THE SADDEST DAY OF MY LIFE . . . July 19, 2020 . . . THE DAY MY DARLING HUSBAND OF 51 YEARS, Rickey Paul Ray, WENT HOME TO HEAVEN!!

Rickey Ray’s . . . Going home to Heaven July 19, 2020 . . . Before and After !!! MY CHRISTIAN MANTRA God is in control. We ask His will, for he and he alone knows what is best. We don’t know exactly which way things will go.  We do know FOR SURE our God is still on the throne and no matter what comes or what goes, He will make it right for His children!!!   A few notes of my Rick’s home going: - “Amazing Grace”. Several days before Rick was called home, be was in bed but quite agitated. He would try to get out of bed. If he had stood up he would have collapsed for sure because his legs could no longer support him. I was trying to calm him down and get him to relax and stay in bed. I started singing some hymns to him. When I started singing “Amazing Grace” his hands quieted down, he laid his hands on his stomach, and settled right down. I changed to another hymn and he started getting agitated again. I went back to “Amazing Grace” at least four times, and every time he quieted down completely, and then he went to sleep. A true miracle of God's grace. - The last three nights before going to Heaven, Rick was not responsive. I whispered in his ear several times that, “I love you very much, but If Jesus comes and wants you to go with him, you go. I will be fine. Jen is with me and I’m with her . . . and we will take care of each other." Then I said, “ remember, there’s no time in heaven. So when you walk through those pearly gates, turn around and Jen and I will be right behind you!” - One or two nights before Rick went home to Jesus, I guess I was almost at my wits end. I prayed, “Please, please dear Father, heal him and let him stay here with me OR heal him and take him home!!” Sunday morning, July 19, 2020, between midnight and 2 am Jesus came and took my darling Rick to his Heavenly home. - My niece Becky’s baby girls love Rick. They visited a few months before Rick became bedridden, and as their car headed home, we heard them yelling, “I love you Rick, I love you Rick.” When he died, I was worried about them. They called on FaceTime, after Rick died. Karson, the baby, got on the phone and said, “Hi aunt Judy where’s Rick.” Then, I talked with both Sydney and Karson on FaceTime. I got real excited and said, “Guess what. Rick has gone to heaven and I bet they’re having a party right now!!!.” Then it sounded like Karson ran from the phone telling everyone, Uncle Ricks having a party !!!! - The other night I dreamed about my sweet darling Rick. I was asleep in my recliner. He stood on my lefthand side, leaned over, and was looking at me intently, as if to see if I was alright. It was only a few seconds long, but exactly like he would have been doing in life . . . making sure I am OK and safe! - On the afternoon of August 14, 2020, . . . about a month after Rick went to Heaven . . . I was straightening up our master bathroom. I decided to switch my face towel holder for Rick’s face towel holder because his was in better condition. As I went to pick it up I noticed something on one of the arms where it attached to the stock of the device.  - Then I realized it was rick’s wedding band. I completely broke down because I knew that he had placed it there knowing that he was going to go to Heaven and that it would be me that would find it. Then I thought, well maybe the hospice people gave it to Jennifer and she put it on the rod. Later that day I was talking with her and I asked if hospice had given her her father’s wedding band. She said, “no”. So my firm belief is Rick left it there for me to find as a comfort for what I am going through . . . or Jesus let Rick come back and leave it for me so that I would know that everything is fine. - Remember those vowels from so many years ago. Long ago Rick and I decided since there is no marriage in heaven, we plan to be “bff’s” there! Judy Ray 2 Corinthians 1:3-6 Praise to the God of All Comfort 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 

My Mother went to Heaven 3 years ago today. In honor of her life I have posted the following.

