Recorded Miracle

I pondered about what to share this Friday before Christmas. I wanted it to be special. So, how about a miracle? Do you want to literally hear one?

Duane Miller was a pastor in Texas. He lost his voice after a bout with a virus that attacked his vocal chords. It took a lot of effort for him to speak and his raspy voice caused him to lose his leadership position in church. They say he went to 63 medical specialists but the sad prognosis was that he would no longer be able to speak in a normal voice again.

One Sunday, (over 3 years after he lost his voice) the regular Sunday school teacher was unavailable and Miller was asked to step in. The church fitted him with a microphone to help pick up his squeaky voice. He was to teach on Psalm 103 (about God’s forgiveness of sin and miracles). And then it happened — in front of 200 people, a miracle was recorded for all to hear.

CLICK HERE to listen to Miller’s voice before and after the miracle. Listen to him in mid-speech wonder what was happening and the crowd applauding in the background.

Isn’t it wonderful that our loving God is still in the business of granting miracles? There is no formula. There is no guarantee. There is only God who gifts our needs. In all miracles, the glory goes to God alone.

It’s the season of joy and miracles. This Christmas, there’s no harm in praying for the gift you’ve always wanted. I’m sure God already knows what it is. I believe He will grant you what you need … not according to your standards but His. He knows you better than you know yourself. And that’s a very good thing.

Be safe, be healthy, and remember: A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles. TGIF people!

Raoul

“My soul, praise the Lord
and never forget how kind he is!
He forgives all our sins
and heals all our sicknesses.
He saves us from the grave,
and he gives us love and compassion.”
— Psalm 103: 2 – 5

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Peter Paul of S Pasadena, CA  for sharing this joke.

Video: Another Kind of YMCA

Thanks to Maling of New Manila, Philippines

Video: Tom Cruise Impersonator

Thanks to Peter Paul of S Pasadena, CA

Video: Mixing Fun and Exercise

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, B.C.

Don’s Puns

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, BC who sent this pun

Parting Shots

Thanks to Debbie of Moreno Valley, CA
Sensitive:

Thanks to Mel of Washington, D.C.
Funny:

Thanks to Sang of North Dakota
Funny:

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA
Funny:

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

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Funny Guys

Gary Lising was a Filipino comedian — the Rodney Dangerfield of the Philippines. What he lacked in beauty he certainly made up with his fertile wit. Someone shared a story about Gary this morning that really made me laugh. It wiped some of my stress away. So I dug up some of his jokes which I share with you today. Hopefully, the punch lines don’t get lost in the translation.

Gary said he wished he would die peacefully in his sleep just like his grandfather … who fell asleep behind the wheel and not like the passengers of the bus.

When it was time to introduce the keynote speaker, Gary walked up to the podium and introduced the [simple-minded] president and said, “President Estrada is a man who does not know the meaning of the word fear. He does not know the meaning of the word corruption. He does not know the meaning of the word dishonesty. There are many words he does not know the meaning of.”

Gary is proud of his very Catholic upbringing: “I’m very close to the Cardinal,” he said. “Even as a boy, the Cardinal was very religious because of the influence of his father … who was also a priest.”

“I feel fulfilled when I see my son,” Gary confides. “He’s very handsome. He looks like my driver.”

“I’ve been married for years and I’m still in love with the same girl. My wife will kill me if she finds out.”

“My wife has a Supreme Court figure – no appeal.”

Gary’s Definitions:

Conversation: Conversation is when three women stand on the corner talking. Gossip is when one of them leaves.

Cosmetics: Cosmetics are a woman’s means of keeping men from reading between the lines.

Courtship: I like her because she doesn’t “No” much.

Gold diggers: Some girls will only go out with a man who is tall, dark and has some.

Showgirl: More show than girl.

Stingy: He orders asparagus and leaves the waiter the tips.

Ugly: With a face like mine, I could sue my parents for damages.

Thank God for funny guys like Gary. They certainly color our world.

TGIF people!

Raoul

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Peter Paul of South Pasadena, CA for sharing this joke.

Don’s Puns

Sent by Don of Kelowna, B.C.

VIDEO: Pinoy’s Got Talent

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA for sharing this video of Marcelito Pomoy’s unusual audition. This guy’s been going around the entertainment circuit. He’s pretty popular.

VIDEO: Beach Ball

Thanks to Tony of Southern CA for sharing this short and funny clip.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Naomi of North Hollywood who shared this:

The post Difficult Name appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Yesterday I was lying on a hospital bed, wearing a hospital gown, contemplating a blank wall and waiting for the expert doctor to perform my colonoscopy. It was a long uncomfortable wait because I didn’t have anything to do. Nothing to entertain me. Nothing to listen to. No one to talk to. No book to read, computer or smart phone to play with …. nothing! I didn’t realize emptiness could be such torture.

