Chicken Soup

[HisDaughter]

Do The Math

     Here is something to think about next time that you have a problem that dims your faith.  Try to figure out the math in this without God in the equation.  It cannot be done!

     Moses and the people were in the desert, but what was he going to do with them?  They had to be fed, and feeding 2 or 3 million people requires a lot of food.  According to the Quartermaster General in the Army, it is reported that Moses would have had to have 1,500 tons of food daily.
     Do you realize that to take that much food each day, two freight trains, each a mile long, would be required?  Besides, they were out in the desert, and they would require firewood to use in cooking the food.  This would take 4,000 tons of wood and a few more freight trains, each a mile lone just for one day!  Consider; they were forty years in transit.
     Oh yes; they would need water.  For only enough to drink and to wash a few dishes, it would necessitate 11 million gallons daily.  That would require a freight train with tank cars 1,800 miles long, just to accommodate water!
     Consider another concern:  They had to cross the Red Sea in one night.  If they selected a narrow path, double file, the line would be 800 miles long and would require 35 days and nights to pass through, so there had to be a space in the Red Sea three miles wide so they could walk 5,000 abreast, to cross in ONE night.
     Another dilemma faced Moses.  Each time they camped at the end of the day, it required a campground about two-thirds the size of Rhode Island, or a total of 750 square miles. 
     Do you think Moses considered all this before he left Egypt?  You see Moses believed in God.  God took care of these things for him.
     Do you really think God has any problem taking care of all your needs?

Unknown

[HisDaughter]

The Commanding Secretary

     Working as a secretary at an international airport, my sister had an office adjacent to the room where security temporarily holds suspects.
     One day security officers were questioning a man when they were suddenly called away on another emergency.  To the horror of my sister and her colleagues, the man was left alone in the unlocked room.  After a few minutes, the door opened and he began to walk out.  Summoning up her courage, one of the secretaries barked, "Get back in there, and don't you come out until you're told!"
     The man scuttled back inside and slammed the door.  When the security people returned, the woman reported what had happened.
     Without a word, an officer walked into the room and released one very frightened telephone repairman.

Russel M. Perman

[HisDaughter]

Grateful Old Souls Hymnal

Blessed insurance, so hard to find

and prescription coverage would be glory divine!

Standing on the promises of God and Geritol!

Amazing Grace how sweet the sound,

when'ere I once could hear!

Trust and obey, there's no other way

so with help from Ben Gay, we'll trust and obey!

Since the pacemaker came into my heart.

The blood fills my veins and my heart beats again!

Just a slower walk with thee,

Precious Jesus help me bend my knees!

Shall we gather at the pharmacy...

the overpriced, overpriced pharmacy!

Leaning on the everlasting arms.

and anything else I can find!

Give me that old timer religion,

'cause old and slow and gray!

Go tell it on the mountain,

I'm over the hill and on Medicare!

Just as I am Lord, without one hair,

O'Lamb of God I'm bald, I'm bald!

Arthritic Christian Soldiers,

Marching painfully, Oh how we would love some new bionic knees!

[nChrist]

Hello GrammyLuv,

   I resemble most of those old songs, but the words have been changed some. Do you get extra points for answering a certain number, "YES - that's me"? Regardless, that's a keeper and I had to save it. I might have some fun with that.

[HisDaughter]

Hello GrammyLuv,

   I resemble most of those old songs, but the words have been changed some. Do you get extra points for answering a certain number, "YES - that's me"? Regardless, that's a keeper and I had to save it. I might have some fun with that.

You just help yourself Brother Tom!  One of my best girlfriends got me a T-Shirt for my birthday this past March that said, "How Old I Art!" on it,  this little poem came with it on the box!  tee hee!

[HisDaughter]

Starting Over

I try to avoid looking forward or backward,
and try to keep looking upward.

Charlotte Bronte'

