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WRITTEN BY A 15 yr. OLD SCHOOL KID

who got an A+ for this entry







The Lord's Prayer



Is not allowed in most



Public schools in America anymore



Because the word 'God' is mentioned.....



A kid 15 wrote the attached



NEW School prayer:



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Now I sit me down in school



Where praying is against the rule



For this great nation under God



Finds mention of Him very odd.



If scripture now the class recites,



It violates the Bill of Rights.



And anytime my head I bow



Becomes a Federal matter now.



Our hair can be purple, orange or green,



That's no offense; it's a freedom scene..



The law is specific, the law is precise.



Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.



For praying in a public hall



Might offend someone with no faith at all..



In silence alone we must meditate,



God's name is prohibited by the United States.



We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,



And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks...



Guns are allowed, but Not the Bible.



To quote the Good Book makes me liable.



We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,



And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King.



It's 'inappropriate' to teach right from wrong,



We're taught that such 'judgments' do not belong..



We can get our condoms and birth controls,





Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles...



                                 But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,





No word of God must reach this crowd.



It's scary here I must confess,



When chaos reigns the school's a mess.



So, Lord, this silent plea I make:



Should I be shot; My soul please take!



Amen



If you aren't ashamed to do this, Please pass this on..



Jesus said, 'If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you before my Father.'



Not ashamed. Pass this on.
(I did!)

   

Glynnis Whitwer   
JULY 30, 2014

Saying Goodbye to Something You Love
GLYNNIS WHITWER

"And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, statutes and decrees and to do everything to build the palatial structure for which I have provided." 1 Chronicles 29:19  (NIV)

Cheri handed my crying baby to me, his little eyes swollen, his sobs subsiding into gulping sighs. Within seconds, Robbie calmed as I nuzzled him and kissed his sweet face.

I hugged my friend and thanked her for trying again to watch Robbie while I went back to work part-time. Again, my son refused a bottle and cried constantly. We both knew this wasn't going to work.

Forcing a smile, I turned quickly so she wouldn't see my tears. By the time I got to the car, I could hold them back no longer. Securing my son, I slipped in the driver's seat, put my head on the steering wheel and wept.

He was my third child, so I thought I had the mommy-thing figured out. Only Robbie didn't have the same personality or needs of his older brothers. They'd taken bottles easily. But this child had a unique bond with me.

Not only that, but we couldn't just sit together; I had to be walking and rocking him. If that boy was awake, he needed to touch me and be moving, or the crying began.

My older sons, ages 2 and 4, weren't the quiet type either. Other children kept occupied with a bag of toys, crayons or paper. Not mine.

My life changed dramatically with the birth of my third son. As a result, I made the difficult decision to quit many things I enjoyed: my part-time job, leading children's ministry and teaching Bible study to name a few. Most days I just felt sad as the world seemed to pass me by.

A highlight was picking up a dozen donuts and a Diet Coke and heading to Cheri's house. She was the only friend who could tolerate my three rowdy children. And she also understood that Diet Coke offsets the calories in the donuts. The perfect friend!

I loved those little boys immensely. And not a day passed that I didn't thank God for them. But I grieved what I'd left behind, and that grieving affected my enjoyment of the present.

I missed having position and authority at work. I longed for the sense of completion. Sadly, I thought my "ministry" was outside my home, and wondered when God would use me again.

Thankfully God intervened in a dramatic way, and I came to understand and appreciate the calling and cost of motherhood. God changed my heart and priorities, and the rewards have far outweighed the sacrifices. But it was still hard.

Recently, God brought those difficult years to mind as I read 1 Chronicles 28 and 29.

These chapters record King David passing his crown and assignment to build God's temple to his son, Solomon. In this decision, David gave up his position, authority, respect and purpose.

Did David mope and moan? Did he grab donuts and diet soda with a friend? No, the Bible tells us David "praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly" (1 Chronicles 29:10).

What follows is one of the most beautiful, humble prayers in the Bible. David's gracious actions and adoration for God inspired and moved hearts in the Jewish people.

After praying, Scripture tells us David invited the people to praise God: "So they all praised the LORD, the God of their fathers; they bowed down, prostrating themselves before the LORD and the king" (1 Chronicles 29:20).

