Crossgates Baptist Church Prime Timers Jubilee Journal FEBRUARY 2015 in February Staff Birthdays Jo Ann Graham 1 Elizabeth Holman 6 Jolie Walkenhorst 6 Joe Pilgrim 8 Bey Orr 9 Anita Williams 9 Brenda Haddon 12 Glen Pryor 19 Helen Beck 25 Rita Lo 25 Lois Shufelt 27 David Cherry 1 Kim Campbell 6 David Oliver 8 David Je 14 Claude Shufelt 18 Krise Burgess 18 The Lord bless you and keep you. Numbers 6:24 JUDGE ME BY THE FOOTPRINTS I LEAVE BEHIND A story is told about a soldier who was finally coming home after having fought in Vietnam. He called his parents from San Francisco. "Mom and Dad, I'm coming home, but I've got a favor to ask. I have a friend I'd like to bring with me." "Sure," they replied, "we'd love to meet him." "There's something you should know the son continued, "he was hurt pretty badly in the fighting. He stepped on a land mine and lost an arm and a leg. He has nowhere else to go, and I want him to come live with us." "I'm sorry to hear that, son. Maybe we can help him find somewhere to live." "No, Mom and Dad, I want him to live with us." "Son," said the father, "you don't know what you're asking. Someone with such a handicap would be a terrible burden on us. We have our own lives to live, and we can't let something like this interfere with our lives. I think you should just come home and forget about this guy. He'll find a way to live on his own." At that point, the son hung up the phone. The parents heard nothing more from him. A few days later, however, they received a call from the San Francisco police. Their son had died after falling from a building, they were told. The police believed it was suicide. The grief-stricken parents flew to San Francisco and were taken to the city morgue to identify the body of their son. They recognized him, but to their horror they also discovered something they didn't know, their son had only one arm and one leg. The parents in this story are like many of us. We find it easy to love those who are good-looking or fun to have around, but we don't like people who inconvenience us or make us feel uncomfortable. We would rather stay away from people who aren't as healthy, beautiful, or smart as we are. Thankfully, there's someone who won't treat us that way. Someone who loves us with an unconditional love that welcomes us into the forever family, regardless of how messed up we are. Tonight, before you tuck yourself in for the night, say a little prayer that God will give you the strength you need to accept people as they are, and to help us all be more understanding of those who are different from us!!! There's a miracle called -Friendship- that dwells in the heart. You don't know how it happens or when it gets started, but you know the special lift. It always brings and you realize that Friendship Is God's most precious gift! Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us. Proverbs 18:24 “A man that hath friends must show himself friendly and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” If you would like to nominate someone or place your name “in the hat” for our 2015-2016 Prime Timer Officers, please speak with Carol Booker. “Yahweh your God is among you, a war rio r who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will bring you quietness with His love. He will delight in you with shouts of joy.” Zephaniah 3:17
Transcript
C r o s s g a t e s B a p t i s t C h u r c h P r i m e T i m e r s J u b i l e e J o u r n a l
F E B RUA RY 2 0 1 5
in February
Staff Birthdays
Jo Ann Graham 1 Elizabeth Holman 6 Jolie Walkenhorst 6 Joe Pilgrim 8 Betty Orr 9 Anita Williams 9 Brenda Haddon 12 Glen Pryor 19 Helen Beck 25 Rita Lott 25 Lois Shufelt 27 David Cherry 1 Kim Campbell 6 David Oliver 8 David Jett 14 Claude Shufelt 18 Kristie Burgess 18
The Lord bless you and keep you. Numbers 6:24
JUDGE ME BY THE FOOTPRINTS I LEAVE BEHIND A story is told about a soldier who was finally coming home after having fought in Vietnam. He called his parents from San Francisco. "Mom and Dad, I'm coming home, but I've got a favor to ask. I have a friend I'd like to bring with me." "Sure," they replied, "we'd love to meet him." "There's something you should know the son continued, "he was hurt pretty badly in the fighting. He stepped on a land mine and lost an arm and a leg. He has nowhere else to go, and I want him to come live with us." "I'm sorry to hear that, son. Maybe we can help him find somewhere to live." "No, Mom and Dad, I want him to live with us." "Son," said