The Lips Of God & More ... :) Shangy! >Moving On Story Editor: by Amanda E. Savieri Julane Marx Victoria, Australia My childhood was a rough one. My mother had me when she was very young. She blamed me for my own existence every day of my life. She screamed at me even when I was very small, saying I had ruined her life and her marriage. She called me names and told me I would never amount to anything. I got used to it and believed the things she told me, not knowing the effect it would have on me later on. After her second marriage failed, my mother gave up on me completely. She took me down to Social Security and told them if they did not remove me from her care she would kill me. She admitted she had no feelings for me at all and was not capable of being a mother. I was put up for adoption at 8 years old. I kept seeing my mother as I drifted from foster home to foster home. I was nearly adopted twice, but the adoption fell through both times. Mother moved on and took on new kids belonging to her current boyfriends, but she still didn't love me. I blamed myself, thinking I was the problem. At 18, I completed high school and moved out on my own. I met the man of my dreams but couldn't accept his love. He was the only person who cared about me but I didn't know how to react because I didn't know how to be loved. Many bad decisions and much relationship trouble later, I was discussing work problems with my fiancee's parents. His dad recommended I see someone for an aptitude test. Though I didn't know then, he phoned six psychologists, and Noni was the most helpful and genuine. I was nervous at first because the counselors I'd seen before through Social Security hadn't been at all helpful, but Noni soon put me at ease. Noni showed me that work wasn't the issue, instead it was unpleasant details from my past that I had to deal with in order to move on. She showed me it wasn't my fault, that my childhood wasn't normal, that I no longer had to carry this blame. Over time, my low self-esteem faded and my relationships improved -- I began to learn how to love and be loved. Noni didn't judge me, she supported me, and showed me how special I am for coming through it all. Thanks to Noni, I now have a wonderful relationship, I got the strength to remove my mother from my life for good, and best of all, I start university this year. I will use the horrible things in my background for something good. I will be a psychologist specialising in childhood trauma; I want to help others as I really know what it's like. It is amazing what you can do if just one person believes in you. Noni believed in me... and now I believe in me. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Our Friend Betty J :) >A Sweet Classic - Quilt of Holes __(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//_ //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ //___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\ /) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___( /\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) / \ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) __(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//_ //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ //___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\ /) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___( /\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) / \ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) __(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//_ //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) //\\ (o\ \o) \\//___(/) As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls. Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life. But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all. I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened. My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air. Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise. My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me. And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was. I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes. Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, "Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you." May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through! Please share this with someone you love, care about or even someone who needs Jesus in their heart. They may scoff, but at least the seed has been planted, and God will do the rest. May God bless you today and Forever! ------ ...Beautiful - Thank you Betty! ==================================================================== >-->From SermondFodder: BACK TO THE BOOK __ (`/\ B I B L E `=\/\ __...--~~~~~-._ _.-~~~~~--...__ `=\/\ \ / \\ `=\/ V \\ //_\___--~~~~~~-._ | _.-~~~~~~--...__\\ // ) (..----~~~~._\ | /_.~~~~----.....