My Mom's Obituary (DOD 1-21-2012: Vivian Lorraine Rice, known as Nanny to everyone she met, the matriarch of the Rice Family Singers, was promoted to the heavenly choir on Saturday, January 21st, 2012. She was born the youngest child of Claude Huston Crawford and Rebecca Edith Shanks Crawford on August 20, 1923, in Kilsyth, WV. She grew up with her two sisters in Mt. Hope who preceded her in death, Gladys Crawford Warden and Violet Crawford Reed. She graduated from Mt. Hope High School and soon after married Thomas Edward Rice from Tennessee, “the best lookin’ boy” she had ever seen, on December 6, 1941 — the day before the bombing of Pearl Harbor. She was often heard saying, “Nobody loved each other as much as we did.” Tom was often heard to say, “Two great wars started that week!” Tom has been waiting with the Lord and the Heavenly Hosts since 1982 for his singing partner, his love, his wife of what would be 70 years. Nanny is survived by three children and their spouses: Judy and Rickey Ray of Virginia Beach, Va., Connie and Mike Rodas of Wayside, W.Va., and Tom and Shelia Rice of Christiansburg, Va. One of her greatest joys in life was spending time with her grandchildren playing, shopping, and traveling with them. She began teaching them to sing and pray as early as two years old. Nanny has left to them a legacy of a love of music and serving the Lord. She often said, “God doesn’t want your junk — he wants your best” in trying to encourage them to make a joyful noise to the Lord. Nanny loved her grandchildren “her babies,” very much and spent as much time as she could with them. She has left seven grandchildren: Jennifer and Bill Pinto of Smyrna, Ga., Rebecca and Randy Fox of Talcott, W.Va., Angela and Brandon Hodges of Willis, Va., Cameron Rice of Christiansburg, Va., Samantha Rice of Christiansburg, Va., Debra and Kevin Daugherty and Mark and Evelyn Call. Her great-grandchildren: Keegan Pinto of Smyrna, Ga., Zachariah Thomas Hodges of Willis, Va., Ella Lorraine Hodges (Nanny’s namesake) of Willis, Va., and Jesse Call will know her through the stories, pictures and music she has left behind Nanny’s goal was to live a life that was pleasing to God. She spent her time praying and ministering to others in churches, nursing homes, and jails in Virginia and West Virginia. She would sing and she spoke to everyone she met of the love of the Lord and how he had blessed her life. During the 1960s The Rice Family Singers (Vivian, Tom and their three children) were responsible for two television programs on WYAH Channel 27, the Christian Broadcast Network in Portsmouth, Va. The “Sunshine Hour” was focused on providing encouragement to Christians and aired on Sundays after church and included music and testimonies from the family and prayer requests from the public. The “Prodigal” focusing on salvation of lost souls aired every Saturday evening at 7 p.m. and included songs and testimonies about conversion and salvation. In the 1970s the family ministered in churches, nursing homes and jails primarily in West Virginia. They were on the radio stations WMTD in Hinton and WBKW in Beckley. These programs focused on encouraging Christians and included songs, testimonies and prayer requests. When the children had left home, she and Tom continued to minister in churches, nursing homes and jails until his death in 1982. Nanny continued to visit nursing homes with her friends and testified and sang for the residents. When she could no longer drive, she began a ministry in her home of praying for and sending cards and notes to those who were ill or needed encouragement. She has been a devoted and very active member of War Ridge Free Will Baptist Church in Wayside, W.Va., since 1969. In addition to her church and ministry activities, she enjoyed life and wanted to live it fully. In her 70s she began taking piano lessons and Bible College courses from Liberty University as well as learning how to use a computer. Vivian “Nanny” Rice was loved and respected by all who knew her. Her family and friends will miss her greatly but are confident she is in heaven with her beloved Tom and her savior Jesus Christ. The family would like to thank the physicians and staff at Carilion Giles Community Hospital with a special note of appreciation to Dr. McMahon. They would also like to express appreciation to the staff at Bowers Hospice House in Beckley. Visitation will be Tuesday, January 24th, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Ronald Meadows Funeral Parlors in Hinton. The funeral will be held at War Ridge Free Will Baptist Church in Wayside, WV, on Wednesday, January 25th, at 3 p.m. Interment will follow at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Ballengee, W.Va. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Vivian Rice’s name to the Bowers Hospice House at 454 Cranberry Drive, Beckley, WV 25801. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.ronaldmeadowsfp.com. Arrangements are by the Ronald Meadows Funeral Parlors of Hinton, WV.

No Apology !