What a vivid contrast between my response and King David's when each of us gave up something we loved. David didn't grip the past tightly; he opened his hands and heart to embrace what God was doing in the present.

I can't go back to those early years, but with God's help and David's example, I can change how I respond in the future.

David had cultivated a life of praise, so when faced with loss, that habit elevated his response. David's trust in God was so great that he joyfully supported others who would build the temple he longed to build.

As I've addressed this personally, I've discovered praising God is at the center of contentment. As we praise Him, we find the assurance that He's got things covered ... even babies who cry inconsolably and our longing for significance.

It's there, in knowing God sees us and hasn't forgotten us, we find peace.

And it's there, in every walking-rocking-sleepless night, we find purpose.

My season of life is different now, but I'm still faced with saying "goodbye" to things I love. That "little" boy moves away to college next month, and I'm praying for an attitude like King David's — full of praise, grace and generosity of heart.

Heavenly Father, thank You for seeing me right where I am today. You see what I've given up, and what I long for. Help me have an attitude like David's to impact others for Your glory. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Psalm 34:18, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (NIV)

RELATED RESOURCES:
Glynnis Whitwer tells more of her story in her book I Used to Be So Organized .

Like to win a copy? Glynnis' publisher is giving away five copies! To enter, leave a comment  on our website. We'll select and email the winners.

Wondering how God turned her life upside down? Visit Glynnis' blog .

REFLECT AND RESPOND:
Read David's prayer in 1 Chronicles 29:10-20 .

How might praying this prayer change your perspective?

© 2014 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries
630 Team Rd., Suite 100
Matthews, NC 28105

Sorry to tell you..........I am not getting my emails, therefore I can't post what I don't get.

I will keep posting the ones I do and in a few days after I catch my breath I will hunt down the reason why. Or, find some new ones.

The ones I have been doing, some of them are repetes and repetes,  etc. I am ready for a change. What say you?

I planned on taking it easy this summer, just not this easy.

God bless you and just know "JESUS LOVES YOU!" yes He does.

God is in controls...be patient!


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 World   Trade 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.

This story should help us to realize this: God is always in control.

We may not see the reason behind things, and we may never know this side of heaven, but God is ALWAYS in control.

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.

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good.  His love endures Forever.  Psalm 136:1

It's been reported that 86% of Americans believe in God.
'In God We Trust!'

"May the Peace of the Lord be with you"

JESUS SAYS:
"COME, FOLLOW ME, DISCIPLES AND FRIENDS, LET GO YOUR SELFISH WAYS, TAKE UP YOUR CROSS, COME FOLLOW ME, AND LOVE EACH OTHER, AS I HAVE LOVED YOU."

AND THEN IT IS WINTER

You know. . . time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went.

I know that I lived them all. I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams.

But, here it is... the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise...How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my youth go? I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like.

But, here it is...my friends are retired and getting grey...they move slower and I see an older person now. Some are in better and some worse shape than me...but, I see the great change...Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant...but, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd be. Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore... it's mandatory! Cause if I don't on my own free will... I just fall asleep where I sit!

And so...now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did!! But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last...this I know, that when it's over on this earth...it's over. A new adventure will begin!

Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done...things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done. It's all in a lifetime.

So, if you're not in your winter yet...let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, what ever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly! Don't put things off too long!! Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not! You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life...so, live for today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember...and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past!!

"Life" is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one.


LIVE IT WELL!

ENJOY TODAY!

DO SOMETHING FUN!

BE HAPPY !

HAVE A GREAT DAY

Remember "It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.

LIVE HAPPY IN 2013!

LASTLY, CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING:

TODAY IS THE OLDEST YOU'VE EVER BEEN,

YET THE YOUNGEST YOU'LL EVER BE

SO - ENJOY THIS DAY WHILE IT LASTS.

~Your kids are becoming you......but your grandchildren are perfect!

~Going out is good.. Coming home is better!

~You forget names.... But it's OK because other people forgot they even knew you!!!

~You realize you're never going to be really good at anything... especially golf.

~The things you used to care to do, you no longer care to do , but you really do care that you don't care to do them anymore.