__\\ ===( INK )==========\\|//==================== __ejm\___/________dwb`---`____________________________________________ Seven ways to ignite a passion for reading the Bible. By Kathy Widenhouse In Amazing Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith, Kathleen Norris recounts the story of a South Dakota rancher and his bride who received an expensive Bible as a wedding gift from his grandfather. They wrote a thank-you note and stowed the Bible away on a closet shelf. As time passed, the grandfather repeatedly asked the couple how they liked the Bible. The rancher was confused as to how to respond. Hadn't he already expressed his appreciation? But the grandfather persisted. Eventually, the young man dug out the gift. As he leafed through it, $20 bills fluttered out, 66 in all-one at the beginning of Genesis and in each succeeding book. While the rancher had left a monetary treasure waiting to be discovered, he had also left something even more valuable untouched between those pages: spiritual riches. All because he had not opened the Book. In American homes the Bible has taken on the status of an icon with little practical value. When asked, "What book has most influenced your life?" in a recent Library of Congress survey, respondents awarded the Bible the top position. But only 34 percent of American Christians read God's Word on their own during the week, and of that group, only 13 percent claim to read it daily. "Americans revere the Bible," says pollster George Gallup, Jr., "but, by and large, they don't read it." Why not? Excuses, excuses Reading the Bible is not illegal here as it is in Laos. It won't lead to fines and imprisonment as it might in Vietnam. It doesn't cost a week's wages to obtain a copy as it does in the Philippines. While we do not battle external obstacles to reading the Bible-such as laws or financial restrictions-we face internal barriers every day. Perhaps you rank among the majority of Americans who do not read the Bible regularly. You've considered it, been exhorted to try it, and even attempted it a few times, yet you can't seem to make it a habit. What can you do? If we truly believe that the Bible is divinely inspired and that it instructs us in righteous living and equips us for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17), then we should be eager to delve deep into it pages. Unfortunately, even though we understand intellectually that reading the Bible will help us grow spiritually, we can't quite seem to get around those internal obstacles. Here are seven excuses that prevent us from cracking the Book-and how to overcome them. 1 "I don't have time to read." But we do have time-if we read in spurts. Unleashing Connection reports that in one year, the average American reads 3,000 forms or notices, 100 newspapers, and 36 magazines-but only three books. These trends suggest why the USA Today format is so popular. We like to get our information in short doses that are easy to digest. "Half the books of the Bible can be read in 10 to 45 minutes each, and many of them can be read in less than 20," says Nashville-based pastor and author Robert Morgan. "The entire Old and New Testaments can be read aloud slowly and with expression in less than 71 hours." Read just one chapter of the Bible each day, and in a month you will have completed the book of Proverbs (31 chapters) once or the epistle of James (five chapters) six times. 2 "I don't know where to begin." If starting "In the beginning" with Genesis seems too daunting, flip to the Psalms or Proverbs and start there. Or begin your journey in the New Testament with Matthew. You can also poll Bible-reading friends and ask them what their favorite book is-then try reading it. Or use a Bible with a built-in reading plan, such as The One-Year Bible (Tyndale House) or The Daily Bible (Harvest House). These devotional Bibles present Scripture in manageable portions and work through it in logical sequences. 3 "I just don't get it." Many of us think of the Bible as a technical manual written in Christian-ese. But there are "biblical help" buttons a reader can push to get some quick guidance: Translations. Choose an easy-to-read translation, like the New International Reader's Version (NIrV; written at a third-grade level) or a paraphrase, like The New Living Translation (NLT) . Reference tools. Invest in a few basic references, such as a Bible dictionary(an index of biblical-word definitions) a Bible atlas (a collection of maps of biblical lands), and a concordance (a biblical word locator) to bring clarity to the text. 4 "The Bible is so dull." Not if you enjoy romance (Ruth), adventure (Jonah, Acts), or conflict (Judges). There are tales of conquest and war (Joshua), scandal and suspense (David and Bathsheba in 2 Samuel), and deceit and corruption (Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5). God stocked his library with a variety of genres: narrative, letters, poetry, history, and prophecy. If you naturally gravitate to the biography section in a bookstore, start with the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). If you love poetry, spend some time exploring Psalms or Song of Solomon. 5 "I don't see how the Bible applies to my life." The Bible offers practical advice on issues we face every day: love (1 Corinthians 13), leadership (Nehe-miah), marital bliss (Song of Solomon), courage (Esther), and investments (Matthew 25). It has how-to articles (Proverbs 31) and time- management models (Matthew 6:33). Get a topical Bible (a Bible arranged according to subject) and read every passage about an issue that challenges you. Take notes as you read. Become an expert on what the Scriptures say about that particular subject. 6 "I hear Bible readings in church every Sunday. Isn't that enough?" "The Bible," says Billy Graham, "is the road map for life." When I examine a map, an expert like my pastor can show me the most effective route to take. But I become more familiar with how to navigate the road-life-when I read the map and follow it myself. 