As Long As You Have Faith... :) Shangy! >Red's Limousin Limousine Story Editor: by Kelly Griffis Joyce Schowalter Arkansas, USA ,_ , /^\\ //\ | \\ // \ | || ,==. // | \ ||.=~////"=,|| / /(\ /////////\\\\\ /) (/(((///`~\\\\\)))\\///\ (//)))/_.-"")))\\((//((()) (((((((_.-"///"")).`')\\(\\ )))())' ((( ( './//))) (////~/ )) (((/(/ /)///` ( ))\(( `//(/_ '._ _.' _\\\ ((((/^\ '. .' /^\))) (\)\\__\ ' ' /__/(( My best friend, Jeanine, was )))\ ' ' /))) )//)/| ' ' |((( feeding her horse and mine //))))/\ : : / )) (((((\\| : : | ( on Wednesday April 27, 2005. \\)\\\| : : | )))))| _.--'''--._ | We take turns feeding since we /(/// \.' _____ './ (JGS( / .-': :'-. \ board our horses quite far from our ))) \.' . . './ (( | . . | homes in northwest Arkansas. My horse, ) |/ '. .' \| //( )\\ Red, is 26, with worn teeth and other \\/ \// `\ ''' /` '.__.__.' `"""` problems associated with elderly horses. When he suddenly stopped eating, Jeanine knew something was wrong. He coughed and a watery feed and saliva mixture streamed from both nostrils. Alarmed, Jeanine called various area veterinarians for help and advice. It's difficult for a doctor to diagnose over the phone, but several vets believed Red was choking on his feed and unable to swallow. She was instructed to massage his throat to loosen the obstruction, but no one was available to come out. Red needed help, but we don't have a truck or a trailer to transport our horses to the vet. Jeanine finally contacted me after work, and I made more calls while driving the half-hour to the farm. Reaching our large animal vet, I requested help as soon possible. Dr. France and his assistant arrived at the farm a half-hour after I did. Red had been choking for over three hours. Dr. France tried to put a tube through Red's nose, down his esophagus, and into his stomach. Unfortunately, the tube kept kinking and would not travel to the problem area. After 90 minutes we had to try something else. Red was tired, his nose was sore (even with painkiller), and the tube wasn't working. One way or another the obstruction had to be cleared or Red would die a slow and painful death. In desperation, I got into my car and drove down the highway until I saw a house with stock trailers and a Limousin cattle sign. I knocked, and a stocky fellow with short dark hair, dressed in jeans and T-shirt answered. I poured out my story and asked for help. He wanted to help, but was leaving for a meeting, so asked me to check across the road with his neighbors who have horses, to see if they could help. But they weren't home, and when I hurried back to my car, he came out and said he'd help. He cancelled his plans, hooked up his truck and trailer, and drove my horse the twenty-plus miles to Dr. France's office. At the horse barn with the proper set-up, the obstruction in Red's throat was eventually cleared. Red was kept overnight for observation and put on an antibiotic to reduce the risk of aspiration pneumonia (caused by food entering the lungs). I brought Red home on Friday; he nearly dragged me off my feet he was so happy to see his pasture. I don't know the name of the man who helped. But knowing where he lived, I dropped off a card, gas money, and a gift certificate for dinner at a restaurant. I just wanted to thank him again for his extraordinary act of kindness to a total stranger and her horse. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From InspiredBuffalo: Focus on God (Author Unknown) Once there were three boys playing on the snow-covered ground. Along came a man who suggested that the boys race, with the winner receiving a prize. The boys readily agreed. oOOO() / _) | ( \__) ()OOOo The man explained the rules (_ \ for the race. He would stand ) | at the end of the field. oOOO() (__/ When he gave the signal the / _) boys were to start to run. | ( \__) ()OOOo (_ \ The boy who had the straightest ) | footprints in the snow would be oOOO() (__/ the winner. / _) | ( \__) jgs The race started and the first boy kept looking at his feet to make sure his steps were straight. The second boy kept looking at his contestants to see what they were doing; but the third boy just ran on with his eyes firmly fixed on the man at the end of the field. The third boy was the winner, because his footsteps were straight in the snow. He had kept his eyes on the goal ahead of him. Life is like that race. If we take our focus off Christ and begin looking down at our circumstances, we will fail. It is easy to get bogged down with the day-to-day struggles that we encounter, but we must realize that God will take care of us. We can never be the man and woman that Christ wants us to be if we lose our focus. A