Silence About six miles from Maastricht, in the Netherlands, lie buried 8,301 American soldiers who died in "Operation Market Garden" in the battles to liberate Holland in the fall winter of 1944-. Every one of the men buried in the cemetery, as well as those in the Canadian and British military cemeteries, has been adopted by a Dutch family who mind the grave, decorate it, and keep alive the memory of the soldier they have adopted. It is even the custom to keep a portrait of "their" American soldier in a place of honor in their home. Annually, on "Liberation Day," memorial services are held for "the men who died to liberate Holland." The day concludes with a concert. The final piece is always "Il Silenzio," a memorial piece commissioned by the Dutch and first played in 1965 on the 20th anniversary of Holland's liberation. It has been the concluding piece of the memorial concert ever since. This year the soloist was a 13-year-old Dutch girl, Melissa Venema, backed by André Rieu and his orchestra (the Royal Orchestra of the Netherlands). This beautiful concert piece is based upon the original version of taps and was composed by Italian composer Nino Rossi. Watch at full screen. http://www.flixxy.com/trumpet-solo-melissa-venema.htm After you watch the above web site, check out the below. Our European arrogance, in alphabetical order 1. The American Cemetery at Aisne-Marne, France... A total of 2289 2. The American Cemetery at Ardennes, Belgium... A total of 5329 3. The American Cemetery at Brittany, France... A total of 4410 4. Brookwood, England - American Cemetery... A total of 468 5. Cambridge, England... A total of 3812 6. Epinal, France - American Cemetery... A total of 5525 7. Flanders Field, Belgium... A total of 368 8. Florence, Italy... A total of 4402 9. Henri-Chapelle, Belgium... A total of 7992 10. Lorraine , France... A total of 10,489 11. Luxembourg, Luxembourg... A total of 5076 12. Meuse-Argonne... A total of 14246 13. Netherlands, Netherlands... A total of 8301 14. Normandy, France... A total of 9387 15. Oise-Aisne, France... A total of 6012 16. Rhone, France... A total of 861 17. Sicily, Italy... A total of 7861 18. Somme, France... A total of 1844 19. St. Mihiel, France... A total of 4153 20. Suresnes, France... A total of 1541 Apologize To No One. Remind those of our sacrifice and don't confuse arrogance with leadership. The count is 104,366 dead , brave Americans. And we have to watch an American elected leader who apologizes to Europe and the Middle East that our country is "arrogant"! HOW MANY FRENCH, DUTCH, ITALIANS, BELGIANS AND BRITS ARE BURIED ON OUR SOIL... AFTER DEFENDING US AGAINST OUR ENEMIES? WE DON'T ASK FOR PRAISE...BUT WE HAVE ABSOULUTELY NO NEED TO APOLOGIZE!

MEMORIAL DAY POEM We walked among the crosses Where our fallen soldiers lay. And listened to the bugle As Taps began to play. The Chaplain led a prayer We stood with heads bowed low. And I thought of fallen comrades I had known so long ago. They came from every city Across this fertile land That we might live in freedom. They lie here 'neath the sand. I felt a little guilty My sacrifice was small. I only lost a little time But these men lost their all. Now the services are over For this Memorial Day. To the names upon these crosses I just want to say. Thanks for what you've given No one could ask for more. May you rest with God in heaven From now through evermore. Author unknown

MEMORIAL DAY POEM

MEMORIAL DAY POEM We walked among the crosses Where our fallen soldiers lay. And listened to the bugle As Taps began to play. The Chaplain led a prayer We stood with heads bowed low. And I thought of fallen comrades I had known so long ago. They came from every city Across this fertile land That we might live in freedom. They lie here 'neath the sand. I felt a little guilty My sacrifice was small. I only lost a little time But these men lost their all. Now the services are over For this Memorial Day. To the names upon these crosses I just want to say. Thanks for what you've given No one could ask for more. May you rest with God in heaven From now through evermore. Author unknown