7 "The Bible makes me feel uncomfortable." Many of us associate the Bible with negative experiences. Instead of examining Scripture on its own merits, we plop it onto a "discard pile" along with dry worship, hypocritical congregations, and insensitive Christians from our past. We'd rather label it and put it in a box than face up to what it might be telling us about ourselves. But conviction is an important and necessary function of Scripture. "For the word of God is living and active," says the writer of Hebrews. "Sharper than any double-edged sword . it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart" (4:12, NIV). As we read the Bible we may find we have to face some hard truths about ourselves and our inner motives. Is that worthwhile? Said the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, "The life which is unexamined is not worth living." Statistics say that 92 percent of all Americans have at least three Bibles in their homes. Perhaps like the South Dakota rancher, yours is secreted away in a closet. And like him, you don't suspect that there's a fortune hidden within its pages. There's a priceless treasure within your reach right now. Get it off the shelf and read it today. Reprinted from Signs of the Times (October 2002), © 2002 Kathy Widenhouse. By way of Cup O'Cheer Compiled by: Kimberly B. Quiggle Available Free by E-mail every other day. To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cupocheer@sc.rr.com ===================================================================== >-->In The Christian News: >From PPT: APRIL 26, 2007 PRAYER REQUESTS As President Bush seeks a bill that will give our troops and commanders funds and flexibility to bring success in Iraq, pray that compromise will be reached, that this issue will be treated with wisdom and not be politicized. Pray for President and Mrs. Bush as they host Japan’s Prime Minister Abe and Mrs. Abe this week. Following their arrival 4/26, the Prime Minister will meet with congressional leaders, pay respects at Arlington Cemetery and visit troops at Bethesda Hospital. Mrs. Bush and Mrs. Abe will visit Mt. Vernon, and the two couples will enjoy an informal dinner in the private quarters of the White House. On 4/27 the President will host Prime Minister Abe at Camp David for discussions, a press briefing and lunch. That evening, the Abes will leave Washington for the Middle East. Pray for safety throughout this important visit and for strong ties to be built. Pray for the strengthening of current initiatives and for God’s leading in the development of new ones. Pray for President Bush as he hosts the U.S.-EU Summit in Washington on April 30, asking God to guide the world leaders present as they gather to discuss preventing nuclear proliferation, combating terrorism, reconstruction in Afghanistan and Iraq, reducing global warming, promoting prosperity and enhancing transatlantic cooperation. Give thanks for the tremendous, prayerful response to the Virginia Tech tragedy. With over 2,700 prayers currently posted on PPT’s Prayer Wall, pray that more and more people participate in the power of prayer to heal and minister to all who have been impacted by the tragedy. Post your prayer Here: http://www.presidentialprayerteam.org/site/R?i=P3YmAZC3dolKprArLgZdOw.. or View the Prayer Wall Here: http://www.presidentialprayerteam.org/site/R?i=I6P6VHCFk_IighDqYDqLOg.. With the National Day of Prayer just one week away, pray for continued prayerful response to this vital, historic day in America, asking God to call forth millions of intercessors to lift up our nation in heartfelt prayer. Pray for a spirit of repentance and a passion for righteousness to move in our country. Sign up for your time slot for PPT’s Online Prayer Rally. http://www.presidentialprayerteam.org/site/R?i=X4BkFeMew1GfkY_98yNClg.. Click HERE for PPT’s free downloadable NDOP Prayer Guide. http://www.presidentialprayerteam.org/site/R?i=AyGIk5XsadMbkXboxEmT-Q.. Pray for our troops as they serve with superior skills and passion in Afghanistan, Iraq and around the world. Pray for their protection as they continue to do difficult jobs in dangerous places. PPT Site: http://www.presidentialprayerteam.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ppt_homepage -<>- >An Alert From Liberty Council: **Alert on hate crimes bills on fast-track in Congress. Please forward to your friends, church leaders Two bills are currently working their way through Congress that will make "sexual orientation" and even "gender identity" special protected classes in our law. H.R. 1592 targets "hate crimes" while the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) targets "hate thoughts" in the workplace. Let me be clear: These bills would put Christian beliefs on marriage in direct conflict with federal law -- leading to the criminalization of Christianity. Visit Here: http://www.libertyaction.org/2284/offer.asp?rid=11737726 Click Here Mathew Staver, Founder and Chairman Liberty Counsel -<>- >From CES: Greetings and blessings to you in Jesus' mighty name! The Teens and Twenties Camp (July 8-14) is now OPEN for registration. Please note that the early registration deadline is May 25th, with final registration being June 15. Space is limited to the first 150 campers, so please register as soon as possible. For more information and the required forms, visit www.STFonline.org/register If you need the forms mailed to you, please reply to this e-mail and let