     Four years ago, on a rainy January night, I picked my mom up from the San Diego, California, airport.  Her flight from Seattle had been relatively short, but nonetheless she looked drained and frail.  Just hours before, her best friend in Washington had helped her pack some belonging, and had somehow maneuvered her onto the plane.  after being in an abusive relationshop for many years, my mom had finally decided she was ready to take control of her life, so we had agreed she would leave her home and come live with me.
     That first night I held her as she cried herself to sleep.  The ache in my heart called out to the deep sadness in hers.  I had always loved my mom but was shortsighted, as children often are, when it came to seeing her as an individual.  But now as we lay together I felt how wounded she was.  This wasn't the mom whom I, as a child, had always expected to be strong and all-knowing.  Nor was she the uncool, boring old-timer I saw through the lens of my rebellious teenage years.  No, this was a flesh-and-blood woman in her own right, with a heart and a soul, with her own hopes, dreams and disappointments---and her own pain.
     In those first few weeks at my house, the only thing that held my mother together was her faith that God would help her find her way, somehow.  I often heard her pray for guidance and strength, and I always added my silent "Amen" to her petition.
     In February, the local Christian university advertised a degree completion program.  "Earn a bachelor's degree in just two years," the announcement read.  I immediately thought of Mom, who never had the opportunity to complete her education.  I showed the ad to her, and she agreed it looked interesting, so I made an appointment with a guidance counselor at the college.  Mom and I walked in thinking that we would just be gathering information that day.  An hour later, my mom walked out a newly enrolled university student.
     Over the next twenty-four months, every Tuesday night, my mom packed up her school bag, kissed me good-bye and drove herself to class.  At first, she was apprehensive about being a fifty-three-year-old college student.  However, she soon found herself in a tightly knit group of people from all stages and walks of life, and her spirit took flight.
     Each month that passed brought her battered heart a renewed sense of hope, strength and independence.  I watched with joy as she began to view herself differently.  No longer was she timid about her own capabilities and achievements.  No longer was she reticent about expressing her own opinions.  She was realizing once more that she was a person who mattered.  A person whose hopes and desires could still float on the updraft of dreams.  A person who had courage and stamina.  A person who was valuable, not because she was or had been a wife or a mother or a friend, but because of who she essentially was, in herself.  My mom discovered her own worth.
     Just over two years later, on a warm May afternoon, I helped my mom gather together the things she needed.  I tied the sash on her dress and assisted her into the long, black satin gown.  I took pictures as we headed down the stairs, into the car and across town.  I laughed as she climbed the steps of the university and ran to join her classmates, who were joyfully hugging and congratulating each other.
     I cried tears of happiness as my mom crossed the stage and received her diploma.  She was beaming.  And for a moment I thought back to the broken-hearted woman who had arrived at the San Diego airpoet two years before.  But that woman was nowhere to be seen now.  There was only this confident, firm-stepping lady---my honored and beloved mother---descending from the stage, her black gown swirling, her face radiating delight, ready for the next adventure that life would bring.  She had left the only life she knew and found herself as a result.

Jennifer Harris

[HisDaughter]

For the Record

     Less than a year after my wife's funeral I was confronted with the most terrible realities of being a widower with five children.
     Notes from school.  Field-trip permission slips, PTA election ballots, Troll Book order forms, sports sign-ups, medical forms and innumerable academic progress reports --- an onslaught of paperwork courtesy of the educational bureaucracy.
     This "literature" has to be read and signed, or placed at the bottom of the birdcage.  Regardless of its destination it must be dealt with on a daily basis.
     One day, eight-year-old Rachel was helping me complete five (count 'em, five) emergency treatment forms for school.  She would fill in the generic information (name, address, phone number), and I would add the rest (insurance numbers, doctor's name, date, signature).  After signing the forms, I checked them for accuracy.  It was then that I noticed on each card, in the slot beside Mother's Business Phone, Rachel had written "1-800-HEAVEN."

Rob Loughran

[HisDaughter]

Her hair was up in a pony tail,

Her favorite dress tied with a bow.

Today was Daddy's Day at school,

And she couldn't wait to go.



But her mommy tried to tell her,

That she probably should stay home.

Why the kids might not understand,

If she went to school alone.



But she was not afraid;

She knew just what to say.

What to tell her classmates

Of why he wasn't there today.



But still her mother worried,

For her to face this day alone.

And that was why once again,

She tried to keep her daughter home.



But the little girl went to school

Eager to tell them all.

About a dad she never see s

A dad who never calls.



There were daddies along the wall in back,

For everyone to meet.

Children squirming impatiently,

Anxious in their seats



One by one the teacher called

A student from the class.

To introduce their daddy,

As seconds slowly passed.



At last the teacher called her name,

Every child turned to stare.

Each of them was searching,

For a man who wasn't there.



'Where's her daddy at?'

She heard a boy call out.

'She probably doesn't have one,'

Another student dared to shout.



And from somewhere near the back,

She heard a daddy say,

'Looks like another deadbeat dad,

Too busy to waste his day.'



The words did not offend her,

As she smiled up at her Mom.

And looked back at her teacher,

Who told her to go on

And with hands behind her back,

Slowly she began to speak.

And out from the mouth of a child,

Came words incredibly unique.



'My Daddy couldn't be here,

Because he liv es so far away.

But I know he wishes he could be,

Since this is such a special day.



And though you cannot meet him,

I wanted you to know.

All about my daddy,

And how much he loves me so

He loved to tell me stories

He taught me to ride my bike.

He surprised me with pink roses,

And taught me to fly a kite.



We used to share fudge sundaes,

And ice cream in a cone.

And though you cannot see him.

I'm not standing here alone.

