__ __ .' `...' `. __| | |__ .' \ . / `. | ./###\. | >---- |#####| ----< | `\###/' | `.__ / . \ __.' /| | | / `.___.^.___.' | | \ \ )\ H A P P Y M O T H E R ' S D A Y ! ! `. /' | \ /' ) \ /' /' \ /' /' \( /' ) /' | /' |( axiac || ======================================================================= >-->Wow, God must be very mad at us in the United States! ___ .dSSSS$$pp.. .dSSSS$$$$$$$$; .dSSSS$$$$$$$$$$$ :SSP^" T$$$$$$$$$$b_ dSSP $$$S$$$$$$$b` dSS$;_. .:$$$SS$$$$$$b dSS$$$_ ; __."^TSS$$$$$b dSS$$P;" ""' :lSS$$$$$b :SS$$$ ; ::SS$$$$$$b_. SSS$$$ : ` ;:SS$$$$$$$bp. :SS$$$$b \ -=- .-" SSS$$$$$$$$$$b IT IS SO SAD SSS$$$$$b.`. / d$SS$$$$$$$$$$$b :SS$$$$$$$; ""T :$$$SS$$$$$$$$P^^t--' SSS$$$S$$$ : $$$$$SS$$$$$$$ : :SS$$$SS$; __; _$$$$$$SS$$$$$$ : SSS$SS l;: ; : $$$$SS$$$$$; ; :SS$SS $;: ; : $$$SS$$$$$$; /; TSSSS :$ \ ; ; :$S$$$$$$$$.-"/ `SP; :; ;: ; T$$$$$$$$; /; : ; ; : `.; /)T$$$$$P .' : ; : : ; .'/ :$$$P'.' .'\ ; \ :; / /$P^".' .-" ; : ;: .' .-" / \ `.____/_'.___:--""\ --' .' ) .-" .' "-._ "-._ ..--"")\ :-' : "-. "-._ ---""" /; ; : : \ "-._....____; : : \ :\ `. \ ; ; \ \\ \ \ ; : : `. \\ \ \ : ; ; ;"-t\ `. \ : : : : `; \ ; ; ; ; : \ / : : / ; \-..__ .'; : ; / : ; """T ; : / / ; \ : ; ; ;/ : : \ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; : ; ; / : : : ; ; ; / ; :; : ; ; / : :: ; ; ;_ `""--..__; :_; __ ;____;.-;'; ;.__.: :..t-"" j" ; ; : ; ; ;--"" \ [bug] ; ; ; : ; : \ ; ; : \ ; ; ;. ; ; \ \ ; : / ; ; ; \ \ ; : ; ; ; \ `-. ; ; .' ; ; \ \ ;___/ /______;.-' \ ---; / / ;______: .-' / '-------' Notice the number of bad things and disasters around the US this year? Geesh we've had shootings, floods, tornados, and fires! If that weren't bad enough, I bet there isn't a person living in the US that doesn't know somebody who has died from or is fighting cancer or some other terrible sickness or disease. God must be angry with us. After all, you hear it all the time. People saying that 'If it is God's will then they will meet their maker', when 'your time is up' and 'God calls you' then they usually just shrug and shake their head. As if saying 'Nothing you can do'. Poor us. All under the thumb of a fickle God who one day is as close and protective as a loving parent to us and the next day wanting us suffering and dead like he is our worst enemy. Oh, but wait. It is BAD of me to say such a thing about God - the creator of not only myself but every single thing in this great big universe of ours. I'm supposed to just do like them and shrug and say oh well - it is not for me to understand the ways of God - like that gives God the excuse to be loving, caring, and giving on one hand and turn evil causing suffering, torture, maiming, death, famine, and destruction on the other hand - all for the good of the people He loves of course. There is something wrong with that picture. I am not a brilliant person, but I can tell you if I acted that way toward my kids or grand kids, I'd not see the light of day for years to come as I'd be locked up as a menace to society! So, now, here we soon will be celebrating our Moms on Mother's Day. What if our mothers acted like that? One day be loving, kind, protective and the next day pushing us out in traffic wanting us to get hit by a car just to teach us a lesson? What if she did that sort of thing all the time to us. Psycho Mommy or Mommy Dearest for sure! Would we love her or not? I don't think we'd be giving her nice gifts on Mother's Day! How can we then say God is worse then any great mother or dad has been to their children? Mathew 9:10-11 "Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" Mathew 9:12 "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." The great 'do unto others as you would have them do unto you'! Yet we somehow think God would not hold by this Himself? God does not want us to kill and to steal and to destroy yet it is His will that people get their homes taken from them and destroyed and get killed in natural disasters? Or get their life or son or daughter or husband or mother or father stolen from them in a shooting or a car wreck or death by cancer or disease? God isn't held to his own rules? He 'takes' people when their time is up? He is a thief AND a murderer? No Way! A Thousand Times NO!... Mathew 9:15-20 "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." 1 John 1:5 "This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all." Today, for Mother's Day, we have a wonderful FULL teaching ... >From CES - The Problem With Blaming God Have you ever asked, or heard anyone else ask: “If God is so ‘loving,’ why is there so much suffering in the world?” Or, “Why is life so unfair?” Or, “What have I done to deserve this?” Or, “How can God allow babies to be born deformed?” Or, “Why doesn’t God do something about all the misery of humanity?” (Of course, some people say He is doing something - He’s adding to it!). Traditional Christianity has failed to provide satisfactory answers to these questions. [1] Today, a great deal of what is represented as Christianity is, in reality, “religion,” that is, the doctrines and commandments of men. “Religion” does purport to answer the above questions. For example: “The bad things happening to you must be because you’re a bad person or because you have sinned, and God is punishing you.” Or, “This sickness is God testing your faith.” Or, “God allowed that tragedy to humble you and strengthen your faith.” Or, “This terrible situation is how God is breaking your pride.” In reality, such “answers” only add to man’s already unbearable burdens. Millions of people accept such erroneous ideas, and it is not because atheists tell them so, unless perhaps they are atheistic lawyers or insurance agents who, acquiescing to the jargon of their trades, often describe many natural catastrophes as “acts of God.” Sometimes it seems that just about the only folks who don’t hold God accountable for human suffering are atheists. Well, at least they have one thing right. How sad that so many Christian people also attribute to God these traumatic occurrences, as well as accidents, persecution, disease and death. One reason they do is because other sincere but misinformed Christians have failed to understand God’s wonderful Word, and have thus distorted it. These erroneous teachings have not only wounded people emotionally, but also turned them away from the only true source of comfort, strength, wisdom and supernatural deliverance, which is God, through His Son Jesus Christ. The fact is, the teaching that God causes suffering causes more suffering. As we will see, an accurate biblical understanding of the origin of evil and suffering relieves God of all responsibility for it. At this point we feel it is appropriate to quote at some length from the book When Bad Things Happen To Good People, by Rabbi Harold Kushner. This is a book well worth reading. In the first chapter, “Why Do The Righteous Suffer?” the author sets forth a number of familiar answers to this question, and why they leave much to be desired. Although we feel that Kushner’s book itself does