PENTING, KENAPA DARAH MENGENTAL ?

Wongso Susanto
www.kecerdasan-emosional.blogspot.com

>
>
> السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
> fyi...semoga bermanfaat...
>
> والسلام***** *
>
>
>
> *KENAPA DARAH MENGENTAL ?*
>
>
>
>
>
> *DARAH MENGENTAL DALAM TUBUH, MENGAPA TERJADI???*
>
> Ada satu pertanyaan yang masuk ke mailbox saya, yaitu
> "Mengapa harus minum
> air putih banyak-banyak. .?"
>
> Well, sebenarnya jawabannya cukup "mengerikan"
> tetapi karena sebuah
> pertanyaan jujur harus dijawab dengan jujur, maka topik
> tersebut bisa
> dijelaskan sbb:
>
> Kira-kira 80% tubuh manusia terdiri dari air.
>
> Malah ada beberapa bagian tubuh kita yang memiliki kadar
> air di atas 80%.
> Dua organ paling penting dengan kadar air di atas 80%
> adalah :
>
> Otak dan Darah. !!
>
> Otak memiliki komponen air sebanyak 90%, sementara darah
> memiliki Komponen
> air 95%.
>
> Jatah minum manusia normal sedikitnya adalah 2 liter sehari
> atau 8 gelas
> sehari.
>
> Jumlah di atas harus ditambah bila anda seorang perokok.
>
> Air sebanyak itu diperlukan untuk mengganti cairan yang
> keluar dari tubuh
> kita lewat air seni, keringat, pernapasan, dan sekresi.
>
> Apa yang terjadi bila kita mengkonsumsi kurang dari 2 liter
> sehari...?
>
> Tentu tubuh akan menyeimbangkan diri. Caranya...? Dengan
> jalan "menyedot"
> air dari komponen tubuh sendiri. Dari otak...? Belum sampai
> segitunya
> (wihh...bayangkan otak kering gimana jadinya...), melainkan
> dari sumber
> terdekat: Darah. !!
>
> Darah yang disedot airnya akan menjadi kental. Akibat
> pengentalan darah ini,
> maka perjalanannya akan kurang lancar ketimbang yang encer.
>
> Saat melewati ginjal (tempat menyaring racun dari darah)
> ginjal akan bekerja
> extra keras menyaring darah. Dan karena saringan dalam
> ginjal halus, tidak
> jarang darah yang kental bisa menyebabkan perobekan pada
> glomerulus ginjal.
>
> Akibatnya, air seni anda berwarna kemerahan, tanda mulai
> bocornya saringan
> ginjal. Bila dibiarkan terus menerus, anda mungkin suatu
> saat harus
> menghabiskan 400.000 rupiah seminggu untuk cuci darah.
>
> Eh, tadi saya sudah bicara tentang otak ' kan...?
>
> Nah saat darah kental mengalir lewat otak, perjalanannya
> agak terhambat.
> Otak tidak lagi "encer", dan karena sel-sel otak
> adalah yang paling boros
> mengkonsumsi makanan dan oksigen, lambatnya aliran darah
> ini bisa
> menyebabkan sel-sel otak cepat mati atau tidak berfungsi
> sebagaimana
> mestinya.. (ya wajarlah namanya juga kurang makan...)
>
> Bila ini ditambah dengan penyakit jantung (yang juga
> kerjanya tambah berat
> bila darah mengental... ), maka serangan stroke bisa lebih
> lekas datang.
>
> Sekarang tinggal anda pilih: melakukan
> "investasi" dengan minum sedikitnya 8
> gelas sehari- atau- "membayar bunga" lewat sakit
> ginjal atau stroke.
>
> Pilihan ada pada Anda!
>
> Forwardlah E-mail ini kepada keluarga, sahabat dan
> orang-orang yang Anda
> cintai !
>
>
>
>
>
> والسلام***** *
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> Best Regards,
>
> Savero Yusron (vero)
>
> Mobile : +62 812 1097 6909
> Mail to : yusronsavero@gmail.com

