Chicken Soup

[HisDaughter]

At Retreat Wednesday and Thursday......May God Bless You!

[nChrist]

HAVE FUN!

Just don't invite any black bears to the campsite!

AND - never trust a skinny grisly or black bear!

If you're determined to play with the bears, just make sure that you can run faster than at LEAST one other person attending the camp.

   

[HisDaughter]

The Hand of God

Below is a picture that someone took of a funnel cloud during the tornado warnings. What you are seeing is the funnel cloud and a tree that was blown down.

What you are about to see below the first picture is the same picture turned sideways.








Pretty cool, uh?

[nChrist]

Hello Grammyluv,

Yes, I know what the pictures remind you of. That shape is actually fairly common for a funnel cloud. I've seen some amazing cloud formations in person and as many as 3 tornadoes on the ground at once. They are an awesome force of nature.

[HisDaughter]

The Family That Loved Camping

When I was a little boy, my family did not have a lot of money. My father had a reasonably well paying job, but with four kids and a dog, money was often tight. This is not to say that we were deprived or unhappy. Our family did many activities together, but our favorite was camping, which we did year-round, blazing heat or freezing cold.

It was a great site to see the whole clan scrambling to get everything together for a weekend trip. The whole family then piled into our Chevy station wagon with a dog bigger than the three smallest children put together. Dad would then tie down our trusty tent to the top of the Chevy and off we would go.

Our tent was amazing in and of itself. It was a army surplus tent large enough for the whole family plus dog. It had survived though rain storms, snow storms, wind storms. It had twice been uprooted from its stakes in high winds. (Makes me wonder why we went camping in so much terrible weather.) It had blown off the Chevy a couple of times, but it had always survived. At least it survived with mother's help at the sewing machine. It had patches over patches but it was still our faithful camping tent.

But alas, canvas can only last so long, so after about ten years of steady service, my Dad admitted one summer that our tent was no longer usable. We didn't go camping at all the following fall. The only thing that kept us kids controllable was that Dad promised we would get a new tent at Christmas, and we could go camping all winter.

So Mom and Dad went on a savings program to get the money for our new tent. They even got us kids to pitch in a little. Money was tight, but the savings accumulated, and we all had visions of a great winter outdoors. That is, until disaster struck in late November, and my little bother Johnny broke his arm. Dad hadn't counted on an emergency, and the hospital and doctor bills completely depleted our tent saving. We were all downcast at the prospect of no winter camping. Even I was almost sorry I pushed Johnny off the roof.

So as Christmas approached, we were all pretty glum. There weren't as many presents around the tree as usual, because the extra money had gone into my bother's arm. Finally, Christmas Eve was here, and our month long depression was lifted a little, because we could open our presents. Dad had to work, but he was late, and hadn't called. Mother began to worry, and just before she called the police, Dad drove up. We couldn't believe our eyes! There on top of the Chevy was a brand new shiny tent, even larger than Old Faithful.

Instantly, five voices started asking Dad question after question, so he ushered us all into the living room, around the Christmas tree to tell us what happened. It seems that Dad had seen an advertisement for a store called SURPLUS CITY (all caps required). Last week he had gone by to see if they had any tents that we could afford. There was one perfect tent (the only one actually) for $60. So Dad worked a little overtime and scrimped a little on his Christmas gifts and he scraped together about $45. That night he had gone to SURPLUS CITY with his $45 and tried to get a bargain on the tent. He had managed to chisel the manger down to $50 for the tent, but from there the manager wouldn't budge. There was no credit or lay-away at SURPLUS CITY, either, just cold hard cash.

So Dad went back out to the car, and thought about how hard it would be to come home empty handed. In a flash of inspiration, he got the spare tire from the car and went back in. He asked the manager if he would take the spare tire for $5 so he could buy the tent. With that act of desperation, the managers heart softened. What with it being Christmas and all, and my father being so intent on getting the tent, and stopping in several times over the past week, he let Dad have the tent for $40.

When Dad finished telling this story, we all cheered and hollered and generally made fools of ourselves. That was the happiest Christmas I have ever had. And that was the best winter of camping we ever had too, in THE WINTER OF OUR DISCOUNT TENT.

[HisDaughter]

Jesus is Lord and loves YOU very much!

This thread is on vacation this week due to extreme temps in Seattle and the position of my computer! 

[nChrist]

Hello Grammyluv,

I did hear on the news something about it being a little warm where you are. We've had up to 113 so far without the heat index. I remember past years here of over 120, but things have cooled off here in recent years. If I remember correctly, averages in your neck of the woods are usually in the 80s, so I doubt that anyone there is handling the heat very well. All I can suggest is plenty of fluids, some shade, and an air-conditioner.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Galatians 5:13 ASV  For ye, brethren, were called for freedom; only use not your freedom for an occasion to the flesh, but through love be servants one to another.

[HisDaughter]

Hello Grammyluv,

I did hear on the news something about it being a little warm where you are. We've had up to 113 so far without the heat index. I remember past years here of over 120, but things have cooled off here in recent years. If I remember correctly, averages in your neck of the woods are usually in the 80s, so I doubt that anyone there is handling the heat very well. All I can suggest is plenty of fluids, some shade, and an air-conditioner.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Galatians 5:13 ASV  For ye, brethren, were called for freedom; only use not your freedom for an occasion to the flesh, but through love be servants one to another.

You forgot the LAKE!  And that's exactly were the kids and I have spent the last two whole days!   

