All Posts - Blogs - Way Corps Site

Share your miracle stories

Posted by Phyllis Heinz Tryon on April 7, 2010 at 3:33am

I'm looking for miracle stories for an upcoming website that Steve Sann is going to post. Currently gathering stories, interviewing people, editing some....If you would like to drop me a story via email, or prefer me to call and interview you, just email me at phyllis@emericamedia.com.

I'd love to hear from you! Looking for stories that distinctly show healings, deliverance, heavenly intervention, etc.
God bless.

"A Little Bit Goes a Long Way"

Posted by John and Janet Ruiz on April 2, 2010 at 11:17am

I've been thinking about that phrase recently. It's a thought with a meaning I've found to be very true over the years.

So often I think in terms of Big - big answers, big problems, big deliverance, big change, big actions, big results. Yet, looking back it seems it's the little things that so often have had the largest, long term effects in my life. In that way they've been magnified far beyond the perception I had of them at the time.

Not to say that AAA Grade sized stuff hasn't had it's place. Only that if I compared life to say the ocean, I've had many, many more small waves come into shore day after day than big ones. I remember the big ones. Right now I'm pondering the others.

My wife and I celebrated 39 years of marriage March 27th - that's a biggie. Everything past the first one's been a milestone, for that matter. Now I look back and think - 10 years - shoot, 10 years? I can do that standing up without breaking a sweat. That's nothin', y'know? I don't start the meter till 20. (tha's a joke).

But it's been the accumulation of each that's amounted to the grand total - all the steps, one after the other that have made this year what it is. Can't do 10 without doing 9. Each follows the one before it and each has at times been very, very different from the year before. Here we are though, and counting.

I met my wife the first time on the steps of a local high school auditorium in Oakland, CA, after a high school "dance", with other friends. We only brushed paths that time, quickly, didn't even know her name. Then a year or so later, a guy showed up at a gig my band was playing and talked to me afterwards about coming over to Alameda and jamming. So I went and we jammed. His girlfriend at that time (who he also married and to whom he's still married) came by to listen and brought her best friend - Janet. Janet and I met and afterwards I got her phone number from my new best buddy - think she'd mind if I called? I did, we got together and the rest is, now, history. It didn't take me long to realize "this was it", albeit at the tender age of 17. Everyone I met that day has figured into my life in huge ways.

Now it seems it couldn't have happened any other way. It's all I know and all I want to know, really. A little tiny moment in time that has rippled out, growing in quality if not in speed. If anything I'd slow it down, y'know? Time can seem to go so fast looking at the events that fill it but life really seems to exist in a timeless place of it's own.

On average God's been good to me in the little things, events, people, actions. At the time I seem to go through them not even realizing what's really happening until later. As I age I've also found some degree of wisdom to recognize the golden moments when I'm in them. Like now. I'm only a thought, a blink, an action away from...something good... : )

Fess Parker Now Rests In Peace, OR, Is He Still Laughing At The Nickname He left Me?

Posted by Kevin Nye on March 20, 2010 at 9:56am

Fess Parker Now Rests In Peace,

OR,

Is He Still Laughing At The Nickname He left Me?

I got to thinking about the show "Daniel Boone" with Fess Parker yesterday when I learned that Fess had passed away at 85 years of age. Then I thought of an incident that my wife and I continue to laugh at whenever we think of it. Do you all remember Daniel Boone's main Indian enemy on the show? His namewas "Little Redstick", or maybe just "Red Stick", wild ass son of some chief, and always wanting to mix it up with 'ol Dan'l. Well, when I moved toAlaska, back when I was 25 after graduating from the Tenth Corps, I met an Indian gal named Trish who is mostly Tlingit, and part Aleut Indian. We spent a lot of time together, and naturally, I met a lot of her Nativegirlfriends and their families. One evening, when at her apartment withthree or four of her girlfriends, one of them told me that I should"get into and learn the "Native Ways", meaning that I should learn moreof their culture, etc. And so, I said with faux indignation; "Well, Ijust want you to know, that when I was a kid, I was involved in the"Indian Guides" which was/is a father son program like the boy scoutsand was promoted by the YMCA!"

Theyhad never heard of it before, and only knew of the YMCA because of thesong by the Village People. And being Indians, they all thought thatwas pretty dang funny and wanted to know more about this white boy'sinvolvement as a "fake Indian". I knew I was going to have themlaughing pretty good (the majority of them had been smoking some reeferand really had the laughing thing going on), so I continued on with a stern voice; "Notonly did we all have Indian names, but our "tribe" was called theOneida's who are part of the great Iroquois Nation!" "And", Icontinued; "My father was the chief, and his name was "Chief ThunderStick!" And man, did I have these gals laughing! I was on a roll andknew I had really touched their funny bones. They had not heard of theY Indian Guides (my Dad called it the "YIGs"), and this was really funny to them, imagining all ofthe white boys and their dad's masquerading as Indians and doingperceived Indian things together. I continued on and told them thatwe all had head bands with feathers in them and had a "tom tom" drumand how we'd all do a war dance around a fake fire going "woo woo woo woo" whileflapping the flat of our hands over our mouths. And, I demonstratedthis to these stoned Native American Beauties and they laughedhilariously! Oh, it was great, it was almost like doing stand up comedytelling this story to them and it was so fun to have them all laughing sohard.