~You sleep better on a lounge chair with the TV blaring than in bed.

It's called "pre-sleep".

~You miss the days when everything worked with just an "ON" and "OFF" switch..

~You tend to use more 4 letter words ... "what?"..."when?"...

~Now that you can afford expensive jewelry, it's not safe to wear it anywhere.

~You notice everything they sell in stores is "sleeveless"?!!!

~What used to be freckles are now liver spots.

~Everybody whispers.

~You have 3 sizes of clothes in your closet.... 2 of which you will never wear.

~~~But Old is good in some things: Old Songs, Old movies, and best of all, OLD FRIENDS!!

Stay well, "OLD FRIEND!" Send this on to other "Old Friends!" and let them laugh in AGREEMENT!!!

It's Not What You Gather, But What You Scatter That Tells What Kind Of Life You Have Lived.


BE SURE YOU HAVE GODS' HAND ON YOUR STEERING WHEEL OF LIFE , BECAUSE LIVING RIGHT IS HARD*****

I won't be posting until doctor says I can. Which may be day after or several days. So read what is already posted or post your own.

I shall be back. It is just one eye.........and one cataract. Now, Kiddies play nicely. God be with you all.

Allen and Rachel's blended family was faced every day with the same challenge: being comfortable with each other.   




For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13


Blended Marriage

Allen and Rachel's blended family was faced every day with the same challenge: being comfortable with each other. They found resistance to change from their children ages 4-13. The children were apprehensive about new siblings. They were feeling like they lost their parent to someone else.

Allen and Rachel's blended family is like an investment. One day, small contributions will add up to a lot of interest. The return was not immediate, but it was steady.

The parents began to see success as they spent more time with all the children. They had picnics and went to sporting events. The exercised together and worshipped every Sunday morning as a family

The greatest gift Allen and Rachel could give to their children was to love each other and demonstrate that love through their daily words and actions to one another.


30-Day Challenge
If you could do ONE THING and know that it would make a significant, lasting, possibly life-changing difference in your life, would you do it? Dr. Carlson shares the power of ONE THING and why you should get started doing your ONE THING today.


Today's One Thing
Write out a mission statement for your family. If you have one already, revisit it.

 

Happy 237th Birthday, America
I often ponder over things and hold to information, which is absolutely useless to anyone other than me. During these reflections, I will sift through my thoughts, and recall a piece of this information, my mind has for some unknown reason stored away. Such, is the case today as I was thinking about our great Nation, and how far we have come. I hold a deep fondness for the literary charters granting freedom to people. First the Holy Bible, second our Bill of Rights, and of course the reason we are celebrating our 237th Birthday, our Declaration of Independence. Upon further inspection of this great document, I noticed a few things remarkably similar to events which are taking place in our country today.
Keep in mind, when Thomas Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence. He listed 27 oppressions committed against the Colonies, by the, then King of Brittan. It was due to these acts of tyranny, we as a people declared our independence from Great Brittan. So I encourage all, to read The Declaration of Independence, and pay close attention to the oppressions I've spoke of. I am not trying to start a revolution; it's just a revelation which defines irony. How our forefathers put it all they had on the line, to escape, that which we accept as normal today. GOD Bless America and I pray he will continue too, Happy 4th of July everyone....... Joe Love

Morning to all.
My car is packed and all I need do is walk the dog to the post office and pick up mail. then go to church and print out the bulletin for Sunday and then I am heading to Dad's for  Father's Day and a weekend of family.

If all works out my best friend and I will get together Monday and then home Tuesday. So play nice and re-read some of my devotionals....or post your own.........see you next week. (Oh, I will shop too) Not sure which excites me more all the recycle shops I know about in Topeka or all the shops in the malls. Haven't really had a shopping trip (window shopping) since mom passed and that is going on 4 years. Hugs

God bless.

The Definition of Golf


*GOLF, n.*

GOLF, n.

a game that consists of a lot of walking, broken up by disappointment and bad arithmetic.

a game of opposites - the world's slowest people are ahead of you, and the fastest are behind.

a colorful sport that keeps you on the green, in the pink, and financially in the red.

a game which is allowed to be played on Sunday (under blue laws) because it was not considered a game by the law, but a form of moral effort.

a game a lot like taxation - you drive hard to get to the green, and then you find yourself in a hole.