Just Checking in Today

"Just Checking In Today" A Minister passing through his church In the middle of the day, Decided to pause by the altar To see who came to pray. Just then the back door opened, And a man came down the aisle, The minister frowned as he saw the man Hadn't shaved in a while. His shirt was torn and shabby, And his coat was worn and frayed, The man knelt down and bowed his head, Then rose and walked away. In the days that followed at precisely noon, The preacher saw this chap, Each time he knelt just for a moment, A lunch pail in his lap. Well, the minister's suspicions grew, With robbery a main fear, He decided to stop and ask the man, 'What are you doing here?' The old man said he was a factory worker And lunch was half an hour Lunchtime was his prayer time, For finding strength and power. I stay only a moment Because the factory's far away; As I kneel here talking to the Lord, This is kinda what I say: 'I Just Came By To Tell You, Lord, How Happy I Have Been, Since We Found Each Other’s Friendship And You Took Away My Sin. Don't Know Much Of How To Pray, But I Think About You Every day. So, Jesus, This Is Ben, Just Checking In Today.' The minister feeling foolish, Told Ben that it was fine. He told the man that he was welcome To pray there anytime. 'It's time to go, and thanks,' Ben said As he hurried to the door. Then the minister knelt there at the altar, Which he'd never done before. His cold heart melted, warmed with love, As he met with Jesus there. As the tears flowed down his cheeks, He repeated old Ben's prayer: 'I Just Came By To Tell You, Lord, How Happy I've Been, Since We Found Each Other’s Friendship And You Took Away My Sin. I Don't Know Much Of How To Pray, But I Think About You Every day. So, Jesus, This Is Me, Just Checking In Today.' Past noon one day, the minister noticed That old Ben hadn't come. As more days passed and still no Ben, He began to worry some. At the factory, he asked about him, Learning he was ill. The hospital staff was worried, But he'd given them a thrill. The week that Ben was with them, Brought changes in the ward. His smiles and joy contagious. Changed people were his reward. The head nurse couldn't understand Why Ben could be so glad, When no flowers, calls or cards came, Not a visitor he had. The minister stayed by his bed, He voiced the nurse's concern: No friends had come to show they cared. He had nowhere to turn. Looking surprised, old Ben spoke up And with a winsome smile; 'The nurse is wrong, she couldn't know, He's been here all the while.' Every day at noon He comes here, A dear friend of mine, you see, He sits right down and takes my hand, Leans over and says to me: 'I Just Came By To Tell You, Ben, How Happy I Have Been, Since We Found This Friendship, And I Took Away Your Sin. I Think About You Always And I Love To Hear You Pray, And So Ben, This Is Jesus, Just Checking In Today.'

When You Understand How Christ Was Like This Rag Man You Can't Help But to Love Him More. < Previous Article The Rag Man Early one Friday morning, I was walking through the streets of the town and I came across a giant man, 6 feet, 4 inches tall, pulling a cart filled with rags. Although they were but scraps of clothes, they were clean and bright, as was the peddler, calling out the wares... "Rags!" "Come get your Rags!" Clean, new Rags!" "I'll take your old ones and trade them for new!" I was very curious to see such a sight - not that I had never witnessed people trying to make a buck on the hard streets, but this fellow seemed so hardy and strong. Certainly, he could find work doing something other than pushing rags? I decided to follow him at a distance to see what he was up to. At his first stop, he came across a sad woman, crying on the stoop of her apartment building. She held a stained scrap of cloth to her face as the man approached. He stepped over garbage and broken toys and offered the woman a clean handkerchief. As he did so, her tears dried up and her entire face brightened. But as he walked away, the Ragman, began to sob uncontrollably. He wiped his face with the old dirty cloth that he had taken from the sad woman on the porch. I shook my head in wonder. Scripture