Reminds me of a song that my Dad used to play in his Akai upright reel to reel tape deck.

Is that all there is? by Peggy Lee

Is that all there is?
Is that all there is?
If that’s all there is my friends, then let’s keep dancing.
Let’s break out the booze and have a ball.
If that’s all there is.

How sad that there are atheists who have only emptiness to look forward to when their lives are over. Christopher Hitchens, the famous atheist, wanted more time but died of cancer in 2011. His fellow atheists were present at his deathbed to make sure his “faithlessness” would remain intact. He was a true champion to their “empty” cause.

What do you think? Is the world any better because of atheists? How many major foundations or hospitals have they established? How many lives have they enriched? Of course there are very few exceptions but (comparatively speaking) I believe when you’re self-absorbed, somehow your influence doesn’t extend to benefit your fellow man.

In a few days we will be adding another new year to our collection. It seems the older we get, the shorter the years go by. Last night, I watched a documentary of the “Chauvet Cave” near a winery in France. It’s that cave with all the Neanderthal paintings of bison, antelopes, rhinoceros, mammoth, leopards, cave bears, etc. which was discovered at the end of World War II. The glacial era and mountain shifts created this natural time capsule and preserved the paintings. Carbon dating estimates the paintings were made 25-30 thousand years ago. If that were true, that dwarfs the earliest Biblical accounts of Abraham which happened a mere 4 thousand years ago.

Even by modern standards, the Neanderthal artist was incredibly talented. He truthfully captured the forms of those ancient beasts. Why did he do that? Why paint? To leave a legacy — to leave a record of what life was like when he walked the earth. (BTW, even this primitive artist [or someone who lived in that cave] left evidence of an altar)

What legacy are you leaving for 2017? What mountains did you climb? What valleys did you trod? What names and faces did you add to your Facebook account? But … is that all there is?

May I challenge you to leave your mark this coming year? 20,000 years from now (if the world lasts that long), archeologists may never know that you existed. But let’s hope you do something so incredible that your friends and family will never forget … and remember how much you love them in 2018.

TGIF people! Here’s to the New Year!

Now That I Am Older

Contributed by Tom of Pasadena, CA

NOW THAT I’M OLDER, HERE’S WHAT I’VE DISCOVERED:

1. I STARTED OUT WITH NOTHING, AND I STILL HAVE MOST OF IT.

2. MY WILD OATS ARE MOSTLY ENJOYED WITH PRUNES AND ALL-BRAN.

3. FUNNY, I DON’T REMEMBER BEING ABSENT-MINDED.

4. FUNNY, I DON’T REMEMBER BEING ABSENT-MINDED.

5. IF ALL IS NOT LOST, THEN WHERE THE HECK IS IT?

6. IT WAS A WHOLE LOT EASIER TO GET OLDER THAN IT WAS TO GET WISER.

7. SOME DAYS, YOU’RE THE TOP DOG, SOME DAYS YOU’RE THE HYDRANT.

8. I WISH THE BUCK REALLY DID STOP HERE, I SURE COULD USE A FEW OF THEM.

9. KIDS IN THE BACKSEAT CAUSE ACCIDENTS.

10. ACCIDENTS IN THE BACK SEAT CAUSE KIDS.

11. IT IS HARD TO MAKE A COMEBACK WHEN YOU HAVEN’T BEEN ANYWHERE.

12. THE WORLD ONLY BEATS A PATH TO YOUR DOOR WHEN YOU’RE IN THE BATHROOM.

13. IF GOD WANTED ME TO TOUCH MY TOES, HE’D HAVE PUT THEM ON MY KNEES

14. WHEN I’M FINALLY HOLDING ALL THE RIGHT CARDS, EVERYONE WANTS TO PLAY CHESS.

15. IT IS NOT HARD TO MEET EXPENSES…THEY’RE EVERYWHERE.

16. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A RUT AND A GRAVE IS THE DEPTH.

17. THESE DAYS, I SPEND A LOT OF TIME THINKING ABOUT THE HEREAFTER . . . I GO SOMEWHERE TO GET SOMETHING, AND THEN WONDER WHAT I’M “HERE AFTER”.

18. FUNNY, I DON’T REMEMBER BEING ABSENT-MINDED.

19. IT IS A LOT BETTER TO BE SEEN THAN VIEWED.

20. HAVE I SENT THIS MESSAGE TO YOU BEFORE??? … OR DID I GET IT FROM YOU?

TGIF Videos

Parting Shot

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, B.C. who provided this photo

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