''Cause my daddy's always with me,

Even though we are apart

I know because he told me,

He'll forever be in my heart'

With that, her little hand reached up,

And lay across her chest.

Feeling her own heartbeat,



And from somewhere here in the crowd of dads,

Her mother stood in tears.

Proudly watching her daughter,

Who was wise beyond her years.



For she stood up for the love

Of a man not in her life.

Doing what was best for her,

Doing what was right.



And when she dropped her hand back down,

Staring straight into the crowd.

She finished with a voice so soft,

But its message clear and loud.



'I love my daddy very much,

he's my shining star.

And if he could, he'd be here,

But heaven's, just too far.



You see he is a Marine

And died just this past year

When a roadside bomb hit his convoy

And taught Americans to fear.

But sometimes when I close my eyes,

it's like he never went away.'

And then she closed her eyes,

And saw him there that day.



And to her mothers amazement,

She witnessed with surprise.

A room full of daddies and children,

All starting to close their eyes.



Who knows what they saw before them,

Who knows what they felt inside.

Perhaps for merely a second,

They saw him at her side.



'I know you're with me Daddy,'

To the silence she called out .

And what happened next made believers,

Of those once filled with doubt.



Not one in that room could explain it,

For each of their eyes had been closed.

But there on the desk beside her,

Was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.



And a child was blessed, if only for a moment,

By the love of her shining star.

And given the gift of believing,

That heaven is never too far.



They say it takes a minute to find a special

Person, an hour to appreciate them,

A day to love them, but then an entire

Life to forget them.

Pro 18:24
 
 A man [that hath] friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.

[HisDaughter]

An Educated Woman

     My grandfather, Stavros Economy, had come to America from Greece at the turn of the century seeking to make a better life for himself.  Rather than steeling on the East Coast, as so many other Greeks had done, Stavros heard that men were being hired to work on building the railroad network in the West.  So he headed off to the desolate, arid country around Rock Springs, Wyoming, to eke out a living through backbreaking labor.
    With money in the bank, the time finally came for Stavros to get out of Rock Springs and settle down.  He headed to Chicago and told relatives there that he was looking for a wife.  An arranged marriage was a common custom among immigrants, who learned to love each other later.  "What kind of woman do you want?", asked his cousin George.
     "A woman from a good Greek family," he said.  "And someone who is educated."    Stavros had taught himself how to read and write English.  He loved the opera and studied the great Greek poets and philosophers: Homer, Plato and Socrates.  He wanted a wife with whom he could share his love of learning.
     "I think I know just the woman", said George.  "She is the youngest daughter of the Mallieris family.  Her name is Stavroula.  She is very beautiful, and I am sure she is quite well-educated."  And so, a date was set to introduce the two.
     Stavroula sat in the chair in the parlor wearing her Sunday finest.  Her father was very anxious to marry her off.  After all, he had four daughters to support.  "Here," he said, handing her a newspaper.  "He wants and educated woman.  Read this when he comes through the door."
     "But Papa, you know I can't read!" Stavroula cried.
     "Don't worry," he said confidently, "God will take care of the situation."
     After the introductions with with Stavroula's parents, Stavros approached the parlor to meet his prospective fiancee'.  He stood up straight, twirled the ends of his large handlebar moustache, smoothed out the lapel of his pinstriped suit and walked purposefully into the room.
     The sight he beheld was more beautiful than he could have imagined.  There sat and angel.  Stavroula had a milky white complexion and delicate features.  Long, thin fingers, a perfect little nose and plump, full lips.  With her wavy blond hair, she almost didn't look Greek.  Blue eyes, like a clear summer sky, peered over the top of the newspaper at him.
     Completely mesmerized, Stavros knew he would have to look no further.  Stavroula would be his bride.  She was beautiful and educated.  They would marry, move to Colorado and start a family -- the first Greek family in Denver.
     He bowed to greet her, taking her small, soft hand in his.  He never noticed that the newspaper she held was upside-down.

Christine E. Belleris

[HisDaughter]