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Fw: ONE THING TO NEVER FORGET

> ONE THING TO NEVER FORGET
>
> Your presence, is a present to the world.
>
> You're unique and one of a kind.
>
> Your life can be, what you want it to be.
>
> Take the days, just one at a time.
>
> Count your blessings, not your troubles.
>
> You'll make it through, whatever comes along.
>
> Within you, are so many answers.
>
> Understand, have courage, be strong.
>
> Don't put limits on yourself.
>
> So many dreams, are waiting to be realized.
>
> Decisions are too important, to leave to chance.
>
> Reach for your peak, your goal and your prize.
>
> Nothing wastes more energy, than worrying.
>
> The longer one carries a problem, the heavier it gets.
>
> Don't take things too seriously.
>
> Live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets.
>
> Remember, that a little love goes a long way.
>
> Remember, that a lot of love goes forever.
>
> Remember, that friendship is a wise investment.
>
> Life's treasures, are people... together.
>
> Realize, that it's never too late.
>
> Do ordinary things, in a extraordinary way.
>
> Have health, hope and happiness.
>
> Take the time, to wish upon a star.
>
> And don't ever forget....
>
> For even a day....
>
> How very special you are.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

A teacher in New York decided to honor each of her seniors in high school by
telling them the difference they each made. She called each student to the
front of the class, one at a time. First she told each of them how they had
made a difference to her and the class. Then she presented each of them with
a blue ribbon imprinted with gold letters which read, "Who I Am Makes a
Difference." Afterwards the teacher decided to do a class project to see
what kind of impact recognition would have on a community.

She gave each of the students three more ribbons and instructed them to go
out and spread this acknowledgment ceremony. Then they were to follow up on
the results, see who honored whom and report back to the class in about a
week.

One of the boys in the class went to a junior executive in a nearby company
and honored him for helping him with his career planning. He gave him a blue
ribbon and put it on his shirt. Then he gave him two extra ribbons and said,
"We're doing a class project on recognition, and we'd like you to go out,
find somebody to honor, give them a blue ribbon, then give them the extra
blue ribbon so they can acknowledge a third person to keep this
acknowledgment ceremony going. Then please report back to me and tell me
what happened.

Later that day the junior executive went in to see his boss, who had been
noted, by the way, as being kind of a grouchy fellow. He sat his boss down
and he told him that he deeply admired him for being a creative genius. The
boss seemed very surprised. The junior executive asked him if he would
accept the gift of the blue ribbon and would he give him permission to put
it on him. His surprised boss said, "Well, sure." The junior executive took
the blue ribbon and placed it right on his boss's jacket above his heart. As
he gave him the last extra ribbon, he said, "Would you do me a favor? Would
you take this extra ribbon and pass it on by honoring somebody else? The
young boy who first gave me the ribbons is doing a project in school and we
want to keep this recognition ceremony going and find out how it affects
people.

That night the boss came home to his 14-year-old son and sat him down. He
said, "The most incredible thing happened to me today. I was in my office
and one of the junior executives came in and told me he admired me and gave
me a blue ribbon for being a creative genius. Imagine. He thinks I'm a
creative genius. Then he put this blue ribbon that says 'Who I Am Makes A
Difference' on my jacket above my heart. He gave me an extra ribbon and
asked me to find somebody else to honor. As I was driving home tonight, I
started thinking about whom I would honor with this ribbon and I thought
about you. I want to honor you. My days are really hectic and when I come
home I don't pay a lot of attention to you. Sometimes I scream at you for
not getting good enough grades in school and for your bedroom being a mess,
but somehow tonight, I just wanted to sit here and, well, just let you know
that you do make a difference to me. Besides your mother, you are the most
important person in my life. You're a great kid and I love you!"

