“If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not ...

Grand Junction Church of Christ July 2012 Ladies’ Pages 

Compiled by Lila Briggs 

“WHY AM I HERE?” 

Excerpt from Rick Warren’s book entitled Meditations for the Purpose Driven Life 

(A very small book, worth reading!!!) 

“This is what the Lord says—I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” 

Isaiah 43:1 

Why do I exist? 

Why am I here? 

What is my purpose? 

These are the most fundamental 

questions you can ask in life. Have you 

ever asked these questions, wondering 

where to turn for the answer? 

The truth is that you were made 

by God and for God. Until you 

understand this, life will never make 

sense. God has never created anything 

without a purpose. Colossians 1:16 

says; For everything, absolutely 

everything, above and below, visible and 

invisible…everything got started in God 

and finds its purpose in Him.” The 

Message 

The very fact that you’re alive 

means God has a purpose for your life! 

“The Lord takes pleasure in His people.” 

- Psalm 149:4 NASB 

And you weren’t created for just one 

purpose. You were created for five 

special reasons that are explained in 

God’s Word, the Bible. 

You were planned for God’s 

pleasure!! You,… God…created 

everything and it is for Your 

(God’s) pleasure that they exist and were 

created. Rev. 4:13 NLT 

The Bible says that God is 

love. It doesn’t say God has love. It 

says God is love. Love is the essence 

of His character. God created you as an 

object of His love. You were made to 

be loved by God—that’s your number 

one purpose. God didn’t need to love 

you. He wasn’t lonely. He didn’t need 

servants. He wasn’t bored. God created 

humans because He wanted to love 

us. We were planned for His pleasure. 

“If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I 

would not fear a million enemies. Yet distance makes no 

difference. He is praying for Me.” 

- Robert Murray M’Cheyne

Consider These Thoughts BY Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) 

“Make no reserve, exercise no choice but obey His (Christ’s) command. When 

you know what He commands, do not hesitate, question, or try to avoid it, but ‘do it’, 

do it at once, do it heartily, do it cheerfully, do it to the full. It is but a little thing that, 

as our Lord has bought us with the price of His own blood, we should be His 

servants. The apostles frequently call themselves the bond-slaves of Christ. Where our 

‘Authorized Version’ softly puts it “servant” it really is “bond-slave.” The early saints 

delighted to count themselves Christ’s absolute property, bought by Him, owned by 

Him and wholly at His disposal. Paul even went so far as to rejoice that he had the 

marks of his Master’s brand on him, and he cries, “let no man trouble me; for I bear in 

my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.” 

There was the end of all debates, he was the Lord’s, and the marks of the 

scourges, the rods, and the stones were the broad arrow of the King which marked 

Paul’s body as the property of Jesus the Lord. Now if the saints of old time gloried in 

obeying Christ, I pray that you and I, forgetting the sect to which we may belong, or 

even the nation of which we form a part, may feel that our first object in life is to obey 

our Lord and not to follow a human leader, or to promote a religious or political 

party. This one thing we mean to do, and so follow the advice of Solomon as he says, 

“Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.” Beloved, 

let us endeavor to be obedient in the minute as well as in the greater matters, for it is 

in details that true obedience is best seen. 

We are to wait upon our Master humbly, reverently, feeling it an honor to do 

anything for Him. We are to be self surrendered, given up henceforth to the Lord, free 

men, and yet most truly serfs of this Great Emperor. We are never so free as when we 

own our sacred serfdom….Often Paul calls himself the servant of the Lord, and even 

the slave of Christ, and he glories in the branding iron’s marks upon his flesh. “I bear,” 

says he, “in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus; henceforth let no man trouble 

me.” We count it liberty to bear the bonds of Christ. We reckon this to be supremest 

freedom for we sing with the psalmist, “ I am thy servant; I am they servant, Thou has 

loosed my bonds” “Bind the sacrifice with cords, even with cords to the horns of the 

altar.” Such is the conduct which our servitude to our Lord requires. 

Every true Christian pronounces this phrase, “Jesus our Lord,” with the emphasis 

of unreservedness. We desire that Christ Jesus should be our Lord in everything and 

Lord over every part of our being…He who truly loves Jesus, and who knows that he is 

one of those who are redeemed by Him, says with all his heart that Jesus is Lord, his 

absolute Sovereign, his Despot, if that word be used in the sense of Christ having 

unlimited monarchy and supreme sway over the soul. Yea, O “Jesus our Lord,” thou 

shalt be the autocratic, imperial Master of our heart, and of the whole dominion of our 

manhood.

“Faith is to the soul what life is to the body. Prayer is to faith what breath is to 

the body. How a person can live and not breather is past my comprehension, and 

how a person can believe and not pray is past my comprehension too.” 

- J.C. Ryle 

This Month’s Extraordinary Uses For Ordinary Things 

Oven Mitts 

Use as beverage cozy or egg warmer…Keep that mug of java or tea from getting cold 

when you’re called away by placing an oven mitt over it. The glove’s insulation will 

keep it warm until you get back. You can also use an oven mitt to keep boiled eggs 

warm for up to half an hour. Conversely, an oven mitt will help keep a cold drink 

colder longer. 

Use for dusting and polishing. ….although oven mitts are typically confined to kitchen 

duty, they are actually great for dusting an polishing around your house. Use one side 

of the mitt to apply wax or polish to your furniture and the other side to buff it up. It’s 

a great way to use old mitts or all those extra ones you’ve collected. 

