tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68610053624184680692024-02-18T22:14:21.692-08:00The Reading SectionExcerpts of great books.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166015611569971252noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6861005362418468069.post-38688906258720988742013-03-04T10:06:00.002-08:002013-03-04T10:06:40.144-08:00Chrome-Shining Faith<span style="font-family: ComicSansMS; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: ComicSansMS; font-size: small;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprJeJ9tjiKb65j7j2UvyZFeleyijXp3O_XErH5I7yc72S4gC2pdRdYYbnbmjyuEWkHhqpY62GRRkrtER0hFj0kgpXP5PVEQJnDVvNoJj1D8s6FuLigevIAnbfZ8vtdFu0_WtdrORb1NE/s1600/Yahoo+photo+smaller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprJeJ9tjiKb65j7j2UvyZFeleyijXp3O_XErH5I7yc72S4gC2pdRdYYbnbmjyuEWkHhqpY62GRRkrtER0hFj0kgpXP5PVEQJnDVvNoJj1D8s6FuLigevIAnbfZ8vtdFu0_WtdrORb1NE/s200/Yahoo+photo+smaller.jpg" width="136" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.barbaraannderksen.com/2013/03/04/protect-and-provide/">Barbara Derksen</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrq_X8JP9EOJDIpPYOxtjbCYiPHyqkaJUA8eO-36XoXyGwRD1G3tavJ9jtq4X1EpjzNTXUzVZiN_V87kRUrm9jnHgTe9vvH6h7QRIE7aFwmBYqf1_pdbYi3g9_d3A_UITJdMAMrS72Mg/s1600/front+Chrome+cover+design(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrq_X8JP9EOJDIpPYOxtjbCYiPHyqkaJUA8eO-36XoXyGwRD1G3tavJ9jtq4X1EpjzNTXUzVZiN_V87kRUrm9jnHgTe9vvH6h7QRIE7aFwmBYqf1_pdbYi3g9_d3A_UITJdMAMrS72Mg/s200/front+Chrome+cover+design(1).jpg" width="121" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Chrome-Volume-Barbara-Ann-Derksen/dp/1477535179/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1362420349&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=chrome+shining+faith">Chrome Shining Faith</a></td></tr>
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Please enjoy this excerpt from <div style="text-align: center;">
Chrome-Shining Faith <div style="text-align: center;">
by Barbara Derksen<div align="LEFT">
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PROPITIATION </div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times-Bold; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times-Bold; font-size: x-small;">is </span></span></b><span style="font-family: Times-Bold; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times-Bold; font-size: x-small;"></span></span><span style="font-family: ComicSansMS;">a </span><span style="font-family: ComicSansMS;">big word that means appeasing another person’s anger by the offering of a gift. The human race,</span></div>
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because of Adam’s sin, is judged by God’s perfect standards, the standards that define sin in the</div>
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first place. We fall short of that standard. The sin we commit against each other and against God is in </div>
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direct opposition to His holy nature. The Bible says that this makes God angry because He cannot </div>
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look on the very thing He created to have fellowship with Him. He misses us. God’s anger is not an </div>
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irrational lack of selfcontrol, as it so often is with humans. However, God’s opposition to sin cannot</div>
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be dismissed with a wave of the hand. It requires something much more substantial</div>
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<span style="font-family: ComicSansMS;">to appease it, to pay the debt we owe handed down as a judgment when Adam was tossed out of the</span></div>
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garden. And the Bible states that it was only the cross that did this. Jesus willingly became “the </div>
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propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world”. When the </div>
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New Testament speaks of “propitiation,” it means that Jesus’ death on the cross for the sins of </div>
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mankind put away God’s wrath against his people once and for all.</div>
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And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole </div>
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world</div>
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<span style="font-family: ComicSansMS,Bold; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: ComicSansMS,Bold; font-size: medium;">1 John 2:2 </span></span><span style="font-family: ComicSansMS,Bold;">(KJV)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ComicSansMS,Bold;"></span><span style="font-family: Times-Roman; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times-Roman; font-size: x-small;"></span></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Droplets of sweat dotted his cold damp forehead. </span><span style="font-size: small;">Crater sat on the lumpy cot, cringing inside,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">contemplating his death. He was innocent but that didn't seem to matter to these people:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times-Roman; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times-Roman; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">the prison guards, prison warden, the prosecutor a</span><span style="font-size: small;">nd the judge who had sentenced him. They</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">believed he was guilty and deserved their </span><span style="font-size: small;">harshest punishment. Crater knew who should</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">be there instead of him. He loved the man.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">He’d never squeal on him. So he waited. </span><span style="font-size: small;">The inmates on either side of him, waiting with</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">him, seemed to sense his preoccupation with </span><span style="font-size: small;">the next steps in his life, the steps that would</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">take him, and someday them, to the gas chamber. </span><span style="font-size: small;">They tried to distract him but they, too,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">were preoccupied with the clock ticking nearby. </span><span style="font-size: small;">Each tick grew louder as time rushed towards</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">completion of the sentence handed down </span><span style="font-size: small;">by the judge, a righteous man, who believed he</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">was doing the right thing. </span><span style="font-size: small;">Jesus Christ walked this path for you and me. </span><span style="font-size: small;">He knew we were guilty of </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">the sin He was going </span><span style="font-size: small;">to be executed for and yet He said nothing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times-Roman; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times-Roman; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">His heart did not feel anger towards us for the </span><span style="font-size: small;">position we’d put Him in. He extends to us</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">LOVE, unconditional. He walked the Via Delarosa </span><span style="font-size: small;">to hang on a cross. Someone had to pay</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">the price exacted by God for the sin we committed. </span><span style="font-size: small;">We turn our backs on God’s perfect</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">standards every day. Jesus was the appeasement </span><span style="font-size: small;">that would bring us into right fellowship</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">with our Creator.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">If you have not done so already, accept that </span><span style="font-size: small;">Jesus died in your place, for your sins. Feel the</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">emotional impact of those words and His deed. </span><span style="font-size: small;">Repent. Begin life anew. Place your trust in the</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Holy Spirit to teach and guide you as you walk </span><span style="font-size: small;">toward eternity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Father, thank You for providing a way that I can sit before Your throne in heaven some day. Thank you for loving me so much that You willingly went to that cross. Help me to be worthy of Your sacrifice from this day forward. Amen</span></div>
</span></span></i><span style="font-family: Times-Italic; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times-Italic; font-size: x-small;"></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166015611569971252noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6861005362418468069.post-50152357855181403122013-02-25T07:39:00.001-08:002013-02-25T07:39:54.388-08:00Fearless Freddie<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="spnVSItem"></span></span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNwpynSf3xt_WKgRqdmJ7bX2ZrGkqLm0wXaXctNZFv7qG3A_tfwT1M5BxfPhmFaQAePvjJ-DpkJqA1tdcebfZVA2x2gxfayfaJBWynee7c7KY7B8-WFAcKh4Ri-NWlkaeAW6sNuGe2tE/s1600/A+Sunny+Tomorrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNwpynSf3xt_WKgRqdmJ7bX2ZrGkqLm0wXaXctNZFv7qG3A_tfwT1M5BxfPhmFaQAePvjJ-DpkJqA1tdcebfZVA2x2gxfayfaJBWynee7c7KY7B8-WFAcKh4Ri-NWlkaeAW6sNuGe2tE/s200/A+Sunny+Tomorrow.jpg" width="137" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/A-Sunny-Tomorrow-ebook/dp/B004R1QFZ2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1361806678&sr=1-1&keywords=a+sunny+tomorrow#_">A Sunny Tomorrow</a></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="spnVSItem"><em>A Sunny Tomorrow is a collection of Christian based stories for children by Theresa Franklin. Please enjoy this short story about a little boy who can be every parents nightmare.</em></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="spnVSItem"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="spnVSItem"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="spnVSItem"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="spnVSItem"></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="spnVSItem"></span></span></b><br />
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<span class="spnVSItem" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="View details" class="imgVSThumb" src="http://officeimg.vo.msecnd.net/en-us/images/MR900424429.jpg" title="View details" /></span><b><span style="font-size: small;">My mom calls me Fearless Freddie. She says I would go bear hunting with a switch, but I‘m not going to do that. If I caught a bear, he would have to sleep with me in my bed and I think he would take up too much room. Besides that, he would get hair in my bed. Sleeping with his hair in my bed would itch, like my neck does when I get a haircut. I hate getting haircuts. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">I do a lot of things that make Mom angry. I don‘t mean to make her angry. She thinks I do those things because I am not afraid of anything. Really, I do them because I want to make things nice for her and my dad. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Like the time my dad got a new lawnmower. He was proud of it. I don‘t know who painted it, but they didn‘t do a very good job. It was red all over. Only one color? I thought it would look better with more colors on it, so I painted it. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">I used the spray paint I found in the garage. It was a really pretty blue. I ran out of paint before I finished painting the lawnmower, so I got another can. The paint in that can was black. <br />
It wasn‘t as pretty, but it was better than all red. When that paint ran out, I used another one. The paint in that can was yellow. It ran out too, but I didn‘t have any more cans. I stood back and looked at my work. I did a good job. The lawnmower looked much better now that it had more than one color on it. I went in the house and with a big smile on my face said, ―Mom, come see what I did for dad.‖ <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">She came in the garage and looked at the lawnmower. She didn‘t smile but her eyes got real big. She breathed deep one time and said, ―Oh my goodness. I don‘t think your dad is going to like that.</span></b></span></b><br />
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When my dad got home she told him to go out in the garage and see what I did. From the way my mom told him, I was kind of scared. She didn‘t tell him all happy and excited. She told him in that voice she uses when she said, ―Look what your son did. I don‘t know why she calls me Dad‘s son when she is angry with me. <br />
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Dad took me out in the garage and I showed him the lawnmower. <br />
He said, ―What did you do?‖ I said, ―I made it pretty for you. <br />
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He didn‘t like it. I guess he only likes red. He made me help him clean it with some stinky stuff he called paint remover. I was crying while we were cleaning it. Not because of the stinky stuff, but because my dad was upset with me. See if I ever paint something for him again.</strong>
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<span lang="JA" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="JA" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;">One day my friend, Dustin and I didn・t finish our math work before recess so the teacher made us stay in while the other kids went out to play. </span></span></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="JA" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="JA" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><strong></strong></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="JA" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="JA" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><strong>After they left, Dustin said, "I have a whole ball of string in my backpack. Do you want to see it?"</strong></span></span></span></span><br />
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<strong>I did. When he got it out to show me he dropped it. It rolled on the floor under a chair. When we tried to get it out, it got tangled around the led of the chair. Then I got a really good idea. I always get really good ideas.</strong><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="JA" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="JA" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><strong>I told Dustin, "We should see how far the string will go around the room under the chairs."</strong></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="JA" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="JA" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><strong></strong></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="JA" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="JA" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><strong>So we started at the first chair and wrapped the string around the chair legs, then we went to the next chair. We did that all around the room except we skipped our chairs. Then, we sat down and finished our math assignment. When the other kids came back, the one that sits in the back pulled out his chair first. All the chairs in the room fell backwards. It made a horrendous crash. It must have scared the teacher because she started breathing real hard and her nose kept puffing out like a horse.</strong></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="JA" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="JA" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><strong></strong></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="JA" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="JA" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><strong>Finally she said, "Go to the principal's office--now!"</strong></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="JA" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="JA" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><strong></strong></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="JA" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="JA" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><strong>I</strong></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="JA" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="JA" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><strong> heard her say that, but it didn't sound like her. Her voice sounded like a man's voice. I hope she wasn't sick. The principal called our parents and told them what we did. They didn't think it was a very good way to spend our recess. I tried to tell them it was a <em>spearmint</em> to see how far the string would go, but they said we shouldn't have done it. I couldn't watch TV for a week.</strong></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="JA" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span lang="JA" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="JA" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><strong>Another time the teacher was reading with some other kids and we were supposed to be doing a worksheet, but it was boring. <br />
<br />
Dustin had some more string and he asked me to tie his hands together. I did a really good job. Then the teacher came to our desks to see what we were doing. <br />
<br />
When she saw Dustin's hands, she said, ―Go show the principal what you did.<br />
</strong><br /><strong>
</strong><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><strong>On the way down to the principal‘s office I got to thinking that he might not think I did such a good job so I said, ―Let‘s untie you before we go to see Mr. Bertrand.<br />
<br />
When we got into Mr. Bertrand‘s office, he asked why we were there and I said, <br />
<br />
―Because we were talking when we should have been doing our worksheet.<br />
<br />
He said, ―Well, be quiet and do your work.<br />
<br />
On the way back to class I got to thinking the teacher must have liked the way I tied Dustin. Why else would she have sent us to show the principal? <br />
<br />
Before we went into the classroom, we stopped and I tied him up again. When we got into the classroom, I told the teacher what the principal had said. She didn‘t like it and went to talk to him. He called us back down to the office and took away Dustin‘s string. Then, he yelled at us for lying to him. I don‘t know why he did that. I didn‘t lie to him. We were talking when we were supposed to be doing our work. We lost our recess. <br />
<br />
Sometimes I get curious. One day I was playing in my dad‘s old truck. It was a cool truck. If you push on the middle of the steering wheel the horn would blow. I started wondering how the horn works. So I got a screwdriver and stuck it under the part that made the sound. I pushed real hard and the top just popped off. Suddenly all kinds of springs and other parts started jumping out from inside the steering wheel. I tried to put it all back, but every time I got one spring in, another would pop out. I gathered all the parts up and put them on the seat of the truck real neat so my dad would find them. <br />
