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Hebrews 9:27  "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment"
"Of the People, by the people, for the people."
Not any more in the USA.
Now it is Of the people, by the government, for the government, big corporations, and rich.

ITS TIME FOR THE PEOPLE TO TAKE BACK AMERICA,
VOTE THE POLITICIANS OUT AND PUT IN GOOD PEOPLE WHO
CAN'T BE BOUGHT BY THE BIG CORPORATIONS AND RICH.
Read More, Politicians Running Wild


Rick Selby's
Great Reading Page 5

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The Tea Cup

There was a couple who used to go England to shop in a beautiful antique store. This trip was to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. They both liked antiques and pottery, and especially tea-cups. Spotting an exceptional cup, they asked "May we see that? We've never seen a cup quite so beautiful."

As the lady handed it to them,; suddenly the tea-cup spoke, "You don't understand." It said, "I have not always been a tea-cup. There was a time when I was just a lump of red clay. My master took me and rolled me pounded and patted me over and over and I yelled out, Don't do that. I don't like it! "Let me alone," but he only smiled, and gently said; "Not yet!!"

"Then. WHAM! I was placed on a spinning wheel and suddenly I was spun around and around and around. 'Stop it ! I'm getting so dizzy! I'm going to be sick!', I screamed. But the master only nodded and said, quietly; 'Not yet. He spun me and poked and prodded and bent me out of shape to suit himself and then......

Then he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat. I yelled and knocked and pounded at the door. " Help! Get me out of here!" I could see him through the opening and I could read his lips as he shook his head from side to side, 'Not yet'.

"When I thought I couldn't bear it another minute, the door opened. He carefully took me out and put me on the shelf, and I began to cool. Oh, that felt so good! "Ah, this is much better," I thought.

But, after I cooled he picked me up and he brushed and painted me all over. The fumes were horrible. I thought I would gag. 'Oh, please; Stop it, Stop it!!' I cried. He only shook his head and said. 'Not yet!'.

Then suddenly he put me back in to the oven. Only it was not like the first one. This was twice as hot and I just knew I would suffocate. I begged. I pleaded. I screamed. I cried. I was convinced I would never make it. I was ready to give up. Just then the door opened and he took me out and again placed me on the shelf, where I cooled and waited ------- and waited, wondering What's he going to do to me next?

An hour later he handed me a mirror and said 'Look at yourself.' And I did.

I said, 'That's not me; that couldn't be me. It's beautiful. I'm beautiful!"'

Quietly he spoke: "I want you to remember, then,' he said, 'I know it hurt to be rolled and pounded and patted, but had I just left you alone, you'd have dried up. I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel, but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled.

I know it hurt and it was hot and disagreeable in the oven, but if I hadn't put you there, you would have cracked. I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over, but if I hadn't done that, you never would have hardened. You would not have had any color in your life. If I hadn't put you back in that second oven, you wouldn't have survived for long because the hardness would not have held. Now you are a finished product. Now you are what I had in mind when I first began with you."

The moral of this story is this:

God knows what He's doing [ for each of us ]. He is the potter, and we are His clay. He will mould us and make us, and expose us to just enough pressures of just the right kinds that we may be made into a flawless piece of work to fulfill His good, pleasing and perfect will.

So when life seems hard, and you are being pounded and patted and pushed almost beyond endurance; when your world seems to be spinning out of control; when you feel like you are in a fiery furnace of trials; when life seems to "stink", try this.... Brew a cup of of your favorite tea in your prettiest tea cup, sit down and think on this story and then, have a little talk with the Potter.

Drinking From My Saucer

I've never made a fortune,
and it's probably too late now.
But I don't worry about that much,
I'm happy anyhow.

And as I go along life's way,
I'm reaping better than I sowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

Haven't got a lot of riches,
and sometimes the going's tough.
But I've got loving ones all around me,
and that makes me rich enough.

I thank God for his blessings,
and the mercies He's bestowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

I remember times when things went wrong,
My faith wore somewhat thin.
But all at once the dark clouds broke,
and the sun peeped through again.

So Lord, help me not to gripe,
about the tough rows I have hoed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

If God gives me strength and courage,
When the way grows steep and rough.
I'll not ask for other blessings,
I'm already blessed enough.

And may I never be too busy,
to help others bear their loads.
Then I'll keep drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

When I think of how many people
in this world have it worse than I do.
I realize just how lucky most of us really are.
Don't be too busy today...Share this inspiring message with friends and family.

