Camping

As we grow older we tend to reminiscent more about days gone by, especially the good times, the fun times, even the not so funny times which bring tears or laughter as we remember.


As a family, whenever we had vacation time, we enjoyed camping at the various National and State Parks. We had three boys, who delighted in camping out. The girls, myself and our daughter, did the cooking & clean-up while the boys pitched , secured the tent and set-up the sleeping arrangement.



Camping is a way for close fellowship, not only with the immediate family, but with other campers. Sitting around a campfire, sharing stories or playing games - a real comradely is formed.


One such time occurred in Florida. We were spending the night at Santa Rosa Island State Park, an island off the shore at Pensacola. After we arrived, we went through the nightly ritual. We were all settled down when something crawled over my body. Not knowing what it was, not being fully awake, and being very dark, I simply reached down and sloughed it off. Soon, the same thing happened to each person in the tent until someone woke up and lit a lantern. Our visitor was a snake - a no-poisonous snake, but a snake. Now we had been informed there were no snakes on this island, in this part of Florida. We came to the conclusion that we had carried the snake in our camping gear from the campsite at Lake Ponchartrain in Louisiana to Florida. It was scary at the time but as we remember and retell this story, we all have a good laugh.



On another occasion we were intending to arrive at our camp site in the Cumberland Mountains in Tennessee before nightfall. A very scenic drive through the Smoky Mountains took longer than we expected, so by the time we arrived at the foot of the mountain it was getting late. A long, spiral drive up the side of the mountain was slow and tedious driving so that when we arrived it was pitch dark. We couldn't even see to set-up camp. Being summer and fairly warm, we slept the best we could - in the car and on the ground. When we awoke the next morning, we were startled to find our car was parked on the edge, the very edge of a 1,000 ft. drop. We are able to laugh about the occasion now, but it sure was scary at the time.



As a family, we have encountered many such occasions, but all have been meaningful and have left a lasting impression.

Family

There is a special kind of closeness, tat only families know,

That begins with childhood trust and deepens as you grow.

There's a special kind of comfort in knowing your family is there,

To back you up, to cheer you up, to understand and care.

Of all the treasures life may bring, your family means the most,

And whether near or far apart, that love will hold you close.

Cindy Jacobs

Confidence

The sermon at church today was about 'Power,' and ultimately the Power of Christ. It was mentioned that we have power as a group by association with that group; we have power through success in business or some other venture. I like to think we have power when we have confidence in ourselves through the power of Christ.

Confidence is a vitally needed asset today when there is such a tragic lack of faith in our national leadership ,in our government and in the economy. Everyone needs something or someone to believe in...First, the greatest need is to have faith in God. Second, we should have confidence in ourselves.

I remember reading a story to my children entitled, 'I Think I Can.' It told of a little train engine pulling many rail-cars up a steep hill. As it huffed and puffed, it keep saying: 'I think I can, I think I can,' and it pulled the big load up over the hill. It is true that only those conquer who believe they can.

Right thinking is important. Generally success in life depends not so much on talent or opportunity as upon concentration and perseverance and the right attitude. Our attitude isn't simply a state of mind...it is also a reflection of what we value. Attitude is more than just saying I can, it is believing you can. It requires believing before seeing, because seeing is based on circumstances, believing is based on faith.

Every individual can develop an attitude of confidence. The choice is ours. It allows us to rise above our failures, it enables us to be helpful to others. Example: A candle loses nothing of its light by lighting another candle.


Be confident that you have within yourself the power to be successful and happy. Remember that your life was intended to be a success, because you have the power of mind to make it that way. Remember that dedication, the right goals, striving for excellence and hard work are the golden keys to success.

"I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." (Phil. 4:13) The man who believes this has a calm, quiet attitude, because his confidence is based upon God's power and not his own power.

Heaven is not reached at a single bound,

But we build the ladder by which we rise

From the lowly earth to the vaulted skies,

And we mount to it summit round by round

Josiah Gilbert Holland.

If You Have Scraps, Make a Quilt

The marketing department here at Chambrel held a quilt show recently. Many residents, including myself. displayed their homemade quilts. The Garland Quilting Guild also had quilts on display.


Women have traditionally made quilts. Our great, great grandmothers sewed quilts to record family history. Flour and sugar sacks were used to make dresses and the scraps were used to make quilts. You might have a quilt (old & tattered) that was passed down from one generation to another. Many of these quilts told stories; sewed to record family weddings, births and other happy family events. Many untold stories probably went into the making of quilts. Most attractive were the ones made with bright colors, but all were pieces of art.


Many times the women met after the squares or pieces were put together to quilt, thereby finishing the quilt much faster. This was called a 'Quilting Bee.' As the women stitched, they share their joys and their troubles. The fellowship they enjoyed was also a good way to relieve the stress of the day. There is nothing more stimulating and tension reducing as taking time to talk with friends and sharing information.