focused life is a life built on faith. When we trust God to take care of the circumstances, we will be free of the worry and doubt that will throw us off track. Quote: A man focused on God always knows the direction he is headed. -<,,>- >OLD PHOTOGRAPHS By: Joseph J. Mazzella Every now and then God clears our vision and lets us see a glimpse of Heaven while still here on Earth. My own eyes got opened for me the other day while I was looking through some old photo albums. I was never very good at sorting pictures so they were pretty mixed up. Some had been taken a few years ago, some were of my children as babies, and some old, family ones were taken up to 70 years ago. Each one of them, however, contained a precious moment frozen in time. As I looked through them too I noticed something very wonderful. It seemed that the happier the person was in the picture, the more the light shined from their eyes. I could see this pure, radiant, and loving light in picture after picture no matter how long ago it was taken. With every smiling face there were a pair of shining eyes sending their joy across the years and into my heart. It was then that I realized that God was giving me a glimpse through the window to the Heavenly soul in each person. This was who they really were. Each photo was of a Child of God: full of love, full of joy, and full of light. I knew too that even though those pictures would one day fade that those souls would shine on forever. I am still thanking God for that little glimpse of Heaven. I am keeping it close to my heart, mind, and soul. I want to remember it not just every time I look at a photograph but also every time I am tempted to judge another. Only God knows the depths of our souls and only God can see the light within each of us. God loves us so much. We are His Children and He put us here to help each other to grow in love, joy, light, and wonderful oneness with Him. Let's embrace our birthright then. Let's be the best Children of God that we can be. Let's shine our light in our photos and in our lives. Let's make each of our days a beautiful picture by loving, helping, and giving joy to each other. -<..>- >"The Journey Toward Faith" (IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII) )'.'.'.':;:;:'.'.'.'( ('.'.'.;' | `:.'.'.') )'.'.';' | `:'.'.'( ('.'.;' | `:.'.') )'.';'____|____`:'.'( (==@' | `@==) )'.: @() :.'( ('.'. ()@() .'.') )'.'. ()@()@) .'.'( ('.'. _\|/_ .'.') )'.'. |-----| .'.'( ('.'.___\___/___.'.') jgs )'.'============='.'( ('.' '.') ~ ~ when God closes a door He opens a window... When people say God doesn't shut the door without opening the window, I think I know what they mean and I would like to share it with you. When it seems like life has dealt you a bad hand, maybe it is for a reason. I have a friend that grew up in an abused home and was moved around a lot At times my friend wanted to give up but she had a very special friend that would not let her for every now and then a ray of sunshine would appear in her life, just enough to keep her going and just as she began seeing the calm after the storm the ultimate tragedy happened. Her best friend was killed in an accident, "What else can I tolerate?" she asked. She began searching for a new beginning, every door was shut in her face. One day she spoke to the minister of her church and pleaded for answers. She asked him, "Why am I being punished, I had parents that didn't love me, all the kids in school always laughed at me and wouldn't be my friend because I was withdrawn and shy and the one person that showed me love is gone. I thought "God was a good God." The minister, taking into consideration the stability of my friend responded by saying to her, "You have to have faith and trust in yourself before you can see what God has in the works for you." My friend made the biggest decision of her life that day, she would gain her faith back by helping others so she volunteered at a local hospital where her duties were to look in on terminally ill patients. She found comfort in talking to them and listening to them . She was confused how someone so ill could be in such good spirits but she learned something from working there. No matter what road you are on, as long as you have faith, the road will be a pleasant journey. To Subscribe send a blank email to: the-inspired-buffalo-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ==================================================================== >-->From Our Friend Betty :) >The Star Spangled Banner ()__ ||**Z__ ||**|**=Z____ ||**|**=|====| ||==|**=|====| ||""|===|====| || `"""|====| jgs || `""""` Unless you know all four stanzas of the Star Spangled