The startled boy started to sob and sob, and he couldn't stop crying. His
whole body shook. He looked up at his father and said through his tears, "I
was planning on committing suicide tomorrow, Dad, because I didn't think you
loved me. Now I know you care. This is the happiest day I've known."

The boss went back to work a changed man. He was no longer a grouch but made
sure to let all his employees know that they made a difference. The junior
executive helped several other young people with career planning and never
forgot to let them know that they made a difference it his life...one being
the bosses son. And the young boy and his classmates learned a valuable
lesson.

Who you are DOES make a difference.

Remember that!

I give you a blue ribbon.

TWENTY TRUTHS TO REMEMBER

1. Faith is the ability to not panic.

2. If you worry, you didn't pray. If you pray, don't worry.

3. As a child of God, prayer is kind of like calling home every day.

4. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.

5. When we get tangled up in our problems, be still. God wants us to be
still so He can untangle the knot.

6. Do the math. Count your blessings.

7. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.

8. Dear God: I have a problem. It's me.

9. Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted.

10. Laugh every day, it's like inner jogging.

11. The most important things in your home are the people.

12. Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional.

13. There is no key to happiness. The door is always open.

14. A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.

15. He who dies with the most toys is still dead.

16. We do not remember days, but moments. Life moves too fast, so enjoy your
precious moments.

17. Nothing is real to you until you experience it, otherwise it's just
hearsay.

18. It's all right to sit on your pity pot every now and again. Just be sure
to flush when you are done.

19. Surviving and living your life successfully requires courage. The goals
and dreams you're seeking require courage and risk-taking. Learn from the
turtle -- it only makes progress when it sticks out its neck.

20. Be more concerned with your character than your reputation. Your
character is what you really are while your reputation is merely what others
think you are.

7 Way To Reduce Stress

Our surroundings directly affect our health and wellness: consider that we spend 40 or more hours on the job weekly. Creating an inspiring environment for wellbeing in our working space is crucial to living a long and meaningful life.

Inner Peace on the Job: 7 Ways to Minimize Stress
Although it is not possible to eliminate stress completely, there are some things we can do to reduce it. Here are effective ways to reduce stress in your day.

1. Slow down and be in the present. It is natural to believe that the harder you work, the more you will get done. However, though it may seem paradoxical, if you work at a slow and steady pace with full awareness, you will most likely turn out better work with fewer mistakes - and feel better while doing it!

2. Set boundaries. Are you the go-to person for every favor and question that is needed in your workplace? Learn to respectfully set your boundaries and say no. Also, take a look at your calendar and make sure you are not over-scheduling yourself after work. Write in one night a week for yourself, and treat yourself to a tai chi or meditation class, a bath, or just an evening curled up with a good book.

3. Remember to breathe deeply all day. Most people who are under a lot of stress or tension breathe shallowly, up in the throat area. When you breathe deeply into your lungs, you are naturally bringing in more oxygen and activating energy in your body.Try this to remember to breathe: set your intention to take 10 deep breaths once every hour. (If necessary, set a timer to help you remember.) It will only take a minute, but the rewards will be tenfold.

4. Bring nature inside. As much as possible, let natural light and fresh air permeate your workspace. Surround yourself with the inspiring colors of beautiful flowers, which have a powerful influence on a person's mind-set. A beautiful bouquet can lift a less-than-lovely mood and even eliminate stress. In fact, one study showed that people who sat next to an arrangement of colorful flowers were able to relax more during a five-minute typing assignment than those who sat near foliage-only plants.5. Give yourself a time-out. Take the breaks that are given to you. In this high-paced world, people often work through their breaks, claiming they have too much work to do - this will lead to serious repercussions in the future. Remember that you are a human, not a machine. Even a machine needs downtime for maintenance! Try taking a 15-minute powernap on your lunch break. If you only have five minutes to spare, just close your eyes. Even this brief rest can
reduce stress and help you relax.

6. Meditation brings relaxation. Meditation gives your body a rest and produces slower brain waves that are similar to sleep, effectively combating tension. Regular practice of meditation, tai chi, or yoga can help you slow down and bring peace, not only in your job, but also in your life. To learn more about how to use meditation to decrease stress, click here.