the father, "you don't know what you're asking. Someone with such a handicap would be a terrible burden on us. We have our own lives to live, and we can't let something like this interfere with our lives. I think you should just come home and forget about this guy. He'll find a way to live on his own." At that point, the son hung up the phone. The parents heard nothing more from him. A few days later, however, they received a call from the San Francisco police. Their son had died after falling from a building, they were told. The police believed it was suicide. The grief-stricken parents flew to San Francisco and were taken to the city morgue to identify the body of their son. They recognized him, but to their horror they also discovered something they didn't know, their son had only one arm and one leg. The parents in this story are like many of us. We find it easy to love those who are good-looking or fun to have around, but we don't like people who inconvenience us or make us feel uncomfortable. We would rather stay away from people who aren't as healthy, beautiful, or smart as we are. Thankfully, there's someone who won't treat us that way. Someone who loves us with an unconditional love that welcomes us into the forever family, regardless of how messed up we are. Tonight, before you tuck yourself in for the night, say a little prayer that God will give you the strength you need to accept people as they are, and to help us all be more understanding of those who are different from us!!! There's a miracle called -Friendship- that dwells in the heart. You don't know how it happens or when it gets started, but you know the special lift. It always brings and you realize that Friendship Is God's most precious gift! Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us. Proverbs 18:24 “A man that hath friends must show himself friendly and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”
If you would like to nominate someone or place your
name “in the hat” for our 2015-2016 Prime Timer
Officers, please speak with Carol Booker.
“Yahweh your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness.
He will bring you quietness with His love. He will delight in you with shouts of joy.”
Zephaniah 3:17
Deepest Sympathy to ... To family of former CBC Prime Timer member, Stanley Hawkins. To family of Steve King, mother was Bonnie King. To Henrietta Clay, in the loss of her mother, Edna Blalock.
Prime Timer Schedule 2015 Fellowship is the bond of common purpose and devotion that binds Christians together.
Invite others to experience it.
Date Time Food
March 10 Noon Covered dish
April 14 Noon Covered dish
May 12 5:30 p.m. CATERED
*Reminder: All catered meals have a deadline to purchase tickets. Please look in our
weekly church ministry guide for dates.
Please pick up a card today and drop a note to one of our precious “At Home” Friends.
President Carol Booker 601.291.7338
Program Chair
Carolyn Temple 601.942.1785
Secretary/Tickets Pat Gilmore 601.942.3380
Decorations Marie Jackson 601.955.8607
Food Coordinator
Mary Easterling 601.291.8851
Trip Coordinator
Chaplain Jimmy/Bonnie Davis 601.896.4240
Mission Coordinator Betty Stafford 601.672.4211
Photographer Nedra Lovelace 601.672.2061
Hostesses Kate Geoghegan 601.807.2466
Jamie Ellmo 601.946.7832
Nedra Lovelace 601.672.2061
PRIMETIMER OFFICERS
2014-2015
Game Night J o in us on for fun & f e l l owsh ip a t 5 :30 pm in the Fe l lows hip Ha l l .
B r ing your f avor i t e snack to s hare . February 12th & 26th
Margaret Johnson Beulah Keyes
Brandon Court Nursing Brandon Nursing &
Home Room #413 Rehab #219A
100 Burnham Road 355 Crossgates Blvd.
Brandon, MS 39042 Brandon, MS 39042
Birthday - Feb. 25 Birthday - May 5
Virgie Kennedy Bessie Long
Brandon Court Nursing Peach Tree Village #12
Home Room #108 Brandon, MS 39042
100 Burnham Road Birthday - November 9
Brandon, MS 39042
Birthday - July 22
March Luncheon
Join us on March 10th at 12 noon for a Potluck Luncheon in the Fellowship Hall . Our program features
CBC’s very own, Jonathan Henderson.
Please invite a friend and bring your favorite dish and come enjoy food, fun, and fellowship!
PRIME TIMERS! You are the best! As you know, our
mission project for this quarter has been Teen Challenge,
located on Trickembridge Road north of Brandon. This
ministry is a safe refuge for young ladies to find their way
back to a life with Christ and commit their futures to serve
him. Teen Challenge is helping young adults all over the U.S.