<br />
The next Saturday when my dad got it his truck, he said, ―What happened to my truck?‖ <br />
<br />
I said, ―Well, Dad, I got a little curious.‖ <br />
<br />
I don‘t remember all the words he said, but I know he doesn‘t say those words when Mom is around. He told me to leave his truck alone. <br />
<br />
One day I was playing superhero. I put on my cape and went outside to save the world. I thought that every superhero should be able to fly, so I started practicing. <br />
</strong><strong><span style="font-size: small;">I would stand on something and jump off. The wind would grab my cape and I would fly—for a little ways. I figured that if I kept practicing I could fly farther. <br />
<br />
Then, I decided that flying around outside wasn‘t as cool as saving someone from a building or a car. So, I stacked some boxes beside my mom‘s car and jumped through the window that she left open. I heard this horrible scraping sound. When I looked at the door there were scratch marks on it. Then I remembered that I had on my superhero belt buckle. My mom said maybe I needed to be a little older to be a superhero. <br />
<br />
When I grow up, I will be a superhero and I‘ll invent lawnmowers with all the colors of the rainbow. Until then, I‘ll just be a little boy with parents who don‘t understand him. </span><span style="font-size: small;"></span></strong></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span></span></span></span><span lang="JA" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="JA" style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<br />
<strong></strong><br />
<object height="1" id="plugin0" style="position: absolute; z-index: 1000;" type="application/x-dgnria" width="1"><param name="tabId" value="{FD903EC7-A8D7-4FB3-A951-FF10E50878EA}" /></object>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166015611569971252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6861005362418468069.post-7807804889911176682013-02-18T02:10:00.002-08:002013-02-18T02:11:47.248-08:00Two Up<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOk6h8tE65TT4JFcmrVGpzoPEdApL1YLG2n1usYB0s7pkXRBp6yS3w8Gak-1_KeXAXVzRuJn3aWJir40_ftroRmD8ui4PuKgT_W4f4nRJ39_5NCScoIGBFCiBgl8bkBcW53oCXnd8t1w/s1600/Yahoo+photo+smaller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOk6h8tE65TT4JFcmrVGpzoPEdApL1YLG2n1usYB0s7pkXRBp6yS3w8Gak-1_KeXAXVzRuJn3aWJir40_ftroRmD8ui4PuKgT_W4f4nRJ39_5NCScoIGBFCiBgl8bkBcW53oCXnd8t1w/s200/Yahoo+photo+smaller.jpg" width="136" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barbara Derksen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8GY1pgtMDtmixv3TkdJScgSdLVUxf5MlWC9isrnvNJCjYKEJLt1DXIA351tlB0G_XSYJQdc-6mvYk0TpQotCeArocgMIr2A1o6vdvBGurqsLHX5YSeqvguDpjK5cBepsBZ-QIskU3X40/s1600/TwoUp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8GY1pgtMDtmixv3TkdJScgSdLVUxf5MlWC9isrnvNJCjYKEJLt1DXIA351tlB0G_XSYJQdc-6mvYk0TpQotCeArocgMIr2A1o6vdvBGurqsLHX5YSeqvguDpjK5cBepsBZ-QIskU3X40/s1600/TwoUp.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Two-Up-Navigating-Relationship-Miles-Time/dp/1469913739/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1361182058&sr=1-1&keywords=two+up">Two Up</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Two Up is a devotional book especially for bikers by Barbara Derksen. The following is an excerpt:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Yet to all who received Him, to those<br />who believed in His name, He gave the<br />right to become children of God. John 1:12</span></i><br />
</div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Accepted as God’s Child</h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Jenny looked at her birth certificate. For some<br />
reason, her father’s name was not on it. She<br />
decided to ask her mother about it.<br />
For three days, Jenny’s mom avoided the conversation </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
but then one morning, she sat down<br />
at the kitchen table just as Jenny was about to<br />
leave for work. “Your father and I were never<br />
married. He was just a date, someone I hardly<br />
knew. He got drunk and… I never saw him<br />
again.” Jenny’s mom hung her head. A lone<br />
tear trickled down her cheek. “Nine months<br />
later you were born.”<br />
Jenny’s insides felt as if she were on the downward<br />
ride on a rollercoaster. She searched her<br />
mother’s face looking for some sign that she’d<br />
heard wrong but her mom’s expression<br />
said it all. My mom was raped,<br />
Women who are raped today, are<br />
pressured to abort their babies.<br />
Before Jenny could say anything, her<br />
mother stood. She wrapped her arms<br />
around her only daughter and<br />
said, “You were a gift to me from<br />
God Himself. I have loved you<br />
since the moment I saw you.<br />
When I met your father, he fell in<br />
love with the two of us. When we<br />
married, he adopted you right<br />
away.”<br />
Being adopted, for Jenny, meant<br />
she had a family. She had a father<br />
who loved her and two younger<br />
brothers who teased relentlessly<br />
but were fun to be around anyway.<br />
The fact that her father had<br />
adopted her as a baby never made<br />
her relati onship with him any<br />
different than the one he had with<br />
her brothers. Jenny was taken care<br />
of as if she had been born to her<b> </b>dad.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If you have asked Jesus to be the<br />
center of your life, you have the<br />
privilege of being adopted by the<br />
King of Kings and Lord of Lords.<br />
You have a Father who loves you,<br />
who cares about your deepest<br />
desires and who always has me<br />
to listen when you talk to Him. You<br />
can call Him “Abba” just as if He<br />
were your very own daddy.<br />
Hold your head up this day. No<br />
matter what your circumstances</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
are, you have a Father who loves you. Under<br />
difficult circumstances, or when you are challenged<br />
to step out of your comfort zone, He<br />
walks beside you and gives you the power to<br />
overcome whatever tries to defeat you or<br />
mess you up.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If you have never asked Jesus to be the center<br />
of your life, you have the opportunity to receive<br />
Him now. Pray this simple prayer acknowledging<br />
your need for a Savior, and your need for a Father </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
who will love you unconditionally.<br />
Father God, thank you for loving me. I am so<br />
sorry I have acted independently from you.<br />
Please come into my life and make me your<br />
child. Adopt me into your family, Lord.<br />
AMEN..</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166015611569971252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6861005362418468069.post-84125097889934726842013-02-11T01:14:00.002-08:002013-02-11T01:17:28.442-08:00Reflections of Rosalyn<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzOLkvrdUmquVIwZu9iff1afXZxesVqM-SJhtHeQ3IZpQhsxPponQTmbgwzlju-t2Y5DZ_-AC8IYL5cimf3pnY0NPbnWNXpXl4-32ylveV6QFV8X2jpjru_GPib_ktQTVLUcVN2DLJRXA/s1600/COVER+_2+Reflections+of+Rosalyn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzOLkvrdUmquVIwZu9iff1afXZxesVqM-SJhtHeQ3IZpQhsxPponQTmbgwzlju-t2Y5DZ_-AC8IYL5cimf3pnY0NPbnWNXpXl4-32ylveV6QFV8X2jpjru_GPib_ktQTVLUcVN2DLJRXA/s320/COVER+_2+Reflections+of+Rosalyn.jpg" width="207" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Reflections-Rosalyn-Life-Victory-ebook/dp/B00962OT0U/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1360574036&sr=1-1&keywords=reflections+of+rosalyn">Reflections of Rosalyn</a></td></tr>
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<em>This is an excerpt from Reflections of Rosalyn, a novel by Theresa Franklin. This chapter takes placed in an assisted living facility and reflects the comprehension of the residents concerning a medical crisis.</em><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<br />
There were tears in Barbara’s eyes as she hung up the phone and told Yolanda what Rosie had said. Surgery on any baby was difficult, but this one was extraordinary. Yolanda and Barbara held hands and prayed for the baby who had brought such joy to a home filled with people who had little to anticipate in life. Then they prayed for the mother. Barbara was seriously concerned about what would happen to Rosie if Jonathan didn’t survive this illness. <br />
<br />
"George, oh George. Did you hear? It’s horrible," Miss Emily was yelling as she hurried into the dining room where the other residents were eating. <br />
<br />
"Calm down, Miss Emily. I’m sure nothing is that bad." <br />
<br />
"Yes, it is." <br />
<br />
"Tell me what’s wrong, and let’s see if I can fix it." <br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">"It’s Jonathan. He has a bowel destruction."</span><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">"Oh, that poor baby!" Miss Bernice cried. <br />
<br />
"What’s a bowel destruction?" George asked. <br />
<br />
"That’s horrible," Mr. Robert mused. <br />
<br />
"I’ve never heard of bowel destruction," George said. <br />
<br />
"It’s probably from eating the food around here," Mr. Sidney yelled. <br />
<br />
"It’s a wonder we don’t all have a bowel destruction," Miss Emily said. <br />
<br />
"Okay, everyone. I’m sure there’s some kind of a mistake." George tried to calm the older people. <br />
<br />
"Oh, there’s a mistake all right. Giving that baby this food. That was the mistake," Mr. Sidney suggested. <br />
<br />
"There’s nothing wrong with our food." George tried to keep a positive atmosphere in the facility. <br />
<br />
"What do you mean there’s nothing wrong with our food? It has destructed that baby’s bowel," Miss Emily insisted. <br />
<br />
"There’s no such thing as bowel destruction." George couldn’t break the habit of attempting to reason with them, even though he knew it would do no good. <br />
<br />
"Well, then how did Jonathan get it, Mr. Smarty?" Mr. Robert asked. <br />
<br />
"He doesn’t have it." <br />
<br />
"Oh, so now you’re a doctor? You always think you’re smarter than anyone else," snapped Mr. Sidney. <br />
<br />
"I just think Miss Emily misunderstood…" <br />
<br />
"Oh, now I’m stupid. Is that it?" <br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">"I didn’t say that, Miss Emily. I said you misunderstood what Barbara was saying."</span><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;">102 </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">"I didn’t misunderstand. Sometimes I don’t hear so good, but ain’t nothing wrong with my mind." <br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Thankfully Barbara chose that moment to walk into the dining room. "Please tell me about Jonathan," George pleaded. <br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">"He has a bowel obstruction. They’re not sure what it is and will have to do surgery to find out. It’s a very dangerous surgery, especially for one so young." <br />
</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">"When do they plan to do the surgery?" <br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">"They haven’t scheduled it yet, but it will have to be soon." <br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">"Is there anything we can do?" <br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">"We’re going to have to help Rosie be strong." <br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">"We can do that. Does she need anything else?" <br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">"Let’s have the kitchen staff prepare a basket of snacks for her. Then she can stay right by Jonathan’s side." <br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">"I’ll do it right now and then take it to her," George said on his way to the kitchen. <br />
Barbara went to Rosie’s room and packed some clean clothes and toiletries for her. </span></div>
<object height="1" id="plugin0" style="position: absolute; z-index: 1000;" type="application/x-dgnria" width="1"><param name="tabId" value="{F074C988-3B14-406A-9A75-33D988E716F7}" /></object>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166015611569971252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6861005362418468069.post-57173976079222219882013-01-21T00:10:00.000-08:002013-01-21T00:10:10.821-08:00Shadow Remnant<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qLVweeR895Xdx3SYn4OjvkZZMACDK_9EYdBHOkBT5nfDHxXX6okN68VVQyW8P8CVDSn5MH3jKL1myJ-83wSqo0q3NXvzavwgm0zWDjoGywujLu92n4P_mG9OAulO7TgTpt5dUwD7A0c/s1600/Photo+of+Me.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qLVweeR895Xdx3SYn4OjvkZZMACDK_9EYdBHOkBT5nfDHxXX6okN68VVQyW8P8CVDSn5MH3jKL1myJ-83wSqo0q3NXvzavwgm0zWDjoGywujLu92n4P_mG9OAulO7TgTpt5dUwD7A0c/s200/Photo+of+Me.JPG" width="159" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFr-UWWIxttkCGkODfc6P0m0unFD2ViiXKpjZg4DMCaea5xFKqgXv8fYdmIf97LiGEd0TTqdHdmoMBvyTprZEheZiWOufEz0datoF0dsqzaTvJUTpky0tQlkQ8wklRxih9E2YEjfIvKoQ/s1600/Shadow_Remnant_Cover_for_Kindle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFr-UWWIxttkCGkODfc6P0m0unFD2ViiXKpjZg4DMCaea5xFKqgXv8fYdmIf97LiGEd0TTqdHdmoMBvyTprZEheZiWOufEz0datoF0dsqzaTvJUTpky0tQlkQ8wklRxih9E2YEjfIvKoQ/s200/Shadow_Remnant_Cover_for_Kindle.jpg" width="133" /></a><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">When truth is lost,
liberty dies. <br />
<br />
For a hundred years the United
States has been gripped by martial law, with
freedom and faith a forgotten memory. In the summer of 2132, Peter Sheridan
learns this the hard way when he finds himself on the wrong side of the
government-but the right side of freedom. <br />
<br />
All he wants to do is escape the notorious education center and find his
parents. But when he is shot and left for dead, he is rescued by a mysterious
recluse and finds himself drawn into a world of chaos and intrigue. <br />
<br />
Racing against time and the government to try and complete his father's
mission-Peter must reignite the call for freedom. To do so, he turns to the
last hope for America ,
the mysterious group known as the Shadow Remnant.</span></span></i><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></span>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">The mall was an expansive circus of vendors,
with a wealth of humanity stirring around like ants in a nest. A cacophony of
sounds emanated from everywhere at once, but Peter focused on finding his way
to the lower level. As he walked about, people who noticed him still moved away
from him. Most people, however, seemed lost in their own minds, like distracted
androids that moved in and out of the shops. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">He found an escalator which descended
downward, and beside it was a kiosk video board. He stopped to watch the
display. A kind, slender woman appeared on the screen and with a gentle voice
spoke to the passers-by. “Have you someone in your life that is hungry? Do you
know people that try to live outside the system? Your purchasing card is your
protection, but there are those who have rejected it and are hurting our
society. Do yourself a favor and turn them in. If they are found guilty, you
could receive a reward up to ten thousand dollars.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">Peter shook his head at the notion as he
remembered Joshua and Martha’s great hospitality. It seemed to him that those
who lived outside the system were by far better off than all who he witnessed
ambling about the mall. He walked onto the escalator and descended to the lower
level.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">A large, open space was transformed into an
amphitheater, with bleachers surrounding a platform and podium. Some guards
were present but either ignored him or steered away from him. He determined to
approach one guard who stood by the dais. The lone soldier snapped to attention
at Peter’s approach.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">“Soldier, your name,” Peter commanded.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">“Corporal Samuel Green, sir!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">“Okay, Green, when is the director going to
arrive?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">“Mr. Kyle Johansen’s arrival time is
classified, sir, but he is scheduled to speak at fourteen-hundred hours.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">“I need to know where he is, I have very
important news for him,” Peter tried to sound as authoritative and demanding as
possible. He saw in the young soldier’s eyes a quick glance to a door just
beyond his post. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">“I can’t tell you, sir,” the corporal replied.
“You will need to get clearance from the squadron commander, Captain Mathews.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">“Then go and get your captain, and I will deal
with him.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">Corporal Green saluted then disappeared behind
the bleachers. Peter moved toward the door that Green had glanced at and
quietly tapped on it. Nothing happened. He tapped on it again. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">The knob moved and Peter slammed his shoulder
into door. Rushing in, he quickly closed the door behind him and assessed the
room. Two men were standing by the opposite wall and one lay on the ground.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">“What’s the meaning of this!” demanded the man
farthest away. He was blonde with a touch of grey at the temples, cut short and
clean shaven. He stood just a little shorter than Peter, and his look of
surprise captivated Peter’s attention.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">“At ease,” Peter commanded, and helped the
fallen man up.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">“What is the meaning of this, major?” the man
asked again, this time with less emotion.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">“Are you Director Johansen?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">The man hesitated, “Yes, I am.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">“I need to speak with you,” Peter looked at
the other two, then back to the director, “alone.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">Johansen looked at the two other men and
waived them out the back door. They appeared reluctant, but quietly obeyed and
closed the door behind them. “Alright, major, we’re alone, what’s this about?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">Peter took a deep breath and listened at the
door he entered. “I’m not in the army,” he said. “I’m not a major, and I’ve
come to warn you that your life is in danger.” Peter raised his hand, “Don’t
think of calling your guards; hear me out.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">“Who are you?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">“My name,” he hesitated to say it. “My name is
Peter Sheridan.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">The director’s eyes widened in disbelief,
“You!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">“Yes, me,” Peter said. “I’m here to warn you
that there are three men who are coming to take your life.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">“You’re lying! No one could get past my
guards. They’re the best security money can buy.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">“Yeah, no one like me,” Peter shook his head.