[HisDaughter]

Coopxration

Evxn though my typxwritxr is an old modxl, it works quitx wxll xxcxpt for onx of the kxys.I havx many timxs wishxd that is workxd pxrfxctly. It is trux that thxrx arx forty-onx kxys that function wxll xnough, but just onx kxy not working makxs thx diffxrxncx. Somxtimxs it sxxms to mx that our church is somxthing likx my typxwritxr -- not all thx kxy pxoplx arx working propxrly.

As onx of thxm, you may say to yoursxlf, "Wxll, I am only onx pxrson, I don't makx or brxak thx church."But it doxs makx a big diffxrxncx, bxcasx a church, to bx xffxctivx, nxxds thx activx participation of xvxry pxrson.

So, thx nxxt timx your xfforts arx not nxxdxd vxry much, rxmxmbxr my typxwritxr and say to yoursxlf, "I am a kxy pxrson in thx congrxgation and I am nxxdxd vxry much."

This is what happxns to thx wholx church, and multiply this by many timxs- thx whole thing just doxs not makx sxnsx! So, don't be a broken key- be a useful one.

[HisDaughter]

Don't Blame It On The Children

Y'know we read in the paper and we hear on the air
Of killing and stealing and crime everywhere
And we sigh and we say as we notice the trend
This young generation, where will it end
But can we be sure that it's their fault alone
I mean that maybe a part of it isn't our own
Are we less guilty who place in their way
Too many things that lead them astray

Like too much money
Too much idle time
Too many movies of passion and crime
Too many books that are not even fit to be read
Too much evil in what they hear said
and too many children encouraged to roam
By too many parents who won't even stay home

Well! Kids don't make the movies
and they don't write the books
They don't paint gay pictures of gangsters and crooks
They don't make the liquor and they don't run the bars
They don't make the laws and they don't buy the cars
They don't make the junk that addles the brain
That's all done by older folk, greedy for gain

Delinquent teenagers? How we condemn
The sins of a nation and blame it on them
But the laws that are blameless the Savior makes known
Now you tell me who's here among us to cast the first stone
In so many cases its sad but its true
The title DELINQUENT Fits older folk too
So Don't blame it on the children!

[HisDaughter]

Fellowship Of The Unashamed

I am part of the "Fellowship of the Unashamed."

I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast.
I've stepped over the line. The decision has been made.
I am a disciple of His.
I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense,
and my future is secure.

I am finished and one with low living, sight walking, small planning,
smooth knees,colorless dreams,
tame visions, mundane talking , chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals!
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity,
position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity.

I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised,
regarded, or rewarded. I now live by presence, learn by faith,
love by patience, live by prayer, and labor by power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven,
my roadis narrow,
my way is rough, my companions few, my guide reliable, my mission clear.

I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured,
lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the
presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy,
ponder at the pool of popularity,
or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I am a disciple of Jesus.

I Won't give up, Shut up, Let go, Slow up
until I've preached up, Prayed up, Paid up, Stored up,
and Stayed up for the cause of Christ.



I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know,
and work till He stops.
And when He comes to get His own,
He'll have no problems
recognizing me...my colors will be clear.

[HisDaughter]

   Christian ABC's


A lthough things are not perfect
B ecause of trial or pain
C ontinue in thanksgiving
D o not begin to blame.
E ven when the times are hard
F ierce winds are bound to blow
G od is forever able
H old on to what you know.
I magine life without His love
J oy would cease to be
K eep thanking Him for all the things
L ove imparts to thee.
M ove out of "Camp Complaining"
N o weapon that is known
O n earth can yield the power
P raise can do alone.
Q uit looking at the future
R edeem the time at hand
S tart every day with worship
T o "thank" is a command.
U ntil we see Him coming
V ictorious in the sky
W e'll run the race with gratitude
X alting God most high.
Y es, there will be good times and yes some will be bad, but...
Z ion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!

"Too blessed to be stressed!" The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor. The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything. Be Blessed.

                                                                               

[nChrist]

AMEN!

1 Corinthians 9:23-25 ASV  23  And I do all things for the gospel's sake, that I may be a joint partaker thereof.  24  Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Even so run; that ye may attain.  25  And every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.


Philippians 4:1 ASV  Wherefore, my brethren beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my beloved.


1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 ASV  19  For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? Are not even ye, before our Lord Jesus at his coming?  20  For ye are our glory and our joy.


2 Timothy 4:6-8 ASV  For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure is come.  7  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith:  8  henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing.


James 1:12 ASV  Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been approved, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to them that love him.

[HisDaughter]

Anyway

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.

»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.

»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«

You see, in the final analysis, It is between you and God.
It never was between you and them anyway.

[HisDaughter]

Love Unexpected

I was walking home one day alone from the bus stop when I heard footsteps behind me. I turned to look and nothing was there. I prayed and said "Lord, guide me home safely and lead my footsteps". I heard the footsteps once again behind me. I turned around and saw a man behind me. I ran all the way home and slammed the door behind me.

I was watching the 11:00 o'clock news later that night when I saw the same man posted for rape and murder of a 15 year old girl...the same age as me. I called the police immediately and told them my story. When they caught the man they asked why he didn't attack me too...his reply was simple..."why would I attack her when she had a man walking right beside her".

The police turned to me and asked," I thought you said you were alone" I said, "I guess I was wrong."

No matter what kind of predicament you may face, God is always there by your side. I was safe that night because God was walking right beside me.

 by Ricki Danielle Foster