GOLF CART, n.

A popular mode of transportation because, unlike a caddie, it can neither count, criticize, nor snicker.



GOLFER, n.

a person who yells "fore," takes six, and puts down five;

a guy who has the advantage over a fisherman - he doesn't have to bring home anything when he brags he had a great day.

 

It is with a sad heart that Pastor John Cliver crossed over May 2, 2013. There will be a memorial at the Longton Christian Community Church at 1:00 PM Saturday, May 4, 2013.

Plans are to be announced. All who knew him are welcome. Come and be with the family.
I have lost a very good friend.

Just letting you all know that I will be away from a computer until early next week.

Going home and to a wedding. Keep me in prayer that I have safe travel and return home with nice memories and I will see you next week. God be with you, and you and you!

He loves you!

8:18pm Feb 19 
Johnny is in the hospital in Wichita tonight with a heart attack. At least they believe that he had one appx 9:30 this morning. He is stable at this point, but has some testing that will be done beginning in the morning. Please put him on all your prayer lists. --Ella Cliver

11:12pm Feb 19 
About an hour and a half or so ago I found out that Johnny is going to have a heart cath done sometime tomorrow. One of the levels in a blood test that shows stress on the heart was higher at 7pm than it was at 11am this morning so they are pretty sure that he did actually have a heart attack. Thanks for all your prayers.

If you know John Cliver you will understand this is on top of the cancer and chemo-therapy he has. He has lost 80 pounds since October and is still doing all he can for the Lord..............

Ella is an MS patient..........John has been her legs for ever they say..........and needs our prayers  too. If you are on facebook, follow us there as they both share when they can.

I know they can count on us.

Web Addiction Holiday Sing Along!
(Sung to the tune of "Winter Wonderland")

Doorbell rings, I'm not list'nin',
From my mouth, drool is glist'nin',
I'm happy -- although
My boss let me go --
Happily addicted to the Web.

All night long, I sit clicking,
Unaware time is ticking,
There's beard on my cheek,
Same clothes for a week,
Happily addicted to the Web!

Friends come by; they shake me, Saying, "Yo, man!
Don't you know tonight's the senior prom?"
With a listless shrug, I mutter; I say "No, man;
I just discovered laugh-a-lot-dot-com!"

I don't phone, don't send faxes,
Don't go out, don't pay taxes,
Who cares if someday
They drag me away?
I'm happily addicted to the Web!

Happ-ilyyyyy, ad-dict-eeeed to the Weeeeeb!!! (Yeah!)

     

Christmas At Martha's
Dear Friend

This perfectly delightful note is being sent in paper I made myself to tell you what I have been up to.  Since it snowed last night, I got up early and made a sled with old barn wood and a glue gun.  I hand-painted it in gold leaf, got out my loom, and made a blanket in peach and mauve's.  Then to make the sled complete, I made a white horse to pull it from DNA that I just had sitting around in my craft room.

By then, it was time to start making the place mats and napkins for my 20 breakfast guests.  I'm serving the old standard Stewart twelve-course breakfast, but I'll let you in on a little secret: I didn't have time to make the table and chairs this morning, so I used the ones I had on hand.

Before I moved the table into the dining room, I decided to add just a touch of the holidays.  So, I repainted the room in pinks and stenciled gold stars on the ceiling.  Then, while the homemade bread was rising, I took antique candle molds and made the dishes (exactly the same shade of pink) to use for breakfast.  These were made from Hungarian clay, which you can get in almost any neighborhood Hungarian craft store.

Well, I must run.  I need to finish the buttonholes on the dress I'm wearing for breakfast.  I'll get out the sled and drive this note to the post office as soon as the glue dries on the envelope I'll be making.  Hope my breakfast guests don't stay too long.  I have 40,000 cranberries to string with bay leaves before my speaking engagement at noon.  It's a good thing.

Your Friend, Martha Stewart

P.S.  When I made the ribbon for this typewriter, I used 1/8-inch gold gauze.  I soaked the gauze in a mixture of white grapes and blackberries which I grew, picked and crushed last week just for fun.

John Cliver 9:53am Oct 27 
"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 NIV . One reason many do not like to read the Bible is that it is too incisive. It tends to point out problems and difficulties we would just as soon keep hidden. But Jesus knows our hearts. He is that Word that is alive and active in our world. And he speaks though his written word to let us know what he wants us to know: mainly that he loves us and wants to bring us back to God. He sees you r heart and knows your motives and yet loves you anyway.

When I read this this morning I just had to put it out for all to see. This is an essay that Paul Harvey wrote and it sure hits the nail (devil) on the head.

If I Were the Devil-

