Good Morning: It's Friday
April 20, 2001!
BIRTHDAYS: Adolf Hitler, 1889; Nina Foch, 1924;
Ryan O'Neal, 1941; Jessica Lange, 1949; Peter Frampton, 1950; Luther Vandross,
1951.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY:
On this date in 1589 in Angola, Andrew Battel became
the first European to see a gorilla. He named the animal a "pongo".
On this date in 1657 Asser Levy and Jacob Barimson were
granted full citizenship in the city of New Amsterdam, which was later
renamed New York. This nation was first settled by those seeking
religious freedom, though with each new group of immigrants, the battle
was renewed. On this day settlers of Judaic origin were first admitted.
On this date in 1976 the Supreme Court ruled that federal
courts could order low-cost housing for minorities in white urban suburbs.
MEANINGLESS FACTS: When the mood of an octopus
changes, so does its color... A cow spends approximately 18 out of every
24 hours chewing on something... The leader of a wolf pack is always female.
TRIVIA: What is the only way to tell a male penguin
from a female penguin (assuming that you are not a penguin)?
Here is an anonymous quote to
get our Friday off and running: "People may argue whether we came
from the apes, but most agree that we're going to the dogs." On to
the real material...
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Thanks to JLLH for a very good forward: YOU KNOW
HOW IT FEELS
During Napoleon's invasion of Russia, his troops were
battling in the middle of yet another small town in that endless wintry
land, when he was accidentally separated from his men. A group of
Russian Cossacks spotted him and began chasing him through the twisting
streets. Napoleon ran for his life and ducked into a little furrier's
shop on a side alley. As Napoleon entered the shop, gasping for breath,
he saw the furrier and cried piteously, "Save me, save me! Where
can I hide?" The furrier said, "Quick, under this big pile of furs
in the corner," and he covered Napoleon up with many furs.
No sooner had he finished than the Russian Cossacks burst
in the door shouting, "Where is he? We saw him come in." Despite
the furrier's protests, they tore his shop apart trying to find Napoleon.
They poked into the pile of furs with their swords but didn't find him.
Soon, they gave up and left.
After some time, Napoleon crept out from under the furs,
unharmed, just as Napoleon's personal guards came in the door. The
furrier turned to Napoleon and said timidly, "Excuse me for asking this
question of such a great man, but what was it like to be under those furs,
knowing that the next moment would surely be your last?"
Napoleon drew himself up to his full height and said
to the furrier indignantly, "How could you ask me, the Emperor Napoleon,
such a question? Guards, take this impudent man out, blindfold him and
execute him. I, myself, will personally give the command to fire!"
The guards grabbed the furrier, dragged him outside,
stood him against a wall and blindfolded him. The furrier could see
nothing, but he could hear the guards shuffle into line and prepare their
rifles. Then he heard Napoleon clear his throat and call out,
"Ready! Aim!" In that moment, a feeling he could not describe
welled up within him; tears poured down his cheeks.
Suddenly the blindfold was stripped from his eyes.
Although partially blinded by the sunlight he could see Napoleon's eyes
looking intently into his own -- eyes that seemed to see every dusty corner
of his soul.
Then Napoleon said, "Now you know."
There are some things that simply cannot be described
to you. If you haven't experienced them for yourself, you can't begin
to know the feeling. If you've never sat by the bed of your father while
cancer eats away at his body, you can't begin to know what it feels like.
If you've never had a spouse walk out the door knowing they will never
return, you can't begin to know what it feels like. If you've never
had to bury a daughter before she was old enough to ride a bicycle, you
can't begin to know what it feels like.
The list could go on and on. Eventually, I would
get to what weighs on your soul. You have friends who try to comfort
you by saying, "I understand," but deep down you know they don't.
They can't. Not without experiencing it for themselves, and you wouldn't
wish that on them.
What that means, though, is that you are in a position
to minister in a special way to people who are suffering the same thing
that you have suffered in the past. God is able to use your past
painful experiences to help others in a way that no one else can.
If you have had to deal with an alcoholic family member, you are in a position
to minister to others in that situation. If you have suffered the
death of a young child, you are in a position to minister to others in
that situation. If you have raised a child as a single parent, you
are able to minister to others in that situation.
The list could go on and on. Eventually, I would
get to what you have suffered in the past. It was painful. It was
tough to get through. But having done so, be aware of the opportunities
you now have to be of service to others. You know exactly how they
feel. Let them know that.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our
tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble,
with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." (2
Cor. 1:3-4) Alan Smith Boone Church of Christ Boone, NC www.TFTD-online.com
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Thanks to AB: Sermon
After a worship service at a Church in Newcastle,
Kentucky, a mother with a fidgety seven-year-old boy told me how she finally
got her son to sit still and be quiet. About halfway through the sermon,
she leaned over and whispered, 'If you don't be quiet, the preacher is
going to lose his place and will have to start his sermon all over again!'
It worked.
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Another Gradowith Poem: No Time For Religion
I've no time now to think of religion,
Too many things in this life I must do;
I've no time now to think of religion,
But I'll find time before my life is through.
YOUTH:
I'm just a child, my wild oats I'm sowing,
I've many years to get right with the Lord;
Besides, His blood will always be flowing
And, someday, I will obey His blest Word.
PRIME:
You see, friend, I'm a very busy man,
My lot in this life keeps me on the go;
I've far more to do now than I can...
Besides, I've many years left here below.
MIDDLE AGE:
Someone must work to pay for the preacher,
I put money in the collection plate.
What? Don't I care for the Master Teacher?
Indeed! And, I'll come before it's too late...
RETIREMENT AGE:
I've heard all those sermons 'bout Jesus' blood,
And how without it no one is made clean;
Someday I'll be washed in the Crimson flood,
But, I'm busy, friend, you know what I mean...
ELDERLY:
I've done all right through all these many years,
I see no need to concern myself now;
I've had laughter and sorrow, joy and tears:
And not once to any man did I bow.
DEATH BED:
I'm not sure where I'll be on the morrow,
I'm not sure what I must do to prepare;
For the wasted years I now have sorrow,
And I wonder if His glory I'll share?
ETERNITY:
Jesus, I had no time for religion,
No, far too many things I had to do;
Jesus, I had no time for religion,
You can see that, you understand, don't you?
JESUS:
I carried my Cross up to Calvary,
And shed my blood just to set lost men free;
But in life this great truth you failed to see:
Now I've but this to say: Depart from me.
FRIEND:
You have time in your life for religion,
You may not think so, but I know you do;
You have time in your life for religion:
Come to Jesus before your life is through.
*****
I've no time now to think of religion,
Too many things in this life I must do;
I've no time now to think of religion,
But I'll find time before my life is through.
H. L. Gradowith
8-5-2000
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ANSWER: By autopsy.
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