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WITandWISDOM(tm) - January 14, 2000 ~~~~~~~ THOUGHTS: Those who are fired up with an enthusiastic idea and who allow it to take hold and dominate their thoughts find that new worlds open for them. As long as enthusiasm holds out, so will new opportunities. - Norman Vincent Peale (E- zine: SERMON FODDER http://www.onelist.com/subscribe.cgi/Sermon_Fodder ) ~~~~~~~ SPECIAL THOUGHTS: The sixteenth century scholar Erasmus related an incident during a sea voyage that stayed with him the rest of his life. His sailing vessel ran aground in a storm. As violent waves smashed against the ship and it began to break up, even the sailors panicked. The passengers were near hysteria. Most shouted for help to their patron saint, sang hymns, or pleaded loudly in prayer. Erasmus noted one passenger, however, who acted very differently. "Of all of us," Erasmus wrote, "the one who remained most composed was a young woman who was holding a baby whom she was nursing. She was the only one who did not shout, weep, or bargain with heaven. She did nothing but pray quietly to herself while clasping the baby tightly on her lap." This prayer, Erasmus realized, was just a continuation of her regular prayer life. She did not ask for any exceptional favors. She seemed to entrust herself to God. As the ship began to sink, this young mother was placed on a plank, given a spar to use as an oar, and sent out into the waves. She had to hold her baby with on hand and attempt to row with the other. Few thought she would survive the pounding surf. But her faith and composure stood her in good stead. The woman and her child were the first to reach shore. - DISCOVER ~~~~~~~ THIS & THAT: THESE WERE ACTUAL NEWSPAPER HEADLINES? Part 2 of 3 [Jan 4,14,24] Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant Stolen Painting Found by Tree Two Soviet Ships Collide, One Dies Checkout Counter Killer Sentenced to Die for Second Time in 10 Years Drunken Drivers Paid $1000 War Dims Hope for Peace If Strike isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last a While Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures Enfields Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide Red Tape Holds Up New Bridge Deer Kill 17,000 Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead Man Struck by Lightning Faces Battery Charge Kids Make Nutritious Snacks Chef Throws His Heart into Helping Feed Needy (Scott) ~~~~~~~ KEEP SMILING: Little Tim was in the garden filling in a hole when his neighbor peered over the fence. Interested in what the cheeky-faced youngster was up to, he politely asked, "What are you up to there, Tim?" "My goldfish died," replied Tim tearfully, without looking up, "and I've just buried him." The neighbor was concerned, "That's an awfully big hole for a goldfish, isn't it?" Tim patted down the last heap of earth then replied, "That's because he's inside your cat." (Bill Summerton) ~~~~~~~ TRIVIA: You may have said it yourself - "They just don't make things like they used to." A notable exception is the car tire . A typical tire lasts 40,000 miles and makes about 32,458,650 revolutions over often rough and abrasive road surfaces. Incredible! (E-zine: E-CHEER, An Excellent Daily Devotional http://www.e-cheer.com) |