When pruning thorny plants….although oven mitts may be a bit too awkward to use for 

weeding or planting seedlings in your garden, they can come in handy when it comes 

time to prune trees, hedges and bushes—particularly those thorny ones such as holly, 

firethorn and rosebushes. 

Remove hot engine parts….Keeping an oven mitt in your car’s glove compartment or 

trunk can make life a lot easier when you need to handle hot radiator caps and the like 

during an on the road emergency. 

Change a hot light bulb….Did the light bulb on your reading lamp just blow out? Don’t 

scorch your fingers when replacing it. Once you’ve removed the lampshade put on an 

oven mitt, remove the dead bulb form the socket and toss it in the garbage. That way, 

you won’t still be blowing on your finger tips when screwing in the new bulb!! 

“Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees.” 

- William Cowper

FOOD (ideas from “Martha Stewart Living” & “Whole Living” magazines) 

STRAWBERRIES 

Strawberries are one of the season’s most delicious fruit, and they pack more 

vitamin C than any other berry. Make the most of these nutritional jewels by swapping 

them in for jam on a sandwich to dispense with the added sugar and calories. Slice 

some onto whole wheat toast spread with peanut butter or almond butter, or serve 

them over whole grain pancakes, for satisfying sweetness. 

Turkey-Strawberry-Spinach Salad 

1 lb. asparagus spears 

½ cup bottled poppy seed salad dressing or 

Italian salad dressing 

1 teaspoon finely shredded orange peel 

1 tablespoon orange juice 

8 cups fresh baby spinach, torn fresh 

spinach or assosrted greens 

2 cups sliced fresh strawberries and/or 

whole blueberries 

¾ to 1 pound cooked turkey or chicken, cut 

into ½ inch cubes 

¼ cup pecan halves, toasted 

CARROTS 

Snap off and discard woody bases 

from asparagus. (If desired, scrape off 

scales.) Cut into 1 inch pieces. Cook 

asparagus, covered, in a small amount of 

boiling lightly salted water for 3 to 5 

minutes or until crisp tender. Drain 

asparagus. Rinse with cold water. Let stand 

in cold water until cool; drain. 

Meanwhile, for dressing, in a small 

bowl stir together poppy seed dressing, 

orange peel, and orange juice, set aside. 

In a salad bowl combine asparagus, 

spinach, berries, and turkey. Place on salad 

plates. Top with toasted pecans .Drizzle 

with dressing. 

Makes 4 to 6 main dish servings. 

Carrots contain more carotenoids, the cancer fighting antioxidants that give them 

their orange pigment, than any other vegetable. The body converts them into vitamin 

A, essential for healthy skin and eyes and a strong immune system. Plus, one cup of 

carrots packs in more fiber than a slice of whole grain bread.

Cinnamon Carrot Muffins 

¾ cup al purpose flour 

½ cup whole wheat flour 

2 tablespoon wheat germ 

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 

1 teaspoon baking powder 

½ teaspoon baking soda 

1/8 teaspoon kosher salt 

1/3 cup vegetable oil 

1/3 cup buttermilk 

2 large eggs 

¾ cup light brown sugar 

2 cups finely grated carrots (4-5 carrots) 

Corn Bake 

1 small onion 

½ green pepper 

½ cup margarine 

1 can whole kernel corn 

1 can cream style corn 

1 box Jiffy cornbread mix 

2 beaten eggs 

1-2 cups shredded Cheddar 

(or your favorite) cheese 

1 cup sour cream 

Preheat oven to 350°. Line a standard 

muffin tin with paper cups. Whisk flours, 

wheat germ, cinnamon, baking powder, 

baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Whisk 

remaining ingredients in a separate 

bowl. Fold dry ingredients into wet and mix 

until just combined. Spoon batter into 

cups. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the 

center of a muffin comes out clean, about 

22 minutes. Cool in pan for 15 minutes, 

then transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly 

before serving. 

Yield 12 muffins 

Saute onion and green pepper in 

margarine. Add vegetables to the 2 cans of 

corn, eggs and cornbread mix. 

Stir and pour into a greased 9 x 13 

inch pan. Spread on 1 cup sour 

cream. Sprinkle with 1 to 2 cups shredded 

cheese. Bake at 350 deg for 45 minutes. (or 

until lightly browned and toothpick or knife 

inserted comes out clean) 

Note: can be prepared ahead and 

baked later. 

“He who has not forgiven an enemy has not yet tasted 

one of the most sublime enjoyments of life.” 

- Johanna K Lavater

Miscellaneous Tips (from “Healthy Living” magazine) 

+ We all know joy feels good in the present, but it also has long term benefits. “Positive 

emotions may extend the years of quality living, says Anthony Ong, assistant professor of 

human development at Cornell University. Why? Happier people are more likely to 

exercise, eat well, and not smoke. And upbeat folks produce fewer of the harmful hormones 

related to stress. 

+ Take steps to protect your skin while gardening etc since ultraviolet rays increase in the 

spring, sasys Macrene alexiades, assistant clinical professor of dermatology of Yale 

University School of Medicine. Gloves will protect your hands and a wide brimmed hat will 

help shield your face and neck. 