Thank you for wanting to be a part of this life changing
opportunity. You have given......to date.....$644.00!!!!! Tonight,
you will have one more opportunity to give! Thank you for
ALL you do for the Kingdom of God, this church and this
Prime Timers ministry!
COMING SOON (March-April-May) a very exciting
mission opportunity! Stay tuned and expect to be blessed!!!
His truly, Betty Stafford, Missions Coordinator
Orrin Ransom
BRANSON TRIP Please note that the final payment on the Branson trip will be due March 1st. You may make check payable to CBC and either mail or hand to me. Dot Dollar 71 Springview Dr. Brandon MS 39042. Phone 601.825. 5828
It isn’t what you have in your pocket that makes
you thankful, but what you have in your heart.
NEED HELP WITH YOUR COMPUTER??
We are looking to hold a 3 day Technology Retreat on-campus this summer to teach
computer skills or help with certain programs BUT we need your help! Let us know what you
would be interested in learning! Contact Kristie: 601-825-2748 or [email protected]
Wednesday Night Coffee/Tea/Soft Drinks &
Small Salad included with meal.
Jo in us in the Fel lowship Hall for Wednesday Night Supper!
Rasperry Trifle
1 pkg Betty Crocker Golden Pound Cake mix
1 small pkg vanilla pudding & pie filling (not instant)
1/3 cup orange juice
1/2 cup raspberry preserves
1 cup whipping (heavy) cream
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup slivered almonds
Heat oven to 325º. Generously grease 2 loaf pans, 8 ½ X 4 ½ X 2 ½. Bake and cool cake as directed on package for 2 loaf pans. Freeze 1 loaf for another use.
Prepare pudding & pie filling as directed on pkg. Cool. Cut remaining loaf into 1” pieces. Place half of the pieces in 2 qt. glass bowl. Sprinkle with half of the orange juice. Spoon half of the preserves over pieces; spread with 1 cup of the pudding. Repeat layers. Cover & refrigerate at least 4 hrs.
Beat whipping cream and sugar in chilled small bowl on high speed until stiff; spread over trifle. Sprinkle with almonds. Garnish with raspberries if desired. Yields 10 servings.
February 4 February 11 February 18 February 25 Hamburger Chicken & Cheese Taquitos Meatloaf Chicken Strips
French Fries Spanish Rice Mashed Potatoes Mac & Cheese
2 cups cubed unpeeled red apples 2 cups cubed unpeeled pears 3/4 cup chopped dates 1 TBsp. lemon juice 2 med. Bananas, sliced
Dressing 1/3 cup light mayo or salad dressing 2 TBsp honey 1/2 tsp grated lemon peel 1/8 teaspoon all spice In large bowl, combine apples, pears, dates, & lemon juice; mix well. Add bananas; stir gently to mix. In small bowl, combine all dressing ingredients; blend well. Add to salad mixture; stir gently to coat. If desired, serve in lettuce lined bowl.
5 Easy Suppers… Quick Chicken & Mashed Potatoes– Brown
boneless skinless chicken breast halves in non-
stick skillet. Add jar of chicken gravy and 2-4
Tablespoons of sour cream. Simmer until
chicken is no longer pink. Serve with Hungry
Jack Mashed Potatoes & cooked carrots.
Ham, Potato & Vegetable Soup- Heat
Progresso Potato with Ham & Cheese
Chowder with Green Giant Frozen Mixed
Vegetables. Simmer until vegetables are tender. Top with cheese flavored popcorn.
Serve with Pillsbury Grands Biscuits.
Easy Southwestern Pizza– Spread prebaked
Italian pizza crust with bean dip. Top with
cooked southwestern seasoned chicken strips, Old El Paso Chopped green chiles and
shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese. Bake
as directed on pizza crust package. Top with
Old El Paso Salsa.
Steak with Cheesy Potatoes– Sprinkle sirloin steak with garlic-pepper seasoning and salt.