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures

Why we know we have hope and will be safe!
"In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. (Ps.56:11)

For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
Because he hath set his love upon me,
therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
(Psalms 91 11:15)

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power and of love, and of a sound mind." (II Tim. 1:7)
The Rocket's Red Glare

Matthew 8:26 In the wake of September 11, 2001

As the rocket's red glare and the bursting of bombs
...light up the cold desert night
The world is on edge with their nerves all frayed
as they watch all these terrible sights
One side calls a Jihad, the holiest of wars
... in defense of a god they call true
The other calls out for the proud Lord of Hosts
to defend the red, white and the blue

But God is no respecter of persons
He does not play favorites you see
He sent His dear Son to die for each one
That eventually all would be free

We sort of expect that these worldly ones
...would be caught up in all of this mess
But for all of you who are pledged to the Lord
He leaves us all nothing to guess
Satan He says is "the god of this world"
But his empire is ready to fall
Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world"
...yet remember, His kingdom's for all

So hold on to your faith, and not to this world
and see the salvation of God
The Holy Land shakes and the people's hearts quake
with each pang and each poke and each prod

The setting up of His kingdom
...is much like a young girl in travail
As the pains, they grow sharper and closer
Do you think that the Lord will prevail?
Don't make Him call out unto you
O ye of little reliance
Is your heart flesh or stone?
Is your head brain or bone?
...and will you come into compliance?

~Author jon hanning ~
Sin and God's forgiveness

Four steps to a more abundant life
Emergency Numbers
These numbers supplied by the "Willing Servants" from Shippensburg, PA

From our daily bread Sept., Oct., Nov., 2001 Sunday Sept. 9, 2001
"My great-grandfather owned this rifle," the man said proudly. In his hand was a mint-condition rifle from the days when the pioneers were moving across the American West. I admired its beautiful walnut stock and shiny brass fittings, He said, "It came down to my grandfather, who passed it on to my father, who gave it to me. It's been in the family more than 100 years. I'm going to give it to my son when he turns 25".

We pass on to our children what we believe will make them happy and give them something to remember us by. We give a lot of thought to what we pass on. The example of our lives, we can pass on to our children, even more important things-such as a good name or honorable character. The things that Christ teaches us are more important and valuable that material things. These things should be passed on from generation to generation. We need to pass on our love for Jesus. We need to pass on the look of Jesus in us; we need for our children to receive that which is most valuable from us.
That is the "gift" of Jesus and His love.
Remembered By A Nail
From our daily bread Jan.8, 2002
Emil Mettler, a restaurant owner in London, was known for his generosity. He often fed people for nothing. If a representative of a Christian organization came in and told him of a need, he would open his cash drawer and give a sizable donation.

One day Emil opened his cash drawer in the presence of a missionary official who noticed a nail among the bills and coins. Surprised at what he saw, the man asked, "What's that doing there?" Emil picked up the 6-inch spike and replied, "I keep this with my money to remind me of the price Christ paid for my salvation and what I owe Him in return."

Emil used that nail to remind himself that he owed the Lord a great debt of love and gratitude because Jesus had laid down His life for him (1 John 3:16-23). Emil used that simple object to stimulate his own generosity as he remembered the Savior's sacrifice.

How often do we think about the sacrifice on Calvary where Jesus paid the penalty for our sin with His own death on the cross? Emil's example inspires us in the midst of our most mundane activities to remember not just the thorns, the nails, and the spear-thrust, but the loving heart of Him who gave His life for us. --VCG

The Blessing Tree
From our daily bread Dec., Jan., Feb., 2001-2002 Thursday Dec. 20, 2001
I read about a young couple whose business had failed, and they had little money to spend at Christmas. They were going to have to move out of their house after the new year. But they didn't want their holiday season to be spoiled because of it. So they decided to throw a party. When the guest arrived, they saw a cedar tree decorated with one string of lights and small rolled up pieces of paper tied to the limbs with ribbon.

"Welcome to our 'blessing tree'!" they said beaming. "In spite of hard times. God has blessed us in so many ways that we decided to dedicate our tree to Him, Each piece of paper describes a blessing He has given us this year."

This couple has faced more trials since then, but they have chosen to stay focused on the Lord. They often remark that the Christmas with the "blessing tree" was one of the most beautiful, because they could testify as Mary did: "My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior...He who is mighty has done great things for me" (Luke 1"47-49)

Whatever your difficulties, they needn't spoil Christmas for nothing can spoil Christ! Like this couple, stay focused on Jesus and seek ways to share His blessings with others--perhaps through your own "blessing tree"--JEY
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