reference: John 11:33-44 The Little Girl and the Rag Man The next person that the Ragman came upon was a little girl. Her head was wrapped in a bandage that was dark with blood. As the Ragman approached, she lifted her eyes and asked for a lovely hat to adorn her head. How could he resist? He reached into his bag and pulled out a yellow bonnet that would fit her just perfectly. Before he laid it on her head, he unwound the bandage from the girl's head and placed it around his own. As he did so, a thin stream of blood emerged from his own head and trickled down his cheek. He didn't mind at all as he placed the cheery hat upon the girl's head and went on his way. Happiness crossed her face for the first time in many days, and the Ragman staggered into the street. Scripture reference: Mark 5:25-34 The Worker and the Rag Man By this time, the sun had moved to a high point in the sky and the Ragman looked up and grew worried. He started to move more quickly and with a greater purpose. Eventually, he came to a man leaning against a telephone pole. "Can I offer you clean clothes for work?" the Ragman offered. The other man sneered and laughed. How can I work, when I have only one arm, and he lifted his jacket away, showing the empty right sleeve. The Ragman simply said, lets exchange coats. What happened next, I still cannot believe. The Ragman removed his jacket and with it came his right arm. He handed it to the man at the telephone pole, who gladly put it on and walked away whole and happy. The Ragman kept going, this time, a bit more slowly. Scripture reference: Luke 6:6-11 The Drunk and the Rag Man The Ragman hurried down the street. Before long, he came up a drunk, huddled upon the edges of an overpass, covered in a blanket, the stench of which I simply will not relate here. It did not phase the Ragman, however. He lifted off that awful rag from the drunk and gave him brand new coverings. Immediately, the man stood up and walked away with a strength and purpose not seen in years. The Ragman stumbled and fell with the burden of the old cloths. Still, he moved along, even more urgently that afternoon. He moved through the streets, crying, bleeding, pulling his cart with one arm, and stumbling along through a haze of drunkenness. He was in such a hurry, I could hardly keep up with him! Eventually, he reached a garbage pit. The Ragman climbed to the top of the landfill and laid out a large blanket. He fluffed up his jacket and laid his exhausted head on the top. The Ragman laid down, closed his eyes, covered himself with the drunk man's army blanket, and died. Oh, how shocking and terrible! I was not expecting this at all. I slunk away to my bedroom and cried myself to sleep. I had come to love the Ragman, and yet, he had seemingly died alone. Scripture Reference: Luke 23:33-35 The Rag Man Rises I was so distraught, I slept all the way through Friday night and Saturday too. All of a sudden, I was awakened on Sunday morning by a bright light! This amazingly hard, pure, shocking light came streaming into my room that day, I could hardly open my eyes. When I did, I had to blink several times. Yet, still I did not believe what I saw. There, standing before me was the Ragman! The only sign of his suffering the days before was a small scar on his forehead. Other than that, he was entirely intact! I could not believe it, and was filled with shame. I lowered my eyes and my head and hesitantly approached the Ragman. Stripping myself of all my clothes, I stood before him, naked. "Please," I implored him, "Dress me." The Ragman turned and chose one of the many shining cloths next to him. The entire room was filled with His glory! He dressed me, then, my Lord, that day. With new rags, I am a wonder beside Him – The Ragman. The Christ! Scripture Reference: Colossians 3:7-14 Isaiah 1:18 "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the Lord, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. Luke 24-6-8 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' Then they remembered his words. Credit: Stephanie Hicks Photo Credit: The Rag Man Illustration by Syd Jordan Brown Press the button below if you liked this story! Thank you =)

