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WITandWISDOM(tm) - September 8, 2006 ISSN 1538-8794 ~~~~~~~ THOUGHTS: Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy. - Thich Nhat Hanh Source: Carol's Thought for Today, http://users.adelphia.net/~mrs.carol ~~~~~~~ SPECIAL THOUGHTS: Back in the 50's there was a well known radio host/comedian/song writer in Hollywood named Stuart Hamblin who was noted for his drinking, womanizing, partying, etc. One of his bigger hits at the time was "I won't go hunting with you Jake, but I'll go chasing women." One day, along came a young preacher holding a tent revival. Hamblin had him on his radio show presumably to poke fun at him. In order to gather more material for his show, Hamblin showed up at one of the revival meetings. Early in the service the preacher announced, "There is one man in this audience who is a big fake." There were probably others who thought the same thing, but Hamblin was convinced that he was the one the preacher was talking about (some would call that conviction) but he was having none of that. Still the words continued to haunt him until a couple of nights later he showed up drunk at the preacher's hotel door around 2AM demanding that the preacher pray for him! But the preacher refused, saying, "This is between you and God and I'm not going to get in the middle of it." But he did invite Stuart in and they talked until about 5 AM at which point Stuart dropped to his knees and with tears, cried out to God. But that is not the end of the story. Stuart quit drinking, quit chasing women, quit everything that was 'fun.' Soon he began to lose favor with the Hollywood crowd. He was ultimately fired by the radio station when he refused to accept a beer company as a sponsor. Hard times were upon him. He tried writing a couple of "Christian" songs but the only one that had much success was "This Old House", written for his friend Rosemary Clooney. As he continued to struggle, a long time friend named John took him aside and told him, "All your troubles started when you 'got religion,' Was it worth it all?" Stuart answered simply, "Yes." Then his friend asked, "You liked your booze so much, don't you ever miss it?" And his answer was, "No." John then said, "I don't understand how you could give it up so easily." And Stuart's response was, "It's no big secret. All things are possible with God." To this John said, "That's a catchy phrase. You should write a song about it." And as they say, "The rest is history." The song Stuart wrote was "It Is No Secret." "It is no secret what God can do. What He's done for others, He'll do for you. With arms wide open, He'll welcome you. It is no secret, what God can do...." By the way... the friend was John Wayne. And the young preacher who refused to pray for Stuart Hamblen? ...That was Billy Graham. For more about Stuart visit: http://members.aol.com/HamblenMC/SH_Bio.html Submitted by Nancy A Thomas ~~~~~~~ THIS & THAT: A couple who won £2.25million on the Lotto say they will stay in their flat - to be near their bingo hall. The millionaire pensioners also insist they are still going to drive there in their old Vauxhall Astra. John Davies, 68, and wife Pat, 73, have pledged that they will not be changed by their share of last Saturday's jackpot. According to the Sun John, of Portsmouth, Hants, said: "We might be millionaires but we still want to do what we did before. "If I was younger I would consider going out and spending money on posh cars and things, but not at my age. "As long as my car gets me from A to B, it's all I need. We want a normal life in a normal home with our family and friends." They are allowing themselves one treat - a holiday to Singapore where John served as a medic in the Royal Navy. They also plan to give cash to charity as well as provide for their two daughters, five grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Source: Ananova http://www.ananova.com ~~~~~~~ KEEP SMILING: One of our clients brought in his massive Doberman pinscher to be spayed. As a veterinary assistant, I escort the patient into the doctor's office. Before taking this dog's leash, I glimpsed those large teeth of hers and asked the owner, "Is she friendly?" "Friendly?" said the man. "Friendly? She's had five litters! How much 'friendlier' than that can she get?" Source: Marty's Joke of the Day, http://www.egroups.com/group/martysjotd ~~~~~~~ TRIVIA: Citizens of York are being asked to sign a treaty promising never to shoot Scots with a bow and arrow. Under an ancient by-law, which has never been repealed, York people can "legally" shoot Scotsmen with a bow and arrow within the city walls. But a couple from the city are walking 240 miles to Edinburgh to present the Lord Provost with a "peace treaty". Ewan and Gill Main have asked York residents to sign their treaty in a bid to improve Anglo-Scottish relations, and raise money for Survive, a charity which helps child victims of sexual abuse, . Each signatory must promise to never shoot a Scotsman with a bow and arrow, and to make Scots feel welcome in York. Mr and Mrs Main will set off on September 8, and hope to arrive in Edinburgh two weeks later, reports the Scotsman. Source: Ananova http://www.ananova.com