7. Perk up naturally!
Skip the second latte, which stimulates your central nervous system, makes your mind race, and adds to your stress. Instead, try these simple and natural pick-me-ups: • Take a tea break. Instead of coffee, go for teas that gently boost your energy, such as ginseng, eucalyptus, or ginger.• Find ways to keep moving all day. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Drink a glass of water from the water cooler every hour. Park your car a few blocks away from where you're going. Not only will this perk up your energy, it will also improve your mood.

• If it's a nice day outside, eat lunch outdoors or just take a walk around the block. The fresh air and the break from routine will be an invigorating addition to your workday.• Get sustainable energy with snacks. Eat a snack at mid-morning and another one at mid-afternoon consisting of nuts, seeds, fruits, or protein-rich foods like humus made from beans will help you sustain your energy and prevent low blood sugar from setting in.

I hope you find the ways to minimize stress in your work environment! I invite you to visit often and share your own personal health and longevity tips with me.

May you live long, live strong, and live happy!

BEST FRIEND

Last night you and your best friend had a fight. You decide not to talk to
her the next day.

She smiles at you. You grind your teeth at her.

She tells her friends nice things about you. You spread bad rumors about
her.

She tries to come and talk to you. But you push her aside.

She thinks you are a great friend. You think she is a terrible friend.

She writes nice notes to you, telling you about the best times you shared
together. You write about all the bad times you can remember experiencing
together.

Deep down you know she's sorry. But all you have is hate.

The next day you find a note. It reads:

Dear ------------ -,

I tried to tell you yesterday, but you didn't let me speak,
I tried to tell you good things, but you were afraid to hear them.
I tried to smile at you, to take away the hate.
But now it's time to tell you, even though it's a bit late. That I am
dying.

I have a bad condition and it is getting worse. I'm sorry to have to tell
you that I won't be able to see you today. I wrote this to you today in the
hospital.
My time is up.
I'm sorry I should have told you sooner. I'm really sorry about our
argument; you are such a great friend.
I promise I shall watch over you,

Lots of love

------------ -

You run to the hospital to tell her you are sorry,

But only her mum is left.

Her hand clasped over her face.

And she was crying. Down on her knees she prays, for her daughter to come
back.

You are too late.

You wish you told her sorry sooner and got to say goodbye.

All friends have their ups and downs, and sometimes you need to say
sorry... Don't wait for the other person to do it first.

Because you never know what could happen.

BRING THOSE BABIES TO CHURCH

My heart goes out to the parents of small children. I know first hand the
kind of problems they face. Training up a toddler in the way he should go
is a constant job, a continuous battle, seven-day-a- week task, not to
mention an awesome responsibility. After six days of their whining chorus
at home and three hours of embarrassment while shopping, the last thing some
young mothers want to face is an hour of agony and humiliation at church.
Many young mothers have asked herself, "Why do I keep bringing them to
church?" As she enters the auditorium she utters a silent prayer that the
kids will be good and the sermon short. The service begins. While mother is
picking up toys, drying eyes, wiping noses, swatting, scolding, trying to
sing, listen, and pray, the toddler is pouring juice on her dress. To the
toddler, church is an exciting adventure. Songbooks are a challenge to
take, stuffed toys make great missiles to launch over four or five rows, and
the collection plate would make a great hat. Young parents take heart! Let
me assure you of this:

1. Your children do not disturb others nearly as much as you think they do.

2. If people without children are determined to sit at the back of the
church, then they deserve any distraction they get.

3. Most people really do understand your plight and remember back to the
days when their children were infants and toddlers.