A-Head of the Game

     A friend of  mine had been suffering from a lack of self-confidence after a particularly difficult breakup.  He was a bit wary of returning to the dating world, worried that he had "lost his touch" with women.
     Unfortunately, soon after ending his previous relationship, he began to lose his hair, and he saw this as a sign from above that he was doomed to be alone forever.  "Who the heck is going to want to date some bald guy?" he said to me one night as we commiserated over large yummy cups of cappuccino.  The eternal wit, he was convinced that good hair was the ticket to a successful relationship.  "What will she run her fingers through now?" he exclaimed discouragingly.  "My scalp?"
   As he started asking women out, he only took them to locations where a baseball cap was acceptable -- playing Frisbee in the park, walking the dog, a baseball game or any other faintly sporty event where he could successfully hide his thinning top.  This worked out fine for a while, but there are only so many sporting events to got to, and only so many sunny days to toss the Frisbee and walk the dog.
     Also, one huge aspect of my friends, personality was that he absolutely loved going out for a nice dinner.  We had enjoyed many nights in college spending too much money on bottles of wine, hors d'oeuvers and warm chocolaty desserts at the most upscale restaurants.  Unfortunately, none of these restaurants would allow a baseball cap, no matter how nice it may be.  This started to discourage him and again his spirits dropped, until he received notification in the mail that he had won a free dinner for two at an exclusive restaurant downtown.
     "Congratulations!" the letter read.  "You and a guest have been chosen to sample and savor our elegant cuisine and ambiance.  Please find the enclosed gift certificate for fifty dollars!"  He was thrilled.  Jumping up and down with enthusiasm, he thought out loud about what to wear, what to order, when to go, and...uh oh...who to take.  He couldn't wear a hat into this new restaurant.  But who could he take who wouldn't be shocked by his barely covered head?  His brow furrowed in disappointment and he collapsed on the nearby couch.  after a few minutes of silence, he shouted out, "Aw, phooey.  I'm going."  Leaping from his seat, his face took on that all-too-familiar glow and he quickly breezed through his index of possible dates, finally landing on Sarah, the woman whom he had been admiring from afar for months.  He sat down in his favorite chair, dialed her number confidently and asked her to accompany him--and she gratefully accepted.  A few nights later, dressed to the nines and beautifully bare-headed, he and Sarah shared a perfect evening and have been wonderfully in love ever since.
     And I'll tell you this: That was the best fifty dollars I've spent in a long time.

Katie Mauro
(Chicken Soup for the Single's Soul)

Personal Note:  "Index of possible dates???  At least he had an index!

[HisDaughter]

Hello Brothers and Sisters!
I am not prepared tonight with some "Chicken Soup" for you but let me share something of my own with you.

As many already know, I work at a women and children's mission is downtown Seattle.  Often I go home and feel that I could've done better and wonder if I am of any use at all.  Am I being the face of Christ to anyone at all.
Today, I came in and was sitting around waiting to go into a meeting when one of the clients passed by and then came back and said, "I have an overwhelming desire to give you a hug!"  Which she proceeded to do!

In Christ,
Grammyluv 

[nChrist]

Hello GrammyLuv,

I'm glad you had something personal tonight. That was neat and I enjoyed it. AMEN!

I appears that GOD gave you an answer to your question with a priceless moment.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Favorite Bible Quotes 182 - Hebrews 7:18-19 For there is verily a
disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and
unprofitableness thereof. 19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the
bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

[HisDaughter]

Hello GrammyLuv,

I'm glad you had something personal tonight. That was neat and I enjoyed it. AMEN!

I appears that GOD gave you an answer to your question with a priceless moment.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Favorite Bible Quotes 182 - Hebrews 7:18-19 For there is verily a
disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and
unprofitableness thereof. 19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the
bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

Thanks Brother Tom!  When that happened, it really made my day!

[HisDaughter]

(Found in Reader's Digest- Feb 2008)

This classified ad from the Sturgis (Michigan) Journal showcases a cat that thinks it's a lion.  "Free to good home: 2 adult female cats, 1 long-haired gray, 1 deluded calico."
Linda Meggison

My wife found this flyer taped to a neighborhood telephone pole: "Found, male yellow Lab, very friendly.  Loves to play with kids and eat Bubbles.  Bubbles is our cat.  Please come and get your dog."
Robert Chapman

Who could resist this dog after the sales pitch in the Athens (Ohio) News?  "Worst dog ever.  Free to a good home.  Not fixed.  Doesn't come when called.  Runs away.  Kills chickens and has foul smell."
Laura Calentine

[HisDaughter]

BE PROUD OF YOUR SCARS

Some years ago, on a hot summer day in south Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole that was behind his house.  In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the
lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.

In the house, his mother was looking out the window. She saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, she ran toward the water, yelling to her son as loudly as she could. Hearing her
voice, the little boy became alarmed, and made a U-turn to swim to his mother. It was too late.  Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms, just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began a very incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too passionate to let go.......A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck, took aim, and shot the alligator. Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. On his arms, there were deep scratches where his mother's fingernails dug into his flesh, in her effort to hang on to the son she loved.

The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma asked the boy if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. Then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my Mom wouldn't let go."

You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly, and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle, He's been right there, holding on to you.

The Scripture teaches that God loves you. You are a child of God. He wants to protect you, and provide for you in every way. But, sometimes, we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead.  The swimming hole of life is filled with peril and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That is when the tug-of-war begins. If you have the scars of His love on your arms, be very, very grateful. He will not ever let you go.

Never judge another person's scars, because you don't know how they got them.