And then, one gal, Marilynn, asks; "So, who named your DadChief Thunderstick? Your Mom? Does your Dad have a thunder "stick"? Andthey all cracked up some more! It was rich I'm tellin ya.The clash ofcultures and the ludicrousy of we white boys trying to be "Indians", andtelling it all to that small delegation from the true Tlingit Nationwas cracking all of us up! But then it hit me. I knew what the verynext question was going to be. Right then, Trish asks; "So Kevin, what was your Indian name, hmm"? And at that, I turned completely and totallybeet red, and I mumbled something like "well, I'd rather not tell". Butwith much prodding and cajoling, knowing that I would never ever liveit down but also knowing that it would crown the whole evening with evenmore hilarity, I bit the bullet and said proudly and in a deep voice; "My name was LittleRedstick!" And they all looked at each other and burst out in anexplosion of laughter that never seemed to stop! They were holding their bellies and out right horse laughing! Braying! Squealing! Trying to catch their breaths! And then, after a big breath, Marylynnwiggled her pinky finger at me and said; "Hi Little Redstick, hi!" Andthey all started wiggling their pinkies at me as tears poured fromtheir eyes as I sat stoically with a look of mock indignation whicheventually crumbled into more red faced embarrassment and then morelaughing. Lamely I tried to say that I'd only been an 8 year old when Icame up with the name "because of the Daniel Boone show", but my voicewas drowned out by their laughter. It was useless! There was no way out of it, really. Theylaughed so hard their stomachs hurt! And mine did too! All in all, it was worth it becausethat was one of the funniest moments I have ever experienced, even though it was at my own expense...

Andto this day, 27 years later, whenever I see Trish or her sister, orMarylynn around town here in Juneau, half the time, they wiggle their pinkies at me and yell; "Hi LittleRedstick!" I even had to re-tell that story (war dance and all) years later at a New YearsEve party with Trish's whole family. And I mean, her Mom, her Dad, andGrand parents and the grand kids, her brothers ansd sisters, and the cousins and nieces and nephews wereall just rolling, hearing about this peculiar "way of the white man".My wife listened and laughed as they teased her too about "Little RedStick..."

Thanks a lot Fess Parker, and may you rest in peace...

Kathy Griffin

Posted by Rex Jackson on March 18, 2010 at 5:21pm

Anyone have an idea of where Kathy and Jim are? Kathy Griffin married Jim Ellis...I heard they might be in California, but no clues???

Steve Vai - Whispering A Prayer (Attn. John Ruiz)

Posted by John Richeson on February 28, 2010 at 6:30pm

This has nothing to do with this site but I recently discovered Steve Vai. (Yes, part of my life was purposely sheltered....he's been around for decades and I missed lots of things along the way). I captured this clip off a concert DVD from 2007.

I was asking John Ruiz about Steve Vai's amazing guitar skills. John, being a guitar guy, knew all about his history and his unique style (which is not for everyone). My brother who plays lead guitar in a band in Virginia, also filled me in. He says Steve Vai is one of the guitar legends. I have to agree.

So John, if you are in shouting distance...here is that performance I was talking about. This is hosted on my own site, not You Tube, so let me know if it misbehaves. Turn up the volume and have decent speakers to appreciate.

Hi Dan & Cathy

Posted by Rex Jackson on February 10, 2010 at 2:21pm

Hi there...good to see

Launching The Living Truth Fellowship

Posted by John Lynn on February 4, 2010 at 8:52am

Dear Way Corps Bretherns and Sisterns,God bless you abundantly!I want to make you aware of a new organization we are starting called Living Truth Fellowship.. It will be an avenue by which God's wonderful Word will be held forth in many ways.Click here to see an introductory letter in which I explain some details about this exciting ministry. Check it out and see what you think.My new email address is jal@tltf.orgI'd love to hear from you.In Christ's tender love,John Lynn

On the Road Again!