4. Remember that you are both wanted and needed in the worship service.

5. Have faith that the hand, which now hurls crayons, will one day spread
the seeds of the Kingdom.

This May

ROAD TO SUCCESS

The road to success is not straight.
There is a CURVE called FAILURE
A LOOP called CONFUSION
SPEED BUMPS called FRIENDS
RED LIGHTS called ENEMIES
CAUTION LIGHTS called FAMILY
You will have FLATS called JOBS
BUT
If you have a SPARE called DETERMINATION
An ENGINE called PERSEVERANCE
INSURANCE called FAITH
A DRIVER called JESUS
YOU WILL MAKE IT TO A PLACE CALLED SUCCESS.

-- Author Unknown

* * *
LIFE SPAN EXPLAINED

On the first day, God created the dog and said:
'Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or
walks past. For this, I will give you a life span of twenty years.'
The dog said: 'That's a long time to be barking. How about only ten years
and I'll give you back the other ten?'
So God agreed..
On the second day, God created the monkey and said:
'Entertain people, do tricks, and make them laugh. For this, I'll give you a
twenty-year life span.'
The monkey said: 'Monkey tricks for twenty years? That's a pretty long time
to perform. How about I give you back ten like the Dog did?'
And God agreed.
On the third day, God created the cow and said:
'You must go into the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under
the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer's family. For this,
I will give you a life span of sixty years.'
The cow said: 'That's kind of a tough life you want me to live for sixty
years. How about twenty and I'll give back the other forty?'
And God agreed again.
On the fourth day, God created man and said:
'Eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy your life. For this, I'll give you twenty
years.'
But man said: 'Only twenty years? Could you possibly give me my twenty, the
forty the cow gave back, the ten the monkey gave back, and the ten the dog
gave back; that makes eighty, okay?'
'Okay,' said God, 'You asked for it.'
So that is why for our first twenty years we eat, sleep, play and enjoy
ourselves. For the next forty years we slave in the sun to support our
family. For the next ten years we do monkey tricks to entertain the
grandchildren. And for the last ten years we sit on the front porch and bark
at everyone.
Life has now been explained to you.
There is no need to thank me for this valuable information. I'm doing it as
a public service.

Never Alone

NEVER ALONE

Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth's rite of passage? His
dad takes him into the forest..blindfolded ...and leaves him....alone.

He is required to sit on a stump the whole night...and not take off the
blindfold until the ray of sun shines through it. He is all by himself. He
cannot cry out for help to anyone. Once he survives the night..he is a MAN.
He cannot tell the other boys of this experience. Each lad must come into
his own manhood.

The boy was terrified... could hear all kinds of noise...Beasts were all
around him. Maybe even some human would hurt him. The wind blew the grass
and earth... And it shook his stump. But he sat stoically, never removing
the blindfold. It would be the only way he could be a man.

Finally, after a horrific night..the sun appeared and he removed his
blindfold. It was then that he saw his father..sitting on the stump next to
him...at watch... the entire night.

We are never alone. Even when we do not know it, our Father is protecting
us...He is sitting on the stump beside us.

All we have to do is reach out to Him.

THE HOUSE BEHIND THE WEEDS

THE HOUSE BEHIND THE WEEDS

Just two little boys walking down a dusty lane

They came upon this old white house

With broken window panes.

The paint was faded, the shine was gone

The grass had grown so high

Still they made their little feet

To see what was inside.

They opened up the squeaky door

And then it came to light

This must have been an old church house

Once upon a time.

Dirty, dusty wooden pews

A pulpit that still stood

A bible laid upon it

Though the pages weren't too good.

An offering plate and song books too

Were lying on the floor

They must have left this old church fast

The day they closed these doors.

And over in the corner

A piano was still there

It must have played a pretty tune

But I guess nobody cared.

So little Bill looked up at Tommy

And Tommy looked at Bill

Why Don't we clean this old church up,

and get these old pews filled?"

They took a rag and wiped the dust

To try and make things shine

And then they took the offering plate

And put in it their Last dime.

They took a broom and swept the floor

And picked up broken glass

They got it all so nice and neat

And then they mowed the grass.