Banner, you may find this most interesting. Perhaps most of you didn't realize what Francis Scott Key's profession was, or what he was doing on a ship. This is a good brush-up on your history. Note - Near the end of his life, the great science fiction author. Isaac Asimov, wrote a short story about the four stanzas of our national anthem. However brief, this well-circulated piece is an eye opener from the dearly departed doctor... "I have a weakness -- I am crazy, absolutely nuts, about our national anthem. The words are difficult and the tune is almost impossible; but frequently when I'm taking a shower, I sing it with as much power and emotion as I can. It shakes me up every time." >NO REFUGE COULD SAVE: BY DR. ISAAC ASIMOV I was once asked to speak at a luncheon. Taking my life in my hands, I announced I was going to sing our national anthem -- all four stanzas. This was greeted with loud groans. One man closed the door to the kitchen, where the noise of dishes and cutlery was loud and distracting. "Thanks, Herb," I said. "That's all right," he said. "It was at the request of the kitchen staff." I explained the background of the anthem and then sang all four stanzas. Let me tell you, those people had never heard it before -- or had never really listened. I got a standing ovation. But it was not I; it was the anthem. More recently, while conducting a seminar, I told my students the story of the anthem and sang all four stanzas. Again there was a wild ovation and prolonged applause. And again, it was the anthem and not I. So now let me tell you how it came to be written: In 1812, the United States went to war with Great Britain, primarily over freedom of the seas. We were in the right. For two years, we held off the British, even though we were still a rather weak country. Great Britain was in a life and death struggle with Napoleon. In fact, just as the United States declared war, Napoleon marched off to invade Russia. If he won, as everyone expected, he would control Europe, and Great Britain would be isolated. It was no time for her to be involved in an American war. At first, our seamen proved better than the British. After we won a battle on Lake Erie in 1813, the American commander, Oliver Hazard Perry, sent the message, "We have met the enemy and they are ours." However, the weight of the British navy beat down our ships eventually. New England, hard-hit by a tightening blockade, threatened secession. Meanwhile, Napoleon was beaten in Russia and in 1814 was forced to abdicate. Great Britain now turned its attention to the United States, launching a three-pronged attack. The northern prong was to come down Lake Champlain toward New York and seize parts of New England. The southern prong was to go up the Mississippi, take New Orleans and paralyze the west. The central prong was to head for the Mid-Atlantic States and then attack Baltimore, the greatest port south of New York. If Baltimore was taken, the nation, which still hugged the Atlantic coast, could be split in two. The fate of the United States, then, rested to a large extent on the success or failure of the central prong. The British reached the American coast, and on August 24, 1814, took Washington, D.C. Then they moved up the Chesapeake Bay toward Baltimore. On September 12, they arrived and found 1,000 men in Fort McHenry, whose guns controlled the harbor. If the British wished to take Baltimore, they would have to take the fort. On one of the British ships was an aged physician, William Beanes, who had been arrested in Maryland and brought along as a prisoner. Francis Scott Key, a lawyer and friend of the physician, had come to the ship to negotiate his release. The British captain was willing, but the two Americans would have to wait. It was now the night of September 13, and the bombardment of Fort McHenry was about to start. As twilight deepened, Key and Beanes saw the American flag flying over Fort McHenry Through the night, they heard bombs bursting and saw the red glare of rockets. They knew the fort was resisting and the American flag was still flying. But toward morning the bombardment ceased, and a dread silence fell. Either Fort McHenry had surrendered and the British flag flew above it, or the bombardment had failed and the American flag still flew. As dawn began to brighten the eastern sky, Key and Beanes stared out at the fort, trying to see which flag flew over it. He and the physician must have asked each other over and over, "Can you see the flag?" After it was all finished, Key wrote a four stanza poem telling the events of the night. Called "The Defense of Fort McHenry," it was published in newspapers and swept the