Sticks Stones




	WRITE 2 THE HEART Stories that are aimed "Write 2 the Heart" October 23, 2003 Cheryl Speir, Editor, moderator@write2theheart.com ----------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to your latest issue of "Write 2 the Heart" You are receiving this newsletter because you requested a subscription or a friend generously forwarded their copy to you. To subscribe send a blank e-mail to subscribe@write2theheart.com. ------------------------------------------------------------ Have you ever asked God for a sign? Annettee has, and shares what she has learned. Don’t miss the poem following by Paul Leadem extolling the beauty of this fall season. ------------------------------------------------------------ Guiding Signs By Annettee Budzban ------------------------------------------------------------ "If now I have found favor in Your sight, then show me a sign that it is You Who talks with me." Judges 6:17 (AMP) I was perplexed over a situation I had been facing. So I asked God to give me a sign regarding a break though in this area. I decided my sign had to be something unusual or it wouldn't be a sign. I prayed, "God show me a deer in my backyard." I have a small patch of woods at the end of my backyard. However, as far as I was concerned this was an impossible request, because the area I live in is residential, not rural. No one in my neighborhood has ever seen a deer around here; neither have I in the five years I've been here. The other day my sign was answered. In the middle of a quiet Sunday afternoon, my deer appeared in my backyard. From my kitchen window, I watched him nibbling at my bird feeder. As I shared my amazing discovery with a friend, she informed me that she, too, had just received a sign. She had quit working about two years ago. She has been happy to be at home these past few years. However, she found a desire stirring inside of her to return to work part-time. Since she wasn't quite sure if this was a wise decision, she asked God, "Send an answer to my house." Within a brief time, she received a phone call from a friend informing her the doctor's office where she was currently moonlighting, just lost their part-time nurse. My friend faxed her resume and received an interview. A week later, she was offered the job. Whenever I pray for a sign from God, I think about the Bible story of Gideon. Gideon needed a sign that God was on his side to deliver Israel from their enemies. He told God that he would put a piece of wool on the ground and, if it was left dry and the ground around it wet, he would know God was with him. He received his sign, and won his battle. Although a sign from God can be reassuring, there are many times that I have asked God for a sign and He has informed me to use my judgment. We have to be careful in asking for a sign and use wisdom in the discerning of the reception of one. However, when times are tough, I still find a comfort in asking as Gideon did, "God show me a sign." Annettee Budzban ahrtwrites2u @ aol.com You are encouraged to write to the authors to let them know what you think of their story, just remember to remove the space before and after the @ symbol. The space is placed in the address to protect our writers from viruses and email harvesting programs. Have a comment on today's story? Send it to: moderator@write2theheart.com ---------------------------------------------------------------- Annettee Budzban is an author, freelance writer, religion columnist, and the Devotions Editor for the Christian e-zine Eternal Ink. She has been published on various e-zines and in magazines. Her new book When Heaven Whispers is overflowing with inspirational stories and devotions. Her e-mail address is ahrtwrites2u @ aol.com. -------------------------------------------------------------- Poet Tree By Paul Joseph Leadem -------------------------------------------------------------- One morning God gave a gift to me To see more clearly His Poet Tree I have seen His mountains majesty The shimmering gold of the Aspen tree But on this day God said to me Walk with me and really see So on my walk this autumn day I looked more carefully at His way A poet this fool will never be And yet I saw God's Poet Tree Paul Joseph Leadem Pleadem @ msn.com ------------------------------------------------------------- Paul lives in Colorado with his wife Rose Marie. You can read more of Paul’s stories in our archives. -------------------------------------------------------------- Letters From Our Readers -------------------------------------------------------------- I believe like Bob that animals form friendships. I also believe that they can grieve when one of their friends die. To see two dog friends romping and playing is one of the pleasures of my day. Tracy --------------------------------------------------------------- Military Prayer Reminder --------------------------------------------------------------- As you read over this list of names, please take that moment to pray for these young people and their families: Chris Speir Tim Speir Alan Thaddeaus Howard Todd Holland Graham William Julie Sagel Jessie Marshal Thompson Jason Eric Hernandez Kristin Danielson Ken Prieur Ryan Please continue to pray for our country, our leaders, and our troops at this time. If you have loved ones in the military, or who are being called to go overseas, send their names (first and last or first only) to be included in our prayer reminder. --------------------------------------------------------------- Cheryl's Corner What did David give me for our anniversary? Pearls. A beautiful necklace with matching earrings and bracelet. What did I give him? Two sleeping bags that can zip together to form one large one. Now you know which one of us is the more romantic. God Bless, Cheryl ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- © 2003 Write 2 the Heart Nothing may be reproduced or published without the written permission of the individual author or copyright owner. All rights belong to the authors. WRITE 2 THE HEART Stories that are aimed "Write 2 the Heart" October 28, 2003 Cheryl Speir, Editor, moderator@write2theheart.com ----------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to your latest issue of "Write 2 the Heart" You are receiving this newsletter because you requested a subscription or a friend generously forwarded their copy to you. To subscribe send a blank e-mail to subscribe@write2theheart.com. ------------------------------------------------------------ When we witness verbal cruelty, do we just shrug and walk away? Or do we take the initiative like Diane did to offer cookies and friendship? ------------------------------------------------------------ Sticks And Stones By Diane Dean White ------------------------------------------------------------ Summer is coming to a close I thought to myself as a yellow school bus filled with elementary aged children stopped at the house down the street. I have a perfect view of the activities from my kitchen window and it always brings a smile to my face to remember the excitement I felt when this time of year would come around. On this particular afternoon I noted a young boy who walked several paces behind the others who descended the bus steps first. He was new to the area as I recently noticed the moving van at the house where he lived. He walked by the group of other children who were laughing and shuffling their feet. I was in hopes that someone from the group in the neighborhood might try to include this boy in their circle; but suddenly I heard a shout from a boy in the group to the newcomer, and watched in amazement as the other children laughed at what he had said. The newcomer dashed to his house as fast as his legs could carry him, while the other children stood watching and laughing. I wondered what they had said to him. I remember the years our three children started school and how I tried to prepare them for things that others might use that could hurt them. I also remember the old saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me. These words were simply NOT true. I knew name-calling and unkind words could hurt badly. In fact they can do permanent injury to children and adults alike. And once said, they cannot be taken back. How pleased I was one day as a 6th grader when we were having ART class.I had made a painting and was so happy when the art teacher came by my desk and told me how much she liked my sail- boat in the blue water. A few minutes later our classroom teacher walked by the row of desks, looked at my painting and said, "You can do better." All of a sudden the joy and feeling of happiness was gone, I obviously hadn't done a good job after all. I never took art after that although I loved it so. Many children today suffer from unkind words that someone said to them. Older people can feel the sting of names or words spoken alike. It is a long going discipline to remind oneself that a word spoken can be hurtful or encouraging. Physical wounds heal, but the speech we use can stay with someone a lifetime. Words are much like dynamite, once they go off (or are said) the damage is done. In the Bible, the book of James is dedicated to our Christian conduct and much is said about the use of the "tongue." The author compares a tongue to a great forest, which is set on fire by a small spark. "The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire." (James 3: 6)The author continues to share the fact that we can't be faithful to the Lord with our conduct using language or saying things with our tongue that is unkind. We have one mouth and we use it to praise our Lord, but out of the same mouth often come unkind words. "Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?" (James 3:11)It is a constant battle to guard against saying something that might offend another, yet thinking ahead of words to encourage others makes us feel better and pleases the Lord. I don't know what the neighbor boy thought of the children who gathered and felt it their obligation to say unkind words to him, but I did walk over with a plate of cookies and introduced myself to his Mother. I invited the young boy to stop by after school someday and visit me. He seemed pleased and smiled. I just wonder if I can find a few other boys who might enjoy coming by around the same time......everyone needs a friend and to hear some kind words. © Diane Dean White 2003 Thelamb212 @ aol.com You are encouraged to write to the authors to let them know what you think of their story, just remember to remove the space before and after the @ symbol. The space is placed in the address to protect our writers from viruses and email harvesting programs. Have a comment on today's story? Send it to: moderator@write2theheart.com ---------------------------------------------------------------- Diane is a former newspaper reporter and freelance writer for various organizations and historical research projects. Her stories have appeared in numerous magazines and newspapers. Her new book BEACH WALKS is a variety of short stories and can be reviewed at: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1403366888/heart/ref She also has an outreach for women called SEEDS of ENCOURAGEMENT http://www.heartwarmers4u.com/members/?thelamb212 Diane and her husband Stephen reside on the Carolina Coast. They are the parents of three grown children and two grand-gals -------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------- Letters From Our Readers -------------------------------------------------------------- I enjoyed so much Annettee's story about God's sign through the deer she saw in her yard. I think it is wonderful when we can see the answers, and know the decision is from Him. THE POET TREE, by Paul Joseph Leadem was a beautiful poem and gives much insight and wisdom. Thank you for sharing two good writers! Diane Dean White --------------------------------------------------------------- Military Prayer Reminder --------------------------------------------------------------- As you read over this list of names, please take that moment to pray for these young people and their families: Chris Speir Tim Speir Alan Thaddeaus Howard Todd Holland Graham William Julie Sagel Jessie Marshal Thompson Jason Eric Hernandez Kristin Danielson Ken Prieur Ryan Please continue to pray for our country, our leaders, and our troops at this time. If you have loved ones in the military, or who are being called to go overseas, send their names (first and last or first only) to be included in our prayer reminder. ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- © 2003 Write 2 the Heart Nothing may be reproduced or published without the written permission of the individual author or copyright owner. All rights belong to the authors.