+ To make your brightly hued nail polish last longer, before painting, swipe nails (even if 

they are bare) with polish remover to get rid of any moisture or your skin’s natural oils, 

which can prevent polish from sticking, says nail artist Julie Kandalec. Always use a base 

coat and a top coat, but skip fat drying varieties-although convenient, they can cause polish to 

chip faster. 

+ Get set for sleeveless season with this quick triceps toner from Mary Tedesco, Martha 

Stewart’s personal trainer. Stand with feet hip width apart and knees slightly bent. Hold a 

12 to 15 pound dumbbell in front of you with both hands and straighten arms 

overhead. Bend elbows, and slowly lower the weight behind your head. Return to start. Do 

20 reps. 

+ Keep your teeth in top shape; Lilmit your intake of acidic drinks, such as orange juice, 

soda and bottled iced tea, which can attack enamel, softening it and making it more open to 

the bacteria that causes cavities, “ says Jennifer Jablow, a New York city dentist. When you 

do have these sips, rinse your mouth with water afterward to help wash away damaging 

acidic residue. 

+ Meditation may actually make you smarter. Researchers at Mass. General Hospital took 

MRIs of people before and after an eight week mindfulness meditation program and found 

that meditating for an average of 27 minutes per day increased gray matter density in the 

hippocampus region of the brain, which is involved in learning and memory processes.

“We can stand affliction better than we can prosperity, 

for in prosperity we forget God.” 

- Dwight Moody 

Health Issues 

“We do not cease to be children because 

we are disobedient children.” 

- Frederick Denison Maurice 

(Some tips from “Health” Magazine) 

When infants are first introduced to solid foods, they often develp a golden 

skin tone because of all the pureed carrots and squash they are getting.” Says 

NoelleSherber, M.D., a Baltimore based dermatologist. “later in life, the variety in 

your diet dilutes that effect.” A recent study from the United Kingdom found that 

eating plenty of fruits and vegetables each day imbues skin with a glow that’s more 

attractive to others than a tan. That’s thanks to carotenoids, a class of 

antioxidants that gives foods such as sweet potatoes and tomatoes their colorful 

hue. 

“The ski-gut connection is strong.” Says David Colbert, a New York city based 

dermatologist. “If your digestion stagnates, your complexion suffers—it’s nature’s 

warning sign.” Limit simple carbs(white breads and processed foods) in favor of 

complex ones (whole grains and produce). Rich in fiber, they help buffer sugar 

absorption and fend off ruddiness. Likewise, while fats are necessary to keep your 

skin hydrated, avoid the saturated kinds and opt for omega 3s. (salmon and fish 

oil), monounsaturated (olive oil), and polyunsaturated (nuts) all of which aid 

digestion. While probiotics in yogurt may improve skin tone, choose dairy that’s 

free of hormones, which are associated with acne and dull skin. 

Unless you regularly eat omega 3 rich foods such as salmon or walnuts, fish 

oil supplements may be your best bet for decreasing inflammation in the body and 

reviving dry skin. Also consider taking glucosamine, a natural compound found in 

cartilage. It’s ,most commonly used for osteoarthritis, but dermatologists are 

reporting benefits such as fewer wrinkles and improved hydration. And get your

vitamin levels checked at your annual physical: Dietary deficiencies can show up 

as skin problems. A multi can fill any gaps. 

Oxygen is critical for production of collagen and elastin (two key proteins in 

youthful complexions) and helps distribute essential nutrients to the skin. Too bad 

we often deprive ourselves of that natural beauty booster. “When we are under 

stress, we tense up and hold our breath,” says Margaret Chesney, PH.D., as 

professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. Less than 

optimal O2 intake means dull skin and a host of other potential health 

issues. But simple breathing exercises can bring oxygen levels back to their 

natural state. No need to pace yourself at a certain number of breaths per 

minute. Instead, focus on a relaxing scene during tense moments, Chesney 

says. This will help you tune in to your body’s bio rhythm. 

During sleep, stress hormones go down, oxygen intake goes up, and the body 

heals itself.” Chesney says. But it’s crucial that your shut eye be 

uninterrupted. As you rest, your body continuously cycles through five stages. It’s 

during phase three and four that growth hormones are released and tissue repair 

begins. Try to maintain a consistent bedtime and stay away from stimulating 

activities. (including TV and your cell phone) For optimal melatonin production, 

darken the room or wear an eye mask. 

Some Food Block The Effects Of Meds 

Be Aware: some foods and beverages can block your meds. 

by Camille Noe Pagan in “Arthritis Today” 

If you’re like most people, you down your pills with juice or food, thinking you’re 

doing your stomach a favor by not taking the medications alone. As it turns out, you may 

be doing more harm than good to food drug interactions. 

Recent research shows that foods and beverages can have a dramatic effect on 

how the body absorbs certain medications. 

“Twenty years ago, a team of researchers and I realized that grapefruit juice could 

cause many medications to be as much as 10 times more powerful than they’re meant 

to be,” says David G. Bailey, PH.D., clinical professor of pharmacology at the University of 

Western Ontario in Canada.

Thanks to their research, more than 50 medications now carry cautions about 

grapefruit juice on their labels. 

Now Bailey has discovered that grapefruit, apple and orange juices can actually 

have the opposite effect on some other drugs. “They block the pills’ absorption, so you 

get less or even no benefit from taking them.” says Bailey. “This might cause someone 

to think that they need to switch to a ‘better’ medication—when in fact changing what 

they eat, or when, would make the drug effective.” 