“Look, they’re in the mall already. They’re setting up some type of diversion
that will take the guards away from you, and then they will kill you.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">“Why are you telling me this? You’re the leader
of those terrorists, that… that Shadow Remnant.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">“I’m telling you this for two reasons. One,
because you need to know that the Remnant is not a terrorist group.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">“And two?” Johansen asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">“And two,” Peter said, “because your life
depends on it.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">“You know, you’re the most wanted man in America right
now. You’ll never leave this mall alive.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">“We’ll see,” Peter said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">A violent shock, like an earthquake, shook the
room. Peter and the director fell to the ground. Sirens blared and the sound of
people screaming filled the halls beyond the door.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">“Looks like the diversion has happened,” Peter
said as he stood. “I’ll be going now.” He rushed out the door into the melee of
people. From behind him he heard the director shouting for his guards, but he
didn’t look back. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">Smoke rolled through the mall along with the
chaotic rush of humanity. Peter filtered into the maelstrom and made his way
along the corridor, trying to get to the upper level. Out of the corner of his
eye, he caught a glimpse of who he thought was Mark. He turned, and looked down
the concourse where the bleachers were set up. As he watched, a dark-haired man
ducked behind the wall.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">“Great,” Peter said out loud, and turned to go
back to the director.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">He pushed and shoved his way against the
current of human traffic, spinning and moving as fast as possible. He crossed
the open section behind the stands and saw Corporal Green unconscious on the
floor. He checked the corporal’s pulse and found him still alive.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">“Guards!” shouted the director from inside his
room.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">Peter ran to the door and slammed into it with
his shoulder. His back jolted from his wound, but he again slammed against the
door. The frame cracked and the door flew open, striking a body behind it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">Eyes wide, Kyle Johansen stood against the far
wall. He looked at Peter, his face pale and body shaking with the shock.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">On the floor lay Mark. Dazed, he looked up and
squinted. “You!” he said. Mark tried to reach for the gun that had slid from
his grasp, but Peter picked up the revolver and dumped out the cartridges, then
threw the weapon against the wall.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">The director looked back at Peter. “You came
back, why?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">“Because you needed it. Now quit spreading
your lies about me.” Peter ducked out of the room and disappeared into the
crowd. Guards filed through the people, forcing their way back to the
director’s chamber and gave no notice of Peter’s passage.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-text-raise: 5.0pt; position: relative; top: -5pt;">He glided up the escalator to the second
level, and found his way back to the main entrance. People near the doors
seemed little concerned for what happened on the floor below them. He smiled as
he exited the complex, walking across the parking lot to his car. “Now,” he
said, “I think I should head for California.”</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166015611569971252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6861005362418468069.post-6326547132126205622013-01-14T03:00:00.000-08:002013-01-14T03:00:00.585-08:00Stolen Woman<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIqJRTqu43Txe2H7HIs5b1kX47GsPPt0h3tOhYWihQZAJIlVE2feJ2gBHPC5l-YkStA9HRbUA5zi5Anw-gb0A8xOF6pQPCBHAp7zwu5T4Gs8KrHqSmtz6HEDhM3uylazn50Uw2anMgD8U/s1600/headshot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIqJRTqu43Txe2H7HIs5b1kX47GsPPt0h3tOhYWihQZAJIlVE2feJ2gBHPC5l-YkStA9HRbUA5zi5Anw-gb0A8xOF6pQPCBHAp7zwu5T4Gs8KrHqSmtz6HEDhM3uylazn50Uw2anMgD8U/s200/headshot.JPG" width="163" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kimberly Rae</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShJZesr-GuwVmXr_W8jCuaUtsF78hSfiUL273oYWDjDiHBqZ-tZh99u4cy2y4Om3gUuxqJbTE3Z_3deXAbdoCLyMBs4ReXjjGdeJbOHhX1i-c6ah9twR7mR24QoUyIOVKFMY-SE92dts/s1600/Front+Cover+stolenwoman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShJZesr-GuwVmXr_W8jCuaUtsF78hSfiUL273oYWDjDiHBqZ-tZh99u4cy2y4Om3gUuxqJbTE3Z_3deXAbdoCLyMBs4ReXjjGdeJbOHhX1i-c6ah9twR7mR24QoUyIOVKFMY-SE92dts/s200/Front+Cover+stolenwoman.jpg" width="134" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stolen-Woman-Kimberly-Rae/dp/1461068932/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1358133473&sr=1-1&keywords=stolen+woman">Stolen Woman</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,serif;">“So how do you decide, <i>boss</i>?” She said the term with contempt.</span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,serif;"> He looked up, not surprised to see her. His eyes held only sadness.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,serif;">
“How do you decide who to help and who to leave behind in the clutches
of evil? These women—do they not measure up because they’re ‘tainted,’
not innocent or proper enough to be worthy of your attention?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,serif;"> Mark stood. His fists clenched and unclenched. “Asha, there are things you do not know,” he said slowly, each word emphasized.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,serif;"> “I know you would turn your back on this woman and leave her a slave!” Asha cried out passionately.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,serif;"> “There are things you do not know,” he repeated, his eyes piercing her. “You have to trust me on this.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,serif;"> She would not submit. Her heart felt as hard and painfully heavy as a stone.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,serif;"> “Tell me, then.” She was sobbing now. “Tell me something that gives me reason not to despise you.” </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,serif;"> The darkness was screaming at her, laughing at her. “James says you don’t want to get involved because you’re afraid it might taint the missions’ reputation. Is that it?”</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,serif;"> Mark strode toward her, his face cast in shadows. “Who is James?” </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,serif;"> “A knight in shining armor compared to you at the moment.” Asha wiped her face with her shawl, but the tears kept coming.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,serif;"> Mark took her by the arm and would not let her pull away. “Sometimes, a guy’s armor being shiny only means he’s never actually been in a battle. Your James talks big, but he has no idea what he’s talking about.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,serif;"> Asha stilled for a moment. Her eyes begged him. “Please, Mark. Please let me go help her. I <i>must</i>.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,serif;"> When he shook his head no, Asha tried to pull away, but he still held her arm.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,serif;"> “You have no heart!” </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,serif;"> She did not know if she whispered it or screamed it, but his reaction was strong. <br /> Grabbing her other arm, he pulled her to him until their noses almost touched. He spoke through clenched teeth. “You know nothing about my heart.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,serif;"> He released her, and walked away. Snatching up the lantern, he turned one last time, the light flinging across him wildly as the lantern swung in his hand.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,serif;"> “Don’t go back there, Asha. Ever. I told you I’d take care of it, and I will. As far as you’re concerned, this is over.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,serif;"> He walked away then, leaving Asha alone in the darkness.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,serif;"> She stood still, silently crying, while her resolve built.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,serif;"> Mark was wrong. It was not over at all.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,serif;"> Not for her.</span></span></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166015611569971252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6861005362418468069.post-72111273385411870132013-01-07T03:00:00.000-08:002013-01-07T03:00:07.632-08:00Fit For Faith<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6861005362418468069" name="Welcome"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Excerpt
from Fit for Faith – </span></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">7 weeks to improved spiritual & physical health</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: Welcome;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">by Kimberley Payne</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ994wnWEl3wpHdTZHOdjpWK5FEA4ggnTna9BQbhYOjIlPbhiYAomIMIZ_ysnT5g7Z3IB9Nx94EVbeIDv5MTSJuMsCxKHrwa4E6JONKlWoz5c_qWJqEtmW4N3y1_qqUGav3XzZaBOGKkc/s1600/1+Fit+for+Faith+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ994wnWEl3wpHdTZHOdjpWK5FEA4ggnTna9BQbhYOjIlPbhiYAomIMIZ_ysnT5g7Z3IB9Nx94EVbeIDv5MTSJuMsCxKHrwa4E6JONKlWoz5c_qWJqEtmW4N3y1_qqUGav3XzZaBOGKkc/s200/1+Fit+for+Faith+Cover.jpg" width="142" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: Welcome;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">WELCOME</span></span></div>
<span style="mso-bookmark: Welcome;"></span>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_cnrvJlcd6pLUxod9f4CpHlhYcSg2ZSbt6W6lWqiD-l8TbfyvTaQnbjrG36c3UQJVWNFtOGepKuNiK5HR_o_j2y34i0HyVJpZ4XsmV3-B8c9tbiqBD03IOuMhflyUEle7c8chM1I3BVs/s1600/Kimberley+Payne.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_cnrvJlcd6pLUxod9f4CpHlhYcSg2ZSbt6W6lWqiD-l8TbfyvTaQnbjrG36c3UQJVWNFtOGepKuNiK5HR_o_j2y34i0HyVJpZ4XsmV3-B8c9tbiqBD03IOuMhflyUEle7c8chM1I3BVs/s200/Kimberley+Payne.JPG" width="200" /></a>Fit for Faith is a unique workbook program. In addition to
learning about the three components of fitness – cardiovascular exercise,
strength training and stretching – your relationship with God will be
strengthened through daily prayer, Scripture reading and daily journal writing.
</div>
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God created you as a whole person, therefore take care of
your whole self, not just the individual parts. A direct relationship exists
between physical, emotional and spiritual health. A healthy body gives you the
energy and enthusiasm to carry out the purposes that God has for your life.
Practicing healthy living glorifies God.</div>
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This workbook is an invitation for you to discover for
yourself the joys of treating your body with respect, learning to love yourself
and connecting with God on a deeper level. You are invited to take a fresh
physical and spiritual attitude on a daily basis. </div>
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You will learn that God truly cares. He is personal and He
is intimate. God does listen to your prayers and is there for you. When you
rely on God totally, for everything – including such things as losing a few
pounds – He will bless you. God loves you and He wants you to love yourself. He
did not create you to look at your body in disgust, but rather God saw all that
He had made, and it was very good. (Genesis 1:31)</div>
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Each day, follow the outline provided and start with a
simple prayer. Read the question in the reflection section and write your own
response. At the end of the day, answer the three questions about your activity
and healthy eating habits. Test your knowledge with the myth. Finally, close
each day by meditating on the scripture verse.</div>
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The Fit for Faith Review is a personal record of your week.
It is a self-evaluation tool that reflects your strengths and defines areas
that need improvement.</div>
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You need to be faithful about doing something each day in
order to realize the full potential of God’s plan for you. You are invited to
develop physical well-being and grow spiritually to deepen your relationship
with God. Prayer, Bible study and journal writing are to your spirit what
exercise, healthy eating and stretching are to your body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Blessings on your journey to health!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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ACTION PLAN</div>
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PART I: <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6861005362418468069" name="ActionPlan">EXERCISE YOUR BODY & EXERCISE
YOUR SPIRIT</a><span style="mso-bookmark: ActionPlan;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-bookmark: ActionPlan;"></span>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Cardiovascular exercise &
Strength training + Prayer</span></div>
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Think of exercise as either cardiovascular activity or
strength training. Cardiovascular activity helps you to increase energy and
keep moving. It is good for your heart, lungs and circulatory system. Strength
training (also known as weightlifting) helps you keep your bones and muscles
strong, reduces bone loss and improves balance and posture.</div>
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Prayer helps you to enter into a spiritual communion with
God.</div>
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What cardiovascular exercise and strength training do for
building a strong body, prayer does to build spiritual strength. Your body
requires exercise and food, and it needs these things regularly. You cannot
just take care of it at the beginning of the week and forget about it. Your
spiritual life is similar to your physical body in that way. You cannot pray
just once and have a healthy, growing spiritual life.</div>
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In strength training, you start by lifting small weights,
and as you grow stronger, you can lift heavier weights. It is the same with
prayer. You start by praying a short amount of time, and then as your desire
grows you can spend time in prayer every day.</div>
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Just as exercise strengthens your body, prayer strengthens
your spirit. Similarities between exercise and prayer include:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To be physically and spiritually healthy requires
discipline. You need to practice both daily and use this strength or you will
lose it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The effects can be both immediate and/or long term. You may
see the results right away or the effects can be cumulative.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Both exercise and prayer improve balance in your life,
improve your quality of life and boost your mood. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With a pure motive, both delight God.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166015611569971252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6861005362418468069.post-32790945493145137902012-12-31T03:00:00.000-08:002012-12-31T03:00:06.584-08:00A Sunny Tomorrow<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i>The following is an excerpt from A Sunny Tomorrow, A collection of Christian based stories for children.<b> </b></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Am I Special?</b></div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zQQZ9ypb9_FfwjzT4YfoWeT48iGtdXNTz9J_SjJAKOblHbkLFlh5gdp5j1vhRgyquNUovtSLzQIY7weu7fAINT2c8mMfrsDxdjoxb7dbMBMsELhM5myRm3hLu3CvGe9hVZHBiG1Huvg/s1600/A+Sunny+Tomorrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zQQZ9ypb9_FfwjzT4YfoWeT48iGtdXNTz9J_SjJAKOblHbkLFlh5gdp5j1vhRgyquNUovtSLzQIY7weu7fAINT2c8mMfrsDxdjoxb7dbMBMsELhM5myRm3hLu3CvGe9hVZHBiG1Huvg/s1600/A+Sunny+Tomorrow.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/A-Sunny-Tomorrow-ebook/dp/B004R1QFZ2/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1353200128&sr=8-6&keywords=Theresa+franklin">A Sunny Tomorrow</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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My mom is beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone
thinks so. When we walk in a store, people stop to stare at her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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My dad is very smart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He knows almost everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
you need to know something, just ask my dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He can answer your question.</div>
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I’m just a regular kid.</div>
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My sister, Emily is three years
old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She can’t hear with her ears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has never heard a word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is why she is can’t talk yet. When the
doctor told my parents that she has special needs, my mom couldn’t stop
crying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dad looked really sad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emily has been special to us since she was
born.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We love Emily even more now that
we know she has special needs.</div>
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Mom and Dad took Emily to school for
Special Education classes because she needs special teachers to help her learn
to talk with her hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mom and Dad are
going to classes at night to learn to talk to Emily with their hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is called Sign Language.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right now Emily doesn’t hear what I say, but
she knows I love her.</div>
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Everywhere we go; people ask what
is wrong with Emily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mom and Dad say,
“Nothing is wrong with Emily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God made
her perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She can talk with her hands
and hear with her eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is a very
special child.”</div>
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On Monday I walked Emily to her
Special Education class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When she walked
in her teacher said, “There’s our special girl.”</div>
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At lunch the principal said, “Mrs.