They lifted up the old church sign

And stood it by a tree

Right down by that old dirt road

Where everyone could see.

They ran back home, to find Daddy gone

But their Momma was inside

Just to find her hurt again

Where Daddy had made her cry.

"Don't cry Momma, wipe those tears,"

Little Bill and Tommy smiled

"Cause we have a big surprise for you

Just down the road a mile."

Hand in hand they tugged at her

Until they made her run

"What Is it Bill, Oh Tommy,

Just what have you two kids done?"

And then they came upon the house

Once hidden by the weeds

And there it stood a country church

Just like it used to be.

"But what is it, Mother? What's with your tears?

We thought this would bring you joy."

"Yes, but hush kids now and listen close

My Two sweet precious boys."

They both got quiet and stood real still

For the words they heard so true

Was Daddy praying in the church

With his head bowed on the pew.

"Forgive me Lord! Forgive me Lord!

Though I'm not worthy of Your love

Shine down on this sinner man

Sweet Salvation from above."

"For I've been out in the world, You know

Living my life all wrong

Until I came upon this church;

the place where I belong."

"I never noticed it before.

All those times I passed it up

I guess I wasn't looking, Lord.

Or maybe I was drunk."

"Bless oh Lord, yes, bless oh Lord.

The one who made me see

This little church that used to hide

Behind all those tall weeds."

And then he raised his head and stood

With his hands high in the air

To find two, dirty, tear-faced boys

With Momma standing there.

They ran up to him, hugged him tight

As their tears fell on the floor

"Don't worry kids, I'm not the Dad,

the one you've known before."

Things are different for us now

So keep on those pretty smiles

And let's go gather people in

To walk down these church aisles."

Then Bill looked up at Tommy

And Tommy looked at Bill

"Come on brother, let's get to work

To get these old pews filled."

"For we need no special blessing

For cleaning up this church

cause, God gave us back our Daddy

And that's more than gold is worth."

Sunday morning, pews all filled

And smiles on every face

Especially two little country boys

The ones who found this place.

Though it was hid back in the weeds

And so far out of sight

Nothing's ever hard to find

If you're walking toward God's light.

1 John 1:7 "We walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship
with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all
sin."

One glass of Milk

Once there was a poor boy who was selling goods fromdoor to door to pay his way through school. One day,he found he had only one thin dime left, and he wasvery hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at thenext house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovelyyoung woman opened the door. Instead of a meal heasked for a drink of water. She thought the boy lookedhungry so she brought him a large glass of milk.He drank it slowly, and then asked, "How much do I oweyou, ma'am?" "You don't owe me anything," shereplied. "My Mother has taught us never to acceptpayment for a kindness." He said, "Then I thank you,ma'am, from the bottom of my heart." As that youngboy, Howard Kelly, left that house he not only feltstronger physically, but his faith in God and hisfellow man was also strong again. He had been readyto give up and quit, but a simple act of kindness hadrestored his faith. Years went by, and that kind young woman becamecritically ill. The local doctors were baffled. Theyfinally sent her to the big city, where they called inspecialists to study her rare disease.A young doctor called Howard Kelly was called in forthe consultation. When he heard the name of the townthe young woman came from, a strange light filled hiseyes. He arose and went downthe hall of the hospital to her room. Dressed in hisdoctor's gown he went in to see his patient. Herecognized the young woman at once. He went back tothe consultation room determined to do his best tosave her life. From that day he gave special attentionto the case. After a long struggle, the battle was won. Dr. Kellyrequested the business office to pass the final billto him for approval. He looked at it, then wrotesomething on the edge of it, and the bill was sent tothe lady's room. She feared to open it, for she wassure it would take the rest of her life to pay for itall. Finally she looked at it, the total amount wasstaggering; her eyes filled with tears of despair,when something caught her attention on the side of thebill. She read these scrawled words..... "Paid infull, with one glass of milk." (Signed) Dr. HowardKelly. Now tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happyheart prayed: "Thank You, God, that Your love hasspread abroad through human hearts and hands."