How long should you wait? In most cases, you can consume a potentially pill 

blocking food or beverage about three to four hours after you’ve taken your meds, but 

it’s best to ask your pharmacist, who can tell you for sure. Plus, he/she can check to see 

if other medications or supplements you take might further affect how your body 

absorbs your medicines. 

Four Common Pill Blockers to Watch Out For: 

Food: Milk and yogurt 

Blocks: Iron supplements; many antibiotics, including fluoroquinolone, ciprofloxacin 

and ‘cycline’ antibiotics like tetratcycline: thyroid hormone; and penicillamine (Cuprimine, 

Depen), a disease modifying antirheumatic drug. 

Food: Apple, orange and grapefruit juice 

Blocks: Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs, including methotrexate (Theumatrex, 

trexall): cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune), a drug used for severe psoriasis and 

rheumatoid arthritis: beta blockers like acebutol (Sectral): cancer drugs like etoposide 

(Etopophos, Vepesid): alendronate (Fosamax), an osteoporosis drug, the allergy medicine 

fexofenadine (Allegra); some antibiotics including ciprofloxine (Cipro) and levfloxacin 

(Levaquin) 

Food: coffee 

Blocks: alendronate; the antibiotic penicillin 

Food: foods rich in vitamin K, including leafy green vegetables and liver. 

Blocks: blood thinners like warfarin (Coumadin)

“Who is there that receives a gift and tries to make bargains 

about it? Let us then return thanks for what He has 

bestowed on us. Who can tell whether if we had had a 

larger share of ability or stronger health we should not 

have possessed them to our destruction??” 

- Alphonsus Liguon 

OUTDOORS 

MOSQUITOES 

It’s just instinct; see a mosquito, smack a mosquito (or try to). 

(taken from “Gardening” magazine) 

But like all living things, ,mosquitoes play an important role in the ecosystem, so 

it’s not a good idea to try to kill every last one. However, since their bite can cause 

an itchy welt at best and spread disease at worst, here are some simple steps you 

can take to discourage them in your garden. 

Understand how they breed and feed. Like butterflies, mosquitoes have a four part 

life cycle, egg, larva, pupa and adult. Females lay eggs on the surface of 

water. The aquatic larvae are not strong swimmers, so the female seeks water 

with little or no movement. The larvae feed on bacteria and algae and go through 

several molts, eventually pupating and emerging as winged adults. 

Adult mosquitoes are nectar feeders and pollinate plants such as orchids and 

goldenrods. The females feed on blood to get iron and protein only when they’re 

ready to reproduce. Mosquitoes are a food source for a myriad of wildlife species, 

including dragonflies, frogs, lizards, fish, birds and bats. 

Shut down the mosquito nursery. Anything that holds water—clogged rain 

gutters, flowerpots, puddles on tarps, or kiddie pools—will serve as a nursery for 

mosquito larvae. It takes a minimum of five days for larvae to turn into biting 

adults, so empty birdbaths and other standing water twice a week. Stock garden 

ponds with fish and encourage predators such as frogs and dragonflies. Goldfish 

and mosquito fish are not native so never release them into natural waterways. 

Pesticides can be toxic to predators that reduce mosquito populations. Never put 

oil on water surfaces, as this pollutes the water and kills many forms of life.

If eliminating breeding areas and encouraging natural predators isn’t doing the 

job, you can add a bacteria called Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis ( Bri) to 

ponds. Purchase Bri in disc form at garden stores, water garden suppliers, and 

home improvement centers. But be aware that though Bri won’t harm birds, 

mammals, or amphibians, it can be harmful to insects that are mosquito predators. 

Get the better of the biters. Females find their blood meals by following the trails 

of carbon dioxide, body heat, and water vapor that vertebrates exude. They aren’t 

attracted to light, so all purpose bug zappers don’t work (although they will kill 

thousands of beneficial insects.) 

According to the Centers for disease Control and Prevention, repellents containing 

the active ingredients DEET, picaridin, and oil of lemon eucalyptus are most 

effective against mosquitoes. Natural repellents with citronella, lemon balm, and 

mint are effective if reapplied often. There are no plants that repel mosquitoes on 

their own. 

Sometimes common sense is your best solution. Avoid going outside at dawn and 

dusk, when mosquitoes are most active, and wear long sleeves to cover exposed 

skin. Mosquitoes are not strong flyers, so a fan is often all you need to keep them 

away. 

Female mosquitoes can transmit disease from one organism they bite to the 

next. In North America, they can pass on several types of encephalitis, including 

West Nile Virus, which affects humans and other mammals. Mosquitoes also pass 

diseases (canine heartworm, for example) to domestic animals such as horses, cats 

and dogs. 

That said, mosquitoes are more of a nuisance than a health threat in this part of 

the world. Each year, millions of people in North America are bitten y mosquitoes, 

but only a few get sick. Overuse of pesticides can lead to poisoning, pollution, and 

the death of beneficial wildlife. 

The key to minimizing the annoyance and the risk of disease from mosquitoes is 

prevention. 

TOADS 

(I have always liked toads from the time I was a child, and thought this a good article about 

them and how beneficial they are. I try to increase the population in our yard. ) 

Roll out the red carpet for the humble toad, one of the most useful critters in your 

garden. And no, he can’t give you warts!!