nation. Someone noted that the words fit an old English tune called, "To Anacreon in Heaven" -- a difficult melody with an uncomfortably large vocal range. For obvious reasons, Key's work became known as "The Star Spangled Banner," and in 1931 Congress declared it the official anthem of the United States. Now that you know the story, here are the words. Presumably, the old doctor is speaking. This is what he asks Key: ()__ ||**Z__ ||**|**=Z____ ||**|**=|====| ||==|**=|====| ||""|===|====| || `"""|====| jgs || `""""` Oh! say, can you see, by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there. Oh! say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave, O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? ("Ramparts", in case you don't know, are the protective walls or other elevations that surround a fort.) The first stanza asks a question. The second gives an answer: On the shore, dimly seen thro' the mist of the deep Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep. As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream 'Tis the star-spangled banner. Oh! long may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave! The "towering steep" is again, the ramparts. The bombardment has failed, and the British can do nothing more but sail away, their mission a failure. In the third stanza I feel Key allows himself to gloat over the American triumph. In the aftermath of the bombardment, Key probably was in no mood to act otherwise? During World War I when the British were our staunchest allies, this third stanza was not sung. However, I know it, so here it is: And where is that band who so vauntingly swore That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion A home and a country should leave us no more? Their blood has washed out their foul footstep's pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave, And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave. (The fourth stanza, a pious hope for the future, should be sung more slowly than the other three and with even deeper feeling): Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand Between their loved homes and the war's desolation, Blest with victory and peace, may the Heaven-rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must, for our cause is just, And this be our motto --"In God is our trust." And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of ! the free and the home of the brave. I hope you will look at the national anthem with new eyes. Listen to it, the next time you have a chance, with new ears. Pay attention to the words. And don't let them ever take it away . not even one word of it. ---- ...Wonderful! Thanks Betty! In my minds eye, I see an old movie - blank and white where the big battle ships are. The sky is clouded with heavy gun powder smoke and the men are worn and beat. This song rings true as they begin to cheer with much ado because over the smoke the men see the rag of the US Flag boldly flying. Still gives me shivers! :) ======================================================================== >-->From Our Friend Tony in Australia :) _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` Do you trust God with your life?? We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed but not in despair, pesecuted but not forsaken. cast down but not destroyed. Always bearing about in the body te dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus'sake. That the life also unto Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. These were words written by my most favoriet Apostle Paul to one of the very first 'churches', the Church in Corinth Paul had a ‘strange’ life. I don’t know whether the word ‘strange’ is the best way to describe it, but certainly, ‘a ‘different’ life... that cannot be doubted. A ‘Roman' of some distinction, some have said he was a ‘bounty hunter”, a ‘mercenary’ and a killer…Maybe he was all of these things, but it’s what he ‘became/ that interests me most. Paul had a great sense of commitment and I dare to say, he would have had a great sense of humor! Who else do you know of who could turn a jail sentence into a soul saving journey through space and time to bring as many to Jesus as Paul did? He made many enemies along the way…. As a “Roman” he would have been hated by those he persecuted, and as an Apostle, he himself was persecuted by the same people and the same Government he had served! Was Paul a hero? I doubt it….was he a strong man? Was he BIG? I doubt all of that. But Paul’s heart was brave and Paul’s heart was strong and why? WHY do you think that is? Well…. I will tell you, it’s because Paul let Christ , into his life! He was in