Stress is no respecter of persons. Extended stress can lead to stomach ulcers, diatbetes and high blood pressure. Moreover, some experts on the subject have concluded that even the common cold, and dozens of other illnesses can be triggered by the tension caused from stress..


Life runs smoothly for us for a time, and we develop a sense of a burden-free existence, then comes a problem that almost crushes us with its weight. At such a time we need a way to get through those 'Extra-Stress-Times.'


We often hear there's nothing new under the sun - just old ideas that get updated. 'If you have scraps, make a quilt' is a decorative sign in my home that reminds me stress can be conquered when we learn to relax by participating in some sort of recreations or craft - maybe even piecing a quilt.

Today

A new day I see, and only I can determine

What kind of day it will be.

It can be busy and sunny, and gay

Or boring and cold, unhappy and grey.

My own state of mind is the determining key,

For I am only the person I let myself be

It's not easy to do what I should, I confess,

To laugh and be happy and free from all stress,

But I have faith in my self, and believe what I say,

I personally intend to make the best of each day.

Boomerang

Galatians 6:7 "Be not deceived, God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

When someone is abrupt or makes a rude remark,

Try not to be embarrassed; he's stumbling in the dark.

For the system that's keeping tabs on us is checking to be sure

That we get back just what we give,

Be it tainted or be it pure.

Action is a magic thing that circles all around,

Picks up bits of power from heaven and from the ground.

Try as you may, you can't escape the price you have to pay

It keeps the world in balance

And working another.

So when you plan your future, keep these thoughts in mind:

The world keeps turning right on time,

It's man who gets behind.

The deeds you do are the seeds you sow, and words are poweful too.

The things you send out in the world

Come whirling back to you.

Alma Carr

At a time in our history when there is a crucial need for dedicated persons to lend a hand to help our neighbors, who, in so many cases are frustrated and disillusioned at the multiple problems of today, it is gratifying to now that many good hearted people are trying to render service.

Coming home from volunteering at the hospital one evening, it was that time of day when visibility was poor. I misjudged the distance of the island on my left which I hit causing a blow-out in the left tire. I immediately made my way over to the side of the road. A stranger seeing my problem and my distress offered to help. He put the reserve tire on my car so I was able to drive home. He would not give me his name - he called himself a good Samaritan.

A person's true value is his good deed to his fellowman. We need to listen to a person's cries for help that are spoken indirectly. Kindness is something that everyone can give to others...a gift that everyone can afford. A wise man once said that kindness is the golden chain by which society is bound together. Life is made up, not of great sacrifices or duties, but of little things, in which kindnesses are give.

Someone has said: "No one is so rich that he does not need an other's help. No one is so poor as not to be useful in some way to his fellow man. " The disposition to accept assistance from others with confidence and to grant it with kindness is part of our own nature. The amazing truth of the matter is that, given the opportunity to do the right thing, human beings are still capable of much love and goodness. The world's wisest people generally agree that deeds speak more eloquently than words. No matter what a man's resolutions, or his profession, it is by one's deeds that he is to be judged both by God and man.

I read this somewhere: Look on little deeds as great, on account of Christ, who dwells in us, and watches our life; look on great deeds as easy, on account of His great power.

Helping another is a virtue

It's uplifting, we all know;

But we also should remember

It gives ourselves an inner glow.

Prayer

We recently had a guest in our home. When talking about current events, we discovered she did not believe in a personal God or prayer. She considered the Bible a book of history only, whereas we believe that the Bible is the Word of God. We believe the Bible has to studied, not just read as history, to discern the meaning therein and to do this we need to pray for understanding.

Our guest has no religion of any kind. For her all religions are alike. She believes in the Golden Rule; "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Her whole philosophy is built on morals-doing good. But we know doing good is not going to get us into heaven. And we know religious are not all alike, even though most religions believe in a God or a Supreme Being. Many are morally strong, but there is a big difference. Christians believe in a Triune God, the Father, Jesus Christ, the Son and the Holy Spirit. We further believe that the Son is the Savior of the World. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him, should not perish, but have eternal life." ( John 3:16 ) When we accept Christ as our personal savior, we are admonished to pray without ceasing. "...pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (I Thess.5:17)



Among the reason for praying we talked about were these:

There is a devil, and prayer is a God-appointed way to resist Him.

Prayer is God's way for us to obtain what we need from Him.

Prayer with thanksgiving is God's way for us to obtain freedom from anxiety.



Phil. 4:6,7 "Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understand, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."



I've did some research on prayer and I'm looking for ward to opportunities in the future to talk to her about a personal God and how we communicate with Him. A quote by Georges LeFevre says: "Prayer is an end to isolation. It is living our daily life with someone who alone can deliver us from solitude."