Frogs will just have to share the award. When the Association of Zoos and 

aquariums declared 2008 the Year of the Frog (which they did in order to call 

attention to the global decline of frogs and other amphibians) they meant toads, 

too—because toads are a type of frog. And toads are actually more likely to show 

up in a typical garden, because they are more adapted than other kinds of frogs to 

terrestrial habitats (as opposed to aquatic ones.) 

What better way to celebrate than to roll out the red carpet for toads in your 

garden? They’re easy to attract and they make great garden inhabitants. 

Learn to recognize toads. There are many species of toads, but they typically 

belong to the family Bufonidae. Toads generally have a stocky appearance, dry 

skin, and short, thick legs with little webbing between their toes. They move 

around by walking and raking short, quick hops rather than massive leaps or 

underwater dives. Many sport tan, gray and brown patterns that camouflage them 

in dry leaves or rocky terrain. These adaptations allow them to range further from 

water for longer and survive in dryer ecosystems than other frogs. 

Build a toad kitchen. To provide food for toads, select native plants for your 

garden. This isn’t because toads eat plants—like all amphibians, they are 

carnivorous, consuming any living thing they can capture with their sticky tongues 

and stuff down their throats. Some large species tackle mice, snakes and even 

other frogs, but insects and other invertebrates are the most common prey. You 

have the best chance of attracting a healthy insect population—and thus, happy 

toads—with native plants. 

Dial back your level of control. Garden designs that are not overly tidy provide 

good habitat for insects and shelter for toads. If you cringe at the thought of 

providing habitat for insects, remember that toads are voracious predators that 

will help keep pests in check. Toads are actually a far better method of pest 

control than toxic chemicals, which don’t kill just insects—they kill toads, 

too. Amphibians as a group are extremely sensitive to toxins, which they readily 

absorb through their skin. And speaking of toad skin and toxins, toads don’t have 

warts. The bumps on their skin are called aprotid glands, and they produce toxins 

that make toads taste bad to predators. You CANNOT get warts by touching a 

toad. 

Give tadpoles a pool. Although adult toads are terrestrial, they rely on standing 

water for their eggs and tadpoles. If you don’t have a lake or pond nearby, create a 

simple garden pond. Bigger is better, but even small, prefabricated plastic pools 

work, provided they have gradually sloping sides or plenty of vegetation and 

branches dipping into the water to allow the toads easy entry and exit. Toads will

also attach their eggs, which they lay in long strings, to this plant material. Be 

careful about introducing fish, which will find toad eggs and tadpoles a tasty 

treat. If you have fish, provide plenty of aquatic vegetation and underwater 

branches near which tadpoles can hide. 

It’s quite a sight to find dozens of toads mating in your pond in spring. The trilling 

calls of the males will be your first indicator, but toads are not shy and are easy to 

see floating on the surface. Even if you don’t attract a breeding population, just 

knowing that you’ve created a friendly habitat for these important little creatures 

will make you feel good! 

A Bit Of Trivia (Things That Happened In July) 

� In 1826, on the fiftieth anniversary of 

the signing of the Declaration of 

Independence, two of the three surviving 

signers die within hours of each other; John 

Adams and Thomas Jefferson. 

� 

� In 1924 an Independence Day 

customer rush depletes Tijuana chef Caesar 

Cardini’s supply of salad ingredients, so he 

whips up a new concoction tableside. The 

Caesar salad is born. 

� 1937 - The canned “meat” Product 

Spam first hits grocery store shelves. 

� 1950 - A young comedian named 

Jackie Gleason replaces Jerry Lester as the 

host of DuMont’s ‘Cavalcade of Stars’. 

� The territory of Alaska first flies its 

official flag. Designed by 13 year old 

Benny Benson of Seward, it depicts the Big 

Dipper and the North Star. 

� 1882 - Former Texas Governor James 

“Big Jim” Hogg officially becomes the 

worst father in world history when he names 

his newborn daughter “Ima.” 

� 1935 - Teddy Wilson and Gene Krupa 

join the “King of Swing for the first 

recording session of the Benny Goodman 

Trio. The presence of Wilson, a black man, 

was particularly historic, since the trio 

became the first major integrated combo in 

jazz history. 

� 2002 - A remix of Elvis Presley’s “A 

Little Less Conversation” end its chart 

topping run in Britain, having broken the 

long standing tie between Elvis and the 

Beatles for most number ones. 

� 1868 - The disastrous blood bath of 

Pickett’s charge marks the end of the battle 

of Gettysburg and the ‘high water mark of 

the Confederacy’ It will be seen as the 

turning point of the Civil War. 

� 1844 - the last nesting pair of great 

auks is shot by sailors on the Icelandic 

island of Eldey. They also crush the pair’s 

egg.

“We cannot live with bitterness because it will first manifest itself in 

our spirit, then in our emotions, finally in our bodies.” 

- Tom Drout 

Some Colorado Characters … (You may not have heard about) 

A LONG HARD DAY ON SKIS 

Merrill H. Doud had the contract to carry the mail between Mineral Point and White 

Cross in the 1880’s. Mineral Point was a mining town located near the top of the divide 

between Silverton and Lake City, at about 12,000 feet altitude. 