THE SEED

THE SEED

In the Far East the emperor was growing old and knew it was time to choose
his successor. Instead of choosing one of his assistants or his children, he
decided to do something different. He called young people in the kingdom
together one day. He said, "It is time for me to step down and choose the
next emperor. I have decided to choose one of you."

The children were shocked, but the emperor continued. "I am going to give
each one of you a seed today - one very special seed. I want you to plant
the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you
have grown from this one seed. I will then judge the plants that you bring,
and the one I choose will be the next emperor."

One boy, named Ling, was there that day and he, like the others, received a
seed. He went home and excitedly, told his mother the story. She helped him
get a pot and planting soil, and he planted the seed and watered it,
carefully. Everyday, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown..
After about three weeks, some of the other youths began to talk about their
seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow. Ling kept checking his
seed, but nothing ever grew. Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by,
still nothing. By now, others were talking about their plants, but Ling
didn't have a plant and he felt like a failure. Six months went by -- still
nothing in Ling's pot.

He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall
plants, but he had nothing. Ling didn't say anything to his friends,
however. He just kept waiting for his seed to grow. A year finally went by
and all the youths of the kingdom brought their plants to the emperor for
inspection. Ling told his mother that he wasn't going to take an empty pot.
But his mother asked him to be honest about what happened.

Ling felt sick at his stomach, but he knew his mother was right. He took his
empty pot to the palace. When Ling arrived, he was amazed at the variety of
plants grown by the other youths. They were beautiful -- in all shapes and
sizes. Ling put his empty pot on the floor and many of the other children
laughed at him. A few felt sorry for him and just said, "Hey, nice try."

When the emperor arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted the young people.
Ling just tried to hide in the back. "My, what great plants, trees, and
flowers you have grown," said the emperor. "Today one of you will be
appointed the next emperor!"

All of a sudden, the emperor spotted Ling at the back of the room with his
empty pot. He ordered his guards to bring him to the front. Ling was
terrified. He thought, "The emperor knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have
me killed!"

When Ling got to the front, the Emperor asked his name. "My name is Ling,"
he replied. All the kids were laughing and making fun of him. The emperor
asked everyone to quiet down. He looked at Ling, and then announced to the
crowd, "Behold your new emperor! His name is Ling!"

Ling couldn't believe it. Ling couldn't even grow his seed. How could he be
the new emperor?

Then the emperor said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone here a seed. I
told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me
today. But I gave you all boiled seeds that would not grow. All of you,
except Ling, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found
that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I
gave you. Ling was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a
pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he Is the one who will be the new
emperor!"

If you plant honesty, you will reap trust. If you plant goodness, you will
reap friends. If you plant humility, you will reap greatness. If you plant
perseverance, you will reap victory. If you plant consideration, you will
reap harmony. If you plant hard work, you will reap success. If you plant
forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation. If you plant faith, you will reap
miracles. So be careful what you plant, now; it will determine what you will
reap tomorrow. The seeds you now scatter will make life worse or better for
you or for the ones who will come after you. Someday you will enjoy the
fruits or you will pay for the choices you make.

Two thousand years ago someone else told the same story with fewer words,
"What you sow, so shall you reap". If you know who said this, nothing else
needs to be said.

GOD IS UNDER THE BED

GOD IS UNDER THE BED

My brother Kevin thinks God lives under his bed. At least that's what I
heard him say one night. He was praying out loud in his dark bedroom, and I
stopped outside his closed door to listen. Are you there, God?" he said.
Where are you? Oh, I see. Under the bed." I giggled softly and tiptoed off
to my own room. Kevin's unique perspectives are often a source of amusement.
But that night something else lingered long after the humor. I realized for
the first time the very different world Kevin lives in. He was born 30 years
ago, mentally disabled as a result of difficulties during labor. Apart from
his size (he's 6-foot-2), there are few ways in which he is an adult. He
reasons and communicates with the capabilities of a 7-year- old, and he
always will. He will probably always believe that God lives under his bed,
that Santa Claus is the one who fills the space under our tree every
Christmas, and that airplanes stay up in the sky because angels carry them.