truth, already in his life! But Paul let Jesus into his heart! THAT’s what made Paul strong! Are you like Paul? If not..is it possible... that you might ‘become’ like Paul? It took certain ‘things to happen” to Paul and Paul just ‘happened’ to be in the right place at the right time….. Paul was IN THE WORLD! And for him to receive Jesus that’s the place he HAD to be! Remember what Christ said? He said” I didn’t come for the saved ! I came to save the lost! That land where Paul lived, that ‘world that Paul lived in is the very same world that YOU! and I live in….just a few years later…. But you know something? We are NOT clones! We don’t have to be anything or anyone that GOD didn’t intend us to be. All we have to be is ourselves…. Yes, when I was younger I wanted to be like ‘someone else’ I wanted to be like ZORRO! Until I found out that riding a spirited horse could leave me with parts so sore! Parts I didn’t even know I had! So Zorro for me…went by the way….. And ya know what? Being ‘jus me’ wasn’t all that bad when I look back on my life. And as I look back and BOY! There’s a lot to look back on….. my best achievement was becoming the husband of an angel….I don’t want to be anyone else, because of I had been, well perhaps my ‘angel’ wouldn’t have even liked me…. God put me in the right place and she in the right place and at the right time. Why? That’s for Him to know…. I could say as many do, I could have had a better life! I could have been as rich as Elvis! But hey! Elvis aint here anymore! I am! So what good does money do? I used to sing a lot, some said like I sounded like a “ Jimmy Swaggart” but what happened to that man? Well, I hear tell he’s still preaching Praise the Lord! But not before a few tight corners and a few swerves and some bumpy roads! Jimmy ain’t no hero of mine! But if he’s back preaching from his heart?…..well Praise God again!. I guess all of us would have liked different circumstances to come into our lives. Maybe if we moved home? Met different people, went to a different church we would become ‘different’ ourselves? Well maybe…but maybe not! We can’t let the world change US! Its WE that should be changing the world! We can’t really say that living a life of luxury gets us all we want. It’s NOT in our nature! When we get what we want we always want more….! Aint that so? Paul in his early days was quite ‘affluent’ but it’s obvious to most of us he wanted more! But what was it he wanted? Was it money? He had money…Was it property? He had property! Was it fame? Well he got that! No two ways about it! But so did Ned Kelly……and it cost Ned his life..and fame cost Paul his life too, but in a much different way to Kelly, and Kelly went to the gallows as a thief and a murderer, and rightly so. Kelly felt NO victory, but I believe in death, Paul did because he died ‘in Christ” as he had ‘lived’ his life in Christ, well, let’s say ‘most’ of it Do you ever feel that you are ‘surrounded’ by problems and yet the harder you try, the less you seem to have a solution? In other words, you feel like you are the centre of the worlds problems..well ‘your world’ at least. I know there have been many times when I have been ready to throw it all in, but then, as I am now, I am reminded that HE… has already ‘past through’. We feel…’hemmed in’ yet somehow….we get by don’t we? Tomorrow is yet another day but often we ask…. “ what’s the purpose in all of this? Why ME Lord?” Jesus! IS the purpose and JESUS! Is the example. We are to strive to be like Him! In every way…every day and every MOMENT of every day! Jesus found Himself ‘hemmed’ in many times! Pressed in! The Bible says…. But He ‘passed through” What the Bible is saying is that if WE persist in doing what is our best! If we persist HE! Will not abandon us! He WILL be by us always! We may ‘feel’ there is no hope but let me tell you, as long as you have a breath I your body there IS hope! He wasn’t excused friends, from being knocked down! Just because He was the Lord! He wasn’t ‘respected’ just because HE is the Lord! But HE! Is stronger than you and I ever will be! And HE! Is there for us to call upon when we have used up all OUR strength! Haven’t you noticed? That when you reach the ‘end of your tether’, theres always just a little ‘more’ of the tether left? HE! Is our sufficiency! Christ IS our existence! And it’s HE Who gives us…that next breath! So much ladies and gentlemen, friends, Brothers and Sisters, for us to thank Him for whilst ‘others’ still curse Him! We get so ‘tied up’ by doing ‘our own thing’ that we have little time for Him , and yet we live in HIS time! Not ‘our’ time! And its HIS time that we have to look forward to! And in order to ‘move’ forward we have to ‘motivate’ ourselves and we have to ‘motivate ‘ others .But HOW? Well I think first we have to ‘show a commitment to God” then HE shows a commitment to you. We have to let Him have control of our lives and let Him have His way with us, remember? The Bible says that ‘all things work for the good of those that love God! to them who are called! According to HIS purpose! If we wish that circumstances were different, if we begin to wish we are ‘someone else’, then ‘as’ someone else, we may just ‘miss’ our calling. You ever consider that? “I don’t wanna be on the door! I wanna be a Song leader!”