not adequately answer this question, his insight, especially in the first chapter, is most pertinent to our subject. Kushner addresses seven commonly held “reasons” as to why people suffer, which are as follows: * We deserve what we get. * People do in fact get what they deserve, but only over the course of time. * God has His reasons for making people suffer, reasons that they are in no position to judge. * Suffering is educational. * Suffering is just a test. * Suffering comes to liberate us from pain and lead us to a better place [after death]. * An all-powerful God does not necessarily have to be fair and just, from our limited human perspective. [2] Kushner elaborates upon these reasons: One of the ways in which people have tried to make sense of the world’s suffering in every generation has been by assuming that we deserve what we get, that somehow our misfortunes come as punishment for our sins... It is tempting at one level to believe that bad things happen to people (especially other people) because God is a righteous judge who gives them exactly what they deserve. By believing that, we keep the world orderly and understandable. We give people the best possible reason for being good and for avoiding sin. And by believing that, we can maintain an image of God as all-loving, all-powerful and totally in control... The idea that God gives people what they deserve, that our misdeeds cause our misfortune, is a neat and attractive solution to the problem of evil at several levels, but it has a number of serious limitations. As we have seen, it teaches people to blame themselves. It creates guilt even where there is no basis for guilt. It makes people hate God, even as it makes them hate themselves. And most disturbing of all, it does not even fit the facts... Sometimes we try to make sense of life’s trials by saying that people do in fact get what they deserve, but only over the course of time. At any given moment, life may seem unfair and innocent people may appear to be suffering. But if we wait long enough, we believe, we will see the righteousness of God’s plan emerge. [3] Often, victims of misfortune try to console themselves with the idea that God has His reasons for making this happen to them, reasons that they are in no position to judge. [4] There is much that is moving in this suggestion, and I can imagine that many people would find it comforting. Pointless suffering, suffering as punishment for some unspecified sin, is hard to bear. But suffering as a contribution to a great work of art designed by God Himself may be seen, not only as a tolerable burden, but even as a privilege. [5] On closer examination, however, this approach is found wanting. For all its compassion, it too is based in large measure on wishful thinking. The crippling illness of a child, the death of a young husband and father, the ruin of an innocent person through malicious gossip— these are all real. We have seen them. [6] How seriously would we take a person who said, “I have faith in Adolf Hitler, or in John Dillinger. I can’t explain why they did the things they did, but I can’t believe they would have done them without a good reason.” Yet people try to justify the deaths and tragedies God [supposedly] inflicts on innocent victims with almost these same words. Furthermore, my religious commitment to the supreme value of an individual life makes it hard for me to accept an answer that is not scandalized by an innocent person’s pain, that condones human pain because it supposedly contributes to an overall work of esthetic value. If a human artist or employer made children suffer so that something immensely impressive or valuable could come to pass, we would put him in prison. Why then should we excuse God for causing such undeserved pain, no matter how wonderful the ultimate result may be? [7] This is a very valid point that should to be taken to heart. It seems that the idea that “God has His reasons,” even though we do not understand them, is the single most common excuse that people give as to why God causes suffering. For example, writing about the biblical character Job, Philip Yancey stated: “In some mysterious way, Job’s terrible ordeal was ‘worth’ it to God...” [8] “Mysterious” indeed, so mysterious that even God Himself apparently does not understand this concept well enough to explain it anywhere in Scripture. It is a common moral axiom in our society that “the end does not justify the means.” Getting an “A” on a test does not justify cheating. Winning a race does not justify using steroids. Getting a job does not justify killing the other job applicants. In the Bible, God spends a lot of time defining what is moral and holy behavior. He makes it clear that a good end does not justify evil means (Romans 3:8). One place where God makes this point, using an analogy, is in 2 Timothy: “...if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules” (2 Timothy 2:5). Does the God who teaches us that the end does not justify the means then deal with us as if it did? We think not. If God is somehow responsible for mankind’s misery, if He could stop it but doesn’t, if He has “reasons” because somehow this is all part of some unseen “plan” that will work to His glory, then He does not practice what He preaches. In this vein, Rabbi Kushner comments on the “educational” value of suffering: Let us now consider another question: Can suffering be educational? Can it cure us of our faults and make us better people? Sometimes religious people...would like to believe that God has good reasons for making us suffer... [9] The problem with a line of reasoning like this one is that it isn’t really meant to help the sufferer or to explain his suffering. It is meant primarily to defend God, to use words and ideas to transform bad into good and pain into privilege. Such answers are thought up by people who believe very strongly that God is a loving parent who controls what happens to us, and on the basis of that belief adjust and interpret the facts to fit their assumption. It may be true that surgeons stick knives into people to help them, but not everyone who sticks a knife into somebody else is a surgeon. It may be true that sometimes we have to do painful things to people we love for their benefit, but not every painful thing that happens to us is beneficial. I would find it easier to believe that I experience tragedy and suffering in order to “repair” that which is faulty in my personality if there were some clear connection between the fault and the punishment. A parent who disciplines a child for doing something wrong, but never tells him what he is being punished for, is hardly a model of responsible parenthood. Yet, those who explain suffering as God’s way of teaching us to change are at a loss to specify just what it is about us we are supposed to change. [10] We have all read stories of little children who were left unwatched for just a moment and fell from a window or into a swimming pool and died. Why does God permit such a thing to happen to