If I were the prince of darkness, I would want to engulf the whole world in darkness.

And I'd have a third of its real estate and four-fifths of its population, but I wouldn't be happy until I had seized the ripest apple on the tree — Thee.

So, I would set about however necessary to take over the United States.

I'd subvert the churches first, I'd begin with a campaign of whispers.

With the wisdom of a serpent, I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve: "Do as you please."

To the young, I would whisper that the Bible is a myth. I would convince them that man created God instead of the other way around. I'd confide that what's bad is good and what's good is square.

And the old, I would teach to pray after me,
"Our Father, which art in Washington ..."

And then, I'd get organized, I'd educate authors in how to make lurid literature exciting so that anything else would appear dull and uninteresting.

I'd threatin Tv with dirtier movies and visa versa

I'd peddle narcotics to whom I could. I'd sell alcohol to ladies and gentlemen of distinction. I'd tranquilize the rest with pills.

If I were the devil, I'd soon have families at war with themselves, churches at war with themselves and nations at war with themselves until each, in its turn, was consumed.

And with promises of higher ratings, I'd have mesmerizing media fanning the flames.

If I were the devil, I would encourage schools to refine young intellects but neglect to discipline emotions just let them run wild, and before you knew it, you'd have drug-sniffing dogs and metal detectors at every schoolhouse door.

Within a decade, I'd have prisons overflowing, I'd have judges promoting pornography. Soon, I would evict God from the courthouse then from the schoolhouse and then from the houses of Congress.

And in his own churches, I would substitute psychology for religion and deify science. I'd lure priests and pastors into misusing boys and girls and church money.

If I were the devil, I'd make the symbol of Easter an egg
and the symbol of Christmas a bottle.

If I were the Devil I'd take from those who have and give to those who wanted until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious.

What'll you bet, I couldn't get whole states to promote gambling as the way to get rich?

I would caution against extremes and hard work and patriotism and moral conduct.

I would convince the young that marriage is old-fashioned, that swinging is more fun and that what you see on Tv is the way to be.

And thus, I could undress you in public and I could lure you into bed with diseases for which there is "no cure."

In other words, if I were the devil,
I'd just keep right on doing what he's doing.

~**~

Essay penned by Paul Harvey
1918-2009
Radio commentator and syndicated columnist

~**~

The thief cometh not,
but for to steal,
and to kill, and to destroy:
I am come that they might have life,
and that they might
have it more abundantly.
John 10:10

This is really something very good to read. This is a beautiful read........fills my heart with the goodness that is here.
It doesn't all have to be nasty news.........enjoy your reading. Jo and Judy





Delta Flight 15




Here is an amazing story from a flight attendant on Delta Flight 15, written following 9-11:

"On the morning of Tuesday, September 11, we were about 5 hours out of Frankfurt, flying over the North Atlantic. All of a sudden the curtains parted and I was told to go to the cockpit, immediately, to see the captain. As soon as I got there I noticed that the crew had that "All Business" look on their faces. The captain handed me a printed message. It was from Delta's main office in Atlanta and simply read, "All airways over the Continental United States are closed to commercial air traffic. Land ASAP at the nearest airport. Advise your destination."

"No one said a word about what this could mean. We knew it was a serious situation and we needed to find terra firma quickly. The captain determined that the nearest airport was 400 miles behind us in Gander, New Foundland. He requested approval for a route change from the Canadian traffic controller and approval was granted immediately--no questions asked. We found out later, of course, why there was no hesitation in approving our request.

"While the flight crew prepared the airplane for landing, another message arrived from Atlanta telling us about some terrorist activity in the New York area. A few minutes later word came in about the hijackings.

"We decided to LIE to the passengers while we were still in the air. We told them the plane had a simple instrument problem and that we needed to land at the nearest airport in Gander, New Foundland to have it checked out.

"We promised to give more information after landing in Gander. There was much grumbling among the passengers, but that's nothing new! Forty minutes later, we landed in Gander. Local time at Gander was 12:30 PM! .... that's 11:00 AM EST.