By Mark Batterson The Gospel costs nothing. You can't earn it or buy it. It can only be received as a free gift which is compliments of God's grace. It doesn't cost anything, but it demands everything. It demands
that we go "all in," putting all that we have into God's hands. And that's where we get stuck--in spiritual no man's land. We're afraid that if we go all in that we might miss out on what this life has to offer. It's not true. The only thing you'll miss out on is everything God has to offer. And the good news is this: if you don't hold out on God, God won't hold out on you. Readers will find Batterson's writing filled with his customary vivid, contemporary illustrations as well as biblical characters like Shamgar and Elisha and Jonathan and . . . Judas. No one has ever sacrificed anything for God. If you always get back more than you gave up, have you sacrificed anything at all? The eternal reward always outweighs the temporal sacrifice. At the end of the day, our greatest regret will be whatever we didn't give back to God. What we didn't push back across the table to Him. Eternity will reveal that holding out is losing out. The message of All In is simple: if Jesus is not Lord of all then Jesus is not Lord at all. It's all or nothing. It's now or never. Kneeling at the foot of cross of Christ and surrendering to His Lordship is a radical act of dethroning yourself and enthroning Christ as King. It's also an act of disowning yourself. Nothing belongs to you. Not even you. Batterson writes, "For many years, I thought I was following Jesus. I wasn't. I had invited Jesus to follow me. I call it inverted Christianity. And it's a subtle form of selfishness that masquerades as spirituality. That's when I sold out and bought in. When did we start believing that the gospel is an insurance plan? It's a daring plan. Jesus did not die just to keep us safe. He died to make us dangerous.”
Grandparents’ Brag Board:
Baptist Children's Village, located on Star Road south of
will have an opportunity to pour into these children..... as
and mature. Begin praying, asking God what you can do
It is National Heart Month- Know Your Heart Attack Warning Signs
Some heart attacks are sudden & intense, but most of them start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Here are the signs that can mean a heart attack is happening: Chest discomfort. Most attacks involve discomfort in
center of the chest that last more than a few minutes, or goes away & comes back.
Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
Shortness of breath. This feeling often comes along with chest discomfort. Butt it can also occur without chest discomfort.
Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
If you or someone with you has one or more of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately. Get to the hospital right away. Don’t drive yourself, unless you have absolutely no other option.
Free Milk! When my granddaughter Alexis started to kindergarten, I asked her if she needed milk money. She said, “No, you get the milk from the cooler. It’s free, but you have to pay the lady at the counter 25 cents for the straw. -Marilyn Derington, Madisonville, KY
Counting Backwards. My 5 yr. old grandson, Joshua, could count backwards. After he had counted for me, I asked his 3 yr. old borther, Nelson, if he could count backwards too. He said, “Sure, Grandmother.” He turned his back to me and counted, “One, two, three!”
-Jean Bigelow, Columbus, MO
Hopping Berries. When my granddaughter Robin was about 3 yrs. old, I took her blackberry picking. She had eaten several unwashed berries, and I told her not to eat any more until we could wash them. A few minutes lat-er, she was eating berries again. I said, “Robin, I asked you not to eat any more.” She said, “I’m not eating them. They’re just hopping in my mouth!”
-Alice Lowe, Birmingham, AL
Quips –N– Quotes:
I’ve come to realize that most of the things I worry about never happen– which just proves that worry does work!
Live each day as if it were your last. Some day you’ll be right.
Enjoy what is ...Before it isn’t.
I really think that tossing & turning at night should be considered as exercise.
My brain is like the Bermuda Triangle... Information goes in & then it’s never found again.
BJ’s Corner - Free, But Not Cheap ! ! !
If anyone desires to come after me, let him… take up his cross & follow me! Matthew 16:24.
During the early years of the 20th century, Bill Borden turned his back on one of America’s great family fortunes to
become a missionary in China. He only got as far as Egypt, while, still in his 20’s, he died of typhoid fever. Before his death
he wrote, “No reserves, no retreat, no regrets!”
Discipleship is always costly. It may not cost us our lives, but it will cost us. It will cost us our plans, our wills, our
selfish desires. Jesus’ standard has not changed!
“If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, & follow Me.” Instead of controlling
our lives, we turn them over to Christ as Lord.
Some once said, “Salvation is free but not cheap!” It cost Jesus His life, an it will cost us as well. Could anything be
greater or more fulfilling?
Follow Christ and at life’s end, you will be able to say, “No regrets!” No matter your age!
*The Explanation* - - - Brains of older people
are slow because they know so much.
