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WITandWISDOM(tm) - October 8, 2002 ISSN 1538-8794 ~~~~~~~ THOUGHTS: "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." - Saint Exupery Source: Weekend Encounter, by Dick Innes, Copyright 2002, http://www.actsweb.org/subscribe.htm ~~~~~~~ SPECIAL THOUGHTS: Two outs, bottom of the ninth, behind by one run, Ryan's right foot was pressed to the front edge of the third base bag. Every muscle in his eleven-year-old body was flexed, ready to bolt home with the tying run. Kenny, the winning run, stood grinning on second, Dylan, the team's best hitter was at the plate. The first pitch was high and outside, "Ball One!" The next caught the inside corner, "Steee-riiick!" Two more balls and a foul tip later the count is full. Ryan's eyes are glued to the ball while his ear is tuned to the third base coach listening for just one word. Dylan drove the next pitch to the right of the pitcher, well out of reach, and the coach screamed the one word, "GO!" Ryan digs for home. Now at this level of play, a hit like that is usually good for extra bases, but today the third baseman made a play worthy of the Major Leagues. A diving stab knocked the ball down. Quick as a cat, he scooped it up, spun, and made the peg home to stop the tying run from scoring; it was going to be close. A perfect peg, a perfect slide, a perfect catch, a perfect sweeping tag and a big cloud of dust converge around the plate at the umpire's feet. The umpire hesitated for a second; he couldn't see the tag clearly for dust and the position of the catcher. He glanced at the field referee who gestured that he wasn't sure either. As he was starting to spread his arms wide, palms down, Ryan looked into the umpire's face. "Sir, I missed the plate, he tagged me out." "Son, do you know what it means if I call you out? The game is over and you lose" "Yes sir, I know. But that's the truth." Ryan whispered. The umpire turned his head slightly, "Why would you give it up like that?" "You see Sir, this catcher knows I became a Christian last week. I can't trade a baseball game today for what he will think about me tomorrow." Author Unknown Source: Randy B Culp's E-mail List, mailto:Rculp@chicagobridge.com ~~~~~~~ THIS & THAT: What Children Say about Heaven Mom, God's so neat, and heaven's supposed to be so great. Could me and Gloria go there Saturday for a sleep-over? Age 6 ~~~ Our seven-year-old daughter, Clarisa, was not really excited about going to Sunday school, but her little friend talked her into it. After the first class, at lunch she said, "I like my teacher, and she said if I come to Sunday school every Sunday, she'll show me how I can get a free trip to heaven." ~~~ Our six-year-old, Rachel, prayed, "God, they keep telling us You love us kids. But I'm wondering: If You know my older brother, do You think he'll ever get to heaven?" ~~~ When Jenny was four, she asked, "Does heaven have a floor?" Surprised, I said, "Well, Jenny, what do you think heaven is like?" She looked up at the sky and clouds and replied, "Well, I can't see any floor, so I guess people are just up there on coat hangers!" ~~~ I told nine-year-old Heather that someday we would have glorified bodies. She asked, "Do you think we'll look like Barbie?" ~~~ One day my five-year-old grandson, Brett, who frequently went fishing with his dad, told his mother, "If Grandma's going to heaven with us, God had better have a pretty big fishing rod to haul her in!" Source: Sermon Fodder, http://www.sermonfodder.com ~~~~~~~ KEEP SMILING: I'd rather be over the hill than under it. Source: Colorado Comments, http://coloradocomments.com/ ~~~~~~~ TRIVIA: CREDIT FRAUD AND IDENTIFICATION THEFT Part 2 of 2 [Oct 7, 8] What To Do if You Are A Victim Contact your local Police Department and follow their recommendations. Report your theft to the three credit reporting agencies: 1) Equifax, 11601 Roosevelt Blvd., St. Petersburg, FL 337 16-2202. Report fraud to: (800) 525-6285 2) Experian (formerly TRW), P 0 Box 1017, Allen, TX 75013. Report fraud to: (888) 397-3742 3) Trans Union, P 0 Box 390, Springfield, PA 19064. Report fraud to. (888) 680-7289. The good news is that in February of this year the Federal Trade Commission simplified the lengthy credit repair process. Currently you can use just one form to report identity crime to most parties involved, such a three credit bureaus and 25 major creditors, such as Sears and AT&T obtain other government agency phone numbers, call (800) 688-9889 If your Social Security number has been used without your permission call the government's fraud hot line: (800) 269-0271. If it becomes a continuing problem, request a new number. To report fraudulent use of your checks, call the following numbers: a) Checkrite: (800) 766-2748; b) Chexsystems: (800) 428-9623; c) National Processing Co: (800) 526-5380; d) SCAN: (800) 262-7771; e) Telecheck: (800) 710-9898. Produced by: Pacific Union Conference Stewardship Department. Director Gordon Botting Submitted by Thurman Petty |