John 3 (16)For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.(17)For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.(18)He who believes in Him [who clings to, trusts in, relies on Him] is not judged [he who trusts in Him never comes up for judgment; for him there is no rejection, no condemnation--he incurs no damnation]; but he who does not believe (cleave to, rely on, trust in Him) is judged already [he has already been convicted and has already received his sentence] because he has not believed in and trusted in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [He is condemned for refusing to let his trust rest in Christ’s name.] John 3:16-18(AMP)

SAVING GRACE Lord, you are so wonderful And deserve our love and praise I cannot express just how I feel When I think of your saving grace To think of what you went through That day upon the cross And in the moments leading up to it When soldiers spat and scoffed And beat you with no mercy, Making sport and having fun You said not a word in your defence Even though you were God's son You bore it all out of your love For the lost and dying souls, To give us a hope we can hold on to For a future yet to unfold It's such a beautiful description, Lord, Of what your grace can do, For no one's exempt from your saving grace, But it's a gift freely given from you © By M.S.Lowndes

September 11

World Trade Center Disaster . . . . . Some "saved" unexpectedly: A man from Norfolk , VA called a local radio station to share this on Sept 11th, 2003, TWO YEARS AFTER THE TRAGEDIES OF 9/11/2001. His name was Robert Matthews. These are his words: A few weeks before Sept. 11th, my wife and I found out we were going to have our first child. She planned a trip out to California to visit her sister. On our way to the airport, we prayed that God would grant my wife a safe trip and be with her. Shortly after I said 'amen,' we both heard a loud pop and the car shook violently. We had blown out a tire. I replaced the tire as quickly as I could, but we still missed her flight. Both very upset we drove home. I received a call from my father who was retired NYFD. He asked what my wife's flight number was, but I explained that we missed the flight. My father informed me that her flight was the one that crashed into the southern tower. I was too shocked to speak. My father also had more news for me; he was going to help. 'This is not something I can't just sit by for; I have to do something.' I was concerned for his safety, of course, but more because he had never given his life to Christ. After a brief debate, I knew his mind was made up. Before he got off of the phone, he said, 'take good care of my grandchild.' Those were the last words I ever heard my father say; he died while helping in the rescue effort. My joy that my prayer of safety for my wife had been answered quickly became anger. I was angry at God, at my father, and at myself. I had gone for nearly two years blaming God for taking my father away. My son would never know his grandfather, my father had never accepted Christ, and I never got to say good-bye. Then something happened. About two months ago, I was sitting at home with my wife and my son, when there was a knock on the door. I looked at my wife, but I could tell she wasn't expecting anyone. I opened the door to a couple with a small child. The man looked at me and asked if my father's name was Jake Matthews. I told him it was. He quickly grabbed my hand and said, 'I never got the chance to meet your father, but it is an honor to meet his son.' He explained to me that his wife had worked in the WorldTrade Center and had been caught inside after the attack. She was pregnant and had been caught under debris. He then explained that my father had been the one to find his wife and free her. My eyes welled up with tears as I thought of my father giving his life for people like this. He then said, 'there is something else you need to know.' His wife then told me that as my father worked to free her, she talked to him and led him to Christ. I began sobbing at the news. Now I know that when I get to Heaven, my father will be standing beside Jesus to welcome me, and that this family would be able to thank him themselves .. When their baby boy was born, they named him Jacob Matthew, in honor of the man who gave his life so that a mother and baby could live. Please take time to share this amazing story. You may never know the impact it may have on someone. God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

THE LITTLE BLACK DOG by Elizabeth Gardner Reynolds I wonder if Christ had a little black dog, All curly and wooly like mine: With two long silky ears and a nose, round and wet, And two eyes, brown and tender, that shine. I am sure, if He had, that that little black dog Knew, right from the first, He was God; That he needed no proof that Christ was divine, And just worshipped the ground where he trod. I'm afraid that He hadn't, because I have read How he prayed in the garden, alone; For all of His friends and disciples had fled Even Peter, the one called a stone. And, oh, I am sure that the little black dog, With a heart so tender and warm, Would never have left him to suffer alone, But, creeping right under his arm, Would have licked the dear fingers, in agony clasped, And, counting all favors but loss, When they took him away, would have trotted behind And Followed Him quite to the Cross.

A CAR . . . . NOT A BIBLE!!!!

A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealers showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted. Things are always as they appear…..a little food for thought……; As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study, told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and how much he loved him. He handed him a beautifully wrapped gift box. Curious, but somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with his name embossed in gold. Angrily, he raised his voice to his father and said,"With all your money you give me a Bible?" He stormed out of the house, leaving the Bible behind. Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old. He thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day. But before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to him. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things. When he arrived at his father's house, sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his father's important documents and saw the Bible, new just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. His father had carefully underlined a verse, Matt 7:11, "And if ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father which is in Heaven, give to those who ask Him?" As he read those words, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealers name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words... PAID IN FULL. How many times do we miss God's blessings because they are not packaged as we expected?

THE AMERICAN HERO

The American Hero by Roger Robicheau The American Hero always comes through To capture our hearts with a spirit so true Some proudly are soldiers who march in harm’s way Insuring our freedom, courageous they stay While others come forth as civilians so brave Determined in purpose, so steadfast to save We should always keep clear a place in our heart For each has a value beyond precious art Their duty to country will not be surpassed Please honor their courage, for some it’s their last We live in a world which can be hard to bear Thank God for these people, how greatly they care Do ponder new heroes and what they will face And pray for their safety no matter their place Our heritage brings out the best, we all know Our great book of heroes is destined to grow

My Mom!

My Mom moved to Heaven exactly 1 year and 2 months ago. I still find myself occasionally thinking, "haven't talk with Mom in a while", or, "gotta tell Mom this"!! I admit, I sometimes ask Jesus to, "tell Mom I said 'hi' and that I love her"!!! I know she is having a grand time . . . I would never ever bring her back . . . If i could . . . But, can I join her soon . . . Please!!!

BEST POEM IN THE WORLD I was shocked, confused, bewildered As I entered Heaven's door, Not by the beauty of it all, Nor the lights or its decor. But it was the folks in Heaven Who made me sputter and gasp-- The thieves, the liars, the sinners, The alcoholics and the trash. There stood the kid from seventh grade Who swiped my lunch money twice. Next to him was my old neighbor Who never said anything nice. Herb, who I always thought Was rotting away in hell, Was sitting pretty on cloud nine, Looking incredibly well. I nudged Jesus, 'What's the deal? I would love to hear Your take. How'd all these sinners get up here? God must've made a mistake. 'And why is everyone so quiet, So somber - give me a clue.' 'Hush, child,' He said, 'they're all in shock. No one thought they'd be seeing you.' Anonymous JUDGE NOT!! Remember... Just going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car. Every saint has a PAST... Every sinner has a FUTURE!

