"Life is lived forward, but understood backward. It is not until we are down the road and we stand on the mountain looking back through the valley that we can appreciate the terrain God has allowed us to scale.” Jill Savage

Sunday, January 08, 2012

Sunday - My gift to you! - You can't take it with you . . .

My gift to you today is a story - a song - and a thought! (What else - right?)

Oh and I have a question. Does anyone know how to make a blog button that would be will to teach me or make about ten for some friends here? If not no worries I know that is a lot to ask - I'm going to Google them next week and see if I can figure out how to make one. I have one but someone made it for me a long time ago. Thanks.

Now here is my story:

There once was a rich man who was near death. He was very grieved because he had worked so hard for his money and he wanted to be able to take it with him to heaven. So he began to pray that he might be able to take some of his wealth with him.

An angel hears his plea and appears to him, "Sorry, but you can't take your wealth with you."

The man implores the angel to speak to God to see if He might bend the rules.

The man continues to pray that his wealth could follow him. The angel reappears and informs the man that God has decided to allow him to take one suitcase with him. Overjoyed, the man gathers his largest suitcase and fills it with pure gold bars and places it beside his bed.

Soon afterward the man dies and shows up at the Gates of Heaven to greet St. Peter. Seeing the suitcase Peter says, "Hold on, you can't bring that in here!"

But the man explains to him that he has permission and asks him to verify his story with the Lord. Sure enough,. Peter checks and comes back saying, "You're right. You are allowed one carry-on bag, but I'm supposed to check its contents before letting it through."

Peter opens the suitcase to inspect the worldly items that the man found too precious to leave behind and exclaims, "You brought pavement?!?!"

Revelation 21:21

21 The twelve gates were made of pearls—each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass.

And here is my favorite song sung by the Four Tenors Beautifully. In a city I would love to go to!

Amazing Grace




Here is a thought for today:

If you find in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded.


-Maya Angelou



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43 comments:

Unknown said...

Today yours runs beside my share from Marie. Love the Tenors, fabulous share & so very true.

Oh, if only .....

Have a beautiful week.
TTFN ~
Hugs & love,
Marydon

TexWisGirl said...

Di over at the blue ridge gal does buttons. maybe she could help!

Betty said...

I made my blog button, but it was a while back. I googled and found where people posted on their blogs how to make one. I had to try a couple of different directions before it worked and I might have the blog where I got it from saved. I'm in a rush this morning, but I'll try and remember to look and see if I still have it and send it to you later.

Marti said...

Amazing Grace, what a wonderful song! and I loved your story. It reminds me that "This World is not my home, I'm just a passin through".... Have a blessed Sunday.

CalamityJr said...

Boy, that story puts things in perspective! Sorry I can't help with the blogger button.

Pondside said...

Great parable!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Wonderful story! Let me know if you figure out how to make a blog button. I just haven't had the time to try it. Hugs, Linda

Sally said...

That's a great lesson. I had a friend who used to love her
"things". As she got older, she admitted that that's all they were, and she'd never seen anyone in a hearse followed by a u-haul. :)

Have a wonderful day!

Unknown said...

Inspiring post. Wonderful and thank you.

Jane said...

Great post,but they always are,sorry can't help with the button,don't know how. Thanks for the story,I really enjoyed it,and a good lesson to be learned about real values.

Blessings Jane

dr momi said...

Wow the Four Tenors were great!
I Googled How to make a blog button. Lots of help out there. I still have to learn how to do the "code" stuff yet :-)

Ann said...

Our pastor said once in a message "Have you ever seen a hearse pulling a U'haul?" I like your story today--sure makes you think.

Ann

Lois Christensen said...

Beautiful! Just think of how the roads are going to shine when we get there! I made my own blog button by following instructions from another blog that had a tutorial. I believe I googled it to find someone to help me. Can't remember who!!! If it comes to me, I'll let you know! Enjoy your Sunday!

Shelly said...

That is a terrific story! It is also a gogeous rendition of the song, too. Loved them-

Southhamsdarling said...