"There were already about 20 other airplanes on the ground from all over the world that had taken this detour on their way to the U.S.  After we parked on the ramp, the captain made the following announcement: "Ladies and gentlemen, you must be wondering if all these airplanes around us have the same instrument problem as we have. The reality is that we are here for another reason." Then he went on to explain the little bit we knew about the situation in the U.S. There were loud gasps and stares of disbelief. The captain informed passengers that Ground control in Gander told us to stay put.

"The Canadian Government was in charge of our situation and no one was allowed to get off the aircraft. No one on the ground was allowed to come near any of the air crafts. Only airport police would come around periodically, look us over and go on to the next airplane. In the next hour or so more planes landed and Gander ended up with 53 airplanes from all over the world, 27 of which were U.S. commercial jets.

"Meanwhile, bits of news started to come in over the aircraft radio and for the first time we learned that airplanes were flown into the World Trade Center in New York and into the Pentagon in DC. People were trying to use their cell phones, but were unable to connect due to a different cell system in Canada. Some did get through, but were only able to get to the Canadian operator who would tell them that the lines to the U.S. were either blocked or jammed.

"Sometime in the evening the news filtered to us that the World Trade Center buildings had collapsed and that a fourth hijacking had resulted in a crash. By now the passengers were emotionally and physically exhausted, not to mention frightened, but everyone stayed amazingly calm. We had only to look out the window at the 52 other stranded aircraft to realize that we were not the only ones in this predicament.

"We had been told earlier that they would be allowing people off the planes one plane at a time. At 6 PM, Gander airport told us that our turn to deplane would be 11 am the next morning. Passengers were not happy, but they simply resigned themselves to this news without much noise and started to prepare themselves to spend the night on the airplane.

"Gander had promised us medical attention, if needed, water, and lavatory servicing. And they were true to their word. Fortunately we had no medical situations to worry about. We did have a young lady who was 33 weeks into her pregnancy. We took REALLY good care of her. The night passed without incident despite the uncomfortable sleeping arrangements.

"About 10:30 on the morning of the 12th a convoy of school buses showed up. We got off the plane and were taken to the terminal where we went through Immigration and Customs and then had to register with the Red Cross.

"After that we (the crew) were separated from the passengers and were taken in vans to a small hotel. We had no idea where our passengers were going. We learned from the Red Cross that the town of Gander has a population of 10,400 people and they had about 10,500 passengers to take care of from all the airplanes that were forced into Gander! We were told to just relax at the hotel and we would be contacted when the U.S. airports opened again, but not to expect that call for a while.

"We found out the total scope of the terror back home only after getting to our hotel and turning on the TV, 24 hours after it all started.

"Meanwhile, we had lots of time on our hands and found that the people of Gander were extremely friendly. They started calling us the "plane people." We enjoyed their hospitality, explored the town of Gander and ended up having a pretty good time.

"Two days later, we got that call and were taken back to the Gander airport. Back on the plane, we were reunited with the passengers and found out what they had been doing for the past two days. What we found out was incredible.

"Gander and all the surrounding communities (within about a 75 Kilometer radius) had closed all high schools, meeting halls, lodges, and any other large gathering places. They converted all these facilities to mass lodging areas for all the stranded travelers. Some had cots set up, some had mats with sleeping bags and pillows set up.

"ALL the high school students were required to volunteer their time to take care of the "guests." Our 218 passengers ended up in a town called Lewisporte, about 45 kilometers from Gander where they were put up in a high school. If any women wanted to be in a women-only facility, that was arranged. Families were kept together. All the elderly passengers were taken to private homes.

"Remember that young pregnant lady? She was put up in a private home right across the street from a 24-hour Urgent Care facility. There was a dentist on call and both male and female nurses remained with the crowd for the duration.

"Phone calls and e-mails to the U.S. and around the world were available to everyone once a day. During the day, passengers were offered "Excursion" trips. Some people went on boat cruises of the lakes and harbors. Some went for hikes in the local forests. Local bakeries stayed open to make fresh bread for the guests. Food was prepared by all the residents and brought to the schools. People were driven to restaurants of their choice and offered wonderful meals. Everyone was given tokens for local laundry mats to wash their clothes, since luggage was still on the aircraft. In other words, every single need was met for those stranded travelers.