an innocent child? It can’t be to teach a child a lesson about exploring new areas. By the time the lesson is over, the child is dead. Is it to teach the parents and baby-sitters to be more careful? That is too trivial a lesson to be purchased at the price of a child’s life. Is it to make the parents more sensitive, more compassionate people, more appreciative of life and health because of their experience? Is it to move them to work for better safety standards, and in that way save a hundred future lives? The price is still too high, and the reasoning shows too little regard for the value of an individual life. I am offended by those who suggest that God creates retarded children so that those around them will learn compassion and gratitude. Why should God distort someone else’s life to such a degree in order to enhance my spiritual sensitivity? [11] We too are offended by such preposterous ideas. The value of one human life is a lesson well taught in Scripture, especially in many of the parables of Jesus. What was the lesson of the one lost sheep? What was the value of the one lost coin? Was it not the importance of one individual to God? The following verses corroborate this truth: Deuteronomy 32:9-11 (9) For the Lord’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted inheritance. (10) In a desert land he found him, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye, (11) Like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them on its pinions. Addressing the commonly held belief that suffering is God testing us, Kushner writes: If we cannot satisfactorily explain suffering by saying we deserve what we get, or by viewing it as a “cure” for our faults, can we accept the interpretation of tragedy as a test?...[Many believe that] God sends such tests and afflictions only to people He knows are capable of handling them, so that they and others can learn the extent of their spiritual strength. Does God “temper the wind to the shorn lamb”? Does He never ask more of us than we can endure? My experience, alas, has been otherwise. I have seen people crack under the strain of unbearable tragedy. I have seen marriages break up after the death of a child, because parents blamed each other for not taking proper care or for carrying the defective gene, or simply because the memories they shared were unendurably painful. I have seen some people made noble and sensitive through suffering, but I have seen many more people grow cynical and bitter. I have seen people become jealous of those around them, unable to take part in the routines of normal living. I have seen cancers and automobile accidents take the life of one member of a family, and functionally end the lives of five others, who could never again be the normal, cheerful people they were before disaster struck. If God is testing us, He must know by now that many of us fail the test. If He is only giving us burdens we can bear, I have seen Him miscalculate far too often. [12] Kushner expresses excellent insight about the rationalizations necessitated by such false premises: Sometimes in our reluctance to admit that there is unfairness in the world, we try to persuade ourselves that what has happened is not really bad. We only think that it is. It is only our selfishness that makes us cry because five-year-old Michael is [supposedly] with God instead of living with us. Sometimes, in our cleverness, we try to persuade ourselves that what we call evil is not real, does not really exist, but is only a condition of not enough goodness, even as “cold” means “not enough heat,” or darkness is a name we give to the absence of light. We may thus “prove” that there is really no such thing as darkness or cold, but people do stumble and hurt themselves because of the dark, and people do die of exposure to cold. Their deaths and injuries are no less real because of our verbal cleverness. [13] In summation, Kushner states: All the responses to tragedy which we have considered have at least one thing in common. They all assume that God is the cause of our suffering, and they try to understand why God would want us to suffer. Is it for our own good, or is it a punishment we deserve, or could it be that God does not care what happens to us? Many of the answers were sensitive and imaginative, but none was totally satisfying. Some led us to blame ourselves in order to spare God’s reputation. Others asked us to deny reality or to repress our true feelings. We were left either hating ourselves for deserving such a fate, or hating God for sending it to us when we did not deserve it. [14] Kushner is so right in saying that semantic shenanigans have not given us satisfying answers to the problem of human suffering. Unfortunately, much of this cleverness has been presented as being the truth of God’s Word. As E.G. White accurately observes, these manmade theories presented as biblical doctrine drive people away from God. The errors of popular theology have driven many a soul to skepticism who might otherwise have been a believer in Scripture. It is impossible for him to accept doctrines which outrage his sense of justice, mercy, and benevolence; and since these are represented as the teachings of the Bible, he refuses to receive it as the Word of God. [15] Other great articles related to this topic: Where was God on September 11, 2001? Must Satan Ask God’s Permission To Do Evil? Is Everything That Happens God’s Will? Is it true that a hurricane is an “act of God?” Visit here for all these fine teachings: http://truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=364 Blaming God ======================================================================= H A P P Y M O T H E R' S D A Y 2007 ____ |\ /| .' `". | Y | is for the million things she gave me, / | \ ___ | \__.-, (_, / \ \ /` 9 `\ / \___/ means only that she is growing old, ,_ )| 9 . |` _____ \'. '.\ ,_/ / | _\ \.--.'.___.' `'. | is for the tears she shed to save me, .-' _` a \.--, .' | `""` \ a K ; ,-'\ _.;_ |___| '.__,. (__.'`-._ ) | | is for her heart of purest gold; (_/\ '-. /_ ___ ;-._)-._/ _) |__ / `` \ |___ is for her eyes, love-light shining, '-._______.-' ___ |_ |_ | |___) | | | | \ means right, as she'll always be, |__;__/ .-"'-'|--\ Put them all together, they spell "MOTHER", '.___,_|""| A word that means the world to me. jgs \__/ -Howard Johnson ======================================================================== >-->From HeartWarmers: Happy Mother's Day! Moms know what it's like to be up at 3 in the morning with a baby who thinks it's supposed to be play time. Not an easy task. Today, Stefanie shares her inspirational story about the challenges she faced, and the memories of the times she spend with her grandmother. >GRAMMIE'S LEGACY OF LOVE by Stefanie Wass ,"=-. / _),`'". ( /a( ), ) ) C = = ?/ ( )) (_ o-< ) ( `-' \; ( \_ ( | \ ) )| \_/} \ \ \(_;/-|_) )/) `._,--/ / / `!