… Well, did you ever think that there just might be ‘someone’ who looks forward to feeling the warmth of your handshake on a Sunday morning when they have had a tough week? I wanna be a Sunday School teacher!....... Then ‘study’! If God has a vacancy in ‘your’ Church for a SS Teacher and you are prepared, then He might just call you! Was it David? who said “cause me to hear and do your will Lord” God is NOT going to put you in positions, or circumstances that you cannot handle! Good! Or bad!. When we are weak… then we look to HIS strength by calling on HIS Name! “But he never answers!” RUBBISH! You just never asked hard enough ! you STILL had some of your OWN strength and your OWN will left! So you had NOT reached the end of your tether! God has ALL that you need! ......and ‘some’ of what you want….. He has the STRENGTH! He has the POWER! And He has ALL that you need! IN ABUNDANCE! You have to turn your life over….. entirely to HIM! God….. has put you in a place, and in a time….. to do HIS will!.....that’s our purpose in life and the sooner you accept that………….. and ACT on that, the sooner things will begin to happen. End Remember... Sorrow looks back, worry looks around and FAITH? Faith looks UP ---- ...Well said! Thanks Tony! ==================================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: __ _ /_ `\ /`_`\ |/ `-.| ( / \ ) \^_^/ )\^_^/( __> <__ (_.> <._) '-' `\ jgs / \_/ \ \ >THE TIME LADY by Diane Dean White Three of us became friends in fourth grade and have continued our friendship to the present. Back then, so much was changing in the world and in our personal lives as well. We were too young to date so we always did plenty of talking about when we would finally arrive at that special and romantic time. The telephone lines were bustling after homework was done. We didn't have three way calling, but we had our own conference line all figured out. At 8pm sharp we each called the "Time Lady." Now she wasn't real. It was just a recording which said, "At the tone the time will be..." We had our conference line talking over the Time Lady and if anyone else came on the line when we were talking, they never said anything. Or maybe they just listened in, thinking our conversation was more interesting! We discussed our classes and what we would be wearing the next day, and anything else that we felt needed discussing before first hour when we'd meet at our lockers. The Time Lady was easy to talk over and we continued with this neat idea until, one day, the operator called my mother. I was no longer able to make conference calls with my friends, and when I did call for the time, I discovered the lady had been turned up! Saturdays were ours to enjoy. After my room was cleaned, I joined my friends and we made tracks to the local drug store. Now this may seem boring in comparison to the malls of today, but this store had the greatest selection of Hollywood movie magazines imaginable. We wanted to keep up with our teen idols and what they were wearing and any new movies they were in. We had been with Sandra Dee since "Gidget" days, and felt we were right there on the beach with her and Moondoggie, surfing the waves with the whole gang. Never mind that we lived in Michigan, surrounded by the Great Lakes, with no ocean in sight. We were official members of the "Gidget", thus, Sandra Dee fan club. We oohed and awed at Sandra's tiny waist and beautiful blond hair (straight out of a bottle to be sure)! Naturally, we were all hurt to the core when she eloped with that Bobby Darrin -- so much older and there would be no wedding pictures in the teen movie magazines! After that we changed gears. Annette was a former mouseketeer and started making beach party movies. She had her own T-Bird and perfume collection to boot. Yes, Annette was a striking dark haired beauty, she would go far. We joined her fan club. The old Kresge store was our next stop. It always contained abundant supplies of the latest in new perfumes and make-up. "Evening in Paris" was all the rage, in a