us know how many forms you need. Others upcoming events that are now OPEN for registration include: The Twenties conference, June 7-10 (Camp Vision, Bloomington, IN) Praise and Worship Expressions Workshop, August 23-26 (Camp Vision, Bloomington, IN) Servant Conference - for all who have a heart to serve, September 7-9 (Indianapolis, IN, Airport Holiday Inn) All the information for these events is now posted on our website, www.STFOnline.org/register God bless you! The Home Office Staff JesusCES@aol.com 1-888-255-6189 (317-255-6189) M-F, 8:30-5 (EST) ==================================================================== >-->From HeartWarmers: THE LIPS OF GOD by Jaye Lewis This has been a week like no other in Southwestern Virginia, the home of Virginia Tech. So many questions have filled my soul, and we have shed buckets of tears. Although my daughters go to a different school, in another state, no place seems safe anymore. Especially for us, because we have a connection to Virginia Tech. My daughter, Helen, spent three semesters at Virginia Tech. She was accepted into their engineering program with the highest honors and she spent much of her days inside the building where the carnage took place. That's where all her professors' offices were. She looked forward to being a student of Professor Librescu, the holocaust survivor who laid down his life for his students, so that they could escape. There were other brilliant professors, as well, whom she looked forward to working with. (It is significant that Professor Librescu was killed on Holocaust Remembrance Day. It is a reminder, to me, that holocaust is not far from any of us, at any time.) By the time that Helen entered her third semester, it was obvious that she was unhappy. She was under terrible stress. She was making all A's, but very unhappily. And I believe that we should not only do what we love, but we should also love what we do. It would have been easy for us to say, "Stick it out. Go forward and don't let anything stop you. Stay at Virginia Tech and conquer your fears." However, in my many visits with Helen, I began to feel an intense pressure of unease. What was wrong with me? Why couldn't I quench a burning desire to bring her home? I began to ask Helen what she really wanted out of school and her life. I talked with my husband and her. I prayed. Over and over I felt as though God were saying, "Helen doesn't belong here. Bring her home." Before the next semester, Helen transferred to the same university her sister attended, just south of where we live. There, her talents are celebrated and encouragement and "hands on" teaching are the order of the day. The change has been miraculous. Helen has been so happy -- until the day of the carnage at Virginia Tech. If Helen had stayed at Virginia Tech -- if we had coerced her to stay in the big school with the big name -- there is no doubt that Helen would have been in the Engineering Building, that moment, that day. At the time that I was praying and feeling the pressure of God on my heart, I would have moved Heaven and Earth to make her leave Virginia Tech. I was ready to lay down in the driveway, if necessary, to keep her from driving away. I cannot answer why, except that God would not let me leave her there. I have wrestled with this for days. Along with my grief at the horror that was perpetrated in twenty minutes in the halls of a building where my daughter would have been, I do know this: I thank God that He is so hard on me. There is a terrible guilt that comes with that gratitude -- the gratitude that makes me say, "Thank you, Lord, that it was not my child." I'm not sure I know what the message is, except this: When we say goodbye to those we love, when we hug them, we must make every second of that hug count. Hug, love, and pray, as though we have the lips of God pressed to our ear. There may come a time that we will be certain that we do. -- Jaye Lewis ==================================================================== >-->From InspiredBuffalo: >The Virginia Tech Massacre by: Sharlett F. Hunt Lifeless bodies all around Gunshots were the only sound A lone gunman standing there A shooter with an evil stare. Thirty-two students died that day Historical tragedy some will say Families and friends who felt the loss Will always remember the price it cost The horror as a nation mourns As two had died inside a dorm With no idea before its through The body count was thirty-two There's problems in this world today When children go to school okay Then die before the day is through It's all affecting me and you Protect our children, that's a given Ensure their chance to go on living That's been our goal but now we cry For God alone to answer why copywrite pending* -<..>- >The most important part of your body... My mother used to ask me what is the most important part of the body. Through the years I would take a guess at what I thought was the correct answer. When I was younger, I thought sound was very important to us as humans, so I said, ,-'"-, ('; ; .) , my ears, Mommy. . ; '-' Phi She said," No. Many people are deaf. But you keep thinking about it and I will ask you again soon." Several years passed before she asked me again. Since making my first attempt, I had contemplated the correct answer. So this time I told her, "Mommy, sight is very important to everybody, __..--.._ ..... .--~ ..... `. .": "`-.. . .' ..-'" :". ` ` `._ ` _.'