Laus Deo

I received this from a friend....... Thought you would enjoy it as we celebrate the birth of our nation
:)Sam

One detail that is never mentioned is that in D.C. there can never be a building of greater height than the Washington Monument With all the uproar about removing the ten commandments, etc, this is worth a moment or two of your time. I was not aware of this amazing historical information. On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington , D.C. , are displayed two words: Laus Deo. No one can see these words. In fact, most visitors to the monument are totally unaware they are even there and for that matter, probably couldn't care less. Once you know Laus Deo's history, you will want to share this with everyone you know. These words have been there for many years; they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched atop the monument, facing skyward to the Father of our nation, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia , capital of the United States of America Laus Deo! Two seemingly insignificant, unnoticed words. Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the most successful nation in the world. So, what do thos e two words, in Latin, composed of just four syllables and only seven letters, possibly mean? Very simply, they say "Praise be to God!" Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848, when James Polk was President of the United States , it was not until 1888 that the monument was inaugurated and opened to the public. It took twenty-five years to finally cap the memorial with a tribute to the Father of our nation, Laus Deo. "Praise be to God!" From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure, visitors may take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into four major segments. From that vantage point, one can also easily see the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles l'Enfant ..a perfect cross imposed upon the landscape, with the White House to the north. The Jefferson Memorial is to the south, the Capitol to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west. A cross you ask? Why a cross? What about separation of church and state? Yes, a cross; separation of church and state was not, is not, in the Constitution. So, read on. How interesting and, no doubt, intended to carry a profound meaning for those who bother to notice. Praise be to God! Within the monument itself are 898 steps and 50 landings. As one climbs the steps and pauses at the landings the memorial stones share a message On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore ; on the 20th is a memorial presented by some Chinese Christians; on the 24th a presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs 22:6. Praise be to God! When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th, 1848, deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society. Praise be to God! Such was the discipline, the moral direction, and the spiritual mood given by the founder and first President of o ur unique democracy "One Nation, Under God." I am awed by Washington 's prayer for America Have you ever read it? Well, now is your unique opportunity, so read on! "Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United State s in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy,and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." Laus Deo! When one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all over our nation's capitol, he or she will easily find the signature of God, as it is unmistakably inscribed everywhere you look. You may forget the width and height of "Laus Deo", its location, or the architects but no one who reads this will be able to forget its meaning, or these words: "Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain." (Psalm 127: 1) It is hoped you will send this to every child you know; to every sister, brother, father, mother or friend They will not find offense, because you have given them a lesson in history that they probably never learned in school.

Good cup of Coffee

`> Good Coffee> > A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to > visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into > complaints about stress in work and life.> > Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned > with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, > glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling > them to help themselves to the coffee.> > When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said:> > "If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving > behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only > the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.> > Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases > it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink.> > What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously > went for the best cups... And then you began eyeing each other's cups.> > Now consider this: Life is the coffee; the jobs, money and position in > society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the > type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of Life we live.> > Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God > has provided for us."> > God brews the coffee, not the cups... Enjoy your coffee!> > "The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the > best of everything."> > Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to > God.>

July 4th.

July 4th. 2007 is now history. All the hot dogs and hamburgers have been eaten, all the fireworks have had their blast, everyone has gone home happy and full.
How many of us stopped for a moment to say a prayer for those who were not able to take part in our celebration? those who have gone on ahead of us in history, who paid the ultiment sacrafice so we could celebrate this day? For those who are still with us but far away guarding our freedom so we could enjoy this day.

The Bible through Moses instructs the Hebrew children to celebrate the passover, and to tell the story of their deliverance from bondage to their children so they will never forget how God delivered them from bondage in Egypt.

Have you told your children why we celebrate July 4th.?
What does it mean to them except a time for fun, food and firecrackers?
Will you tell them about Valley Forge and the winter that so many lived through in cold and hunger, so we could celebrate this day in Freedom.

I thank God for this country and for the blessing of Freedom that he has bestowed on all of us, and it is my prayer this day that we will not forget to tell our children about how much God has blessed us.

Have a blessed rest of the year.