The Father's Love Letters

THE FATHER'S LOVE LETTER AN INTIMATE MESSAGE FROM GOD TO YOU. My Child, You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1 I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2 I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3 Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31 For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27 In me you live and move and have your being.Acts 17:28 For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28 I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5 I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12 You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16 I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26 You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14 I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13 And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6 I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me.John 8:41-44 I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16 And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1 Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1 I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11 For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48 Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17 For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33 My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11 Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3 My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore.Psalms 139:17-18 And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40 For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5 I desire to establish youwith all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41 And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3 If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29 Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13 I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20 For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18 As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11 One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4 And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth.Revelation 21:3-4 I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus.John 17:23 For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26 He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3 He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31 And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.2 Corinthians 5:18-19 Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10 I gave up everything I lovedthat I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32 If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23 And nothing will ever separate you from my love again.Romans 8:38-39 Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7 I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15 My question is…Will you be my child? John 1:12-13 I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32 Love, Your Dad Almighty God

A WOMAN'S LIFE

A Woman's Life~ It had been a very long night. Our black cocker spaniel ‘Precious’ was having a difficult delivery. I lay on the floor beside her large four-foot square cage, watching her every movement. Watching and waiting, just in case I had to rush her to the veterinarian. After six hours the puppies started to appear. The first-born was black and white. The second and third puppies were tan and brown in color. The fourth and fifth were also spotted black and white. “One, two, three, four, five,” I counted to myself as I walked down the hallway to wake my wife, Judy, and tell her that everything was fine. As we walked back down the hallway and into the spare bedroom, I noticed a sixth puppy had been born and was now laying all by itself over to the side of the cage. I picked up the small puppy and laid it on top of the large pile of puppies, who were whining and trying to nurse on the mother. Precious immediately pushed the small puppy away from rest of the group. She refused to recognize it as a member of her family. “Something’s wrong,” said Judy. I reached over and picked up the puppy. My heart sank inside my chest when I saw the little puppy had a cleft lip and palate and could not close its little mouth. I decided right there and then that if there was any way to save this animal I was going to give it my best shot. I took the puppy to the vet and was told nothing could be done unless we were willing to spend about a thousand dollars to try and correct the defect. He told us that the puppy would die mainly because it could not suckle. After returning home, Judy and I decided that we could not afford to spend that kind of money without getting some type of assurance from the vet that the puppy had a chance to live. However, that did not stop me from purchasing a syringe and feeding the puppy by hand. Which I did every day and night, every two hours, for more than ten days. The little puppy survived and learned to eat on his own as long as it was soft canned food. The fifth week I placed an ad in the newspaper, and within a week we had people interested in all of the pups, except the one with the deformity. Late one afternoon I went to the store to pick up a few groceries. Upon returning I happened to see the old retired schoolteacher, who lived across the street from us, waving at me. She had read in the paper that we had puppies and was wondering if she might get one from us for her grandson and his family. I told her all the puppies had found homes, but I would keep my eyes open for anyone else who might have an available cocker spaniel. I also mentioned that if someone should change their mind, I would let her know. Within days, all but one of the puppies had been picked up by their new families. This left me with one brown and tan cocker as well as the smaller puppy with the cleft lip and palate. Two days passed without me hearing anything from the gentleman who had been promised the tan and brown pup. I telephoned the schoolteacher and told her I had one puppy left and that she was welcome to come and look at it. She advised me that she was going to pick up her grandson and would come over at about eight o’clock that evening. That night at around seven-thirty, Judy and I were eating supper when we heard a knock on the front door. When I opened the door, the man who had wanted the tan and brown pup was standing there. We walked inside, took care of the adoption details and I handed him the puppy. Judy and I did not know what we would do or say when the teacher showed up with her grandson. At exactly eight o’clock the doorbell rang. I opened the door, and there was the schoolteacher with her grandson standing behind her. I explained to her the man had come for the puppy after all, and there were no puppies left. “I’m sorry, Jeffery. They found homes for all the puppies,” she told her grandson. Just at that moment, the small puppy left in the bedroom began to yelp. “My puppy! My puppy!” yelled the little boy as he ran out from behind his grandmother. I just about fell over when I saw that the small child also had a cleft lip and palate. The boy ran past me as fast as he could, down the hallway to where the puppy was still yelping. When the three of us made it to the bedroom, the small boy was holding the puppy in his arms. He looked up at his grandmother and said, “Look, Grandma. They found homes for all the puppies except the pretty one, and he looks just like me.” The schoolteacher turned to us, “Is this puppy available?” “Yes,” I answered. “That puppy is available.” The little boy, who was now hugging the puppy, chimed in, “My grandma told me these kind of puppies are real expensive and that I have to take real good care of it.” The lady opened her purse, but I reached over and pushed her hand back down into her purse so that she would not pull her wallet out. “How much do you think this puppy is worth?” I asked the boy. “About a dollar?” “No. This puppy is very, very expensive,” he replied. “More than a dollar?” I asked. “I’m afraid so,” said his grandmother. The boy stood there pressing the small puppy against his cheek. “We could not possibly take less than two dollars for this puppy,” Judy said, squeezing my hand. “Like you said, it’s the pretty one.” The schoolteacher took out two dollars and handed it to the young boy. “It’s your dog now, Jeffery. You pay the man.” Still holding the puppy tightly, the boy proudly handed me the money. Any worries I’d had about the puppy’s future were gone. The image of the little boy and his matching pup stays with me still. I think it must be a wonderful feeling for any young person to look at themselves in the mirror and see nothing, except “the pretty one.” By Roger Dean Kiser, a love, hope, courage books writer http://www.rogerdeankiser.com/