`"( `-"'`._ ' _.' ' ~~~ `. ~~~ .' / ( so it must be our eyes." ^---' Lester She looked at me and told me, "You are learning fast, but the answer is not correct because there are many people who are blind." Stumped again, I continued my quest for knowledge and over the years, Mother asked me a couple more times and always her answer was, "No, but you are getting smarter every year, my child." Then last year, my grandpa died. Everybody was hurt. Everybody was crying. Even my father cried. I remember that especially because it was only the second time I saw him cry. My Mom looked at me when it was our turn to say our final goodbye to Grandpa. She asked me, "Do you know the most important body part yet, my dear?" I was shocked when she asked me this now. I always thought this was a game between her and me. She saw the confusion on my face and told me, "This question is very important. It shows that you have really lived in our life." For every body part you gave me in the past, I have told you were wrong and I have given you an example why. But today is the day you need to learn this important lesson." She looked down at me as only a mother can. %%%% %%%%%%%% %%%%%% %%% %%% % % I saw her eyes well up % % %%% % %%%%%% %%% with tears. She said, %%%%%%%%%%%%%% %%%% %%%%%%% %%% %%%% %%%%%% %%% %%% %%%%%%%%%% %%%%%%%%%%% %%%%%%%%% %%%%%%%% %%%%%%% %%%%%% %%% %%% %%%% %%%% %%% %%% %% %% %% %% b'ger %%%% %%% %%% %%% "My dear, the most important body part is your shoulder." I asked, "Is it because it holds up my head?" She replied, "No, it is because it can hold the head of a friend or a loved one when they cry. Everybody needs a shoulder to cry on sometime in life, my dear. I only hope that you have enough love and friends that you will always have a shoulder to cry on when you need it." Then and there I knew the most important body part is not a selfish one. It is sympathetic to the pain of others. People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will NEVER forget how you made them feel. -<,,>- >That's God It was one of the hottest days of the dry season. We had not seen rain in almost a month. The crops were dying. Cows had stopped giving milk. The creeks and streams were long gone back into the earth. It was a dry season that would bankrupt several farmers before it was through. Every day, my husband and his brothers would go about the arduous process of trying to get water to the fields. Lately this process had involved taking a truck to the local water rendering plant and filling it up with water. But severe rationing had cut everyone off. If we didn't see some rain soon...we would lose everything. It was on this day that I learned the true lesson of sharing and witnessed the only miracle I have seen with my own eyes. I was in the kitchen making lunch for my husband and his brothers when I saw my six-year-old son, Billy, walking toward the woods. He wasn't walking with the usual carefree abandon of a youth but with a serious purpose. I could only see his back. He was obviously walking with a great effort, trying to be as still as possible. Minutes after he disappeared into the woods, he came running out again, toward the house. I went back to making sandwiches; thinking that whatever task he had been doing was completed. Moments later, however, he was once again walking in that slow purposeful stride toward the woods. This activity went on for an hour: walk carefully to the woods, run back to the house. Finally I couldn't take it any longer and I crept out of the house and followed him on his journey (being very careful not to be seen...as he was obviously doing important work and didn't need his Mommy checking up on him). He was cupping both hands in front of him as he walked, being very careful not to spill the water he held in them. maybe two or three tablespoons were held in his tiny hands. I sneaked close as he went into the woods. Branches and thorns slapped his little face, but he did not try to avoid them. He had a much higher purpose. As I leaned in to spy on him, I saw the most amazing site. Several large /| |\ `__\\ //__' || || \__`\ |'__/ `_\\ //_' _.,:---;,._ \_: :_/ |@. .@| | | ,\.-./ \ ;;`-' `---__________-----.-. ;;; \_\ ';;; | ; | ; \ \ \ | / \_, \ / \ |\ |';| |,,,,,,,,/ \ \ \_ | | | \ / | \ \ | | / \ | | || | | | | | | || | | | | | | || | | | | | |_||_| |_| |_| /_//_/ /_/ /_/ deer loomed in front of him. Billy walked right up to them. I almost screamed for him to get away. A huge buck with elaborate antlers was dangerously close. But the buck did not threaten him...he didn't even move as Billy knelt down. I saw a tiny fawn laying on the ground, obviously suffering from dehydration and heat exhaustion, lift its head with great effort to lap up the water cupped in my beautiful boy's hand. When the water was gone, Billy jumped up to run back to the house and I hid behind a tree. I followed him back to the house to a spigot to which we had shut off the water. Billy opened it all the way up and a small trickle began to creep out. He knelt there, letting the drip, drip slowly fill up his makeshift "cup," as the sun beat down on his little back. And it came clear to me: The trouble he had gotten into for playing with the hose the week before. The lecture he had received about the importance of not wasting water. The reason he didn't ask me to help him. It took almost twenty minutes for the drops to fill his hands. When he stood up and began the trek back, I was there in front of him. His little eyes just filled with tears. "I'm not wasting," was all he said. As he began his walk, I joined him...with a small pot of water from the kitchen. I let him tend to the fawn. I stayed away. It was his job. I stood on the edge of the woods watching the most beautiful heart I have ever known working so hard to save another life. , , /\\ / \ | )|-""-, \ /' \ / | , | ' '/ / \_...._ .' _ ._o) { .' `'-....