I really do love that William A Ward saying. Isn't it wonderful and, as for Il Divo - their voices are absolutely magnificent. Wonderful! Loved the story about the man wanting to take his wealth with him. Hope your weekend is going well my friend. Hugs,

Marie said...

Great post Sandie!
I have no idea about blog buttons. I guess I need one too. :)

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Sorry, I don't know anything about buttons. The story is great and the music is absolutely beautiful!
Have a good day!

Marsha Young said...

Pavement !!! :) :) :)

Loved that! have a happy day!

Ann said...

Love the . Obviously the wealthy man did not do his homework :)

Debby@Just Breathe said...

I have never made a button. Who made yours? I had mine made. Here is a link:
http://www.sneakymommablogdesign.com/2010/04/tips-by-catogory-buttons.html
So heaven is paved with gold?

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Great story- & love the song. Don't know anyone who makes buttons.

Just Stuff From a Boomer said...

I am a big fan of Il Divo. Amazing Grace gives me goos bumps anyway, but this one is truly an amazing rendition.

forgetmenot said...

You have outdone yourself with this post--wonderful story and "Amazing Grace" was, well, amazing. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful gift. Your header picture and poem are inspiring too. Mickie ;)

MadSnapper said...

HHH that means Ha HA hA ON THE PAVEMENT. i could listen to Il Divo sing the phone book, they are fantastic.

Eat To Live said...

I made my blog button quite awhile back. you need to have a picture you want or go to photo bucket and find one. Then you need to put the words you want on it. You can do it from photo bucket. Once you get it to the size you want and the words you want on it you need to copy the html. If you get that far. I will email you how to finish it.

Sush said...

Il Divo fills my ipod...what a lovely posting today Sandie!
Thanks for sharing...sorry but I'm button less for a reason...I dunno!

Loves~

Sharon said...

We just sang "Amazing Grace" in church this morning. How I love that song - and ever since I learned the *back story* on it, it's touched me even deeper.

How I absolutely loved the gold/pavement story. Ah, the wealth that we think is so important all takes on a different meaning when compared to the glory of heaven!!

GOD BLESS!

Mevely317 said...

Fannnnntastic!
... and the "pavement" punch line made me giggle. (Bet-cha you can tell a great joke outloud, too!)
Happy new year and happy new week!
Myra

Anonymous said...

I tried to enter button instructions but it will not let me .....

Anonymous said...

I tried to enter button instructions but it will not let me .....

jeanlivingsimple said...

Great joke that teaches! Amazing Grace is my favorite hymn. Nice!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I love Amazing Grace and the very last quote is one I will write down in my journal today! Thanks for visiting me! You have a beautiful blog! ♥

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed this post; the video is lovely. Hope you have a very nice week.

Belle said...

There won't be anything here we would want to take there except our family and friends!

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

I have no idea how to help you with that blog button, but have you gone into "help"? I usually get my answers there. It also shows me that I am not the only one wandering in a sea of "how the heck do I do that?"

Michelle My Bell said...

So inspirational Sandie... Amazing Grace, love it! God Bless~

Susan said...

Hi Sandie....The pavement story was great. Awesome quote, too. And of course Il Divo is one of my absolute favorite groups. Thanks! Susan

Buttercup said...

A fabulous post and one I know I will be retelling tomorrow. Take good care of yourself and have a great week. Hugs from New York!

Tweedles -- that's me said...

I think I have a blog button on my blog- but I did not make it. Someone made it for me- long ago.
I hope you find someone who can help.
love
tweedles

Tiffanee said...

I so love that story! It was just what I needed today. You were inspired! Thank you for the great reminder!!

Debbie said...

You got me! I didn't even remotely guess the punch line, and I love it.

Now to click those three tenors singing my husband's favorite hymn of all time.

If you figure out how to do a button, I would love it if you posted a tutorial.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I only know how to do blog buttons from pictures I've taken or google images - I can't do the scrapbooky type stuff. I self-taught by just googling a tutorial. It's not terribly hard, but the first time I did it took me forever!

Red Rose Alley said...

I have that story, and I never get tired of hearing it. Thanks for sharing it once again.
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley