To Help or Not To Help.....that is the question.......

This is an email I received today....it may be a true story or it may not be.......nevertheless it touched my heart and I want to pass it on....Betty


Psalm 55:22 --- you really need to read this.
'Friends are God's way of taking care of us.'
This was written by a Metro Denver Hospice Physician:

I was driving home from a meeting this evening about 5, stuck in traffic on Colorado Blvd., and the car started to choke and splutter and die - I barely managed to coast, cursing, into a gas station, glad only that I would not be blocking traffic and would have a somewhat warm spot to wait for the tow truck. It wouldn't even turn over. Before I could make the call, I saw a woman walking out of the 'quickie mart ' building, and it looked like she slipped on some ice and fell into a Gas pump, so I got out to see if she was okay

When I got there, it looked more like she had been overcome by sobs than that she had fallen; she was a young woman who looked really haggard with dark circles under her eyes. She dropped something as I helped her up, and I picked it up to give it to her. It was a nickel.

At that moment, everything came into focus for me: the crying woman, the ancient Suburban crammed full of stuff with 3 kids in the back (1 in a car seat), and the gas pump reading $4.95.

I asked her if she was okay and if she needed help, and she just kept saying ' don't want my kids to see me crying,' so we stood on the other side of the pump from her car. She said she was driving to California and that things were very hard for her right now. So I asked, 'And you were praying?' That made her back a away ay from me a little, but I assured her I was not a crazy person and said, 'He heard you, and He sent me.'

I took out my card and swiped it through the card reader on the pump so she could fill up her car completely, and while it was fuelling, walked to the next door McDonald's and bought 2 big bags of food, some gift certificates for more, and a big cup of coffee. She gave the food to the kids in the
car, who attacked it like wolves, and we stood by the pump eating fries and talking a little.

She told me her name, and that she lived in Kansas City Her boyfriend left 2 months ago and she had not been able to make ends meet. She knew she wouldn't have money to pay rent Jan 1, and finally in desperation had finally called her parents, with whom she had not spoken in about 5 years. They lived in California and said she could come live with them and try to get on her feet there.

So she packed up everything she owned in the car. She told the kids they were going to California for Christmas, but not that they were going to live there.

I gave her my gloves, a little hug and said a quick prayer with her for safety on the road. As I was walking over to my car, she said, 'So, are you like an angel or something?'

This definitely made me cry. I said, 'Sweetie, at this time of year angels are really busy, so sometimes God uses regular people.'

It was so incredible to be a part of someone else's miracle. And of course, you guessed it, when I got in my car it started right away and got me home with no problem. I'll put it in the shop tomorrow to check, but I suspect the mechanic won't find anything wrong.

Sometimes the angels fly close enough to you that you can hear the fl utter of their wings...

Psalms 55:22 'Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee. He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.'
Here is the prayer:

'Father, I ask You to bless my children, grandchildren, friends, relatives and email buddies reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to their spirit this very moment. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy. Where there is self doubt, release a renewed confidence through Your grace, In Jesus' precious name. Amen.'

Since I Laid My Burden Down.......

"God Said No"I asked God to take away my habit.God said, "No.It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up."I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.God said, "No. His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary."I asked God to grant me patience.God said, "No. Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is learned."I asked God to give me happiness.God said, "No. I give you blessings; happiness is up to you."I asked God to spare me pain.God said, "No. Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me."I asked God to make my spirit grow.God said, "No. You must grow on your own but I will prune you to make you fruitful."I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.God said, "No. I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things."I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.God said, "Ahhhh, finally you have the idea."

To the world you might be one person, but to one person you just might be the world""May the Lord Bless you and keep you,May the Lord Make his face shine upon you, and give you Peace...Forever"

"Good friends are like stars...You don't always see them, but you know they are always there."

This is an email sent to me.....I am not the author....Certainly worth reading.............

Happy Birthday Edward......

Happy Birthday today to my husband, Edward. We will be married 47 years June l9th.

I couldn't have a better husband and I thank the good Lord for him everyday.....

God bless you in every good and perfect way...........

Surprise at Church .............

Life is full of surprises, some happy and some not so happy......yesterday was a happy one! We arrived at church as usual and noticed several cars parked in the rear which is somewhat unusual. We entered through the vestibule. Someone immediately began a conversation so we were focusing on them. I went into the sanctuary and looking up saw a beautiful banner "Pastor Appreciation Day." I had failed to see the one in the vestibule. Edward came through and still did not see the one over the pulpit. He went into the fellowship hall and seeing all the food and cloths on the tables, asked "what's going on ?" Then he was let in on the surprise. As the service progressed, several of Edward's favorite songs were sung along with the choir specials 'Thank you Lord and Flow Through Me.'

One of the deacons presented Edward with a birthday gift (his birthday is April 3rd) and seven cards --one to be opened each day this week. He read scripture and made several fitting remarks. A bountiful dinner was enjoyed by the congregation.

Edward was given a large basket full of beautiful birthday cards along with several gift cards at restaurants, etc.

We are enjoying the beautiful fresh flowers that graced the sanctuary yesterday.

What a thoughtful, gracious flock we are blessed to be a part of................ and yes they can keep a secret!

A beautiful banner greeted us............. Another surprise....no one sat in their usual place as an April Fool prank... Edward said it was like having a new congregation and he couldn't readily see who was absent.......