Communion with God is a great privilege and the most important element of prayer. When we pray, we strenthen our relationship with God. The more we pray and read His Word, the stronger our faith becomes in the one true God. The greatest power on earth is embraced in prayer. It has been said that prayer is not eloquence, but earnestness; not the definition of helplessness, but the feeling of it; not figures of speech, but earnestness of the soul.

During a time of war President Eisenhower had this to say about prayer regarding peace: "How can we help strike this spark of dedication in receptive hearts around the earth? By personal prayer by hundreds upon hundreds of millions."

In 1787, the threat of failure loomed over the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin called for daily prayers: "I have lived a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see that God governs the affairs of men. We have been assured in the Sacred Writings, that 'except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain, that build it.' I firmly believe this, and I also believe that without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel."

With the fate of the Union at stake in his decisions, Abraham Lincoln said: "I talk to God, my mind seems relieved when I do and a way is suggested. I should be a self-conceited blockhead if I should hope to get along without the wisdom that comes from God and not from men."

God does not "force His assistance on us," says Father James Keller, founder of the Christophers, "He leaves us free to take it or leave it. The key to the door is given in Jesus' words: 'Ask,' 'Seek,' 'Knock.' "It is as clear , as simple as the story of the small boy struggling, mightily to life a heavy stone. He couldn't budge it. Happening to pass by, his father asked, 'Are you using all your strength?' 'Yes, I am,' said the boy impatiently. 'I don't thing you are' said the father, 'You haven't asked me to help."


Q. Why is prayer necessary for Christians
A. Because it is the chief part of the gratitude which God requires of us, and because God will give his grace and Holy Spirit to those who sincerely beseech him in prayer without ceasing, and who thank him for these gifts." The Heidelburg Catechism

Prayer is a conversation with God. Sometimes we need to use a 'method' in our prayer time. We can us the Psalms or other Scriptures (such as the Lord's Prayer), or several other ideas for praying follow:

Adoration: Praise God for who God is.
Confession: Ask God for forgiveness for the sin in our lives and then repent .
Thanksgiving: Thank God for all God does, knowing God has a wise purpose
Supplication/Intercession: Coming before God on behalf of others-praying for our own needs.

Often we think of prayer as a way to get God to do things for us or for others, but the highest purpose of prayer is to deepen our relationship with God. Prayer does involve petition and intercession, but it also includes communion. In petition God does something FOR us, in intercession He does something THROUGH us and in communion He does something IN us. God wants us to talk with Him. . He is all-knowing, but He also desires our fellowship.

I recently came across this 'Five-Finger Prayer' to use as a guide when praying for others.
...When you fold your hands, the thumb is nearest you, so begin by praying for those closest to you.
...The index finger is the pointer: Pray for those who teach.
...The next finger is the tallest. It reminds you to pray for those in authority.
...The fourth finger is usually the weakest. Pray for those who are in trouble or suffering.
...Then comes your little finger. It reminds you of your smallness in relation to God's greatness. Ask Him to supply our need.

Prayer has brought millions from physical and mental afflictions to health. In prayer God hears more than just words. He listens to our heart, so we can in confidence bring everything to our heavenly Father, saying: "Lord in Your Mercy, hear our prayer."

The Lord Himself taught his followers to pray the Lord's Prayer:

When frindly words grow faint and friendly hands are few, pray
"OUR FATHER, WHICH ART IN HEAVEN."
When profane words strike home upon our ears, pray
"HALLOWED BE THY NAME."
When sins mounts the throne of power, pray
'THY KINGDOM COME."
When leaders of men impose their will upon the ways of earth, pray
"THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN."
When anxious thought of coming days disturb our inward calm, pray
"GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD."
When grieved by our many sins and hurt by the sins of others, pray
"FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS."
When purity loses its lure, pray
"AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL."
When the task of the day is done, pray
"FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM AND THE POWER AND THE GLORY, FORVER, AMEN.

The Bible tells us that God knows our every thought and every word on our tongue, and when we don't know what to pray, "the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. And He who searches the hearts of men knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." (Romans 8:26)
The Biblical truths assure us that we can have communication with God even without a word being spoken, because He knows the intentions and desires of our heart. No matter how much you falter and stumble in praying, He hears you. His heart of infinite love responds to the need and emotions of your own heart. You can know that it will come to past.

The Smallest Prayer

God hears the very smallest prayer

Nor sends a cross too great to bear.

And though we stumble now & then,

He always picks us up again.

There is no moment day or night,

When we are hidden from His sight,

No wall too high nor door too stout

Will keep His loving care without.

His ways are wiser than our own

His strength remains when our is gone.