Jones, please get Emily a special tray from the cafeteria.”</div>
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When we rode the bus home the
driver said, “Why don’t we put Emily in a special seat?”</div>
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That night the lady at the store
handed Emily a lollipop and said, “There you go, special girl”</div>
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On Tuesday Emily went in my room
and broke my new toy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got really angry
and yelled at her even though she can’t hear me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then Mom yelled at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t
yell at her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know she has special
needs.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
On Wednesday I was doing my
homework at the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emily grabbed my
paper and tore it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started crying
because I had to do the paper again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mom
said, “Don’t be a cry baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emily didn’t
know any better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She can’t help it if
she has special needs.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
On Thursday Emily took my ice cream
away from me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I grabbed it back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mom said, “Go stand in the corner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t treat our special girl that way.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
I stood in the corner crying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emily came up to give me a hug and I pushed
her away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dad said, “I am very
disappointed in you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think you shouldn’t
watch television for two days.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told
him that I didn’t care about that stupid television.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I can’t watch television or ride my bike
for two days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
On Friday when we got off the bus,
I didn’t wait for Emily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just ran in
the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mom said, “Where is
Emily?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said, “She’s coming.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mom sent me to my room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then she went outside and brought Emily in
the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Dad got home, she told
him that I left Emily outside by herself.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
Dad came into my room and said, “I
don’t know what is wrong with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
have been mean to Emily all week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Bible tells us to be kind to special people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Emily will never be able to hear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God made her special.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
On Saturday I had a baseball game,
but Mom and Dad couldn’t watch me play because they had to go to the class to
learn to talk with their h<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6861005362418468069" name="_GoBack"></a>ands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was the only kid at the game with no mom or
dad watching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the game all the
other kids went to get ice cream with their mom or dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked home alone.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
When Mom and Dad got home, I asked
if we could go get ice cream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They said
no because they had learned some new words to teach Emily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked if maybe we could go on Sunday after
church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They said no because my
grandparents wanted to see Emily.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
I know God made Emily special, but
He made me first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doesn’t that make me
special?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Dad is so smart why can’t he
see that being made first is special too? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
I went to my closet and got the
suitcase that I take to Grandma’s house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then I started putting clothes in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When I was finished, I started out the door, but Dad saw me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said, “Where are you going?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said, “Well I am the only one here that is
not special, so I guess God put me in the wrong house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am going to find a house with regular
people in it.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
Mom came in from the kitchen and
said, “What did you say?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said, “I am
going to live in a house with people who are just like me, not special.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
Mom said, “Why do you think you are
not special?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
I said, “Because everyone is always
saying how special Emily is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one
thinks I’m special.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
Mom and Dad said, “We do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We think you are special.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
Mom said, “I guess we forget to
tell you how special you are to us.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
Dad said, “We are sorry for paying
so much attention to Emily that we forgot about you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to show you how special you are to
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is your special night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What would you like to do?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
Mom asked a babysitter to stay with
Emily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then Mom and Dad took me to eat
pizza and ice cream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we ate I told
them all about my game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They listened
and talked to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They talked about my
game and my grades.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They talked about a
lot of stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But they didn’t talk about
Emily.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
Am I special?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes I am, just because I am me.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166015611569971252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6861005362418468069.post-66407897583479869922012-12-24T15:00:00.000-08:002012-12-24T15:00:08.500-08:00From Spice To Eternity<div style="text-align: center;">
Chapter Twenty-Two – Hidden Beauty</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4eio2kdlKr_hQ05ZpTdPnSeY8hAPIGPobSa2M6847SujtzOh4_4rg-AkAPVfj8opg6ELiYU8r4SduMYdp9DNu9ptOvzHsaIkHVw3PPwaPEX5mJF2mYbBSUM5BK6Wm-hjSXX_05K_1Zww/s1600/Book+cover+photo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4eio2kdlKr_hQ05ZpTdPnSeY8hAPIGPobSa2M6847SujtzOh4_4rg-AkAPVfj8opg6ELiYU8r4SduMYdp9DNu9ptOvzHsaIkHVw3PPwaPEX5mJF2mYbBSUM5BK6Wm-hjSXX_05K_1Zww/s200/Book+cover+photo2.jpg" width="136" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yvonne Pat Wright</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnAMSo8c9R7bHs1PpKkfvsomptzXngyG3zO3Yzpp52QVCCe-IJGe3bBvJzYSKkf0PVFNYa4nlVDB8Jskq-bESIdrdol8EHxQGUdAyEbE6ZlUWotg0rvYwQeIJ0IIZbb2SsG6NG3tZRuTs/s1600/Book+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnAMSo8c9R7bHs1PpKkfvsomptzXngyG3zO3Yzpp52QVCCe-IJGe3bBvJzYSKkf0PVFNYa4nlVDB8Jskq-bESIdrdol8EHxQGUdAyEbE6ZlUWotg0rvYwQeIJ0IIZbb2SsG6NG3tZRuTs/s200/Book+cover.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/From-Spice-Eternity-Yvonne-Wright/dp/1843866242/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1356308709&sr=8-1&keywords=from+spice+to+eternity">From Spice To Eternity</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ginger: Ginger is perhaps most commonly known for its</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
medicinal properties rather than as a spice. This little</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
piece of root is another of God’s gifts to us. The variety of</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
its medicinal uses range from disorders of the digestive</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
system, dyspepsia, flatulence, colic, for coughs and colds,</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
aches and pains and several other ailments.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The spice ginger has a distinctive flavour. A bite on a</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
root of ginger will produce a tasteless burning sensation in</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
the throat.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ground or grated and used in cooking, ginger adds a</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
distinctive flavour to Asian, Indian and Caribbean dishes and</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
brings its own flavour to baked products.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ginger rhizome is unattractive and could easily be</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
overlooked because of its appearance.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
###</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It would be unkind to call him silly, though that is what</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
almost everyone in the village thought he was. His speech was</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
a slow drawl and you could see that it took great effort for</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
him to even form the thought and then speak it.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When the other boys and girls made plans for outings, he</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
was never included. No one wanted a date with him.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But Dan had his eye on a particular girl. She did not</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
live in the village. He had only seen her twice, but he knew</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
he loved her. Every day he dreamed of the time when he would</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
be brave enough to ask her to go out with him.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
While he dreamed he made plans. He was saving most of</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
the money he received from his job in the carpenter shop.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
From odd bits left over from customers’ jobs, he began</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
building an exquisite set of decorative household items. He</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
made sure the joints fitted perfectly. Then he sanded the</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
pieces to perfection, so that when the spray polish was put on</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
they shone like crystal. He was making these for his love and</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
one day when the complete set was finished, he was going to</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
give them to her and ask her out.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It was the day after Christmas that Dan decided he was</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
going to give Irma her gift. He dressed in his best suit, his</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
hair was nicely cut and his face gleamed with a broad smile.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Armed with his precious gift, Dan caught the bus that</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
would take him to Irma‘s house in twenty minutes.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Irma sat on her verandah wondering what the Lord had in</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
store for her. She knew she was attractive and all the local</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
boys wanted to take her out. She had not given in to any of</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
them because she had often heard them talking and knew what</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
was uppermost in their minds.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“Where,” she cried out to the Lord, “is that special</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
young man, chosen by you for me?”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As she finished her heartfelt prayer her eyes shifted to</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
the road in front of her. She saw a young man coming towards</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
her carrying a heavy package.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At first she thought it was Dan, the village silly,</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
although she never thought of him that way. As the figure</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
approached Irma exclaimed, “No it can’t be!”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This young man looks so attractive and he is coming right</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
here.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As Dan neared her house, Irma’s recognized him.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Stuttering, Dan blurted out the question he had carefully</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
prepared, while stretching out his hand with the gift towards</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
her.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“Would you like to go for a ride on the bus with me?” he</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
stuttered</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“You’re asking me out?” exclaimed Irma. She could not</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
believe her good fortune. Dan was sure he was being rebuffed.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Only when she stretched out her hand to take the package from</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
him did he realise that she was willing to go out with him.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The broad smile which had initially disappeared from his face,</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
returned.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Months later, Irma sat on her verandah recalling the</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
beautiful memories of that day, in between jotting down notes</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
for her upcoming wedding.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Dan had been charming, kind, tender, funny and</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
thoughtful. The drive on the bus to Kingston had been a</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
special treat, and the hours spent at Devon House just seemed</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
to rush by. There was so much to talk about, and strangely</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
enough Dan’s stuttering disappeared. How could anyone ever</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
think of him as silly? He was confident, clever, funny and</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
even now she still chuckled when she remembered some of the</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
jokes he told her that day.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
By the time they said goodbye, she knew that she had</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
found the man of her dreams. He was everything she wanted in</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
a man, the one she would spend her life with.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The villagers still wonder to this day, what she saw in</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Dan the village silly.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Bible prophesied that Jesus would be thought of in a</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
similar fashion. “For He (Jesus) shall grow up before Him (God</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
the Father) as a tender plant and as a root out of dry ground.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He hath no form or comeliness, and when we shall see Him,</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
there is no beauty that we should desire Him.” Isaiah 53:2</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
NKJV.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Now two thousand years since He lived here on earth,</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Jesus is the heart’s delight of millions of persons.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Throughout the ages, persons have discovered in Him,</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
tenderness, care, thoughtfulness, generosity, humour, strength</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
and unconditional love.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He is hardly chosen for His beauty, but for His heart of</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
love that gave us the most precious gift we’ll ever receive,</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
forgiveness of sin and the promise of eternal life with Him.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Recipe: Gingered Salmon</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ingredients</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
2 skinless salmon fillets about 4 ounces each</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1 tablespoon olive oil</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1 clove garlic, pressed or minced</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger root</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1 teaspoon soy sauce</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1 teaspoon maple syrup</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
2 green onions, chopped</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Method</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Place salmon fillets in an dish. Mix together olive oil,</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
garlic, grated ginger, soy sauce and onions. Pour over salmon</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
and let stand for 30 minutes.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In an oven proof dish, place salmon fillets without the</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
marinade. Bake for 10 minutes 200F. While the salmon place is</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
in the oven, pour the marinade into a saucepan. Cook on medium</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
heat until all the mixture is blended into a sauce.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Serve on the side with the salmon.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166015611569971252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6861005362418468069.post-42098856946762788712012-12-17T03:00:00.000-08:002012-12-17T03:00:02.574-08:00Women of Strength<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Excerpt from Women of
Strength – a devotional to improve spiritual & physical health</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Kimberley Payne</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Chapter 7 Temptation</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMv2LBBBRh5qiuV5iAw-chLztUMAlmrKz6__zIdLQY8exaRhyphenhyphenbZxip_zYCWktbGFWp7asQONYV81P1sVJpaOEZabe3JC8e_pbwbe3rTY2slzHtAu0G0p22zKZglDGgfKLpNjmLqD0AAxA/s1600/Kimberley+Payne.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMv2LBBBRh5qiuV5iAw-chLztUMAlmrKz6__zIdLQY8exaRhyphenhyphenbZxip_zYCWktbGFWp7asQONYV81P1sVJpaOEZabe3JC8e_pbwbe3rTY2slzHtAu0G0p22zKZglDGgfKLpNjmLqD0AAxA/s200/Kimberley+Payne.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7uDlfGZPShDGWZVb0Rk3adkuaUv9W1Ed953Kwe6RGs8ooXqlBF1BpbL2p79PCFp_R7G3OwVwZpmxTvJ9JhNNllDP59_jKqLeKiRk0Vm5fceNYCoFAnhOh0lpWmpdiPtZHfhmH3YLgaI/s1600/Women+of+strength+on+e-reader.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7uDlfGZPShDGWZVb0Rk3adkuaUv9W1Ed953Kwe6RGs8ooXqlBF1BpbL2p79PCFp_R7G3OwVwZpmxTvJ9JhNNllDP59_jKqLeKiRk0Vm5fceNYCoFAnhOh0lpWmpdiPtZHfhmH3YLgaI/s200/Women+of+strength+on+e-reader.jpg" width="200" /></a>I began smoking at age fifteen. I had continued the habit
for over ten years before I decided to quit because I was pregnant with my first-born.
It was not a difficult choice – I wanted to be as healthy as possible for my
child. However, it was difficult to follow through on this decision.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The habit was ingrained; I smoked on the way to work, on my
breaks, lunchtime and on my drive home again. Many of my friends and co-workers
also smoked. My lifestyle revolved around this habit.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The decision to quit had to involve changes. I had to change
my habits – I took walks on my break and at lunchtime and chewed on a sucker on
my drives. I no longer joined friends for a coffee and a cigarette. I ate
sunflower seeds when the cravings became intense.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I resolved to quit for the health of my baby and myself and
I was determined to do so. With my new habits in place I felt confident.
However, shortly after my decision I was reminded of tickets I had purchased to
go to a concert with six other friends. We had bought them months in advance
and I was excited that I was going to see this group for the first time. I
thought I could handle this. At the concert, the music was loud, the crowd
cheering and I was enjoying the whole scene. It was great fun – I was happy
that I had agreed to join them. But once outside, my friends all lit up and the
smell of a freshly lit cigarette was too much to ignore. I begged a friend for
a drag. She argued with me, but after a few moments of pleading she eventually
handed over the cigarette and I took a long haul. I had an immediate reaction;
it was a mixture of satisfaction, yearning for more, and complete disgust. My
conflict was painful. Although I desperately wanted a cigarette, I could not
bear the repulsion I felt giving in to my craving. The guilt was heavy. I
wished I had not gone to the concert. I wished I had not gone with my friends
who still smoked. I wished I had not put myself into such a position of
temptation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When tempted, I lost. I thought I could handle the situation
but I couldn’t. I thought I was strong enough, but I wasn’t. I decided not to
put myself into such a place of temptation again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
This is what it must mean in the Bible when it says to flee
from temptation. Instead of thinking we can fight against it, we shouldn’t even
put ourselves in that position. We should run from it. 1 Timothy 6:11 tells us
to flee from all this.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Temptation itself is not a sin. We are all exposed to
temptation – even Jesus was tempted (Matthew 4:1 NIV). However, yielding to
temptation is a sin. The easiest way to not yield to temptation is to resist it
and run from it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will
flee from you (James 4:7 NIV).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Exercise Your Funny
Bone</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God so loved the world that He did not send a committee</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">You Asked</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Q: Is a flat stomach a realistic goal for all people? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
A: A perfectly flat midsection is simply not a realistic
goal for many people. Even if you are very thin, your internal organs may give
a slight roundness there. Abdominal exercises can tighten and strengthen your
stomach, but they won’t reduce the layer of fat that sits on top. To shed body
fat, you must burn calories through cardiovascular exercise. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Faith Lift</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear Lord – I pray that You will give me the courage to let
You control my life and that when I need assurance I can depend on You for all
my needs. In Jesus’ name, I pray.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Reflection</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
It's so wonderful to be able to get outside again and enjoy
the warmer weather. Last week, I had opportunity to bike around the
neighbourhood, play catch with the dog, clean up the backyard, and play
baseball with the family. Activity is so much easier when it’s sunny and warm
outdoors!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What activities do you enjoy outdoors?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Top Tip</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Do something else at the same time – You can read or listen
to books on tape while riding a stationary bike. You can also watch TV, listen
to music, talk to God or think about a Scripture reading. If outdoors, carry a
trash bag with you and collect garbage along the road or trail. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Bible Truth</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid
or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will
never leave you nor forsake you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Challenge</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spend ten minutes once a week gazing at the stars.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Praise Move</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Back - Shrugs</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stand holding a dumbell in each hand, arms comfortably
shoulder-width apart, palms facing front thigh.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Keep your body straight, and lift the shoulders as high as
possible.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pause at the top of the movement, then lower slowly to
starting position.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tips:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1.The arms should remain straight as the shoulders are
raised.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2.Do not hold your breath throughout the movement.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3.Lift and lower the weight slowly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166015611569971252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6861005362418468069.post-75228433199713849832012-12-10T03:00:00.000-08:002012-12-10T03:00:00.774-08:00Seventh Dimension<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrymHje_VShh8IMQ0xvrGeo2Br-2Os0K9vMMKANga1ZrFblYj56RYr2CHOXWIcUETwjJT3LJMx0mWifu8H5NXGPMHOmYGczYelVN8zYAXEoKGraapCPw3dHaUDq8FlPKbgRP4ae6SLY4/s1600/7th+dimension.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrymHje_VShh8IMQ0xvrGeo2Br-2Os0K9vMMKANga1ZrFblYj56RYr2CHOXWIcUETwjJT3LJMx0mWifu8H5NXGPMHOmYGczYelVN8zYAXEoKGraapCPw3dHaUDq8FlPKbgRP4ae6SLY4/s200/7th+dimension.jpg" width="126" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seventh Dimension</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJjC4rQKJWWJF1DgeC7nlMM9HuJbybKl4ljJE6pHd0vGb0jMRgQ38envAOy8h5drusOcojV5p6DQf08g7vtuSRsKCuEKIxNgvUvCuPV4e9guOT2YSOYm24HLWanlzaqvOsGIKUk_4X8U/s1600/DSCF4762COD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJjC4rQKJWWJF1DgeC7nlMM9HuJbybKl4ljJE6pHd0vGb0jMRgQ38envAOy8h5drusOcojV5p6DQf08g7vtuSRsKCuEKIxNgvUvCuPV4e9guOT2YSOYm24HLWanlzaqvOsGIKUk_4X8U/s200/DSCF4762COD.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lorilyn Roberts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">He began to sway back and forth to drum beats that picked up in intensity. He called my name. <span class="GramE">“Shale, my bright and beautiful.</span>
I know what you long for, even though you haven’t figured it out. I can
give it to you.” The creature spoke eloquently, and whispered one word
that pierced my heart.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I nodded. “Yes, that’s it. <span class="GramE">Love.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“Oh, Shale, you’re so beautiful.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I touched my cheek. “Am I?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The
snake danced on. Soon more snakes appeared cavorting along with the
first one, and the vile creatures turned into handsome men smiling and
sending air kisses. Then they changed back into charming snakes
attempting to lure me closer.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Baruch whinnied and stomped his hoofs. Why was he doing that?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“Shale,
you deserve so much better. Come closer. I can make you feel wonderful.