People do not decline mentally with age, it just
takes them longer to recall facts because they
have more information in their brains, scientists
believe. Much like a computer struggles as the
hard drive gets full, so too, do humans take
longer to access information when their brains
are full.
Researchers say this slowing down it is not the
same as cognitive decline.
“The human brain works slower in old age,” said
Dr. Michael Ramscar, “but only because we
have stored more information over time. The
brains of older people do not get weak. On the
contrary, they simply know more.”
Also, older people often go to another room to
get something and when they get there, they
stand there wondering what they came for. It is
NOT a memory problem; it is nature’s way of
making older people do more exercise.
In God I Trust I was walking around in a Wal-Mart store, when I saw a cashier hand this little boy some money back. The boy couldn't have been more than 5 or 6 years old. The Cashier said, 'I'm sorry, but you don't have enough money to buy this Doll.' Then the little boy turned to the old woman next to him, ''Granny, are you sure I don't have enough money?'' The old lady replied, ''You know that you don't have enough money to buy this doll, my dear.'' Then she asked him to stay there for just 5 minutes while she went to look around. She left quickly. The little boy was still holding the doll in his hand. Finally, I walked toward him and I asked him who he wished to give this doll to. 'It's the doll that my sister loved most and wanted so much for Christmas. She was sure that Santa Claus would bring it to her.' I replied to him that maybe Santa Claus would bring it to her after all, and not to worry. But he replied to me sadly. 'No, Santa Claus can't bring it to her where she is now. I have to give the doll to my mommy so that she can give it to my sister when she goes there.' His eyes were so sad while saying this, 'My sister has gone to be with God. Daddy says that Mommy is going to see God very soon too, so I thought that she could take the doll with her to give it to my sister.'' My heart nearly stopped. The little boy looked up at me and said, 'I told daddy to tell mommy not to go yet. I need her to wait until I come back from the mall.' Then he showed me a very nice photo of himself. He was laughing. He then told me 'I want Mommy to take my picture with her so she won't forget me.' 'I love my mommy and I wish she didn't have to leave me, but daddy says that she has to go to be with my little sister.' Then he looked again at the doll with sad eyes, very quietly. I quickly reached for my wallet and said to the boy. 'Suppose we check again, just in case you do have enough money for the doll!'' OK' he said, 'I hope I do have enough.' I added some of my money to his without him seeing and we started to count it. There was enough for the doll and even some spare money. The little boy said, 'Thank you God for giving me enough money!' Then he looked at me and added, 'I asked last night before I went to sleep for God to make sure I had enough money to buy this doll, so that mommy could give it to my sister. He heard me!'' 'I also wanted to have enough money to buy a white rose for my mommy, but I didn't dare to ask God for too much. But He gave me enough to buy the doll and a white rose.'' 'My mommy loves white roses.' A few minutes later, the old lady returned and I left with my basket. I finished my shopping in a totally different state of mind from when I started. I couldn't get the little boy out of my mind. Then I remembered a local newspaper article two days ago, which mentioned a drunk man in a truck, who hit a car occupied by a young woman and a little girl. The little girl died right away, and the mother was left in a critical state. The family had to decide whether to pull the plug on the Life-sustaining machine, because the young woman would not be able to recover from the coma. Was this the family of the little boy? Two days after this encounter with the little boy, I read in the newspaper that the young woman had passed away. I couldn't stop myself as I bought a bunch of white roses and I went to the funeral home where the body of the young woman was for people to see and make last wishes before her burial. She was there, in her coffin, holding a beautiful white rose in her hand with the photo of the little boy and the doll placed over her chest. I left the place, teary-eyed, feeling that my life had been changed forever. The love that the little boy had for his mother and his sister is still, to this day, hard to imagine, and in a fraction of a second, a drunk driver had taken all this away from him. The quote of the month is by Jay Leno, 'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to the other, and with the threat of swine flu and terrorist attacks, Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'
Shortcuts Worth Sharing
For a quick, economical breakfast, I make up a big batch of oatmeal. I thin it a bit with water and cool it, then pour it into ice cube trays. Once the cubes are frozen, I pop them out and store them in a freezer bag. For a fast morning meal, I heat as many cubes as I need and mix with sugar and milk.