-' ; `"--' `/ / | { } | , { } \ \ { } .-' _.'.,_____, ./`| \ \` \ ( ( /\ | \ \ \ \ \ \ \ ; \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ jgs \_\ \_\ \_\ \_\ `## `## `## `## As the tears that rolled down my face began to hit the ground, they were suddenly joined by other drops...and more drops...and more. I looked up at the sky. It was as if God, himself, was weeping with pride. Some will probably say that this was all just a huge coincidence. That miracles don't really exist. That it was bound to rain sometime. And I can't argue with that... I'm not going to try. All I can say is that the rain that came that day saved our farm...just like the actions of one little boy saved another. I don't know if anyone will read this, but I had to send it out to honor the memory of my beautiful Billy, who was taken from me much too soon... But not before showing me the true face of God, in a little, sunburned body. THAT'S GOD ~ -<,,>- >GREATEST WONDER OF ALL By: Joseph J. Mazzella With the arrival of Spring the forested mountains of my home have come to life once again. Everywhere I look I can see a thousand ,@@@@@@@, ,,,. ,@@@@@@/@@, .oo8888o. ,&%%&%&&%,@@@@@/@@@@@@,8888\88/8o ,%&\%&&%&&%,@@@\@@@/@@@88\88888/88' %&&%&%&/%&&%@@\@@/ /@@@88888\88888' %&&%/ %&%%&&@@\ V /@@' `88\8 `/88' `&%\ ` /%&' |.| \ '|8' |o| | | | | |.| | | | | jgs \\/ ._\//_/__/ ,\_//__\\/. \_//__/_ shades of green. The apple trees, dogwood trees, and cherry trees are full of white and pink blossoms too. On the ground golden wWWWw wWWWw vVVVv (___) wWWWw (___) vVVVv (___) ~Y~ (___) vVVVv ~Y~ (___) ~Y~ \| ~Y~ (___) |/ ~Y~ \| \ |/ \| / \~Y~/ \| \ |/ \\|// \\|// \\|/// \\|// \\|// \\\|/// jgs^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ buttercups and dandelions are everywhere. The flowers in my flower garden are stretching up to greet the morning sun as well. The bumble bees and beautiful butterflies seem to be dancing in delight above them all. The air smells Heavenly with the sweet scents of all this new life. Carried along on the breezes as well are the sounds of birds singing, children playing, and wind chimes tinkling. It is a blessed time. It will not be long either before Spring will give way to the hot days and rich growth of Summer. Then the wonderful fruits and colorful leaves of Autumn will follow. In the coming seven months these hills will see more joyous life, more loving beauty, and more inspiring wonders of God than my simple words could ever share. As uplifting, heartwarming, and inspiring as nature can be, however, I take my greatest happiness in knowing that there is something even more wonderful. That something is us. We may not realize it or wish to believe it, but it is true. If we choose to we can share joy that is more beautiful than all the flowers in Spring. We can give love that is more wonderful than the sunniest Summer’s day. We can live a life that is more glorious than an entire forest in Autumn. We can bloom where we are planted every single day of our lives. We can produce good fruits even during the worst weather. And we can plant seeds of goodness and delight in our souls and in the souls of others that will produce a harvest that never ends. We live in a spectacular world of God’s creation. His greatest wonder of all, though, is us. May we always live our lives in love, joy, and glorious oneness with Him. Subscribe send a blank email to: the-inspired-buffalo-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ====================================================================== >-->NOTE FROM ROGER _ / ) / / .-""-.//' /_____C\___ /// 6 6~\~~` ( 7 ) \ '='/ _//'---'\ _ ( \ `\ (_) == = - jgs (\/`-.__/ / "`-._ _.' `` I want to personally thank each of you who helped us purchased the sixty-two baseball gloves, bats, balls and helmets for the children at the orphanage in Baxley, Georgia. The children were thrilled to death and a few even cried. These gifts will be remembered by these children for many years to come. These children have never owned anything of their own, except maybe a rock they might have found buried in the yard somewhere. This was just more than buying kids a baseball glove. When a child in an orphanage owns nothing something as wonderful as a personal gift really touches their hearts. It is not something that will be thrown in the corner and forgotten until need at the next baseball game. Many will sleep with this gift as it is a sign that someone, somewhere cares about them. Many people will not understand this as such things have always been taken for granted. Thank you all who were kind enough to help us in this effort. We will begin the next project, in a week or two, when we decide on which orphanage to help. -- Roger Dean Kiser NOTE: Thanks to all who purchased Roger's first two CDs who made this possible. Roger has just released the next two CDs in his amazing series, The Best #3 and #4. If you would like to enjoy these wonderful CDs, told in Roger's own voice, you can order them by calling 877-254-2424. $20 for the Best #1 and #2, and $20 for the Best #3 and #4. Profits go to the Foundation. ===================================================================== >-->From AndyChaps: ** SPECIAL THOUGHTS: ** .