__!! ( (_o)) ---`-._, )--- ------( / |---- | ( | :__/|\_; \ |/ )(\_ /_)--` gpyy \_! "Please just go to sleep." I silently beg the small pink bundle cradled in my lap. The old wooden rocking chair, creaking endlessly against the floorboards, seems to work against my best efforts to get my infant daughter, and myself, some much-needed rest. Standing up, I try a new position. This time, swaddling my daughter in her fuzzy blanket and holding her close to my chest. Her squirms and gurgles do nothing to reassure me that this will be an easy night. Mockingly, the digital clock flips to 3am. An overflowing laundry basket stares menacingly from the corner of the room. I have tried it all -- nursing, rocking, and even several different types of pacifiers, which were promptly spit right back in my general direction, thank you very much. Exhaustion begins to overwhelm me as tears start to flow, this time from me, the mother, the supposedly competent adult. Big blue eyes stare up at me as the clock slowly ticks forward. Why can't this be easier? All I want to do is sleep. Looking around the room for something to get my mind off this seemingly endless night, I spot the blue and pink patchwork quilt hanging on the nursery wall. My grandmother wanted me to have a baby quilt, and began her stitches before I was even pregnant. At age 88, Grammie sensed that time was of the essence. I smile as I count seventeen hand-sewn calico hearts. These are blocks full of love, I think to myself. Somehow I feel my grandmother's presence as I look up at the quilt she made for my daughter. She rocked seven babies and never complained. A set of twins when she only had clothes and supplies for one child. Her baby boy died in infancy. I can do this. Just have patience, like Grammie. Looking up at the quilt, my memories take me back to childhood visits to my grandmother's Western Pennsylvania farm. A one-lane gravel road led to the two-hundred-year-old farmhouse where Grammie always welcomed me with a big kiss and soft sugar cookie, complete with raisin eyes, nose, and smile. Inhaling, I can again smell the comforting scents of a farm summer -- freshly baled hay, sweet, garden-fresh tomatoes, and mint leaves picked for a refreshing drink of tea. This was a good place -- a homestead to our family for generations. Closing my eyes, I can once again hear the familiar swish-swish of cows' tails shooing away flies in the barn. Grammie, busy washing milkers for the dairy cows each morning, takes time out to open the milk tank, showing me the swirling gallons ready to be sent to the local dairy. She involves me in all of the farm chores, from hoeing weeds to picking garden vegetables for supper. "I am not a very fast bean-picker," I comment, noticing my near-empty basket. "Every bean you pick is one I don't have to", she smiles. "You are Grandma's good helper." Stepping into the farmhouse, I can smell the yeast rising on a miniature loaf of bread Grammie has made just for me. "Just pinch off the dough between your fingers", she instructs, helping me make homemade rolls and egg noodles. When I mistakenly turn the oven to broil instead of bake, I am told that, "Elderberry pie always tastes better with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on it anyway." Reaching up to touch the many careful stitches on my baby's quilt, I remember afternoons spent sewing with Grammie, as an 8 year old girl learning how to sew patchwork squares into blankets for my dolls. Colorful fabrics and pattern books cover the wooden dining room table, evidence of Grammie's other projects put on hold. Our time spent together is precious -- time to thread a needle, talk, and feel the love between generations. Standing now as a young mother looking at the quilt above her baby's crib, I am ashamed of my selfish thoughts. Why in the world am I crying? Sure, this is a rough night, but I have a perfectly healthy baby and all the time in the world to love and comfort her. This night won't last forever, so I'd better take it all in -- baby powder smells, cuddly closeness, and ten tiny fingers wrapped around mine. Feeling the supportive spirit of my grandmother, I bend down to kiss my baby's soft cheek. A quilt covered in hearts reminds me of all that is really important in life. Sh-h-h, my child -- a grandmother's legacy of love will see us through this long night. -- Stefanie Wass ___________________________________________ Stefanie lives in Hudson,OH with her husband and two daughters. Her stories Farm and Family, Skip Bo Messenger, and Olympic Dreams can be found in the Heartwarmers archives. ___________________________________________ A TRIBUTE TO MY MOM For the times I placed my head in your lap, and you caressed my headaches away. For the times you hugged me and wiped the tears from my eyes while you doctored my cuts and scratches. For the times you read me stories and sang me songs. For the times you said my bedtime prayers with me. For the times you taught me the word of God, and modeled what unconditional love really was. For the times you couldn't get a story out because you were laughing too hard, and had all of us laughing with you. For the times you played games with us and would, oh so sweetly, cut our throats and win. For the nights you stayed up all night, sitting across the table from me, both of us playing solitaire waiting for my firstborn to finally arrive. For the times you held my children, made cookies with them, nursed them through the chickenpox because I was in the hospital. For the times you put up with all my craziness and loved me anyway. But the time I remember the most, at this precise moment, is when two weeks ago you pointed at me and said, "You're my baby girl, I love you." There isn't anyway possible that God could have graced my life with a better mother than you. I always hoped that I could be at least half as good as you. You are finally back home with daddy and standing before your Lord. For that I find a little peace at your passing, but Mom, I miss you so much already and have to say that the final earthly rock I stood on has gone from me and I will never again be able to stand as solid as I once did when I had one foot on the rock "dad" and one on the rock "mom." I love you so very much and will be forever grateful that you were My Mom. Love, Your baby girl -- Dee ====================================================================== >-->From Our Friend Betty J :) Puts things in perspective. _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | Best Prayer I Have Heard In A Long Time... \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children. Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester. Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares . Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together . Heavenly Father , remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love. If you send this to 5 people, then you have a chance to touch 5 people. Working for God on earth doesn't pay much......but His retirement plan is out of this world! ---- ...Wonderful - Thanks Betty! ====================================================================== >Many Heroes, One Goal Story Editor: by John Elliott Joyce Schowalter Missouri, USA Two days before September 11, 2001, our youngest child was born. He had health problems immediately, and had to be Life-Flighted from the Army hospital at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, to Children's Hospital at the University of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City. This was an hour and a half trip by car. But my wife and I didn't have a car. Our previous car had blown up, so I rode with a guy in my unit to work every day. I had been talking with another member of my unit, to buy a car he hadn't driven for two years. But he wanted all the money up front, as he'd been burned by other people before, and lost money. That evening I called him up, and explained our situation. He immediately agreed to take payments I could afford -- $150 a month. He was still paying $250 a month for the car, with nine payments left. He said to make the balance up with my tax refund. I asked him if he would make money on it, and he said no, and it didn't matter. The next morning I packed up a week's clothes for my wife, our two children, and myself. I picked my wife up at the hospital, and headed up the highway for Oklahoma City. About 20 minutes outside of Oklahoma City, we had a flat tire. I was stuck on the side of the highway, no spare, no jack, in almost 90-degree weather, with my wife and two children. About 30 cars passed, no one stopped, even with the hood raised to signal car trouble. Finally, a dump truck (of all things) pulled over. He took me a mile up the road to Newcastle. It was another mile to the tire shop. Once there, I explained my predicament of neither jack nor spare, and they handed me a jack to borrow. Newcastle is a small town, with no taxi service, so I asked where the police station was. I walked a few blocks to the police station, and explained the situation to the officer there, who was very rude. He said they weren't a taxi service. I resigned myself to walking the two miles back to the car, and started on my way. I got about a half mile down the road when a police cruiser with two officers stopped me. It was the officer who was so rude to me and his police chief, who had learned about the situation through the dispatcher. They drove me to the car and waited while I took the flat off. Then they took me to the tire shop for the repair, and finally back to the car to install the repaired tire. I then returned the jack to the tire shop. My son spent three weeks in the hospital, and is now a healthy 5-year-old. I wish I could go back and thank all those who helped us to be by his side when he was so ill. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Our Friend Steve :) >PEOPLE COME INTO YOUR LIFE... _ .-' '-. / \ |,-,-,-,-,| ___ | _)_(_ | (/ \) | _\_/_ /) / \_/ \// |( )\/ ||)_( |/ \ n| | / \ | |_|___| \|/ jgs _/L\_ FOR A REASON I am sending this to you to see how many actually read their e-mail. Your response will be interesting. Pay attention to what you read. After you have finished reading it, you will know the reason it was sent to you. Here goes: People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Someti mes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on. Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it i s real. But only for a season.! LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant. Thank you for being a part of my life, whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime. Send this to every friend that you have - Show them you care! -<,,>- >BIRTH OF TWO HUMMINGBIRDS ,. \ '. > ).--. > ( o ,=====- <`'---. `. /, ) ) /^/^' / ) \v/)) /. \' ( ( ) ) . / / / : ' ptr / .' `. This is truly amazing. Be sure to click on "NEXT PAGE" at the bottom of each page; there are 5 pages in all. A lady found a hummingbird nest and got pictures all the way from the egg to leaving the nest. Took 24 days from birth to flight. Because you'll probably never see this again in your lifetime, enjoy and share. The very last picture is amazing. http://community.webtv.net/Velpics/HUM HummingBirds ---- ...SWEET! Thanks Steve! ================================================================== >-->From Our Friend Dan Y :) Just thought you might be able to help this Mr. Osgood out >Ron Osgood My name is Ron Osgood. I'm a Vietnam veteran and I teach at Indiana University. As some of you know, I'm currently in production of "My Vietnam Your Iraq," a documentary that tells the stories of Vietnam veterans who have children that have served in Iraq. I've completed compelling interviews with 6 families in the past several months. There is a glaring hole in the story as I have not been able to find and confirm interviews with a minority family. I'm very aware of the contributions Blacks and Latinos have played in these wars, including the high percentage drafted and killed in Vietnam. It's very important to include this perspective. It’s very difficult finding a parent and child that are both willing to participate and are accessible. I would appreciate any leads that you might have and would be grateful if you might pass this email on to others you might suggest. Contact Ron at: osgoodr@indiana.edu 812-855-5096 www.myvietnamyouriraq.org _______________________________________________ vvawinc mailing list vvawinc@vvaw.org http://lists.shout.net/mailman/listinfo/vvawinc ==================================================================== >-->A Classic From SermondFodder: The Parking Lot She had been shopping with her Mom in Wal-Mart. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful brown-haired, freckle-faced image of innocence. ------ _____ / \ ___\ ___/ ___ --/- ___ / \/ / / / \ / / \__ //_ \ / \ / ___ | | ___ \/+--/ / \__ \ \ / \__ | / \ /____ / / | / _____/ ___ \/ /\ \__ / / | | / \____/ \ / // // / / // / /\ /-_-/\//-__- / / // / \__// / / / // // / / // / // / // / /// // / / / // / // // // // / // / / / / / / / / / / /// / / / // // / // // /// / / / / / / /// / // / / // / / / / // /// / /// / / / / // /// / unknown It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the tops of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the Earth it had no time to flow down the spout. Drains in the nearby parking lot were filled to capacity and some were blocked so that huge puddles laced around parked cars. We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the Wal-Mart. We waited, some patiently, others irritated ... because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I get lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child come pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day. Her voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in. "Mom, let's run through the rain," she said. "What?" Mom asked! "Let's run through the rain!" she repeated. "No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit," Mom replied. This young child waited about another minute and repeated, "Mom, let's run through the rain." "We'll get soaked if we do," Mom said. "No, we won't, Mom" "That's not what you said