I understand you, Shale, you poor girl who has suffered so.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I couldn’t take my eyes off the enchanter. “You understand me?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The snake danced charmingly. “Do you trust me?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“I don’t know.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“You long to be loved, don’t you, sweetheart?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“Yes, but you’re a snake. What do you know about love?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“I can make it so that you will always feel loved. Would you like that?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“Yes.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“I can make handsome men desire you.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I
sensed something was wrong but the creature was irresistible. I
couldn’t turn away. A Gardenia scent, my favorite flower, whisked me to a
far-away utopia. Tapping my feet, I swayed my arms to soft melodious
strings that kept rhythm with the drums. The serpent, along with its
entourage, came closer. The alluring creature spoke pleasant words to
me. So pleasing was the sound of my name. The catcalls entreated me to
let myself go free and the winsome smiles engaged me. Love filled the
air as the snake eyes desired me, but another voice spoke. The sound was
far away. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“Go away,” I demanded. “Leave me alone.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I took another step and reached out to touch the sorcerer. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“I’ll make you a beautiful princess,” he promised.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The desire to be talented and sought after by handsome young men consumed me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Footsteps approached and a familiar voice addressed me in a calm whisper, “Shale, come to me.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Daniel was too late. I didn’t want him anymore. I laughed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“Shale,
come to me.” The snake used the same words as Daniel. I stared into the
depths of the creature’s eyes and evil pricked my soul.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Want a free audio book? Go to </span><a href="http://lorilynroberts.com/seventhdimensionthedoor.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1353413477_0">http://lorilynroberts.com/seventhdimensionthedoor.html</span></a> and scroll down to the bottom.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166015611569971252noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6861005362418468069.post-66954834872227417582012-12-03T03:00:00.000-08:002012-12-03T03:00:00.480-08:00Wait<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2fswtdZTJRT9yCGyPqGZXHaKSD32Hf0mMrMuVQj8X64xANIeP3PrA1VUnGyasVRKFzwmIR6XIUjMwVcWEo304jcu135a1ujG6sajNEtzzZmxjGyR1efsIfo6s9tDbTyoJpSn4DKbxWA/s1600/Wait+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2fswtdZTJRT9yCGyPqGZXHaKSD32Hf0mMrMuVQj8X64xANIeP3PrA1VUnGyasVRKFzwmIR6XIUjMwVcWEo304jcu135a1ujG6sajNEtzzZmxjGyR1efsIfo6s9tDbTyoJpSn4DKbxWA/s200/Wait+cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wait-ebook/dp/B009NOSYS4/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1353374498&sr=1-2&keywords=wait">Wait</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDUfbn_VQMoaC62nraXaJ9KUKP4x8eAU3a5lGdjo-WFgp8H15YyIhSca2lbHHgUjUFMVIMn_GUAMBo_A_uyO8Y_JPXoT1pAxyVChPGjqC7ZLU5UEDwYuqw0OR4UE8xRxKpe_YgyfDhzs/s1600/Emelia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDUfbn_VQMoaC62nraXaJ9KUKP4x8eAU3a5lGdjo-WFgp8H15YyIhSca2lbHHgUjUFMVIMn_GUAMBo_A_uyO8Y_JPXoT1pAxyVChPGjqC7ZLU5UEDwYuqw0OR4UE8xRxKpe_YgyfDhzs/s200/Emelia.jpg" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emelia Mosima</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i>Wait! is inspired by the Holy Spirit to empower and motivate the sons
and daughters of God hit by the storms of uncertainties to His love and
abilities.</i><br /><br /><i>Although waiting can be a painful experience, God
wants us to be happy and peaceful throughout the waiting process.
Everything seems to be delivered in bits these days, but heaven deems it
sophistication to wait on God. This book is practical and transparent
in its approach to the concept of waiting on God. It acknowledges that
waiting is not something we inherently embrace and shares powerful,
biblical insights into the concept of waiting. It reveals the often
shrouded traits that make it difficult for the saints to wait, and hints
on what saints could do while they wait and how to wait on God.</i> <br /> <br />Wait!
will help those who once trusted Him but are now overwhelmed by the
yokes of life, reaffirm those tossed to and fro by the waves of life’s
struggles, encourage those about to throw in the towel, calm those
terrified by the negative reports, remind those whose faith is drowning,
that the little of it remaining can move a mountain. God’s majesty
lives outside of time; His strength, rescue, and reward transcends all.When that which satisfies the flesh is out of reach, let God satisfy your soul with His love. There is a need of the overflow of this love when we are waiting. For us not to condemn ourselves to hell, we need to know that God loves us despite our dirt and mess. For He loved the world so much that He gave His only son Jesus as a token of His love. Everybody who accepts this token and believes in the supremacy of this token shall not perish but live evermore (John 3:16 KJV).<br />
<br />
Therefore when we reject Jesus, we reject God’s unsearchable love. The beginning of all wisdom is to fear God; nonetheless, the greatest knowledge, the greatest wisdom, the greatest understanding is yet to be found in the revelation of the love of God. There is an unending supply of love from the river of God. If we are lost, it will find us; if we are blind, it will give us sight; if we are sick; it will heal us; if we are tired, it will arm us with strength; if we are weak, it will make us strong; if we are broken, it will mend us; if we are down, it will lift us; if we are dead, it will resurrect us. Whatever your wait is about, it will never be above God. It is this love that God has for us that makes His grace abound. It reaches any depth, any height, any length and any width. No sorrow, no pain, no struggle nor confusion hides from it. Its eyes are as sharp as an eagle’s. It removes all stains of sin; it bears all magnitudes of iniquity and forgets all errs of the past. In every battle it stands ready to defend us; in every charge it stands ready to acquit us; in every cry it stands ready to answer us. It seeks the unjust to justify them; it seeks the outcast to give them a home; it seeks the downcast to give them hope; it seeks the thirsty to quench their thirst, it seeks the hungry to fill their stomach. It declares the unrighteous righteous and the unholy holy. This love can be your buckler when the devil tries to steal your joy and peace. It can be your shield when hell wants to harm you.<br />
<br />
There is nothing we can do or say that will stop God from loving us. God cannot do anything but love, because love is who God is (1 John 4:8). After you have done all you can in your wait, depend on God’s love. Jesus came out of love and He came to reveal the love of God. That is why we will never come to know the love of God if we do not seek it through the marvelous works of Jesus. Don’t get caught up in the middle of philosophical arguments about love or earthly descriptions and definitions of love. Love is why He came, love is why He suffered, love is why He died, love is why He arose, love is why He ascended, and love is why He is returning.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166015611569971252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6861005362418468069.post-43087474010449960242012-11-26T03:00:00.000-08:002012-11-26T18:00:56.181-08:00The Runaway Christmas Tree<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Runaway-Christmas-Tree-ebook/dp/B0067GMOKK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353374370&sr=8-1&keywords=the+runaway+christmas+tree">The Runaway Christmas Tree</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8duo2oB71_6cJEEFJbbipdX4iA8OARnGI24cQTNSqRM3zjT0K6g89LX3H4ZS6jmXSTwGhSTYsxclWyRZl7Zw1qEuylltQKtig9zW0ozpaZ4-HUwyCY8-2Wn-ZEJavaG85aR4QpsJbQo/s1600/author+5a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8duo2oB71_6cJEEFJbbipdX4iA8OARnGI24cQTNSqRM3zjT0K6g89LX3H4ZS6jmXSTwGhSTYsxclWyRZl7Zw1qEuylltQKtig9zW0ozpaZ4-HUwyCY8-2Wn-ZEJavaG85aR4QpsJbQo/s200/author+5a.jpg" width="184" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">D. Washington-Jones</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>“The Runaway Christmas Tree” </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">E-Book by </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">d. washington-jones</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Book
Launch:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>November 27, 2012</span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .2in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1in;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">It’s a fine day in the grove,” Nick said
to the tree’s mother and father as they watched the family get closer and
closer.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">“Stand up straight!” The tree’s mother
said. “You’ll never be chosen this Christmas if you<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>continue<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>to slouch.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">“He’ll never be ready,” the tree’s father
told Nick as the family got even closer.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">“Oh, I think he will,” said Nick, giving
the little tree a loving pat on his back bristles.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">“And what about the code?” The tree’s
father persisted.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">“He’ll do just fine,” Nick retorted.
“Don’t worry. And I’ll be here if he needs me.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">“Why do I have to become a Christmas tree
any way?” The young tree asked with a sigh.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">“Because it is what you were grown to
do,” his mother whispered, straightening out his bristles.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #494949; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">“Douglas Elmwood Pine the 3rd, I won’t
have such talk under my sky, young man,” his father said sternly. “Your
grandfather was an extraordinary Christmas tree, and although I have never been
chosen, I have always wanted something better for you.”</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166015611569971252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6861005362418468069.post-10006619938669413332012-11-19T07:51:00.000-08:002012-11-19T07:51:06.027-08:00Journey To Fulfillment<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzAgVUwKv8KsgT96koUcoyQ0OqQoMUI3UKmxt4NqR9uPEeT42zo6TsZAkg2Lubl4xoAf9lECNQ8qkxoORzoKEJZ60sXWem_3Xm3dipXI41TUUVMDna_GOnU_dhDMbnSGevvrE6IpqKBI/s1600/Journey+to+Fulfillment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzAgVUwKv8KsgT96koUcoyQ0OqQoMUI3UKmxt4NqR9uPEeT42zo6TsZAkg2Lubl4xoAf9lECNQ8qkxoORzoKEJZ60sXWem_3Xm3dipXI41TUUVMDna_GOnU_dhDMbnSGevvrE6IpqKBI/s1600/Journey+to+Fulfillment.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Journey-Fulfillment-Theresa-Franklin/dp/1617397733/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353174094&sr=8-1&keywords=theresa+franklin">Journey To Fulfillment</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bBRbRhr7u_5ZurtYVnCa10G-w-dwiIWdvAmvhpnQObrvHFev2XHLECGVbKq8s8PrPbxZjA33neC0JHLE0pAdCyfTuG29XUbf-kXtf6ljXncVFyesR9d8lt3JLVtGipouzjl4T9vzBlM/s1600/Theresa+2012+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bBRbRhr7u_5ZurtYVnCa10G-w-dwiIWdvAmvhpnQObrvHFev2XHLECGVbKq8s8PrPbxZjA33neC0JHLE0pAdCyfTuG29XUbf-kXtf6ljXncVFyesR9d8lt3JLVtGipouzjl4T9vzBlM/s200/Theresa+2012+001.jpg" width="161" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.storiesforchrist.com/">Author Theresa Franklin</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Inspired by a Teacher</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">One year during
an in-service at the beginning of school, the administration showed a film called
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Zero</i>. It was about a middle
school boy who stepped off the school bus, laid down in the snow, and died. Not
one teacher remembered him, even though he had gone to the school since
kindergarten. Watching that film, I saw myself. I was a barely above average
student even though I was far more capable. It never occurred to me that if I
studied, my B average could be higher. My behavior was appropriate. I was quiet
and reserved. The only thing I was reprimanded for was reading in class instead
of completing an assignment. I doubt that any teacher would remember me. The
only teacher conference my parents had was in the fourth grade. Their concern?
