests.

If you’re sure you know more about haute cuisine than your dinner partner, remember she may know about 19^th century architecture.  Don’t let you knowledge turn you into a snob.

Find out what the other guy knows, before you show off what you know.

Kirk out

One day, one friend asked another,
‘How is it that you are always so happy?
You have so much energy,
and you never seem to get down.’

With her eyes smiling, she said,
‘I know the Secret!’
‘What secret is that?’
To which she replied,
‘I’ll tell you all about it,
but you have to promise to
share the Secret with others.’

‘The Secret is this:
I have learned there is little I can do
in my life that will make me truly happy.
I must depend on God to make
me happy and to meet my needs.
When a need arises in my life,
I have to trust God to supply
according to HIS riches.
I have learned most of the time
I don’t need half of what I think I do.
He has never let me down.
Since I learned that ‘Secret’, I am happy.’

The questioner’s first thought was,
‘That’s too simple!’
But upon reflecting over her own life
she recalled how she thought a bigger house
would make her happy, but it didn’t!
She thought a better paying job
would make her happy, but it hadn’t.
When did she realize her greatest happiness?
Sitting on the floor with her children or
grandchildren, playing games, eating pizza
or reading a story, a simple gift from God.

Now you know it too!
We can’t depend on people to make us happy.
Only GOD in His infinite wisdom can do that.
Trust HIM!
And now I pass the Secret on to you!
So once you get it, what will you do?

YOU have to tell someone the Secret, too!
That GOD in His wisdom will take care of YOU!
But it’s not really a secret…
We just have to believe it and do it…
Really trust God!

Be Sweet – Studies have shown that dark chocolate may help keep high blood pressure down, your blood flowing, and your heart healthy.  Some say it even mimics the feeling of being in love.  Still, moderation is advised

Move to the beat – Grab a partner and do some fancy footwork.  Any activity that gets you moving – like dancing or walking – can help increase blood circulation, reduce stress, and protect your heart.

Do your thing – Activities like painting, writing, yoga, and meditation can help slow your heart and breathing rates and lower your blood pressure, all of which are good for your body and your heart.

Living a healthy lifestyle can help your heart stay strong, so you can live – and love – for years to come.

Kaiser Permanente Thrive

I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.

-Rabindranath Tagore, Nobel laureate (1861-1941)

Bring Joy… Serve…..

Kirk out

These quotes come from Barbara Plantt a dear friend of Kirk who loves and leads in the world of organizational development.  She finds and sings her song everyday.

May we all do likewise and eat only the best thoughts for our food.

“It takes but one positive thought when given a chance to survive and thrive to overpower an entire army of negative thoughts.” ~Robert H. Schuller

“A man is but the product of his thoughts what he thinks, he becomes.” ~Mahatma Gandhi

“There are always flowers for those who want to see them.” ~Henri Matisse

“Those who wish to sing, always find a song.” ~Swedish Proverb

“You and I are not what we eat; we are what we think.”  ~Walter Anderson

Kirk Weisler

When we are faced with a crisis or struggle we often despair.

But it’s in this struggle that the best opportunities emerge. If we’re keeping our eyes open.

A crisis is an opportunity to change grow learn reflect and become better. It’s where we discover who we are and how we can find a new way we couldn’t have imagined before the crisis presented itself. It allows us to practice patience and acceptance and find renewed hope — which is the most beautiful thing.

When I’ve lost my job it was an opportunity for reinvention and to strike out on my own.

When I’ve lost a family member to the unrelenting grip of death it was an opportunity to reflect on that loved one’s wonderful life and for our family to come together in a way never possible before.

When I failed at work I learned to improve and grow better.

When I injured myself I learned patience and new ways to be healthy.

When my children throw tantrums they are teaching me more patience and the power of raw emotions and the wonder of childhood and what happens when you lose perspective.

When my wife and I had arguments it was an opportunity to learn more about each other and grow closer and become better at finding common ground.

When I moved and missed my family on Guam terribly it was an opportunity to learn introspection and self-sufficiency and grow closer to family here in the States.

When I daily face the terror of the void staring at me face to face it is my chance to push back and assert my will and imprint my soul upon this malleable world.

And that my friends is beauty. It is the finding of renewed hope and growth when all else seems bleak and lost.

In the struggle is the possible if we dare to look.

Seize the day, make your lives extraordinary.