this morning," the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm. "This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?" "Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, He can get us through anything!" The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one came or left in the next few minutes. Her Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith. "Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If God let's us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing," Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars. I want to believe that somewhere down the road in life, Mom will find herself reflecting back on moments they spent together, captured like pictures in the scrapbook of her cherished memories. Maybe when she watches proudly as her daughter graduates, or as her daddy walks her down the aisle on her wedding day. She will laugh again. Her heart will beat a little faster. Her smile will tell the world they love each other. But only they ... will share that precious moment, when they ran through the rain believing that God would get them through. And Yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing. Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories. So, don't forget to make time and take the opportunities... To make memories every day! I believe that friends are quiet angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly. TAKE THE TIME TO RUN THROUGH THE RAIN ======================================================================= >Change of Outlook Story Editor: By Jennifer Hoeneise Joyce Schowalter Michigan, USA I participated in an Alternative Spring Break (ASB) in 2001 through Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. In ASB, participants travel someplace during spring break to do volunteer work. Education is a primary focus of ASB; before break we learn about the issue we will volunteer with. I spent that spring break in Atlanta working with AIDS patients. My group helped Project Open Hand prepare and deliver meals to homebound patients. We also helped one day in a daycare for children affected by the virus. (Either they had AIDS, or their caregiver did, or both.) On the third day, Wednesday, three of my group members and I piled into the van to deliver coolers of food. Several meal recipients lived in high rises and some had specific instructions for delivery: leave food in cooler next to door, knock loudly, and similar. One client had no cooler outside because someone had been stealing his food. There was a note next to his name to leave the food with his neighbor. "He must have just stepped out because I just saw him," the neighbor told us. We wanted to leave a note on his door so he would know his food was waiting next door, but we lacked pen and paper. We went down to the building lobby to find what we needed. We had just finished writing the note and borrowing a piece of tape when I heard a voice behind me ask "Have you already been upstairs?" I turned and saw a frail-looking black man, very thin with hollow cheeks. He gestured to our large red cooler bags. "Are you Paul?" one of my friends asked. "Yes, that's me," he answered. We told him we left the food with his neighbor. He thanked us _____ / \/_ //\__(\_\ |\ ^ ^ | .//_O \O_ \ \_ (_) / \ \_/ / __/\ /\__ / \ \ / / \ / \/\/\/ \ / | . | \ / | . | \ and then said, "Don't forget to smile, your smiles make the world a better place." Even now I feel a shiver run down my spine and tears well up in my eyes at the thought of Paul. You could tell by looking at his body that he was sick, but when you looked at his face you saw no fear, anger or pain. There was a wonderful shine in his eyes and a broad smile on his face. Paul was sick, sick enough that he needed to have his food prepared and delivered to him, but he didn't let that get him down. I went down to Atlanta to help people, but I never expected one of them to help me. Now whenever I face a tough situation I think of Paul and his undefeatable attitude. If he can look death in the eye and smile -- then surely I can get through less difficult situations. I knew that my ASB experience was going to change my outlook on life, but I am surprised that I can sum it all up in one sentence. Don't forget to smile, your smiles make the world a better place. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From InspiredBuffalo: &&&&& &&& .( .-&& _/ / \^/\ / /| _|_|| \ \| |( | `\\~~~\|| ,##\7 \\ |#____\ |#| / / jgs |#|/_/ |#|\ \ (#_\`' Somebody’s Mother The woman was old and ragged and gray And bent with the chill of the winter's day. The street was wet with the recent snow, And the woman's feet were aged and slow. She stood at the crossing and waited long, Alone, uncared for, amid the throng Of human beings who passed her by, Nor heeded the glance of her anxious eye. Down the street with laughter and shout, Glad in the freedom of "school let out," Came the boys like a flock of sheep, Hailing the snow piled white and deep. Past the woman so old and gray Hastened the children on their way, Nor offered a helping hand to her, So meek, so timid, afraid to stir, Lest the carriage wheels or the horses' feet Should crowd her down in the slippery street. At last came one of the merry troop, The gayest laddie of all the group; He paused beside her and whispered low, "I'll help you across if you wish to go." Her aged hand on his strong young arm She place, and so, without hurt or harm, He guided her trembling feet along, Proud that his own were firm and strong. Then back again to his friends he went, His young heart happy and well content. "She's somebody's mother, boys, you know, For all she's aged and poor and slow; "And I hope some fellow will lend a hand To help my mother, you understand, If ever she's poor and old and gray, When her own dear boy is far away." And "somebody's mother" bowed low her head In her home that night, and the prayer she said Was, "God be kind to the noble boy Who is somebody's son and pride and joy." -<,,>- >Lincoln’s Mother They will say you are on the wrong road, if it is your own. - Antonio Porchi The life of Abraham Lincoln was shaped by his godly mother. When Lincoln was but nine years of age, he promised his mother on her deathbed that he would never use alcohol or tobacco. She had observed the influence of these narcotics upon others. That promise was never broken. Had it not been for Lincoln's mother, and the promise he then made to her, probably nothing would have ever been heard of the man. Lincoln's mother taught him the meaning of prayer. She wisely encouraged him in the reading of the Bible and helped him to memorize many of its inspiring passages. The following story, told by his friend, Captain Gilbert J. Greene, illustrates how well he used this knowledge in later years: "One day, while practicing law in Springfield, Mr. Lincoln said to me, 'Gilbert, there is a woman dangerously ill about fifteen miles in the country who has sent for me to come and write her will. I should like to have you go with me.' I cheerfully