The skis used were somewhere between eight and ten feet in length, and each probably 

weighed about eight pounds. The skier used a single pole to control the slats. Doud left Mineral 

Point before 8:00 a.m. and went to White Cross, returning that afternoon after climbing at least 

a thousand feet. 

When he arrived back, the postman learned that a miner had just blown a portion of his 

hand off picking a “missed hole.” A missed hole was one in which dynamite was lodged but had 

not gone off in the planned explosion. Medical attention was needed as soon as possible, so Doud 

skied down to Silverton, about 15 miles away, to get a doctor. He and the medical man returned, 

skiing up about a three thousand foot rise in altitude by around six the next morning. 

In all the intrepid mailman had skied for twenty two hours and logged fifty two 

miles! With today’s light skis on level ground, that would still be quite a challenge for both speed 

and endurance. 

A WORLD FAMOUS AERIALIST 

One of the world’s most renowned aerial performers made his headquarters in Denver 

during the height of his career. The man just could not resist walking both tight and loose 

ropes across deep canyons or making parachute jumps from balloons before the era of 

aviation. He performed his stunts throughout the U.S., Java, Mexico, Borneo, and Europe. 

Willie Ivy was born in San Antonio, Texas, in 1866 and moved to Denver as a 

youngster. For awhile, he performed with a troupe known as the Baldwin Brothers and adopted 

the name by which he became famous: Ivy Baldwin.

Baldwin joined the Signal Corps during the Spanish-American war and survived when his 

observation balloon was shot down. He contracted with Elich Gardens, a Denver amusement 

park, to perform regularly and made it his international headquarters. 

He was the second man in the nation to make a parachute jump. (the first was his touring 

partner, Tom Baldwin) His most spectacular feats, though, were probably his walks 

across Eldorado Canyon, 582 feet above the streambed, first on a tight rope and then on a loose 

rope swaying in the wind. 

Dropping from high above the streets in Chicago and New York, he showed many urban 

dwellers their first sight of a parachute jump. Baldwin was among the first inductees to the 

Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame. 

Late in life, he made his home at Marshdale, near Evergreen. At the age of eighty two, he 

took another ropewalk across the canyon at Eldorado Springs; his eighty sixth stroll across the 

ravine there. If he ever came close to falling, he never admitted it. Baldwin lived to the age of 

eighty seven, dying in 1953 at Arvada. 

On Marriage 

TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR A HEALTHY MARRIAGE 

…some important things (there are others as well, of course) taken from a book titled Marriage 

in the Making written by Richard Exley. It is a devotional for couples. You might want to hunt this 

book up and read it in its entirety. There is a section on each of the following: 

1. Spend time together. Protect your day(s) 

off at all costs and spend them together as a 

couple and as a family. 

2. Eat dinner together 

3. Go to bed at the same time together. 

4. Never let anything rob your marriage of 

the sexual joy God intended. 

5. Play together 

6. Don’t take separate vacations 

7. Don’t hold a grudge. 

8. Pray together. 

9. Little things mean a lot. 

10. Pledge yourselves not only to physical 

fidelity, but emotional fidelity as well.

On Parenting 

From a book entitled God’s Little Devotional book for Dads 

(But moms can learn from it too!!) 

Happy is the child who happens in upon his parent from time to time to see him on his 

knees,….or going aside regularly, to keep times with the Lord. 

“Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord, seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face 

evermore” - Psalm 205:3,4 

“You must have a good heart,” one man said to his child,” if you are going to act right in this 

world.” And then in illustrating his point he continued, “Suppose my watch was not keeping time 

very well. Would it do any good if I went to the town clock, and made the hands of my watch 

point exactly the same as those of the larger clock in the square? No, of course not!! Soon my 

watch would be just as inaccurate as before. Rather, I should take my watch to a watchmaker, or 

to a jewelry store that repairs watches. It is only when my watch has been cleaned and repaired 

that its hands will be able to keep time accurately all day long.” 

When we spend time in prayer, we are, in like manner, going to the Heart Maker, asking Him to 

“clean and repair our hearts” from the damage caused by sins we have committed. We are asking 

Him to put us right again on the inside, so that we can more clearly discern right from 

wrong. When our children see us doing this, they are much more likely to go to the Heart Maker 

when they feel their own lives in disarray or “out of sync” – rather than turn to the world and reset 

their souls according to its standards and priorities. 

There are many ways to measure success; not the least of which is the way your child describes 

you when talking to a friend. 

Two little boys were discussing their lives one day, including the various behavioral patterns of 

their parents. One boy finally asked, “Does your Daddy sit in the den a lot after he comes home 

from work? 

“No,” his friend replied, “he growls all over the place at our house.”

Your children not only have a candid opinion about you, but they are also likely to copy your 

behavior, both good and bad. Even if y our child doesn’t particularly like what you do—when 

asked objectively about it – he or she is likely to behave in the same way, unconsciously. A two 

year old might walk with a swagger just like Dad. A three year old is likely to use all the words 

his parent use, even the ones inappropriate for polite company! Above all, children imitate the 

way their parents behave one to the other. 

Three little girls were playing house one day, taking turns playing various roles, when one of them 

said to another, “Now you be the daddy.” The little girl pouted for a minute and then said, “I 

don’t want to be the daddy. I want to talk and besides what would I use for a remote control?” 

Listen to your children. You may hear an echo! 

E h q x Sing Praises To The Lord! E h q x 

“On Jordan’s Stormy Banks” 

“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends,” 

- John 15:13 NKJV 

Samuel Stennett, the Seventh Day Baptist who wrote “On Jordan’s Stormy Banks,” originally 

titled it “Heaven Anticipated,” a sentiment that later comforted a dying twenty one year old 

spy. 

Sam Davis was a student in Nashville when the Civil War broke out. He joined the 

Confederate army and proved such a fearless soldier that he was selected for an elite group 

of spies named, “Coleman’s Scouts.” Sam excelled and an undercover agent. Once he even 

shared a table at Nashville’s ST. Cloud Hotel with General William Rosecrans, listening to a 

discussion of Yankee battle plans. 

In November, 1863, Sam was seized in Giles County, Tennessee, and thrown into jail. The 

maps and papers under his saddle exposed him as a spy. His captors promised to spare 

his life if he would only reveal the identity of the mysterious “Coleman.” 

Sam refused, and it fell to Private C.B. Van Pelt to inform him of his sentence. “I read him a 

copy of his death sentence,” Van Pelt later said. “A reprieve was extended which I also read 

to him, if he would inform us where “Coleman” was. He stood before me, an uncrowned

hero, his eyes flashing and said: “ I will die a thousand deaths rather than betray my 

friends.” We were both moved to tears and remained silent for a time.” 

Unknown to the Yankee soldiers, ‘Coleman’ was really Dr. H.B. Shaw, who at that moment 

was being held in an adjacent cell and who was later released. 

On the eve of his execution, Sam wrote to his dear mother, saying: Oh how painful it is to 

write you! I have got to die tomorrow morning—to be hanged by the Federals. Mother, do 

not grieve for me. I must bid you good-by forevermore. 

Chaplain James Young spent the day before the hanging praying with him. That night in a 

small worship service, Sam asked if they would sing “On Jordan’s Stormy Banks.” Young later 

said he would never forget the young soldier’s animated voice as he sang; “I am bound for 

the Promised Land; I am bound for the Promised Land.” 

Today there is a monument honoring Sam Davis on the grounds of the Tennessee State 

Capitol. Underneath are the words: ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay 

down his life for his friends.” 

“On Jordan’s Stormy Banks” 

Words by Samuel Stennett, 1787 Music...An American Folk Melody 

On Jordan’s stormy banks I stand, and cast a wishful eye 

to Canaan’s fair and happy land, where my possessions lie. 

O’er all those wide extended plains shines one eternal day. 

There God the Son forever reigns and scatters night away. 

No chilling winds nor poisonous breath can reach that healthful, sickness and sorrow, 

pain and death are felt and feared no more. 

When I shall reach that happy place and be forever blest, 

for I shall see my Father’s face and in His bosom rest. 

I am bound for the Promised Land, I am bound for the Promised Land. 

O who will come and go with me? I am bound for the Promised Land. 

Answers To Last Month’s Bible Questions: 

1. Isaiah 7:14 



4. Deuteronomy 8:3 



7. Exodus 21:24 

8. Leviticus 19:18

Bible Questions For This Month 

The Most mentioned women in the Bible…. 

Give the names of the women in each of the following. 

1. What Old Testament woman bore a 

child at age 90 and is the most mentioned 

woman in the bible (56 mentions)? 

2. What wife of a patriarch ranks 

second with 47 mentions? 

3. What relative of Number 2 ranks third 

with 34 mentions? 

4. What mother of twins ranks fourth 

with 31 mentions? 

5. What evil woman ranks fifth with 23 

mentions? 

RAINBOWS … 

6. What New Testament woman ranks 

sixth with 19 mentions? 

7. What wife of both Nabal and David 

ranks seventh with 15 mentions? 

8. What sister of a famous leader ties 

with number 7? 

9. What follower of Jesus is mentioned 

14 times? 

(Excerpt from an article in John Clayton’s publication “Does God Exist?” written by Al 

Cornell. There is more to the article but will share the following thoughts from it. I have 

always loved rainbows so these thoughts were especially meaningful to me.) 

“Anytime you stand facing a rainstorm with your back to bright low angle sunlight, that spectrum of colored 

light appears in the clouds. White light entering a raindrop divides into a spectrum of colors. That light, reflected 

from the backside of raindrops travels to your eye. The red comes to you from the drops that create the top of 

the bright colored arc and the other colors are progressively lower—orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and finally 

violet. 

The resulting rainbow is mentioned in only six Bible verses. Three are in Genesis chapter nine, culminating 

with verse 16, “Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it…” Other translations render this, “I will 

look upon it…” So whenever you are looking at a rainbow, know for sure you are not alone. There is a greater 

being and higher consciousness observing that rainbow. 

It might be a little awkward to imagine that you are just doing something fun with God. However, take a 

leisurely look at a rainbow and sense the presence of God there doing what He promised. 

Like the tree of life, the rainbow occurs in Genesis, revelation and only one Bible book in between. In 1:28, 

Ezekiel describes his vision of radiance like a rainbow around the one on the heavenly throne.