tiny little cobalt blue bottle. It was what every movie star wore. We'd dab a bit on our wrists and wave it through the air to catch the breath-taking fragrance. "Tangerine" was the most beautiful shade of lipstick. We each bought a tube, vowing to keep it in our lockers at school, just in case we needed to freshen up our "natural" look during the day. Depending on hair styles, there were rollers for each size, and if they didn't work, empty soup or orange juice cans with both ends out worked great! Just stick a clip in to hold it until it dried, and pray nobody saw you! We looked through fashion magazines and decided we loved the angora sweaters in the peach color. And wouldn't it be cool if you were "going steady" to wear the matching color yarn around his high school ring? We'd all screech and the laughter could go on for hours. Little did we know that those years, and the days ahead, would be some of the happiest times of our teen years. After all, how much trouble can you get into with perfume, Tangerine lipstick and Sandra Dee or Annette? But just don't try talking over the Time Lady, or you might find out what real trouble is! -- Diane Dean White ___________________________________________ Diane and her husband Stephen reside on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. She is a former newspaper reporter and writer for fundraising organizations and historical research projects. Her new book is a variety of short stories and can be reviewed at: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1403366888/heart/ref=nosim She also has an outreach for women called SEEDS of Encouragement at: http://www.heartwarmers4u.com/members/?thelamb212 ===================================================================== >-->From SermondFodder: Faith makes a difference == <^\()/^> \/::\/ jgs /::\ `''` Americans who help religious congregations not only give more time and money than people working with secular causes, but provide three-quarters of secular charity as well, according to a study that was reported in the June 27, 2002 issue of The Washington Times. The study found that "religion-giving households" in 2000 gave 87.5 percent of all charitable contributions in the nation, for an average of $2,100 for each household. "Givers to religious congregations are dramatically more generous than others," said the report, issued by Independent Sector, a nonprofit research organization, and the National Council of Churches. Six in 10 American households give to a religious congregation and more than 85 percent of those also gave to secular organizations, said the study . . . "The influence of faith extends to volunteering," the study said, noting that 54 percent of regular worshippers also volunteer. That compares with a volunteering rate of 32 percent by Americans who do not attend a house of worship. Religious givers volunteer for secular charities as much as secular Americans, averaging about 10 hours a month. And the most actively religious people work the most volunteer hours. "In round numbers, one-third of the people give two-thirds of the time," the report said. From Preaching magazine To see sample content from recent issues and to subscribe, go to http://www.preaching.com. Or you can call, toll free, 800.288.9673 (outside the US, call 615.599.9889). -<>- >Frank Riddick's Bicycles +-. .--. +-. | `"|"` \| .------;/|===;. Y.==. /\|/\___\|_.'_`\/\|/\ |--o--|___(_)' |--o--| \/|\/ =' \/|\/ jgs `"` `"` CLINTON, KY -- When Frank Riddick was growing up on a farm in western Tennessee, having a bicycle seemed as remote a possibility as owning a new car. One of six children, he always had plenty to eat and wear, but there wasn't much left for luxuries. Remembering those childhood longings, two years ago he decided to provide bicycles to youngsters whose families couldn't afford to buy them one for Christmas. To initiate the effort, he turned to the county mission house. Supported by various churches, the Clinton-based ministry provides food and clothing to low-income residents of the area. In October, he posted a sign there reading, "If your child doesn't have a bike and wants one, see me or Lula Bell (Puckett, the director)." "I gave a few bikes away and told children if it broke down or they had a flat to call me," said Riddick, who retired from farming in 1995. "I didn't dream anything like this would happen." What happened is a Christmas tale to touch the hardest of Scrooges. After buying 40 new bicycles and placing a classified ad seeking used ones, word quickly circulated. Donations of bikes started pouring in to his farm three miles north of town. To date he has given away nearly 200 and has 