Aleida Huissen, 78, of Rotterdam, Netherlands, has been smoking for 50 years. And for 50 years she has been trying to give up her harmful habit. But she has not been successful - - that is, until recently. She has now given up cigarettes, cigars, and pipes. The secret? Leo Jansen, 79, proposed marriage last year, but refused to through with the wedding until Aleida gave up smoking. Says Aleida now: "Will power never was enough to get me off the tobacco habit. Love did it."
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A mother found under her place one morning at breakfast a bill made out by her small son, Bradley, aged eight - Mothers owes Bradley: For running errands, 25 cents; for being good, 10 cents; for taking music lessons, 10 cents; for extras, 5 cents. Total: 45 cents.
Mother smiled but made no comment. At lunch Bradley found the bill under his plate with 45 cents and another piece of paper neatly folded like the first. opening it he read - Bradley owes mother: for nursing him through scarlet fever, nothing; for being good to him, nothing; for clothes, shoes and playthings, nothing; for his playroom, nothing; for his meals nothing. Total: nothing.
Then, consider these words describing God's unconditional love to us. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life? John 3:16.
Oh how He wants a relationship with us, but He will force His love on no one. How can anyone reject His love?
Because of that great love,
Pastor John Giesbrecht