--._..--. ___ ( _'-_ -_.' _.-' `-._| - :- | _.-' `--...__| .-' '--..___ / `._ Yesterday \ `. `._ | `. `._ / '. `._ :__________....-----' `..`---' |-_ _- |___...----..._ |_....--' `.`. _...--' `.`. _..-' _.'.' .-' Tomorrow _.'.' | _.'.' | __....------'-' | __...------''' _| '--''' |- - _ | .. ;::| - _ |/) ;;;:::. (o) ;;::., |_ - - |;;;: (\'/) ::;; (o) | -_ -_L ``::;;;. .;;' (\ '/) | -_ _ G (o) ..;; ''' ;:;;.,|(o) _-B(\'/) ;;;;::: ;::(\'/);;:|;:; ;' When we feel we have nothing left to give And we are sure that the song has ended When our day seems over and the shadows fall And the darkness of night has descended, Where can we go to find the strength To valiantly keep on trying, Where can we find the hand that will dry The tears that the heart is crying? There's but one place to go and that is to God And, dropping all pretense and pride, We can pour out our problems without restraint And gain strength from Him at our side, And together we stand at life's crossroads And view what we think is the end But God has a much bigger vision And He tells us it's only a bend For the road goes on and is smoother And the "pause in the song" is a rest And the part that's unsung and unfinished Is the sweetest and richest and best So rest and relax and grow stronger Let go and let God share your load Your work is not finished or ended, You've just come to a "bend in the road." -<,,>- ** "GOD KNOWS" ** When you are tired and discouraged from fruitless efforts... God knows how hard you have tried. When you've cried so long and your heart is in anguish... God has counted your tears. If you feel that your life is on hold and time has passed you by... God is waiting with you. When you're lonely and your friends are too busy even for a phone call... God is by your side. When you think you've tried everything and don't know where to turn... God has a solution. When nothing makes sense and you are confused or frustrated... God has the answer. If suddenly your outlook is brighter and you find traces of hope... God has whispered to you. When things are going well and you have much to be thankful for... God has blessed you. When something joyful happens and you are filled with awe... God has smiled upon you. When you have a purpose to fulfill and a dream to follow... God has opened your eyes and called you by name. Remember that wherever you are or whatever you're facing... GOD KNOWS!! ============================================================= >-->From our Friend Tony In Australia :) Of all the things that God has done, we as human and as ‘God created beings’ should accept that each and everyone of us is part of His plan. Not a one of us…..is an exception. Sure, God granted us the power and the ability to make up ones own mind, to make decisions and often, to make decisions for others He has left in our care. God also gave us ‘the Law’…not to make things difficult rather than to make things easy and safer. In the early days and at the time that God chose the Israelites to be the light of the world, God made laws that governed whole nations as well as just individuals. Lots of these ‘laws’ concerned worship and ways to Glorify God and His works and there were penalties invoked on those who chose to break the laws. Many of those laws also at the time, may have appeared to have little meaning to the bemused Israelites, but in fact they were set in place as part of Gods plan to be ‘revealed’ on the Day of Our Lord. Laws and practices set in place that would form a pathway to salvation for many lost souls. Many were prophetic laws which lead directly to Bethlehem and then on to Calvary years later, all of these laws served a purpose of some kind. So many of us today, spend energy simply (it seems) to nullify the work that God has done. And all of His work has been carried out to serve one purpose, and that is to reconcile ourselves unto Him and Him alone. .========. .========. // I .'..' \ // VI.'.,".\ || II .'..'| || VII..'..| || III .'."| || VIII,'.'| || IV ,','.| || IX.'".'.| || V '..'.'| || X .'..',| jgs .\_________/ .\_________/ The laws that Moses was presented with to pass on to the Israelites are still as necessary today as they were yesterday, and they weren’t just handed out to the Jews only.Some may seem obsolete, but would have served many practical purposes during their existence. Today, some of the laws God gave have stood the test of time and are just as important now as they were then. There were rules about sanitation and health. Touching dead bodies was a NO NO! and even today, we have that feeling that when we see a deceased carcase, human or otherwise, we tend to ‘not want to’ touch it lest we ‘catch something’….and that’s quite possible! Even with the levels of hygiene we have in place. The ‘old’ world, didn’t have the knowledge that we have today and with the lack of hygiene and preventatives that we have now, many people would have died with little explanation. In those days, the laws spoke a great deal about ‘blood’ and not taking blood or letting it pass ones lips etc. Think about it…no refrigeration, no ‘running water’ to clean or sterilize things and disease and sickness is easily carried in the blood. Hence the laws about ‘clean and unclean’. We as human beings back