I was not interested in anything except reading. The teacher’s answer? “She
will be fine. Don’t worry.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I have very few
memories of school. Basically, school was uneventful for me. I moved from grade
to grade almost in a fog. I remember being nervous to go to junior high school,
but other than that my only significant memory was going to the library.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Junior high was as
uneventful as elementary school until the ninth grade. The ninth grade math
teacher, Mr. Mettetal, noticed me immediately. He liked me as a person and a
student. That was the first time any teacher had noticed me. He greeted me when
I walked in the room and took the time to talk to me when I completed my
assignments. The tone of his voice was different when he spoke to me. I felt
special for the first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He recognized
that I was not working to my potential and proceeded to encourage me to do
better. Placing a test on my desk, he would say, “I expect a one hundred,
Theresa.” At that point my mind would go completely blank, and I would forget
everything he had taught. I wanted to please him and looked forward to going to
his class. For the first time a teacher’s opinion of me was important. I
excelled in his class, understanding all but one concept. When he taught
negative numbers, I could not comprehend the concept. In my mind there was
nothing below zero, so how could there be negative numbers? The other students
could not understand why I didn’t get it. I tell my students that it was before
I opened a checking account and now I understand it perfectly. The following
year I returned to the campus on Parent/Teacher night to visit Mr. Mettetal. He
said, “Are you making straight A’s? You could, you know.” I thought, <i>No, I
didn’t know that</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.</i> No one had ever
told me that. No one had ever recognized that I had the potential to make more
than average grades.</span><span style="color: blue;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I proceeded
through high school the same way I had gone through elementary and junior high
school. I did excel in cosmetology my junior and senior year. I received my
state cosmetology license the week before graduation. Graduation was on Friday
night, and I went to work on Saturday morning, never intending to go to
college. A few months after graduation, I enrolled in a private cosmetology
school to obtain my teaching license. There I discovered how much I enjoyed
teaching.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Through a series
of events, I enrolled in a small Baptist college in January of 1972, majoring
in education. College was a struggle at times. If I did not understand
something and asked a question, I was told, “You should have learned that in
high school.” How could I explain that I went through school in a fog and
everything I learned was incidental? I learned to hide my ignorance and
research my questions in private.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In January 1973,
I left college to get married with the intention of entering the local
university where we would be living. My husband was not comfortable with the
idea of me attending the large university, and to keep peace in our home, I
decided not to enroll.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When our oldest
son was in the first grade, he told me about an incident that happened at
school that day. I felt that the way the teacher had handled the situation had
humiliated the other child. The Lord spoke to my heart it was time to do for
other children what one teacher had done for me. The next September I enrolled
our younger son in kindergarten, placed our daughter in daycare, and went back
to college. I had a desire to teach first grade because I wanted to help
children begin school on a positive note and feel good about themselves and
their accomplishments. The thought of a child being in school for nine or ten
years before feeling special was too difficult to bare.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">College was much
easier this time. I was in classes three days a week. On Tuesdays and
Thursdays, after my husband left for work and the boys left for school, I
cleaned house and then began studying. Our daughter was a very quiet child. She
would lie on the floor coloring with crayons while I studied. By the time
everyone arrived home, I was finished being a student and ready to be wife and
mom again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">While I was in
college, the company who employed my husband conducted its second workforce
reduction in two years. This time my husband lost his job. To support us after
the job loss, he worked construction for a much lower rate of pay than we were
accustomed. We struggled my final year of college. I had been given a
scholarship from American Business Women of America for one semester. However,
every time I sat down in class to take a test, I would think, <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">ABWA <i>paid for this. I can’t let them
down.</i></span> The added stress was not worth the scholarship, and I did not
apply for it my final semester. When I completed college, I was offered a job
teaching Early Childhood in Special Education. It was not the job I wanted. But
we needed a steady income, so I accepted the position.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Every year on
the first day of school, I prayed, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lord,
let me be an encouragement to at least one student this year like one teacher
was for me.</i> Every year I seemed to fall in love with the student no one
else liked. I once read a thought in <i>Our Daily Bread </i>that so inspired me<i>
</i>I<i> </i>wrote it on a piece of paper and kept it on the wall behind my
desk. It said, “<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">If they deserved our
love, they wouldn’t need our love</span>.” I tried hard to live by that and
show love to the most unlovable child in the room.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The first year
of teaching was horrible. A kindergarten teacher decided to “help” me by
telling me exactly how to teach my class. Some of the things she told me to do
did not work with my special needs children, so I abandoned her ideas. She was
a person who felt the need for control and did not appreciate my lack of
enthusiasm. She began to make my life miserable by undermining my authority
with students and telling the staff incorrect information about me. , I was a
first year teacher who needed a lot of guidance, and went to the principal’s
office often to ask questions. Each time, after I had finished talking, he
would ask, “Is that all?” I would say “yes.” He would ask, “Are you sure?” I
never could understand why he asked me that. I wondered if my facial expression
was giving him the idea that I had something else to say and tried not to look
as confused as I felt.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The week before
Christmas break, I had reached my limit with the lies and cutting remarks. I
determined that when the students left at the end of the day, I would notify
the principal that I would not be returning after the holidays. At noon I told
one of the students that it was time to go to the nurse’s office for his
medication. As he got to the door, he turned to me and said, “Mrs. Franklin, I
love you.” He opened the door, took one step out and turned back to me and
said, “Mrs. Franklin, thank you.” Conviction gripped my heart. I felt like the
Lord was saying, “I didn’t put you here for the teachers or administrators. I
put you here for the students, and you cannot leave them.” People have asked me
why the student was thanking me. I say, “I don’t know. It didn’t matter. It was
the Lord’s way of letting me know that I was where I belonged.”</span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166015611569971252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6861005362418468069.post-80447125864840320932012-11-12T06:22:00.001-08:002012-11-12T06:22:06.871-08:00The Reading Section: The Oldest Enemy<a href="http://thereadingsection.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-oldest-enemy.html?spref=bl">The Reading Section: The Oldest Enemy</a>: The Oldest Enemy The Oldest Enemy by Michael J Webb Prologue Dresden, Germany February, 1945 “Your name! Te...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166015611569971252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6861005362418468069.post-68717543004374708662012-11-12T03:00:00.000-08:002012-11-12T03:00:00.119-08:00The Oldest Enemy
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGs7Fn3vQtarBVrdvvfOwAAG1TvVD74eJ4NSecODfavfhIAwqZPjMuZki9-Lp-DRNXIZE5cToVY2R7U6_45ebOCvU0EaMaYdlceQ_Rlz2NqUFJUfadhfFD7E0p2SgZ7ghgSATsx3bjpUQ/s1600/The+Oldest+Enemy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGs7Fn3vQtarBVrdvvfOwAAG1TvVD74eJ4NSecODfavfhIAwqZPjMuZki9-Lp-DRNXIZE5cToVY2R7U6_45ebOCvU0EaMaYdlceQ_Rlz2NqUFJUfadhfFD7E0p2SgZ7ghgSATsx3bjpUQ/s1600/The+Oldest+Enemy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Oldest-Enemy-Michael-Webb/dp/1936835126/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350773838&sr=8-1&keywords=the+oldest+enemy">The Oldest Enemy</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhT-timeAYO12692XHQxNN3SqYAwB-F8qXMcI98HBpdRkHzOkeoPfFfNL6ISpr1NNjG9LRLnO7PIH3SIsJoRtfdR29HxRGUT2F9CZ8wca4BZKS1wY6LI6WYttPKJx8HSkj04tLV2Ff2W8/s1600/200x300BioPic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhT-timeAYO12692XHQxNN3SqYAwB-F8qXMcI98HBpdRkHzOkeoPfFfNL6ISpr1NNjG9LRLnO7PIH3SIsJoRtfdR29HxRGUT2F9CZ8wca4BZKS1wY6LI6WYttPKJx8HSkj04tLV2Ff2W8/s1600/200x300BioPic.jpg" /></a>The Oldest Enemy</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
by Michael J Webb </div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Prologue</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Dresden,
Germany</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none;">
February, 1945</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Your name! Tell me your
name!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7pFVIKCvVkx-qE6R-ueDlYWilpv0QmrR_fzEFxgR7Z3vZ1Ts01wNy7_rpgSrq20UNo45ls_YAjBuTR9OD1mqLUYnYIaRjGHZfHPcpzmbG8dJzyDN_ExScgxvGtak0YndJHBFnFoP-MI/s1600/The+Oldest+Enemy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Father Michael
Lighthouse’s hoarse voice betrayed his exhaustion and his pent-up frustration,
a potentially disastrous mistake. He swallowed several times, but his mouth was
as dry as the Sahara and lent nothing to soothe his raw throat. The bound man
lying before him writhed in agony as thin streams of grey-white mucous leeched
from his flared nostrils, and bubbles of pink saliva dribbled from his
contorted mouth. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A thick layer of
fear wrapped itself around the young priest as the room grew colder and darker.
His breath puffed white before his face. The administrator had cut off the heat
in this room two days ago, but this cold wasn’t natural. Father Michael drew
his heavy cassock tighter over his lean frame and shivered. Over the cassock,
he wore a waist-length white surplice. A narrow purple stole hung loosely from
his neck.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He was on the second floor
of the city’s largest hospital, located across from Wettiner Station, in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Friedrichstadt</i>. Behind the hospital, in
the direction of the river, were the stadiums where he had played soccer in his
younger, happier days. Beyond the stadiums, at the edge of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Grosses Ostragehege</i>, a large area of
wild, undeveloped land, was the Public Slaughterhouse where the prisoners of
war were housed. The SS barracks were located further north and west, in the
direction of Heller, on the outskirts of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Neustadt</i>.
To the immediate west of Wettiner Station was the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hofkirche</i>, where his small office was located, and beyond that was
his beloved Opera.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He wished he were there now,
listening to Wagner.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
He frowned, refocusing as pressure began to build around and in him. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Father Werner, the Jesuit priest from Hamburg with whom he’d consulted,
had warned him about this moment. “If you get that far—and many don’t—you must
press on relentlessly,” the aging Jesuit had said during a static-filled phone
conversation. “You gain the advantage by forcing as complete an identification
as possible. Succeed, and you will have assured the domination of your will
over your adversary.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“And if I fail?” he’d asked. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“Remember, my son,” the older man said, “the evil spirit you are about to
engage has found a consenting host. It will not depart without a fight. It will
claw at you, deceive you—even risk killing its host. Once cornered and exposed,
the spirit will attempt to lure you into a field of battle filled with tempting
traps. Do not think for a moment you can circumvent them with your own
intellect or logic. Rely upon our Lord and Savior, and you will not fail.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
The conversation died in his head, and Father Michael grimaced. Part of
him was repulsed by the man before him—who he was and what he represented—yet
the priest in him had compassion for the young man’s torment. No one, no matter
how evil, deserved what this man was going through.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
The young patient with striking blond hair and pale-white skin was
skeletally thin, as if he were being consumed from the inside by some sort of
ravaging disease. His face was gaunt, and there were dark circles under his
blue eyes. When the two <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Waffen</i>
officers now stationed outside the room had brought him in, he had worn the
rumpled uniform of the dreaded <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Schutz-Staffel</i>,
the SS. Now what was left of his shirt hung in tatters, exposing his hairless
chest. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Father Michael rubbed his eyes then glanced at the small table next to
the bed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Between two burning candles, the only light in the room, lay a crucifix,
a vial of holy water, now half empty, and his prayer book. He moved closer to
the bed and table. He should have been accompanied by at least one assistant.
Father Werner told him three was the usual number. And he was only half the age
of the typical exorcist. By all rights, he should have <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">been</i> the assistant, not the one conducting the exorcism.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
The flickering candlelight danced across the frost-covered, chipped
concrete walls and cast wraithlike shadows.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
For a moment, in his mind’s eye, he thought he could see the city in the
midst of the flames.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
His heart constricted. His beloved Opera must not be destroyed. That
would be unthinkable. Yet wails of people engulfed in flames tormented his
ears. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
He blinked several times and shook his head, then wiped stinging sweat
from his eyes. The candlelight must be playing tricks with his mind. That, or his
lack of sleep was getting the better of him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dante, be damned.</i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
He returned his gaze to the man on the bed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Sister Evangeline had given him the man’s name when she’d called, but
that wasn’t the name he’d been demanding to hear. No, he needed to hear the
name of his adversary—the demon who now possessed Josef Rauch. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Only then could he cast the demon out.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
He picked up his prayer book and opened it to where he’d left off. “I
must know your name,” he commanded forcefully, drawing upon a reserve of
strength he had not known he possessed as he splashed holy water over the man’s
exposed chest.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Suddenly, Josef lunged against the thick leather straps that bound him to
the bed. The straps groaned but held. The young man opened his mouth wider than
seemed humanly possible. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You!</i>”
screamed a guttural voice. “You want to know <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My</i> name?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Father Michael staggered as the words pummeled him. He grabbed the edge
of the small table for support as the blood drained from his face. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“Get out of here, you impotent eunuch,” continued the evil voice. “This
one is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ours</i>. He’s been Ours from the
womb. He <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">asked</i> to be a part of Us.
You have no power to stop Us. There is no power <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">anywhere</i> that can stop Us. Leave now—before it’s too late for you
as well.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Praecipio tibi!</i>—I command
you!” Father Michael shouted in Latin, drawing himself up straight and gulping
air. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Praecipio tibi, quicumque es, spiritus
immunde, et omnibus sociis tuis</i> —I command you, unclean spirit, whoever you
are, along with all your associates who have taken possession of this creation
of God, by the mysteries of the Incarnation, Passion, Resurrection, and
Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ—”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Josef wailed in his own voice, “Please—help—me—” He strained at the
straps that bound him, raising thick red welts on his wrists and ankles.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Father Michael ignored the man’s plea. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Eradicare, et effugate ab hoc plasmate Dei</i>—Depart and vanish from
this creature of God,” he continued as he made the sign of the cross over
Josef. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ipse tibi imperat, qui te de
supernis caelorum in inferiora terrae demergi praecepit</i>—For it is He who
commands you, He who ordered you cast down from the heights of heaven into the
innermost pit of the earth.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Josef’s body arched with a spasm, and, without visible cause, deep
scratches appeared on the exposed skin of his chest. Each mark produced a line
of glistening blood. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Father Michael caught his breath and groaned. The ruby-red lines spelled
three words: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">GO TO HELL.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Trembling, Father Michael renewed his prayer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“O God, Creator and Defender of the human race, who has formed man in
Your image, look down with pity upon this, Your creation, Josef, for he has
fallen prey to the craftiness of an evil spirit. The ancient adversary, the
archenemy of Earth, the oldest enemy, enshrouds him in shuddering fear. He
renders his mental faculties confused, and he holds him captive, striking
terror within him. Repel, O Lord, the power of Evil Spirit! Dissolve the fallacies
of its plots. May the unholy tempter take flight. May your servant be protected
in soul and body by the sign of Your Name.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Father Michael made the sign of the Cross on Josef’s forehead with his
thumb, careful to keep his hand clear of the man’s mouth. He repeated the
gesture on the young man’s chest three times. “Preserve that which is within
this person, rule his feelings, and strengthen his heart,” he prayed. “Let the
efforts of the Enemy power be dispelled from his soul, Lord, because of this
invocation of your holy Name. Grant the grace that he who has inspired terror
up to this moment now be put to flight and retire defeated through Christ our
Lord.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Josef spat on him, then cursed him.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">
</b>“You will die tonight in agony, My poor, castrated priest. The fires of
hell and damnation will burn your flesh from your body. They will turn your
bones into grey-white dust before the cock crows. All who live in this place
will die in the inferno. All will join Us in the kingdom.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“Tell me your name!” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“You think I care what you want? You are less than nothing. I know you
well, priest. You prefer boys to girls, don’t you? Your perversions abound. You
think you have power to save souls, but you only delay the inevitable.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Father Michael ignored the lying taunts. “Who—are—you?” he rasped. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“Fool! We are all ONE. Never anything else. Always the same. One. You and
your prayers are nothing against the One.” Harsh laughter erupted from Josef’s
mouth. It grew louder and louder until it filled the small room with its
nauseating sound.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Father Michael covered his ears. He must regain control. Finally, he
cried out, “Tell me what name you will respond to. Now! In the Name of Jesus—I
command you!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Abruptly, a new, more coherent, voice rolled from Josef ’s mouth.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“Who dares command the Lord of All Knowledge, the Unconquered One? Who
dares intrude into My kingdom? By what authority do you claim the use of the
name of the Unmentionable?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Father Michael’s heart thundered against his ribs. It was time to finish.