"Passengers were crying while telling us these stories. Finally, when they were told that U.S. airports had reopened, they were delivered to the airport right on time and without a single passenger missing or late. The local Red Cross had all the information about the whereabouts of each and every passenger and knew which plane they needed to be on and when all the planes were leaving. They coordinated everything beautifully. It was absolutely incredible.

"When passengers came on board, it was like they had been on a cruise. Everyone knew each other by name. They were swapping stories of their stay, impressing each other with who had the better time. Our flight back to Atlanta looked li ke a chartered party flight. The crew just stayed out of their way. It was mind-boggling. Passengers had totally bonded and were calling each other by their first names, exchanging phone numbers, addresses, and email addresses.

"And then a very unusual thing happened. One of our passengers approached me and asked if he could make an announcement over the PA system. We never, ever allow that.  But this time was different. I said "of course" and handed him the mike. He picked up the PA and reminded everyone about what they had just gone through in the last few days. He reminded them of the hospitality they had received at the hands of total strangers. He continued by saying that he would like to do something in return for the good folks of Lewisporte.

"He said he was going to set up a Trust Fund under the name of DELTA 15 (our flight number). The purpose of the trust fund is to provide college scholarships for the high school students of Lewisporte. He asked for donations of any amount from his fellow travelers. When the paper with donations got back to us with the amounts, names, phone numbers and addresses, the total was for more than $14,000!

"The gentleman, a MD from Virginia, promised to match the donations and to start the administrative work on the scholarship. He also said that he would forward this proposal to Delta Corporate and ask them to donate as well.  As I write this account, the trust fund is at more than $1.5 million and has assisted 134 students in college education.

"I just wanted to share this story because we need good stories right now. It gives me a little bit of hope to know that some people in a far away place were kind to some strangers who literally dropped in on them. It reminds me how much good there is in the world."

"In spite of all the rotten things we see going on in today's world this story confirms that there are still a lot of good and Godly people in the world and when things get bad, they will come forward.

"God Bless America...and the Canadians."

This young man (20) was lifting weights in the weight room at Ottawa University getting ready for football.
His weights were over 300+ pounds and as he hefted it above his head, his foot slipped and the barbell with weights came down on top of him. It did damage to his spine. Matt has had surgery to his spine, and at this time (they don't know Matt and his gumption) is a paraplegic and looking at a lot of time in a rehab hospital in Denver who deals with spinal cord injury's. At this time he is still in a hospital in Overland Park, (KC) and I just know God has something special for this young man. Forgot to say he is soon to be step-son of my sisters son and that makes him FAMILY. Please join me in prayer to keep Matt doing what he needs to and that he will sometime soon be walking again. Thank you.



Well another day has finished and another day has begun. Matt Bollig made alot of progress today as well. I can't believe he already got up and in his wheelchair today. He continues to blow the nursing staff away as he pushes himself. They were wanting to sit him up on the side of the bed and then possibly get him transferred to the wheelchair tomorrow. Not Matthew, he said lets do it now. He simply amazes me and those around him with his drive and courage. He is determined to walk again...plain and simple. To be honest with you.....I AM ONE PROUD MOMMA!!

I don't know if this is truly from Charlie Daniels but sounds like good advice to me.  I've often said one person can make a difference but this sure looks like a mountain -- very high one.  At any rate, this is something to think about.

Subject: Leave it to Charlie Daniels to say how it is!

  This speech was given by Charlie at the Wilson County Day of Prayer Celebration on May 3rd 2012.
 
National Day of Prayer Speech 2012
 
I didn't come here today to attend a social event or to talk about meaningless things or make points with the community I love so very much.
 
I will make no attempt at humor or trivialities; my mission here today is to come together with my brothers and sisters in the body of Jesus Christ to plead with our Creator to give America another chance.
 