then, wouldn’t have understood the reasons for those laws, but we know they knew better than to be disobedient! God gave us laws to cover most things, simple laws that didn’t have ‘clause after clause’ that denied the most clever of minds in that day. The laws were simply given to be simply obeyed and the expectancy was that they would be obeyed. God gave us laws concerning morality, if everyone had abided by them there would be far less sex crimes, far less abortion, far less suicide and certainly less deaths caused my STD’S. If every couple had taken marriage as serious as what it is intended to be there would be far less children coming for single parent situations, so basically, what I am saying is that God gave us standards to help us maintain a decent, happy and fulfilled life, so what went wrong? Blame it all on Adam and Eve! And WHY NOT? I’ll tell you why not….. Because there was never any need for anyone of us to follow in the same footsteps as Adam or Eve! We made our own choices! And we decided early in the piece that biblical principles are TOO HARD! And yet…. God gave us 10 basic instructions but man?? HE GAVE US LIBRARIES! FULL OF LAW BOOKS! We are so forgetful when it comes to ‘responsibility’ and commitment. All we had to do was acceopt the fact that we are ‘created’ in HIS image and do the very best we can at ALL times and HE will do the rest….But O! we have to do things OUR way! We just can’t see that OUR way rarely works.! Bible tells us we were ALL created for a purpose, I said that before didn’t I? well I will say it again! The purpose? I may not have mentioned that so I will say it again! WE! Were strive to get to know God! On HIS terms and we were to love Him and be a reflection of His Glory in ALL things. Do we do that? Do we reflect His glory or do we ‘fall short’? Romans 3 tells us we all fall short of the Glory, the WONDERFUL GLORY! Of God! Romans 3 Also tells us that there is NONE who is righteous! Not ONE! There isn’t ONE who understands and there isn’t ONE who does good.! Rascals aren’t we?? -====- .--. .--._ /.-. \ ( __) /-'/.\-\ ( / -( /_/-/.-\ \( | _/ /_/_/ /-'\ \) (\ /\ /_' / /-/ `\(_ ) ) /\/ /_/_/-'/ \\ '-' / /_'/_/-' | '.__.' /_'/_/' / | /_/-' | \ / \ _.-' \ (` / jgs '----'`'------' Scholars will tell you(including themselves)that not one person has ever really ‘fulfilled their calling to God. Not one of us has done ‘good’ according to God! GOOD! Is not good enough! What we may call excellence is NOT good enough! It’s what GOD CALLS GOOD! That counts…. Helping a little old lady across the street doesn’t constititute ‘good works! Other wise Heaven would be full to the brim on the 1st day! So.. starting right now, lets get our priorities straight! Number one priority should be to maximize our chances and number two is to make sure we do number one priority! - Tony ------ ...Amen! Thanks Tony! - doing the Will of God IS Our #1 Priority! ======================================================================== >-->Reader Comments: >Concerning > The Flour Sack © Colleen B. Hubert < From Our friend Steve From Carnegy21: MY GRAN AND AUNTIES STILL USE CAL ROSE RICE SACKS LIKE THIAS, I GREW UP WEARING RICE SACK SHORTS ON THE BEACH. WE LIVE ON AN ISLAND IN FRENCH POLYNESIA. ----- ...Wow! That poem must of brought back some memories for you! I can remember them a little - mostly the poem reminded me of how much work a woman does for her family - not only back then - but now a days too! We're most certainly kept busy! AND... ----- From Linda M: Thank you.. Brought some awsome memories.. so different from this centuary.. i am starting to feel like a museum piece myself.. ----- ...Ahh, well, Linda, always keep in mind - we're not getting older - we're getting B E T T E R - - - sucking on all that chocolate no doubt! 'LOL' God Bless ALL Of You for Sharing! :) Shangy! ======================================================================= >-->Fun Places To Net Visit :) [AOL And Others May Have to Copy & Paste These Links] Miracle Baby: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/smellofrain.html God's Paintings http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/gpaints.html REAL Fantasy Trees http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/trees.html -<>- >From LynnLynns Links Heaven's Gate http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/gate.html Steps http://www.poetrybyken.com/tpoems30/Steps.html Joyce Ann w/Flight of the Butterflies http://www.poetnmysol.com/flightbutterfly.html James O'Brien w/Essence of Love http://www.poetryinfocus.com/Poetry/Poem191.html Cool Dog http://www.buffalosjokes.com/062730.htm To subscribe send a blank email to lynnlynns-links-subscribe@egroups.com ====================================================================== "I believe with all my heart that standing up for America means standing up for the God who has so blessed our land. We need God’s help to guide our nation through stormy seas. But we can’t expect Him to protect America in a crisis if we just leave Him over on the shelf in our day-to-day living." --Ronald Reagan, November 16, 1982 >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Wow Baby :)Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->Bigham's Computer Rescue - PC Sales & Serrvice 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 DARRE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. 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