accepted the invitation. When we arrived we could see that the woman had but a few hours to live. After the will had been written, witnessed, and signed, the dying woman said to Mr. Lincoln, 'Now, I have my affairs of this world in order, and I have also made preparation for the life to come, I do not fear death.' "Mr. Lincoln replied, 'Your faith is wise and strong. Your hope of a future life is a blessed one.' She asked him then if he would read a few verses from the Bible. They offered him the Book, but he laid it aside and began reciting from memory the twenty-third Psalm. Then he quoted the first part of the fourteenth chapter of John, 'In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. . . . I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.' "After he had given these and other quotations from the Bible, he recited several hymns, closing with 'Rock of Ages, cleft for me.' A little later the woman passed away. As we rode home in the buggy, I expressed surprise that he should have acted as pastor as well as attorney so perfectly, and he replied, 'God and eternity were very near us today.' " Lincoln declared, "All that I have, all that I am, I owe to my mother." His mother taught him lessons of patience and integrity. By D. H. Kress --- ...Gotta Love old Abe - __ |/`.-\ |\_)'} |/'-; |\_\_`,_ |____| \ |====|__| jgs '.,_|____|_,_) His Mom AND GOD is Why! ;) -<..>- ,{{}}}, {{/ \}} }}}^.^{{{ {{\ = /}} }}})-({{{ /{{ \_/ ((\ / ( ) \ / /`\- -/`\ \ \ \ )%O%( / / `\\/ \//` (/ \) DON'T MESS WITH MOM The Childs Comments and Thoughts My son came home from school one day, with a smirk upon his face. He decided he was smart enough, to put me in my place. "Guess what I learned in Civics Two, that's taught by Mr. Wright? It's all about the laws today, The 'Children's Bill of Rights.' It says I need not clean my room, don't have to cut my hair No one can tell me what to think, or speak, or what to wear. I have freedom from religion, and regardless what yosay, I don't have to bow my head, and I sure don't have to pray. I can wear earrings if I want, and pierce my tongue & nose. I can read & watch just what I like, get tattoos from head to toe. And if you ever spank me, I'll charge you with a crime. I'll back up all my charges, with the marks on my behind. Don't you ever touch me, my body's only for my use, not for your hugs and kisses, that's just more child abuse. Don't preach about your morals, like your Mama did to you. That's nothing more than mind control, And it's illegal too! Mom, I have these children's rights, so you can't influence me, or I'll call Children's Services Division, better known as C.S.D." Mom's Reply and Thoughts Of course my first instinct was to toss him out the door. But the chance to teach him a lesson made me think a little more. I mulled it over carefully, I couldn't let this go. A smile crept upon my face, he's messing with a pro. Next day I took him shopping at the local Goodwill Store. I tolhim, "Pick out all you want, there's shirts & pants galore. I've called and checked with C.S.D. who said they didn't care if I bought you K-Mart shoes instead of those Nike Airs. I've canceled that appointment to take your driver's test. The C.S.D. is unconcerned so I'll decide what's best." I said "No time to stop and eat, or pick up stuff to munch. And tomorrow you can start to learn to make your own sack lunch. Just save the raging appetite, and wait till dinner time. We're having liver and onions, a favorite dish of mine." He asked "Can I please rent a movie, to watch on my VCR?" "Sorry, but I sold your TV, for new tires on my car. I also rented out your room, you'll take the couch instead. The C.S.D. requires just a roof over your head. Your clothingwn't be trendy now, I'll choose what we eat. That allowance that you used to get, will buy me something neat. I'm selling off your jet ski, dirt-bike & roller blades. Check out the 'Parents Bill of Rights', It's in effect today! Hey hot shot, are you crying, Why are you on your knees? Are you asking God to help you out, instead of C.S.D..?" Send to all people that have teenagers or have already raised teenagers, or have children who will soon be teenagers or those who will be parents someday OR ANYONE WHO'D JUST GET A LAUGH ...I love this One!!! from a MOM (Mean Old Mother.) -<,,>- Subscribe send a blank email to: the-inspired-buffalo-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ======================================================================= >-->From AndyChaps: >Miracles still happen - A Testimony from Andy years ago... ** More From Andy "I'm Healed" Wednesday 6/12/02 ** My Dear Friends and Subscribers to "TheFunnnies". (My Brothers and Sisters all over the world!) I sent out this testimony of How God has Healed me and created in me a new heart (literally) so I will do a resend on it. I tell you what. Today has been the best day I've had by far and has been as close to back to normal as can be had. I was able to go out in the back yard and tend my roses, trim, harvest, fertilize and water them. (I have about 14 or 15 different kinds and colors. This is a love that I have... tending my roses. Then I even took the time to fill the three big bird feeders which I have in different places around my yard, (after all, the sparrows remind me of how much more important I am to the Lord than they are.) So once more, I want to really thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers and the letters which you have sent to me. I shall treasure them always. I intend to make a scrap book and print each letter and put them in it. They will make a really great book and great reading to remind me of the Love and Goodness of My Lord Jesus Christ! Still rejoicing in My Lord and Healer, The Lord Jesus Christ. Dave "Andy" Anderson ================================================ My Dear Friends and Subscribers to "TheFunnnies". (My Brothers and Sisters all over the world!) I am not surprised. Nor should all of you that have been praying for me and for the miracle of healing of my heart of what I am going to write, and that is... I write to you and say: PRAISE THE LORD! I AM HEALED! When they did the Cardiac Catherization and Angiogram, It showed my heart WAS every bit whole and nothing wrong... PERIOD! I have the 2 pictures to prove it in my possession. All arteries open and my heart pumping great. It was pumping over 62 per cent, (if I understood the Cardiologist correctly) ... and I'm not sure what that all means, the doctors said that all the tests show all the signs of a healthy heart and nothing wrong with it! PRAISE GOD FOREVER FOR HIS MIRACULOUS HEALING. From all other previous tests that I had showed blockages and part of my heart dead. The Doctors keep asking me if I had had a heart attack ... or when did I have my hear attack. They knew something that I didn't know, but I do know now, that God did a miracle and I'm healed. There is nothing wrong with my heart! Praise God Some More. I can't help it, but I keep rejoicing over and over again! HE IS MY