With the rainbow being so scripturally tied to the presence of God, its radiance helps us perceive attributes 

of God. God cannot be fully comprehended from earth, but the bow in the clouds can help narrow the gap. Paul 

informed us in Romans 1:20 that we can perceive attributes of God from the creation. This special relation of 

rainbows on earth and in heaven to the presence of God puts them in position to help us understand the 

magnificence and glory of God. We come closer to realizing why God splashed beauty throughout His creation and 

designed a creature in His image that can appreciate that beauty. God created the potential for color in the 

electromagnetic field, created many animals equipped to perceive the color, and created us with the capacity to 

appreciate its beauty. And He placed the rainbow in the cloud. The pathway to atheism would be a little easier in a 

cosmos without rainbows. 

A human fable imagines a treasure at the end of the rainbow. With Ezekiel’s and John’s visions of heaven, 

it is revealed that what we need to be seeking resides at the center of the endless rainbow. So when you reach 

that point in life where there is no longer an opportunity to look at an earthly rainbow, by the grace of God, you can 

step through the door to see a brilliant one encircling the throne. And there too is God. 

Our Nation’s Godly Heritage 

In a book which I have quoted before, I share some excerpts from another 

section. This is from the chapter on Principle # 1 which is: 

“THE ONLY RELIABLE BASIS FOR SOUND GOVERNMENT AND JUST 

HUMAN RELATIONS IS NATURAL LAW.” 

“It may be surprising, even to Americans, to discover how much of their 

Constitution and their life style is based on principles of Natural Law. For 

example: 

The concept of “unalienable rights” is based on Natural Law. (we talked 

about unalienable rights last month) 

The concept of Unalienable Duties is based on Natural Law. 

The concept of Habeas Corpus is based on Natural Law. 

The concept of Limited Government is based on Natural Law.

The concept of Separation of Powers is based on Natural Law. 

The concept of Checks and Balances to correct abuses by peaceful means is 

based on Natural Law . 

The right of Self Preservation is based on Natural Law 

The right to Contract is based on Natural Law, 

Laws protecting the Family and the institution of Marriage are all based on 

Natural Law. 

The concept of Justice by Reparation or paying for damages is based on 

Natural Law. 

Law. 

The right to Bear Arms is based on Natural Law. 

The principle of No Taxation without Representation is based on Natural 

These few examples will illustrate how extensively the entire American 

constitutional system is grounded in Natural Law. In fact Natural Law is the 

foundation and encompassing framework for everything we have come to call 

“People Law.” 

This is precisely what Thomas Jefferson was talking about when he wrote in 

the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all 

men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain 

inalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” 

These well remembered phrases from America’s initial charter of liberty are 

all primary pre-suppositions under the principles of Natural Law.

Next month we will move on to the 2 nd principle…which I will quote now so 

you can think on it. “A FREE PEOPLE CANNOT SURVIVE UNDER 

A REPUBLICAN CONSTITUTION UNLESS THEY REMAIN VIRTUOUS 

AND MORALLY STRONG.” Think about that one in light of our nation 

today. Should give us something to consider!! Some comments on it from the 

book next month. 

JULY… 

The Month Of The Birthday Of Our Nation… 

The following are some thoughts, some from others, some my own, that I hope will help us 

to realize what a blessing God gave us to be born and live in this nation…which was once the light 

to the world….founded on Godly principles and maintained by relying on God to guide and 

protect. 

May we not only be thankful to be a citizen of America but may we be on our knees in 

repentance and petitions for our apathy in allowing it to fall so far from its intended purpose and 

so far from those Godly principles on which it was founded. I urge all to spend more time 

praying for our nation, for guidance from above for us and all of the nation’s leaders, for all to 

move back to what God wants…not our selfish interests. 

The writer of a small book called Pray for Our Nation, says this: Faith, courage, and 

prayer birthed our great nation and guided America through more than 200 years of wars, 

natural disasters and crisis. 

Prayer is a freedom guaranteed to us by our Constitution and a God given right to all 

humanity. He opportunity to pray is a privilege, honor and sacred duty. 

History has proven that forces will wage war against our freedom. Terrorism has shed 

blood on American soil. Violent crime has invaded American homes and schools. Drugs and 

alcohol abuse rage against the innocence of our youth. Forces of darkness threaten our morality, 

integrity and faith. Prayer for our nation is our defense.

Now is the time to be resolute in our defiance against the forces of destruction—to unite as 

a nation and not succumb to fear. 

Americans must stand strong and remain bold in faith, courage and prayers. 

The nation needs your prayers. The President, his advisors, congress and all local and 

national leaders need your prayers. The armed forces, firefighters and law enforcement personnel 

need your prayers. 

Often people are unsure how to pray. It is the sincerity of the heart that determines a 

successful prayer, not the length, eloquence or level of vocabulary. Pray based on the scriptures so 

that you can pray in confidence, knowing you are praying God’s will for this nation. 

Commit to pray daily for your nation. Your Heavenly Father is listening. He loves you and 

all in this nation. 

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek 

my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, 

and will heal their land.” - II Chronicles 7:14 

Remember to honor those who have given their all in service to our country….to keep our 

freedoms, both individual and as a nation, intact. Remember them and their families as we 

celebrate July 4 th …with all the “fun” things that have become a part of how we celebrate this 

day. Enjoy the blood bought freedom to celebrate and have fun with family and friends….but do 

not forget the privileges we have came at great price paid by many over the centuries. And 

remember the ultimate price paid for us by our Lord that also set us free…..and that it is He who 

gives us all things to enjoy. Enjoy your fourth of July and be Blessed and Bless others!! 

Lila

“If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not ...

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