100 more in his workshop. Each carries a license plate reading, "Jesus Loves You." But he didn't stop with free bikes. Riddick gave the children his heart. Although he had built a 1.5-acre playground on his farm for his grandchildren, three of the five now live out of state. After getting acquainted with youngsters in the community, he invited them out to the homemade attraction. It includes a cable ride the length of a football field, with capacity for four riders; a 50-foot-high tree swing and a 61-foot slide. The latter is more than four times the length of conventional slides. Among other features is a merry-go-round-like device that holds three small children. A group of high school seniors took pictures of the cable ride for their photo albums and some children have said they enjoy it as much as the old Opryland amusement park. "It's a joy to know the Lord had in mind for these needy kids to come out," he said. "A lot of these children I'm dealing with are below poverty level. They live in bad environments, some are mistreated and, without the mission house, most would be without clothes. "I'm sure every community has children like this, but I didn't know how bad it was until I started doing this," he noted. Riddick's involvement also led him to buy a 15-passenger van. Though he uses it to shuttle children to Team Kid, he primarily got it to bring them to the playground. Looking back, the member of First Baptist Church of Clinton appreciates how God spared his life three times. In the past decade he survived a bout with kidney cancer, getting electrocuted by a 7,200-volt power line, and a brain tumor that doctors thought was cancerous but turned out to be stress-related. Still, he doesn't want any acclaim for what he does, saying the glory belongs to God. "I cannot say I had a vision to do this," he said. "I had a longing in my heart. I constantly feel a need to help the needy in our community. I can look back and see how everything happening was directed by God. I just didn't have enough spiritual knowledge to know it." From the Western Recorder www.kybaptist.org ====================================================================== >-->Legions by Ronnie Leviner Copyright @ 2002 .--.-. ( ( )__ (_, \ ) ,_) | '-'--`--' ~~| , \ _ / ,|`-._/| -== (_) ==- ^^ .' | /||\ / \ ^^ .' | ./ ||`\ | / `-. |/._ || \ / `|| `|;-._\ | || || \ ~^~_~^~_-~^~=~^~~^= / || ||__ \~^=~^~-~^~_~^~=~^~-~^~ ~^~ ~=~^~ _~^~ =~ `--------|`---|| `"-`___~~^~ =_~^=~~^~=`~^ jgs ~^~=~^_~^~ =~ \~~~~~~~'~~~~'~~~~/~~`` ~=~^~ ~^=_~^~ ~~^ ~^~ ~^=~^~_~-=~^~ ^ `--------------'~^~=~^~_~^=~^~=~ ~^~-~^= ~^~=~ ~^=~^~ ~^~^=~^~-~^~ ~^~=~^~^~ =~^~^=~^~^=~^~^ =~~`~^ ~^~= ~^~= ~~^~~`=~``^~^^~= ~^=~^~^~^ =`^~^`^~^=~^~-~~^ Across the waters it came That ship as many before I'd seen come this way each day Not thinking of anything more Winds blowing softly against its sails As closer to shore it drew Wonder what it brings with it What upon its decks lie? Now landing as parting boats drop Into the water to bring These men I've never seen cross I wonder what is this new thing This Stranger now walks closer As demons inside me roar Is this a time of torment? Shall my life be no more? But words spoken by this Man Jesus, God's Only Son Delivered my soul from darkness Now life for me has begun ========================================================= Trouble is part of your life, and if you don't share it, you don't give the person who loves you a chance to love you enough. -- Dinah Shore But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 41:31 ---> Visit my CyberHome - ALWAYS OPEN HOUSSE :)Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/index.html Shangrala ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->Bigham's Computer Rescue - PC Sales & SService You can trust us to provide you with quality computer sales and repair. We've been servicing the Van Wert area since 1981 and can help you with all your computer needs. Please phone us at 419-238-5806 ************************************************************************ -->This is for all you who love food and DDARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do :) Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe ************************************************************************ >TO SUBSCRIBE: a href="http://tinyurl.com/2vrfzv">This Weeks regular Shangy emails ************************************************************************ -->Want to ADVERTISE in The Shangy FUN Lisst Publication? >To ADVERTISE: Advertise ************************************************************************ -->Missed Any of These Teachings? 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