Polisihing silver. Line a pan with aluminum foil. Add water and bring to a boil. Add some baking soda and stir. When the water comes to a boil again, put in your silverware and turn off the heat. Wait a few minutes, then remove. Your knives, forks, and spoons will shine like new!
Older Than Dirt! ...Someone asked the other day, ‘What was your favorite fast food when you were growing up?’ 'We didn't
have fast food when I was growing up,' I informed him. 'All the food was slow.' He said, 'C'mon, seriously. Where did you eat?' 'It
was a place called 'at home,'' I explained. 'Mom cooked every day and when Dad got home from work, we sat down together at the
dining room table, and if I didn't like what she put on my plate I was allowed to sit there until I did like it.'
By this time, the kid was laughing so hard I was afraid he was going to suffer serious internal damage, so I didn't tell him the part
about how I had to have permission to leave the table.
But here are some other things I would have told him about my childhood if I figured his system could have handled it. Some parents
NEVER owned their own house, wore Levi’s , set foot on a golf course, traveled out of the country or had a credit card. In their later
years they had something called a revolving charge card. The card was good only at Sears Roebuck. Or maybe it was Sears &
Roebuck. Either way, there is no Roebuck anymore. Maybe he died. My parents never drove me to soccer practice. This was mostly
because we never had heard of soccer. I had a bicycle that weighed probably 50 pounds, and only had one speed, (slow). We didn't
have a television in our house until I was 5. It was, of course, black and white, and the station went off the air at midnight, after
playing the national anthem and a poem about God; it came back on the air at about 6 a.m. and there was usually a locally produced
news and farm show on, featuring local people. I was 13 before I tasted my first pizza, it was called 'pizza pie.'
When I bit into it, I burned the roof of my mouth and the cheese slid off, swung down, plastered itself against my chin and burned
that, too. It's still the best pizza I ever had. We didn't have a car until I was 4. It was an old black Dodge.
I never had a telephone in my room. The only phone in the house was in the living room and it was on a party line. Before you could
dial, you had to listen and make sure some people you didn't know weren't already using the line.
Pizzas were not delivered to our home, but milk was & so was bread. All newspapers were delivered by boys and all boys delivered
newspapers --my brother delivered a newspaper, six days a week. It cost 7 cents a paper, of which he got to keep 2 cents. He had
to get up at 5 AM every morning. Movie stars kissed with their mouths shut, at least, they did in the movies. There were no movie
ratings because all movies were responsibly produced for everyone to enjoy viewing, without profanity or violence or most anything
offensive. If you grew up in a generation before there was fast food, you may want to share some of these memories with your
children or grandchildren. Just don't blame me if they bust a gut laughing. Growing up isn't what it used to be, is it?
Whatever He requires of you today will not be too difficult for you or beyond your reach.
Trust that truth, and you will be filled. God desires to prosper us indeed, but to
prosper us with satisfied hearts and to fill us not with the things of this world that will
one day fade away, but with Himself, and He will use both blessings and adversities
to accomplish His purpose.
What are Valentines?
The priceless gift of life is love,
For with the help of God above
Love can change the human race
And make this world a better place...
For love dissolves all hate and fear
And makes our vision bright and clear
So we can see and rise above
Our pettiness on wings of love.
~Helen Steiner Rice
Nix a Tension Headache
If you’re having a rough day and your head starts
throbbing, try this chiropractor-approved tip: Place your
right hand on the left side of your head (by your ear) and
gently pull your head toward your right shoulder. Hold for
10 seconds, then switch sides. This eases the muscle
tightness that causes tension headaches, halting pain.
Who are You? While praying one day, a woman asked: ”Who are you, Lord?” The Lord answered: “I am.” “But who is I am?” she asked. And He replied: “I am Love. I am Peace. I am Grace. I am Joy. I am the Way, the Truth, and the Light. I am the Comforter. I am Strength. I am Safety. I am Shelter. I am Power. I am the Creator. I am the Beginning and the End. I am the Most High.” The woman, now with tears in her eyes looked toward heaven and said: ”Now, I understand. But Lord, who am I?” Then God wiped the tears from the eyes and whispered: “You are mine.” -Timothy Merrill