It is not my intention to offend any person or to point an accusing finger at any group or ideology and it is not my aim to judge any man, I have no right to judge, I am a sinner whose only hope is in the boundless mercy of Almighty God and the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ.
 
In my 75 years on earth America has fallen from a God fearing nation where family and fidelity were honored, to a nation which our own president says is no longer a Christian nation and where promiscuity and adultery are accepted as a given.     
 
We have come from a nation of doers to a nation of takers and a society so permissive we fear to utter a word of criticism, against the vilest of social practices because we're afraid of seeming out of touch with the times and being shunned as a fuddy duddy who doesn't understand the new morality.
 
Well there is no new morality, there's only one morality and it was passed down to mankind by the word of Almighty God, and He changes not.

Our enemy is powerful and has had millenniums of years and thousands of generations to explore the weaknesses of mankind, what temptations are the most appealing, the seduction of wealth and power, sex and drugs.
 
The introduction of cable television has turned the public airwaves into a cesspool of pornography, available to impressionable young children at the touch of a button.
 
Most music videos have little to do with music any more but flaunt blatant sexuality and anti-social behavior, and even the most vulgar words have become  vocabulary and lexicon among our teenagers.
 
We have become so politically correct that we won't even stand down those who deny even the existence of the God we serve and fight tooth and nail to have any mention of His name removed from every official document and even from public view.     
 
America folded her hands and let a handful of self-serving politicians pass laws that forbid a child to say a prayer in school.
 
Well America, the farther we drift from God the more lost we become.
 
We have a decision to make. Are we going to continue down this path to certain destruction or  are we going to turn back to our only true hope?
 
If we want to please God we've got to make a stand, to go against the tide of popular culture, against public opinion, to bear the white hot lash of criticism and the hurtful sting of ridicule.
 
Abortion is a foregone conclusion. Man says it's all right to destroy the unborn; after all they're just blobs of flesh.
 
But God says He knew us in our mother's womb and knitted the pieces together and scheduled the days of our lives.
 
Man says that God should not be part of public life but God says you should love the Lord your God with all your heart and that means acknowledging Him in public as well as  private.
 
Man says there's nothing wrong with same sex marriage but under the old covenant and the new covenant there is something very wrong with it.
 
The world claims to find salvation in Humanism, Buddhism, Hinduism and any number of faiths based on man being his own god but there is no salvation for ourselves or our nation in these new age concepts, there is only one place to turn to save America.
 
The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is not the same as the god of Mohammad, Khomeini and Osama bin Laden.
 
There is only one God and his name is Jehovah.
 
He is a loving God, but he is a jealous  God.
 
He is a God of compassion but he is also a God of wrath.
 
He is a fair God who deals with the nations according to how they have dealt with
His Son, His law and His chosen people of Israel .
 
God told Abraham, he who blesses you I will bless and he who curses you I will curse, and He changes not.
 
Are we listening America?  Do we take it seriously or is God's word, as some would have you believe, just an old and ancient manmade writing that is no longer relevant in our world today?
 
On this National Day of Prayer the verse from Isaiah will be repeated  thousands of times, as it should be. It encompasses the sole purpose for this meeting this morning.
 
The Bible says, if My people, who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
 
God has blessed America above every other nation on the face of the earth and we, as a nation, have turned our backs on Him.
 
It's up to us because, if My people would turn, if My people would repent, if My people will pray.
 
So today when we pray let's forget the pressures, the prejudices, the political parties and all the other distractions that exist right outside that door  and as the word says, come together as touching and beseech Almighty God for one more chance for America, that for the sake of those who are called by His Name He will send a revival, a reformation to our nation.
 
That He will embolden and strengthen His servants and give us a will and a purpose and the determination to go forth from this place and make a difference each in their own way.
 
I would close in paraphrasing a verse of scripture.     
 
What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
 
What does it profit a nation if it gains the whole world, and loses its own soul?
What do you think?
 
Pray for our troops, and for our county.
 
God Bless America
 
Charlie Daniels
Copyright The Charlie Daniels Band