An awesome story

>>>>An awesome story!>>>>>>There was a certain Professor of Religion named Dr Christianson, a>>studious man who taught at a small college in the western United>>States.>>>>Dr. Christianson taught the required survey course in Christianity at >>this>>particular institution. Every student was required to take>>this course his or her freshman year, regardless of his or her>>major.>>>>Although Dr Christianson tried hard to communicate the essence of>>the Gospel in his class, he found that most of his students looked>>upon the course as nothing but required drudgery. Despite his best>>efforts, most students refused to take christianity seriously.>>>>This year, Dr. Christianson had a special student named Steve. Steve was>>only a freshman, but was studying with the intent of going on to a >>Seminary>>for the ministry. Steve was popular, he was well liked, and he was an>>imposing physical specimen. He was the starting center on the school>>football team, and was the best student in the professor's class.>>>>One day, Dr. Christianson asked Steve to stay after class so he could >>talk>>with him.>>>>"How many push-ups can you do?">>>>Steve said, "I do about 200 every night.">>>>"200? That's pretty good, Steve," Dr. Christianson said. "Do you think >>you>>could do 300?">>>>Steve replied, "I don't know.... I've never done 300 at a time.">>>>"Do you think you could?" again asked Dr. Christianson.>>>>"Well, I can try," said Steve.>>>>"Can you do 300 in sets of 10? I have a class project in mind and I need>>you to do about 300 push-ups in sets of ten for this to work.>>Can you do it? I need you to tell me you can do it," said the professor.>>>>Steve said, "Well... I think I can...yeah, I can do it">>>>Dr. Christianson said, "Good! I need you to do this on Friday. Let me>>explain what I have in mind.">>>>Friday came and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the >>room.>>When class started, the professor pulled out a big box of Donuts. No, >>these>>weren't the normal kinds of donuts, they were the extra Fancy BIG kind,>>with cream centers and frosting swirls.>>Everyone was pretty excited it was Friday, the last class of the day, and>>they were going to get an early start on the weekend with a party in Dr.>>Christianson's class.>>>>Dr. Christianson went to the first girl in the first row and asked,>>"Cynthia, do you want to have one of these donuts?">>>>Cynthia said, "Yes.">>>>Dr Christianson then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten>>push-ups so that Cynthia can have a donut?">>>>"Sure." Steve jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten. Then Steve >>again>>sat in his desk. Dr. Christianson put a donut on Cynthia's desk.>>>>Dr. Christianson then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, "Joe, do >>you>>want a donut?">>>>Joe said, "Yes." Dr. Christianson asked, "Steve would you do ten push-ups>>so Joe can have a donut?">>>>Steve did ten push-ups, Joe got a donut. And so it went, down the>>first aisle, Steve did ten pushups for every person before they got>>their donut.>>>>Walking down the second aisle, Dr. Christianson came to Scott. Scott was >>on>>the basketball team, and in as good condition as Steve. He was very >>popular>>and never lacking for female companionship.>>>>When the professor asked, "Scott do you want a donut?">>>>Scott's reply was, "Well, can I do my own pushups?">>>>Dr. Christianson said, "No, Steve has to do them.">>>>Then Scott said, "Well, I don't want one then.">>>>Dr. Christianson shrugged and then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, >>would>>you do ten pushups so Scott can have a donut he doesn't want?">>>>With perfect obedience Steve started to do ten pushups.>>>>Scott said, "HEY! I said I didn't want one!">>>>Dr. Christianson said, "Look!, this is my classroom, my class, my desks,>>and these are my donuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don't want it.">>And he put a donut on Scott's desk.>>>>Now by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed >>on>>the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up >>and>>down. You could start to see a little perspiration coming out around his>>brow.>>>>Dr. Christianson started down the third row. Now the students were>>beginning to get a little angry. Dr. Christianson asked Jenny, "Jenny, do>>you want a donut?">>>>Sternly, Jenny said, "No.">>>>Then Dr. Christianson asked Steve, "Steve, would you do ten more push-ups>>so Jenny can have a donut that she doesn't want?">>>>Steve did ten....Jenny got a donut.>>>>By now, a growing sense of uneasiness filled the room. The students>>were beginning to say "No" and there were all these uneaten donuts>>on the desks.>>>>Steve also had to really put forth a lot of extra effort to get these>>pushups done for each donut. There began to be a small pool of>>sweat on the floor beneath his face, his arms and brow were>>beginning to get red because of the physical effort involved.