We must not doubt nor questions why

He sends the answers by & by.

And this I know within my heart,

All darkness fades and shadows part

And that sometime, somehow,

Grace W. Easley

A Memorial Tribute

I received this e-mail from Alfred Lee. Some of you might know him. He was born Arron Alfred Soon-Chye Lee in Klang, Selangor, West Malaysia.in 1972, He is an accomplished Electronic (keyboard) Organ musician. More importantly, since arriving in the U.S.A. he has become a dedicated Christian. I thought his Memorial Day sentiments were worth repeating.

The Hero of heroes has already appeared so many years ago, and the Champion of champions have already won the greatest war of all. His name is Christ Jesus, the Lord of lords, and the King of kings. He has given His precious life to protect us & save us from the wickedness and harm of evil, and by doing so, has also reaped eternal life as a reward for all of us and the world.

As we honor and salute our heroes, our veterans who continue in the Lord's tradition and ways of sacrificial love for country & fellowmen, let us not forget the true value of these souls, whether fallen or still living, their hearts are truly incomparable, and lives irreplaceable. It does not matter whether these veterans are believers or not, but I can trust that they would all be Christians because they have loved as Christ has loved us; for I strongly believe that those who willingly give their lives to protect others had to be motivated by the same Spirit who motivated Christ to die for the sins of the world. Jesus said, "There is no greater love than one who lays down his life for a friend." So this suggest that the one who loves has to have God living within them, because God id Love, for no one can love like God unless God lives in him and inspires him to love as he does. Let us pray to the Almighty with hearts full of thanksgiving for these men and women of treat valor who have sacrificed so much for us, for our country, and for the world. I trust that their rewards will be great in heaven.

So this weekend and holiday, enjoy your day with family & friends as you remember to give thanks to God for His love, through the sacrifice of the lives of our veterans, and honoring also the ones who are at the front lines protecting the world from the forces of darkness, evil and wickedness. And as Christ has instructed us to do, please remember Him at church, for He said, "As often as you Do this , do it in memory of Me." Besides, isn't that the greatest thing one can do in appreciation for the life of sacrifice one has shown us?

HUMOR

This morning's story in the Dallas Morning News, about Stanley Marcus' previous home on Nonesuch Road in Lakewood, Dallas, brought to mind the many columns he wrote for the Dallas News. Mr. Marcus was a retail financier with wit and humor.

The following article , written by the late Stanley Marcus ,was printed in Viewpoints, Dallas Morning News several years ago.


English-speaking travelers to foreign countries always find information and signs and notices ludicrous. That is because Europeans and Asians struggle to translate their simplest ideas into English for those who can't read or understand the local languages.

Here are some interesting uses of the English language abroad:

...In a Bucharest hotel lobby: "The lift is being fixed for the next day. Until then, we regret that you will be unbearable."
...In a Leipzig elevator: "Do not enter the lift backwards. And only when lit up."
...In a Paris hotel elevator: "Visitors are expected to complain at the office between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. daily."
...On a basel restaurant menu: "Our wines leave you nothing to hope for.
...In a Hong Kong Supermarket: "For your convenience we recommend courteous, efficeient self-service."
...In an Interlaken mountain Inn: "Special today, no ice cream"
...In an east African newspaper: "A new swimming pool is rapidly taking shape, since the contractors have thrown in the bulk of the workers."
...In Vienna hotel: "In case of fire, do your utmost to alarm the hotel porter."
...From a Moscow newspaper: "There will be a Moscow Exhibtion of Arts by 15,000 Soviet painters and sculptors. These were executed over the past two years."
...Outside a Hong Kong dress shop: "Dresses for street walking."
...In a Copenhagen airline ticket office: :We take your bags and send then in all directions."
...In a Zurich hotel: "Because of the impropriety of entertaining guests of the opposite sex in the bedroom, it is suggested that the lobby be used for that purpose."
...In a Stockholm furrier's window: "Fur coats made for the ladies from their own skin."
...On a Moscow hotel door: "If this is your first visit to Russia, you are welcome to it."
...In a Tokyo hosiery shop: "Our nylons cost more than common, but you will find they are the best in the long run.'
...In a Hong Kong tailor's window: "Order your summer suit. Because of big rush, we will execute customers in strict rotation."
...A sign posted in German's Black Forest: It is strictly forbidden in our Black Forest camping site that people of different sexs - for instance, men and women live together in one tent unless they are married to each other for that purpose."
...In a Prague tourist agency: "Take one of our horse-driven city tours. We guarantee no miscarriages."
...In a Norwegian cocktail lounge: "Ladies are requested not to have children in the bar."

If you lose your sense of humor, you're lost. Humor is the harmony of the heart, the virtual salt of live. Its presence is an evidence of good nature, of an appreciation of the real values of life.