LORD, AND YOURS TOO, OUR MIRACLE WORKER! I AM NOT, NOR SHOULD YOU, BE SURPRISED AT WHAT HE DID AND HIS POWER. Jesus Christ IS the Same, Yesterday, Today and orever! Needless to say, I am weary and tired, so I will not do any more with a letter tonight and may not do one tomorrow, but I just might too. Wouldn't surprise me at all. So Keep those letter coming to me again and I will do my best to answer all as much as I can and when I can, but you all shall never be forgotten. Know too, that you are Loved by me and my family. Last, I thank my son Steve for writing to you in my absence and asking for your prayers. I love that boy and His wife. God sent them into our lives for a special purpose too, and like Queen Esther of Israel, "for such a time as this." I love you all and appreciate you all very much. Dave "Andy" Anderson Continue to write me at << Andychap@AOL.Com >> I can't wait to hear from all of you again. I still am free from all chest pains, etc. I am still getting tired and weak but fell stronger daily. Need more Miracles, but am happy to get them one at a time. God is so good! God bless Andy -<..>- >God Understands As song leader for my church in New Hampshire, I was preparing for Sunday. I planned on playing my guitar, but my electronic tuner was missing. Maybe I left it in the car, I thought. Heading to the garage, I asked the Lord out loud to help me find my "tuner." Nothing was on the back seat of the car, but when I reached under the front seat out rolled a can of tuna. My husband followed my laughter to the garage. "Honey," I said, "The Lord definitely heard my prayer-New England accent and all." ~~~~~~~~Sandy P. -- Pelham, New Hampshire SUBSCRIBE to "The Funnies" Click On this hyperlink and hit "Send" andychaps_the-funnies-subscribe@yahoogroups.com Or Copy and paste the above address to a new email and hit send. ======================================================================= >-->"Bon Appetit!" By Bob Perks <> .---------------------------. /_ _ _ __ __ /| // \ / \ / \ |_/ | |_ (_ / | / \_ \_/ \_/ | \ | |__ ,_/ / | :.__________________________/ / | .--. .--. .--. .--. | / | ( ) ) ( ) ( ) | / | '--' '--' '--' '--' |/ jgs'---------------------------' When things are right, we are right with the world. We feel good about ourselves, we project an image of someone who is happy and successful. We don't question why it is right, we just accept it. When things are exceptionally good in my life, I tend to question it. As events unfold, I find myself speechless, overwhelmed and a bit shocked. You will hear me say, "God, why are you so good to me?" My wife gets upset with me then because I appear to be saying I am undeserving of such great things. Perhaps that's exactly what I am saying. But what about when things go wrong? Some people immediately question "Why has God turned His back on me?" "Why has He abandoned me?" I know God doesn't abandon anyone. But when the banquet I have been feasting on slowly runs out of food, my days get dark and my thinking clouded. I am at such a point in my life. It seems I've been here before. Experience should tell me I will survive. But still I am human. I see the approaching firestorm and begin to think this one will do me in. I examine all the factors and tend to throw more wood on the fire causing it to burn out of control. We do tend to add to the fire that is trying to consume us rather than create a fire wall and limit the damage. We do it to ourselves. The fact is, we have much to gain from both good and bad experiences. I learned this from eating cookies last night. I like to have snacks sitting around the house. These days we call them comfort food. Yesterday I spent at least 20 minutes in the cookie aisle at my local grocery store. There were just too many choices. Struggling with the decision, I finally compromised. I bought a cheap pack of sandwich cookies for 99 cents. One side vanilla wafer and the other chocolate. Oh yes, they had a cream center. I had forgotten all about the big purchase until late in the evening. Like finding a ten dollar bill you didn't know you had in your pants pocket, remembering those cookies late last night, was the highlight of my day. .-'''''-. |'-----'| |-.....-| | | | | _,._ | | __.o` o`"-. | | .-O o `"-.o O )_,._ | | ( o O o )--.-"`O o"-.`'-----'` jgs '--------' ( o O o) `----------` I poured a cup of milk for dunking and counted out six cookies. Placing them on a napkin, I headed for the kitchen table. As I laid my treasures before me, I noticed some of them fell vanilla, some chocolate side up. I liked that. It was then that it hit me. I saw my life there before my eyes. The vanilla wafers were bland to me, so they represented the bad things in my life. The chocolate wafers represented the good things. Life is full of flavor and I want every crumb. But then I discovered they both had something in common. They were filled with the same wonderful cr?me center. Because I loved the chocolate more, I tended to reach for and consume those cookies first. Not wanting to deal with the vanilla wafers, I held those off until last. I do this in life. Not wanting to deal with the difficult things I try ignoring them. Taking advantage of the good, I consume that first. Eventually I begin to notice that the good is outnumbered by the bad. Then one day I find myself surrounded by the things I did not want to face. It is then I begin to moan about the fact that there is little good in my life. I call it a crossroad, a crisis, a dead end. But, like the cookie, I know once I get past the part I do not want to deal with, I will discover the sweetness of the victory. If you are presently at life's banquet table facing a plate full of vanilla wafers, look around. I might be standing next to you. Bon Appetit! "I believe in You!" Bob Perks Bob@BobPerks.com Please don't remove my name and contact info! If you are about to copy this story to share with your friends, please leave my name, email address. It is a copyrighted story and cannot be edited in any manner. Thanks! ==================================================================== >-->FUN Places to Net Visit: [AOL And Others May Have to Copy Paste These Links] >From LynnLynn's Links: Mother's Day Poem http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/flowers.html Mother's Day Animated Graphics: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/agifs_k-o.html Mini Baby Art: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/baby.html Dreamy Ladies: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/dreamy.html SwordSisters w/A Diamond on Mother's Day http://domania.us/SwordSisters/Inspirations5/MF/DiamondMother.html Mom http://www.wtv-zone.com/BICS/Irish/Mom/apreciousmoment.html The Sweetest of all Bouquets Via Juanita http://www.frommyheart.org/view/?pageID=276323 Hard to Find 800 Numbers http://www.hardtofind800numbers.com/listings/y.htm DepressionHurts.com Home Page http://www.depressionhurts.com/index.jsp New Trojan ... Tricky One... 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