I remember wondering if Kevin realizes he is different. Is he ever
dissatisfied with his monotonous life? Up before dawn each day, off to work
at a workshop for the disabled, home to walk our cocker spaniel, returning
to eat his favorite macaroni-and- cheese for dinner, and later to bed. The
only variation in the entire scheme are laundry days, when he hovers
excitedly over the washing machine like a mother with her newborn child. He
does not seem dissatisfied. He lopes out to the bus every morning at 7:05,
eager for a day of simple work. He wrings his hands excitedly while the
water boils on the stove before dinner, and he stays up late twice a week to
gather our dirty laundry for his next day's laundry chores. And Saturdays -
oh, the bliss of Saturdays! That's the day my dad takes Kevin to the airport
to have a soft drink, watch the planes land, and speculate loudly on the
destination of each passenger inside. "That one's goin' to Chi-car-go!"
Kevin shouts as he claps his hands. His anticipation is so great he can
hardly sleep on Friday nights. I don't think Kevin knows anything exists
outside his world of daily rituals and weekend field trips. He doesn't know
what it means to be discontent.

His life is simple. He will never know the entanglements of wealth or power,
and he does not care what brand of clothing he wears or what kind of food he
eats. He recognizes no differences in people, treating each person as an
equal and a friend. His needs have always been met, and he never worries
that one day they may not be. His hands are diligent. Kevin is never so
happy as when he is working. When he unloads the dishwasher or vacuums the
carpet, his heart is completely in it. He does not shrink from a job when it
is begun, and he does not leave a job until it is finished. But when his
tasks are done, Kevin knows how to relax. He is not obsessed with his work
or the work of others. His heart is pure. He still believes everyone tells
the truth, promises must be kept, and when you are wrong, you apologize
instead of argue. Free from pride and unconcerned with appearances, Kevin is
not afraid to cry when he is hurt, angry or sorry. He is always
transparent, always sincere. And he trusts God. Not confined by intellectual
reasoning, when he comes to Christ, he comes as a child. Kevin seems to know
God to really be friends with Him in a way that is difficult for an
"educated" person to grasp. God seems like his closest companion. In my
moments of doubt and frustrations with my Christianity, I envy the security
Kevin has in his simple faith. It is then that I am most willing to admit
that he has some divine knowledge that rises above my mortal questions. It
is then I realize that perhaps he is not the one with the handicap, I am. My
obligations, my fear, my pride, my circumstances they all become
disabilities when I do not submit them to Christ. Who knows if Kevin
comprehends things I can never learn?

After all, he has spent his whole life in that kind of innocence, praying
after dark and soaking up the goodness and love of the Lord. And one day,
when the mysteries of heaven are opened, and we are all amazed at how close
God really is to our hearts, I'll realize that God heard the simple prayers
of a boy who believed that God lived under his bed. Kevin won't be surprised
at all.

"Father, I ask you to bless my friends reading this right now Lord, show
them a new revelation of your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask you to
minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them
your peace and mercy. Where there is self doubting, release a renewed
confidence in your ability to work through them. Where there is tiredness,
or exhaustion, I ask you to give them understanding, patience, and strength
as they learn submission to your leading. Where there is spiritual
stagnation, I ask you to renew them by revealing your nearness, and by
drawing them into greater intimacy with you. Where there is fear, reveal
your love, and release to them your courage. Where there is a sin blocking
them, reveal it, and break its hold over my friend's life. Bless their
finances, give them greater vision, and raise up leaders, and friends to
support, and encourage them. Give each of them discernment to recognize the
ignorance and error of thought around them, and reveal to them the power
they have in you to bring light to these places For all of this and more, we
are so grateful.

In Jesus' name we pray.

AMEN"