He began a final prayer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“O God of heaven and God of earth, God of the angels and God of the
archangels, God of the patriarchs and God of the prophets, God of the Apostles
and God of martyrs—”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
The building shook, and the window exploded inward. A hail of shattered
glass, like the onslaught of a swarm of maddened bees, drove Father Michael
back. His face stung. He reached up and touched his cheek. His hand came away
wet, red with blood. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Josef cackled. “How magnificent this is going to be” came the voice from
the bed. “I feel the flames caressing Us. Can you feel it, my impotent little
priest? The fire cleanses and purifies Us. And the smell—it reminds Us of the
ovens. Burning flesh always makes Us feel so—<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">alive</i>!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Behind him the door flew open, and Sister Evangeline entered the room.
She was short, much older than Father Michael, and her once-dark hair had gone
completely grey. “We must leave—<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">now</i>—Father,”
she cried.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
He shook his head. “I can’t. It’s not over.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
The sister brushed past him, headed toward the bed. “The entire city is on
fire,” she said over her shoulder. “We need to find shelter. I’ll help you with
the patient.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Fire.</i> Just like Hamburg two
years earlier. Almost fifty-thousand people had been killed there. What had the
demon said about the fires of hell and damnation?<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>And what about the image he’d seen flickering in the candlelight,
and the wailing voices he’d heard? Was the horrific vision coming to pass? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
A piercing scream filled the small room then choked off abruptly. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Father Michael turned and gasped, his limbs suddenly as feeble as an old
man’s. Sister Evangeline had attempted to release the patient. She’d gotten one
of his arms free and then Josef had grabbed her by the neck. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“Welcome to the kingdom, Sister,” the demon growled. “We’ve been waiting
for you a long time. Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
A sickening <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">crack</i> lashed the
air as Josef snapped the nun’s neck like it was a thin sapling. Her lifeless
body collapsed to the floor. The possessed man grabbed the leather strap that
bound his right hand and ripped it from the bedpost. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Now only Josef’s legs remained bound.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Father Michael grasped his head with his hands, groaned several times,
then opened his mouth to scream. All that came out was, “I must know your
name!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“Fool!” cackled the voice. “I am the Father of Cain. I am the Ruler of
All. I am the Destroyer of Worlds. I am <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Legion</i>!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Outside, there was a thunderous roar. The concrete wall behind the bed
shuddered, then collapsed outward in a ball of flame. It dragged the bed, and
Josef, with it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Father Michael stumbled over to the precipice and gaped down in shock at
the huge pile of rubble ten feet below him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Immersed in fire, trapped by the crushing concrete, Josef screamed—not in
agony, but in wondrous, rapturous ecstasy—as the flames consumed him. “I am
stronger than Death,” he bellowed. “I—AM—DEATH. I have always been, and I will
always be. We are the One. We are the king—”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
The howling explosion of another incendiary bomb cut the demon’s words
short.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
The force of the blast knocked Father Michael off his feet. His hair and
clothes were on fire, but he made no attempt to put out the flames. Instead, he
muttered, “I failed—God help me, I failed.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
The room began to spin as consciousness faded. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
A pair of strong hands grabbed hold of him, and a comforting voice
whispered in his ear, “You called in trouble, and I delivered you. I answered
you in the secret place of thunder. I proved you at the waters of Meribah—”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166015611569971252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6861005362418468069.post-65250476364536472682012-11-05T03:00:00.000-08:002012-11-05T03:00:18.175-08:00A Love Story<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">A Love Story</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">How God Pursued Me </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">by Sammie Chandler</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Prologue</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sZliJDx7c8CHpUeJpY0fAleMVCwazMegLkgWGSsarjLI9-vdvLom9l5HJUbr-aUez_hmho9DQhbYi_qYC0g1SnblDX7QMtgX-aNFD89_lU02bU3IAfPQcAO7sgjj0ax1E-7xr1q7jyE/s1600/Front+Cover+Book.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sZliJDx7c8CHpUeJpY0fAleMVCwazMegLkgWGSsarjLI9-vdvLom9l5HJUbr-aUez_hmho9DQhbYi_qYC0g1SnblDX7QMtgX-aNFD89_lU02bU3IAfPQcAO7sgjj0ax1E-7xr1q7jyE/s200/Front+Cover+Book.gif" width="125" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Story-How-Pursued-Me-An-Impossibly-ebook/dp/B007AGD9RS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350774340&sr=8-1&keywords=a+love+story+how+god+pursued+me">A Love Story</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I write my story from a place that God took my hand and
led me down a path. I do not regret the horrors I have experienced nor do I want
to do them again. I am profoundly changed by every turn in
the road that I did not choose to go down. I speak of massive acts of unfairness
and perfidy. My writings give great insight and hope to
anyone that has encountered wrongs in life that are out of control. This would
encompass anyone that has ever taken a breath. To all that have encountered
childhood abuse, I give you courage. I pray that all that read this will gain
optimism for their own future. If a skinny girl from Nowhere, Louisiana with
unnerving circumstances and totally stuck on ignorance can rise; then all can
rise.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">My background is life. My
qualifications are that I have had more happen to me than Hollywood would ever
think of to write about. If I had not lived it, I would not believe it. I have
been quite poor and only gazed at wealth. I have experienced poverty to the
point of wondering where my next meal would come from. This
has happened in more than one cycle of my life. I also lived
within the walls of the privileged having dined with two United States
presidents, governors in their mansions, and invited to dine with President
Mitterrand at Versailles. I am a voracious reader and cling to self-help books.
I have yet to see one written from the “privileged” world spelling out what
greed is capable of doing. Having run in the circles of the very wealthy, I have
witnessed the destruction of marriages when the wealthy husband does not want to
share the revenues of many years of marriage. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I co-founded a not for profit children’s ministry that
is now international. I have appeared on television and many newspapers have
interviewed me. I have modeled. I have read the Bible eleven
times and with fifteen years of Bible study. <i>Nothing
</i> had prepared me for the life I lived.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Ignorance is fixable; stupidity is terminal.
I was ignorant for much of my life. My narrative has colossal betrayal,
distortion of truth, vulnerability and true love. I started with the challenges
of growing up to a pagan abusive Irish mom that dallied with a spirit table. I
chronicle events showing God’s hand in my life even when I was without a clue
who He was. It is a journey He takes me down many paths and then prepared me for
the fight of my life…marrying a man worth in excess of 100 million dollars and
then to culminate with the annihilation called divorce.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I write of seeing an angel three times, God’s hand
holding mine once, and peering deep into Satan’s eyes filled with fire that was
endless in capacity. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">My book is filled with scriptures and God given
promises. God has taken me to the place that if He said it….it is done….the
boldness of David. I have become David bold. I pray with his boldness expecting
no less than what is written in scripture. I have often said if Samantha says
it, then it’s possible to be negotiable but when our Lord says He will….it is
not a suggestion but facts.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I tell of many places where God intervened in miraculous
ways and His relentless pursuit of me. My book comes with a guarantee that the
reader will laugh out loud as well as cry between a verb and a vowel, all coming
from the same sentence. You then will feel happy and grateful you were not
chosen to walk in my shoes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Samantha
Ryan Chandler</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Amazon Best Selling Author</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
2012 National Indie Excellence
Book Awards - Finalist</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Contributing Author: Southern Living Magazine</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A
Love Story...How God Pursued Me and Found Me..an Impossibly True
Story</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166015611569971252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6861005362418468069.post-22729342461957358812012-10-29T03:00:00.000-07:002012-10-29T03:00:02.086-07:00Women of Strength<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Women of Strength – a devotional to improved spiritual
& physical health</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-CA">Kimberley
Payne</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4d-lyPqugYpUIj6R7rK2fMMDTvuVBqenIxXVJRU4m6pzZsFSuhxL4wsE6o9Qli1GzGMh3qhVDay7Q9Saxi1Xk_r-_iCxc-rnshPyC5gpHE1nrYayCYW7xWtD6Bf-lbAx0d8SH5TS51Q/s1600/Women+of+Strength+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4d-lyPqugYpUIj6R7rK2fMMDTvuVBqenIxXVJRU4m6pzZsFSuhxL4wsE6o9Qli1GzGMh3qhVDay7Q9Saxi1Xk_r-_iCxc-rnshPyC5gpHE1nrYayCYW7xWtD6Bf-lbAx0d8SH5TS51Q/s200/Women+of+Strength+Cover.jpg" width="152" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Women-Strength-devotional-spiritual-ebook/dp/B0097R9DWS/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1350234239&sr=1-5&keywords=kimberley+payne">Women of Strength</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Just Do It</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">It looked like a gorgeous day outside.
Fresh snow covered the landscape and trees were heavy with a blanket of white.
The sun reflected off the field in a splash of sparkles – it appeared to be
another beautiful winter day. But the thermometer stood at minus 20 in the
sunshine. I cancelled my walk (yet again) because of the cold.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">For months, my routine was to get my
children ready in the morning, walk them to the bus stop and then walk around
the neighborhood by myself. However, my routine became interrupted when I
started a new work schedule and so instead of walking to the bus stop I drove
the children. Then other days in the week seemed to become busier and I found
myself itching to get to my office to clear away the things of the day. Instead
of starting my day with a walk around the block, I started to weigh it up
against other conflicting priorities. Now, the act of walking had to convince
me of its worth. Each day a battle raged – walk or not walk?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">What I learned is that when I didn’t give
myself the choice, I went for a walk regardless of temperature or mood.
However, when I made walking an option, I had to think each day, “Am I up to
it? Do I have time for it? Is it warm enough or cool enough or dry enough?”
Each day I put myself through a dance of questions, instead of just doing it.
“Just do it” (the saying made famous by Nike) has tremendous impact. If I would
walk in the morning, instead of giving myself the option, I wouldn’t have to
worry about what’s more important on my list of things to do. I would return
from my walk refreshed and ready to face the day.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">This reminds me of time spent in prayer and
Bible study. When I make it a regular part of my routine then there is no
question that I’ll do it. For months, I had dedicated thirty minutes from
4:00-4:30 p.m. to quiet time with God. The kids were home from school; I
reviewed their homework and fed them a snack. Then while they had free time to
play – before chores, supper and evening extracurricular activities – I’d steal
away to read my Bible. The kids knew that this was, “Mommy’s time with God.”
And they left me alone for thirty minutes. However, now my job requires that on
some days I’m not home until after 4:30. My routine has changed. On days that I
am home I’m no longer disciplined to take the time in prayer. Instead, I wonder
about what to make for supper. I tidy up the house and finish up details on the
computer. My quiet time with God is now competing against my to-do list.
Whereas before I would “just do it” now each day becomes a battle of what I
feel is more important at the moment.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">My lesson? Just do it! I need to plan out
my week in advance knowing my work schedule and my “to do” list; make
contingencies for those days that my regular walking and devotion time gets
interrupted, and then do it without further thought. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of
knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline” (Proverbs 1:7 NIV).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA">Exercise
Your Funny Bone</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">When down in the mouth, remember Jonah. He
came out all right.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA">You
Asked</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Q: My heart rate is 50 bpm. Is it better to
have a higher resting heart rate? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">A: A normal resting heart rate can vary
from as low as 40 beats per minute (bpm) to as high as 100 bpm, with an average
of 75 bpm for women. Physical activity helps the heart muscle to pump more
efficiently for an optimal resting heart rate.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA">Faith
Lift</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Dear God – I pray that You will help me to
see myself as You do, to see my own worth and respect myself. In Jesus’ name, I
pray.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA">Reflection</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">I’m an avid walker and love to hike through
our local woods. But recently I tried some interval training. I walked for a
bit, then jogged for a bit. I did this the whole way of my regular walk for
45-minutes. My heart and lungs handled it well. But I felt as if I weighed 800
pounds -- my calves were on fire, my hips ached, my upper body itched from the
bouncing. Not a pleasant experience. When I told a friend, she encouraged me to
continue practicing and said that it'll only get better. I’ll take her word for
it and continue with my new routine.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">What new activity would you consider
trying?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA">Top
Tip</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Create space – Create an area to call your
own and make exercise so accessible that you have no excuse. Buy some
low-priced equipment: an exercise bike, a resistance band, a set of dumbbells,
a stretching mat, a jump rope and an exercise video.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA">Bible
Truth</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“The bolts of your gates will be iron and
bronze, and your strength will equal your days” (Deuteronomy 33:25 NIV).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA">Challenge</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Try a new routine, a new exercise, and/or a
new time of the day to exercise.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA">Praise
Move: Shoulder - Side Raise</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Stand holding a dumbbell in each hand, arms
by your sides, palms facing side leg. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Lead with bent elbows and slowly raise the
weight out to your sides to shoulder height without rotating the arms. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Your palms should face the floor at the top
position with arms parallel to the floor.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Pause briefly at the top of the move, than
slowly lower the weights to the starting position. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Repeat 10 times.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Tips:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">1. Keep your arms straight without locking
your elbows. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">2. Avoid swinging the arms up using
momentum to lift the weight.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">3. Keep your neck relaxed and your
shoulders stationary. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166015611569971252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6861005362418468069.post-21001470741354260392012-10-22T06:11:00.000-07:002012-10-22T13:29:59.388-07:00Straight Pipes<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Rally Near Him</span></b></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MMy8KCISdTigj9s-zLcBTDhQlK4HCpoSVHnCVR3C8a0HyaZkF0GDg9BVwM_LDny4sNC5du0uhXl8zJHZKOFPqkiIAGWMDpJg_2L3vy3EdZmpxOf-_-DV0xDhrq7N4LgJzcgrKqHDXNA/s1600/Straight+Pipes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MMy8KCISdTigj9s-zLcBTDhQlK4HCpoSVHnCVR3C8a0HyaZkF0GDg9BVwM_LDny4sNC5du0uhXl8zJHZKOFPqkiIAGWMDpJg_2L3vy3EdZmpxOf-_-DV0xDhrq7N4LgJzcgrKqHDXNA/s1600/Straight+Pipes.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Straight-Pipes-Devotions-Bikers-1/dp/147744467X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1350169917&sr=1-1&keywords=straight+pipes">Straight Pipes</a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What
other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord<br />
our God is near us whenever we pray to him (Deut. 4:7).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Christians
have an awesome privilege. God is listening. Jesus is intervening… when we
pray, seeking His answers for life situations. Each morning, before the hustle
and bustle of daily life gets in the way, we have the opportunity to sit down
with the God of the Universe, our Creator, and visit about the situations,
pressures, trials, and burdens we face.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">An easy
formula to follow is the word ACTS (Adore, Confession, Thanksgiving, and
Supplication). Before we rev up the motorcycle, we can worship Him</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(Adore)from the sanctity of our home, </span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">renewing our relationship with His Holy <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6861005362418468069" name="_GoBack"></a><b>Spirit for the day ahead. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We can (Confess) the mistakes we’ve made and
take </span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">care of anything that might
stand in the way of God hearing our pleas. We can <b>seek His forgiveness. </b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We can (Thank) </span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Him personally, for everything about our life is
pure pleasure, balm for a believing heart. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then we seek His answers for <b>ourselves and others
(Supplication), leaving burdensome worries at His feet. That takes the pressure
off, as long as we’re truly willing to accept His solu</b>tions.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Motorcycle
riders have no idea where God will use their bikes to open doors of ministry.