>>>>Dr. Christianson asked Robert, who was the most vocal unbeliever in the>>class, to watch Steve do each push up to make sure he did the full ten>>pushups in a set because he couldn't bear to watch all of Steve's work >>for>>all of those uneaten donuts. He sent Robert over to where Steve was so>>Robert could count the set and watch Steve closely.>>>>Dr. Christianson started down the fourth row. During his class, however,>>some students from other classes had wandered in and sat down on the >>steps>>along the radiators that ran down the sides of the room. When the >>professor>>realized this, he did a quick count and saw>>that now there were 34 students in the room. He started to worry if>>Steve would be able to make it.>>>>Dr. Christianson went on to the next person and the next and the next. >>Near>>the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking >>a>>lot more time to complete each set.>>>>Steve asked Dr Christianson, "Do I have to make my nose touch on>>each one?">>>>Dr. Christianson thought for a moment, "Well, they're your pushups.>>You are in charge now. You can do them any way that you want." And>>Dr. Christianson went on.>>>>A few moments later, Jason, a recent transfer student, came to the room >>and>>was about to come in when all the students yelled in one voice, "NO! >>Don't>>come in! Stay out!">>>>Jason didn't know what was going on. Steve picked up his head and said,>>"No, let him come.">>>>Professor Christianson said, "You realize that if Jason comes in you will>>have to do ten pushups for him?">>>>Steve said, "Yes, let him come in. Give him a donut">>>>Dr. Christianson said, "Okay, Steve, I'll let you get Jason's out of the>>way right now. Jason, do you want a donut?">>>>Jason, new to the room, hardly knew what was going on. "Yes," he>>said, "give me a donut.">>>>"Steve, will you do ten push-ups so that Jason can have a donut?">>>>Steve did ten pushups very slowly and with great effort. Jason, >>bewildered,>>was handed a donut and sat down.>>>>Dr. Christianson finished the fourth row, and then started on those>>visitors seated by the heaters. Steve's arms were now shaking with each>>push-up in a struggle to lift himself against the force of gravity. By >>this>>time sweat was profusely dropping off of his face, there was no sound>>except his heavy breathing; there was not a dry eye in the room.>>>>The very last two students in the room were two young women, both>>cheerleaders, and very popular. Dr. Christianson went to Linda, the >>second>>to last, and asked, "Linda, do you want a doughnut?">>>>Linda said, very sadly, "No, thank you.">>>>Professor Christianson quietly asked, "Steve, would you do ten>>push-ups so that Linda can have a donut she doesn't want?">>>>Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow pushups for Linda.>>>>Then Dr Christianson turned to the last girl, Susan. "Susan, do you want >>a>>donut?">>>>Susan, with tears flowing down her face, began to cry. "Dr.>>Christianson, why can't I help him?">>>>Dr. Christianson, with tears of his own, said, "No, Steve has to do it>>alone, I have given him this task and he is in charge of seeing that>>everyone has an opportunity for a donut whether they want it or not. When >>I>>decided to have a party this last day of class, I looked at my grade >>book.>>Steve here is the only student with a perfect>>grade. Everyone else has failed a test, skipped class, or offered me>>inferior work. Steve told me that in football practice, when a player>>messes up he must do push-ups. I told Steve that none of you could come to>>my party>>unless he paid the price by doing your push ups. He and I made a>>deal for your sakes.">>>>"Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Susan can have a donut?">>>>As Steve very slowly finished his last pushup, with the>>understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him,>>having done 350 pushups, his arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the>>floor.>>>>Dr. Christianson turned to the room and said. "And so it was, that>>our Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross, plead to the Father, 'into thy>>hands I commend my spirit.' With the understanding that He had done>>everything that was required of Him, He yielded up His life.>>And like some of those in this room, many of us leave the gift on the >>desk,>>uneaten.">>>>>>Two students helped Steve up off the floor and to a seat, physically>>exhausted, but wearing a thin smile.>>>>>>"Well done, good and faithful servant," said the professor, adding>>"Not all sermons are preached in words.">>>>Turning to his class, the professor said, "My wish is that you might>>understand and fully comprehend all the riches of grace and mercy>>that have been given to you through the sacrifice of our Lord and>>Savior Jesus Christ. He spared not only His Begotten Son, but gave>>Him up for us all, now and forever. Whether or not we choose to>>accept His gift to us, the price has been paid.">>>>"Wouldn't you be foolish and ungrateful to leave it lying on the>>desk?"