A HISTORY LESSON!

A HISTORY LESSON, VERY INTERESTING They used to use urine to tan animal skins, so families used to all pee in a pot & then once a day it was taken & Sold to the tannery.......if you had to do this to survive you were "Piss Poor" But worse than that were the really poor folk who couldn't even afford to buy a pot......they "didn't have a pot to piss in" & were the lowest of the low The next time you are washing your hands and complain because the water temperature isn't just how you like it, think about how things used to be. Here are some facts about the 1500s: Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, and they still smelled pretty good by June.. However, since they were starting to smell . ...... . Brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting Married. Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children. Last of all the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it.. Hence the saying, "Don't throw the baby out with the Bath water!" Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof... Hence the saying "It's raining cats and dogs." There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That's how canopy beds came into existence. The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt. Hence the saying, "Dirt poor." The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until, when you opened the door, it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entrance-way. Hence: a thresh hold. In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire.. Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat. They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew had food in it that had been there for quite a while. Hence the rhyme: Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old. Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could, "bring home the bacon." They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and chew the fat. Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous. Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or the upper crust. Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would Sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial.. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up. Hence the custom of holding a wake. England is old and small and the local folks started running out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the bones to a bone-house, and reuse the grave. When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive... So they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the graveyard shift.) to listen for the bell; thus, someone could be, saved by the bell or was considered a dead ringer.

Church Bulletin Bloopers

Church Ladies with Typewriters. They're Back! Those wonderful Church Bulletins! Thank God for church ladies with typewriters. These sentences (with all the BLOOPERS) actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services: -------------------------- The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals. -------------------------- The sermon this morning: Jesus Walks on the Water. The sermon tonight: Searching for Jesus. -------------------------- Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands. -------------------------- Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say 'Hell' to someone who doesn't care much about you. -------------------------- Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help. -------------------------- Miss Charlene Mason sang 'I will not pass this way again,' giving obvious pleasure to the congregation. -------------------------- For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs. -------------------------- Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get. -------------------------- Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days. -------------------------- A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.. -------------------------- At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be 'What Is Hell?' Come early and listen to our choir practice. -------------------------- Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones. -------------------------- Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children. -------------------------- The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility. -------------------------- Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow. -------------------------- The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon. -------------------------- This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin. -------------------------- Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM . All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B. S. Is done. -------------------------- The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the Congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday. -------------------------- Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door. -------------------------- The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy. -------------------------- Weight Watchers will meet at 7PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance. -------------------------- The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new campaign slogan last Sunday: "I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours."

Happy Birthday Mom

Today would have been my Moms 89th birthday.  But instead of celebrating her 89th here with us, she is celebrating her first birthday in Heaven!!  Happy birthday Mom!!!  Love, Judy