We enjoy the freedom of the wind touching our bodies, the freedom from the
four-wheel cage. But, as Christians, we know that Jesus commanded us to “Go out
into all the world. …” The first step is to listen for God’s plan. Listen to see
where He wants us, and where He is already working. We aren’t in a position to
listen if we’re not allowing His Holy Spirit to work in our heart through daily
prayer and Bible study. Begin this morning. Set aside a short time, in a quiet
place, to seek God’s<br />
face. Then listen and ride.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166015611569971252noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6861005362418468069.post-77055593705568479222012-10-15T06:00:00.000-07:002012-10-15T06:00:16.791-07:00Reflections of Rosalyn<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJcywC_s3ee1PSX3T_5MwgWy5Og_yFlzUJixesGn9DhRBjsm02pvc7TakOzhW9oS69Qx-8JrEZ-L-Kg14BpoDNmEPYVr70qSK_2L4ETK6IdjffcTNI9eZcSBrnC2cPIHl3LjgyvTQKHmY/s1600/Reflections+of+Rosalyn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJcywC_s3ee1PSX3T_5MwgWy5Og_yFlzUJixesGn9DhRBjsm02pvc7TakOzhW9oS69Qx-8JrEZ-L-Kg14BpoDNmEPYVr70qSK_2L4ETK6IdjffcTNI9eZcSBrnC2cPIHl3LjgyvTQKHmY/s1600/Reflections+of+Rosalyn.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Reflections-Rosalyn-Life-Victory-ebook/dp/B00962OT0U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350155983&sr=8-1&keywords=reflections+of+rosalyn">Reflections of Rosalyn</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Rosalyn sat on the back porch looking out over the lake. All the food had been put away, and the dishes washed and returned to their rightful owners. The kids and neighbors had gone home. No conversation drifted from the house. No laughter wafted its way out to the porch. The house was empty now—as empty as her heart. Everyone else had gone back to their worlds, but today, she had buried hers. She had often been alone in her years of marriage on this very porch, but she had never felt lonely. Tonight, she felt lonely for the first time in forty years. Allen had been her best friend, confidant, lover, and hero. Now she faced a life without him. She had lost others through the years, but nothing impacted her life as much as the loss of Allen.<br />
<br />
Her mother’s death had left her sad, but hadn’t left a hole in her heart, or her life. Peggy had been one of those people who placed a wall of protection around her heart, refusing to let anyone, including her own daughter, penetrate the barrier. For that reason, Rosalyn and her mother had never been close.<br />
***<br />
“Rosie, get in here and help me,” her mother yelled. They had been unpacking boxes since the moving truck had left at about ten that morning. Rosie was tired and hungry. Her mother was determined, unappreciative, and snappy.<br />
<br />
“Can’t we take a break now? I’m so tired. Does all this have to be done today?”<br />
<br />
“Yes, it has to be done today. I start my new job a week from today, and I don’t want to come home and unpack after working all day.” Everything was a matter of urgency to Peggy.<br />
<br />
“We could do some of it tomorrow.”<br />
<br />
“I can’t sleep if my house is out of order. Now, put those towels in the linen closet, and make sure the tails aren’t showing.” Peggy liked the towels put away so that when the closet door was opened, the folds were lined up in perfect rows. She called the selvage edge of the towel ‘the tail.’ Rosie could never understand what difference it made. No one except her and her mother looked in the linen closet, and if they did, who cared how the towels were stacked? They would still function as drying instruments, wouldn’t they?<br />
<br />
“Fine. I’ll put the towel tails facing the back of the closet. I should probably show people how we stack our towels. Surely it’s worth a rung up on the social ladder,” Rosie muttered under her breath on the way to the linen closet.<br />
<br />
“Rosie, have you laid out your school clothes yet?”<br />
<br />
“Mom, school doesn’t start for three days. I have plenty of time,” Rosie answered, entering the room where her mother was working after what she called TTT duty—towel tail tucking.<br />
<br />
“Yes, but we’re going to register you tomorrow. It’s very important you look right when you register. First impressions are important.”<br />
<br />
“I don’t think the registrar cares how I look. Besides, after I’m registered, I’ll never see her again.”<br />
<br />
“You don’t know that. I think you should wear that gingham skirt, with your white blouse. That will make a good impression.” It was 1968, and girls were still required to wear dresses to school.<br />
<br />
Showing up at any event, including school, in too-casual attire was frowned upon. “When you get to school, make sure you don’t get mixed up with the wrong crowd.”<br />
<br />
“Mom, have I ever gotten mixed up with the wrong crowd?”<br />
<br />
“Well, it’s my job to make sure you don’t. Before you’re allowed to go anywhere with a group of kids, I’ll need to meet them. I must approve of the company you keep.”<br />
<br />
“We have been over this before. I know you want to meet my friends. I don’t know why you can’t trust me.”<br />
<br />
“I don’t trust you because I was young once. I know what kids did then, and you can’t tell me they don’t do the same thing now. Let me tell you right now—you had better not sneak out of this house after I’ve gone to bed.”<br />
<br />
“Mom, I have never once sneaked out of this house. You always know where I am, and when I’ll be back.”<br />
<br />
“Well, just in case you think about it, you better think again. I will find out where you are, and come get you. And you can believe I’ll make a scene in front of your friends.”<br />
<br />
Rosie hung her head and quietly went to her room. She was a good kid. Her grades weren’t amazing, but she passed her classes and never caused problems in class. Throughout her entire elementary days, she had never missed a recess, stood in the corner or in the hall, or been sent to the principal’s office. In junior high school, she had never been sent to in-school suspension, or detention. Her mother had never been called to the school for disciplinary reasons. Rosie was rarely disciplined at home. She did what she was asked, and wouldn’t dream of openly defying any authority. It broke her heart when her mother started threatening her about things she hadn’t even thought about doing. Sometimes Rosie thought pleasing her mother was an impossible feat.<br />
<br />
After she laid out the outfit her mother wanted her to wear to register the next day, Rosie organized her closet and dresser drawers. She wasn’t much of an organization freak, but with this activity, she could satisfy her mother’s demand to work and avoid her ranting at the same time.<br />
<br />
Peggy couldn’t refuse the promotion, even with the stipulation of relocating. Being a single parent didn’t give her the luxury of turning down promotions, no matter what the condition. Rosie’s father hadn’t stayed around long enough to see her birth, and certainly hadn’t shown his face since then. It was all up to Peggy to raise Rosie into a decent adult.<br />
<br />
Peggy hadn’t forgiven her husband for leaving her. She couldn’t even call him her ex-husband because he hadn’t bothered seeking a divorce. Single parenting was rare and she had long ago become accustomed to the stares and whispers. She was determined to make the world pay for the injustices she felt had been dealt her when her husband left her saddled with a child She interacted with people, including Rosie, in bulldog fashion—always on guard and ready to attack.<br />
<br />
“Rosie, are you hungry?”<br />
<br />
“Yes, what’s for dinner?”<br />
“Let’s grab a burger. I’m too tired to cook.” One advantage of the larger town was the variety of fast-food places. The raise wasn’t sufficient to eat out on a regular basis, but Peggy didn’t have to worry so much about making ends meet. An occasional splurge would be a nice treat.<br />
The fifties-style diner was not as clean as Peggy would have liked and smelled of old grease. She and Rosie passed several empty booths because Peggy found something wrong with each; one bench had a rip in the far corner. That would change the taste of the food, Rosie thought. One table was chipped on the edge. Mom please, find a table already. She refused another because a couple of boys sat in the adjacent booth—she didn’t like the way they looked at Rosie. No different from the way any other man looks at me. Another table wasn’t acceptable because it was still wet from being cleaned.<br />
<br />
“Why don’t we sit at the bar?” Rosie made the mistake of asking.<br />
<br />
“Ladies do not sit at the bar. Only women looking for a pick-up sit on a barstool.”<br />
<br />
“Even at a diner?”<br />
<br />
“Don’t argue with me. We are not sitting on a barstool. We will sit in a booth, like ladies.”<br />
Finally Peggy decided on a booth which met her standards. Good thing. It’s the last one, Rosie thought as she sat down. The young waitress headed for their table with menus in hand.<br />
<br />
“What can I get for you today?”<br />
<br />
“Rosie, what do you want?”<br />
<br />
“I want a cola, and small burger with fries, please.”<br />
<br />
“And for you ma’am? What would you like?”<br />
<br />
“I will take the same, but I require a straw with my drink.”<br />
<br />
Rosie hated it when her mother talked to people that way. She couldn’t say, May I have a straw, please? She had to demand everything. The quick look of disdain from the waitress wasn’t missed by Rosie. By the time her mother looked up, the waitress had composed herself. Rosie knew it would be pointless to try to discuss the matter with her mother. Peggy never thought she was wrong, and certainly would never admit she was wrong to Rosie. She believed parents were never wrong, and should accept nothing less than 100 percent respect from their child.<br />
<br />
The burgers were fair, the French fries cold, and the colas warm. Peggy left a small tip and then complained to the management. Rosie had the pleasure of hearing the encore performance on the way home. Arriving at the house, Rosie feigned exhaustion and went to her room for the rest of the night. She actually was tired—of her mother. Peggy could talk more, and say less, than anyone Rosie knew. Sometimes when she was tired and had listened to Peggy for what seemed an eternity, Rosie was sure she would scream if she heard another human word.<br />
<br />
The next day was hot and humid. However, Rosie dressed to please her mother, which included hose and small heels to attend the production of Registration. That was the way Rosie saw it. Nothing was simple with her mother. Everything was a production, and this day looked like it would be a stellar performance. Peggy gave Rosie a once-over to make sure everything was perfect; Rosie called it the ‘inspection.’ They drove to the school as soon as Peggy was satisfied that Rosie was presentable.<br />
The school sat on the hill coming into town. A large, older building, it was in need of some major renovation. The tall concrete steps leading into the main building had large cracks due to their advanced age. The interior of the building was dark and depressing. The registrar’s office was in the main hallway between the counselor’s and nurse’s offices. Peggy and Rosie were greeted pleasantly when they entered.<br />
<br />
“I need to register my daughter for the fall semester, please.”<br />
<br />
“All right. If you will just fill out these papers, we can get started. Did you bring her records from the old school?”<br />
<br />
“Yes, I did. Here they are.” Peggy handed Rosie’s report card and attendance record to the registrar.<br />
<br />
“Do you have the disciplinary records?”<br />
<br />
“No, they weren’t given to me. I didn’t know they would be needed.”<br />
<br />
“Let me call the assistant principal,” she said, picking up the phone. “Mr. Farienthold, I have a new student registering and the parent didn’t bring the disciplinary records. Yes sir, I have it right here.” She proceeded to give the name and phone number of Rosie’s old school to the assistant principal over the phone. Then she hung up and resumed helping Peggy complete the needed paperwork. She typed the information on the electric IBM typewriter. The little ball that stamped letters on the paper spun so fast Rosie thought it was going to fly out of the machine. It reminded her of the top she had spun for hours on the kitchen floor as a child.<br />
<br />
A door on the left side of the registrar’s desk opened, and a small man with a dark complexion and coal-black hair stepped out. He extended his right hand to Peggy. “Good morning. I’m Assistant Principal Mike Farienthold.”<br />
<br />
Peggy returned the smile and introduced herself. “This is my daughter, Rosie. We just moved to town and I wanted to make sure we registered her in time to get her supplies for the first day.”<br />
<br />
“We’re so glad you moved to our town, and Rosie, we’re looking forward to working with you this year.”<br />
<br />
“I’m afraid Rosie is not a very good student. She does pass her courses, but that’s about it. But I want you to know you have my full support. Anytime she is sent to the office, you call me at work, and I assure you it won’t be pleasant for her.”<br />
<br />
“I’m sure Rosie will have no problems this year.”<br />
<br />
“I know how these kids act up in school. If my daughter is one of them, I will take care of it.”<br />
<br />
“I just spoke to the principal at her old school, and he said Rosie never gave them a minute’s trouble.<br />
He said he wished they had more like her. He described her as quiet, respectful, and polite.”<br />
<br />
“He was being kind, I’m sure. I don’t want you going home at night and worrying about disciplining my daughter. You will have my support.”<br />
<br />
Rosie saw the quick look exchanged between Mr. Farienthold and the registrar.<br />
<br />
“Why don’t you complete the paperwork while I take Rosie on a tour of the building? That way she won’t have any problems on the first day.”<br />
<br />
“Oh, that would be lovely. Thank you. Rosie, remember to mind your manners and say thank you.”<br />
<br />
Mr. Farienthold and Rosie went next door to the counselor’s office. “Mrs. Henry, I’d like you to meet a new student. This is Rosie Davis, and she’ll need to talk to you about her schedule. I think there may be some other issues Rosie needs to talk about, also.”<br />
<br />
“Hello, Rosie. We’ll create your schedule together—but first let me tell you a little about myself and my job. I’m here to serve our students. My door is always open to them. Students may come see me anytime they need to talk. All the teachers have special passes for students who need to see me. All you have to do is ask for one.”<br />
<br />
“Thank you. I’m sure I’ll be fine.”<br />
<br />
“Rosie, I brought you to visit with Mrs. Henry because I think you might need to talk to her sometimes. Being the new student in school isn’t easy. Why don’t you remember where her office is located, just in case?”<br />
<br />
Rosie assured them she would remember, but doubted she would ever go there. The only problem she had was her mother. How does one explain her mother?<br />
<br />
On the way back to the office Mr. Farienthold said, “Rosie, the staff at this school cares about its students. I want you to know that you can talk to anyone on staff at anytime. We are here for you, but not just academically. We care about every part of your life. Do you go to church anywhere?”<br />
<br />
“No, we haven’t been here long enough to find a church.”<br />
<br />
“Well, the church I attend is right down the street, and we would love to have you visit. We have a strong youth department. It would be good for you to get involved.”<br />
<br />
“Thank you, I’ll ask my mom about it.”<br />
<br />
“Rosie, I have no doubt you’ll be a great student here. You’re a good kid and you’re going to do very well here.” He opened the office door and allowed Rosie to enter first.<br />
<br />
“Oh, is the tour over? Good, we need to get back home and get more work done before I start work. Mr. Farienthold, thank you for everything. Rosie, say thank you.”<br />
<br />
“She already has. She is a very polite young lady. I’m sure she will be an example to our other students.”<br />
<br />
Peggy and Rosie walked out to the car and headed home. “How did you like the school?”<br />
<br />
“It was fine. Mr. Farienthold invited us to church on Sunday. He said it was right down the street. Oh, look. There it is. Can we go this Sunday?”<br />
<br />
“That might be nice. We do need to find a church home.”Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166015611569971252noreply@blogger.com0