Posted by Sarah Wilkinson on February 2, 2010 at 1:00pm

Guess what?! We’re moving house again!Just think, before the end of February, 2010, I shall have packed up the kitchen, the lounge, the bedroom and the bathroom and transported all our stuff to our new home! Hey, moving house is supposed to be high up on the list of stressful happenings, but it’s almost as routine to me as cleaning my teeth.I’ve counted all the dwellings of my youthful existence (come, on, give me a break, I’m not quite “grown-up” yet!) So anyway, I lay before you all a challenge...Has anyone lived in more dwellings than I? I think it’s only fair to point out that my parents weren't missionaries and I'm not in the “military”, just a plain civilian with itchy feet (although the itch has nearly worn away). Here’s a list of my homes (not including interim house-searching lay-overs):1. Apartment in Mombasa, Kenya (1963)2. House in Urusha, Tanzania (1965)3. House in Mombasa, Kenya (1966)4. House in Kampala, Uganda (1968)5. House in Maidenhead, England (1971)6. House in St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, Australia (1972)7. House in Kenmore, Brisbane (1973)8. House in Brookfield, Brisbane (1974)9. House in Ringwood, Melbourne, VIC (1977) – for 3 months10. House in Fig Tree Pocket, Brisbane, QLD (1977)11. House in Upper Brookfield, Brisbane (1978)12. Apartment in Auchenflower, Brisbane (1982)13. House in Paddington, Brisbane (1982)14. House in Rose Bay, Sydney, NSW (1983)15. Dormitory rooms (x 4) in Emporia KS, USA (1984/85)16. Dormitory rooms (x 2) in New Knoxville, OH (1985/86)17. Apartment in Bondi Junction, Sydney, NSW, Australia (1986)18. Apartment in Bondi Junction, Sydney (1987)19. House in Roseville, Sydney (1988)20. House in Cairns, N QLD (1988/89)21. Apartment in Highgate Hill, Brisbane (1989)22. Apartment in San Francisco, CA, USA (1990?)23. Apartment in West End, Brisbane, QLD Australia (1991)24. Apartment in Bowen Hills, Brisbane (1991)25. House in Ashgrove, Brisbane (1991)26. Granny Flat in Highgate Hill, Brisbane (1990)27. Apartment in Hurstville, Sydney, NSW (1992)28. House in Hurstville, Sydney (1993)29. Apartment in Cronulla, Sydney (1994)30. House in St Johns, Auckland, New Zealand (1995)31. House in Ellerslie, Auckland (1995)32. House in Howick, Auckland (1996)33. House in Forrest Hill, Auckland (1996)34. House in Panmure, Auckland (1997)35. House near the Lagoon, Panmure, Auckland (1998)36. “The White House”, Mt Wellington, Auckland (1999)37. “The Yellow House”, Mission Bay, Auckland (1999)Hey, you want to know what I was doing at the turn of the millennium? ... Moving House!!!! (SAD)

38. New Bliss Crescent, Dannemora, Auckland (2000)39. Mt Blanc Place, Howick, Auckland (2001)40. Maghera Drive, Dannemora, Auckland (2003)41. McQuoids Road, Flat Bush, Auckland (2005)42. Sunderlands Road, Half Moon Bay, Auckland (2005) – for 6 months43. Mirabel Place, Golflands, Auckland (2006)44. Edendale Road, Somerville, Auckland (2007)45. Helles Road, Moorooka, Brisbane, QLD, Australia (2008) – for 2 months46. Livingstone Street, Yeerongpilly, Brisbane (2009)47. Kipling Road, Moorooka, Brisbane (that’s where we are moving to in the next few weeks)I will be 47 years old this year = one home for every year of my life. The longest I have lived in one place is 3 years.Can you beat that record?!!!

THE BOOK OF ELI

Posted by Steven Budlong on January 24, 2010 at 10:32am

January 23, 2010Dear Way Corps,I am rarely surprised by a film, much less spiritually moved. Last night, my daughter and I saw “The Book of Eli,” staring Denzel Washington. It is a modern day parable that powerfully portrays the integrity and power of the written Word of God. “The Book of Eli” is billed as a post-apocolyptic film and the trailers lead one to believe that the “Book of Eli” is in fact a new gospel or book of prophecy for a future age, a common theme in science-fiction and fantasy. In fact, the book of Eli, is simply Eli’s book, a book that happens to be a King James Bible. The future survivors of earth’s nuclear war blamed their plight on God and religion and had systematically burned the Bible. I won’t tell you any more because I hope you will see it for yourself. But I will quote an anonymous blogger who had this to say to some of the critics of the film:“Finally a great film about one man's journey… a commitment to no other man but himself and the Lord... The attacks [Eli’s deadly actions in self defense] weren't toward 'non-believers' they were against the insidious lost... those who could not hear... acting out their vile game of divide and conquer... A woman and her dirty used breasts huddled around menial earthly possessions? What was her survival game? She was on his path twice...how? Eli had a mission and a purpose and was faithful... he was not proselytizing anyone… [His ultimate confrontation was with a town’s leaders], a villain who wanted to use God’s power to control God’s people. When will the lost catch on? You cannot use God’s Word for evil. You can’t create a revival without first repenting. It does not work.Eli gave God the glory and the thanks. His journey was about faith, perseverance and submission. Maybe you missed this...he was blind. And through his transgressions he persevered. The ones that could see were desperate to rape, pillage and be lead astray. Sounds like life on earth today...an apocalypse of the mind is set in motion as soon as someone misses their calling. How many of you are missing your calling...you sure missed the tone of this movie..."I commend whoever wrote that. Now I know many believers who are adverse to Science-Fiction, Fantasy and Horror and you may be among them. If so, I understand your distaste and mistrust of the genres. But if you choose to see “The Book of Eli”, I encourage you to view it as a parable. Remember a Parable is a comparison by resemblance, and in a Parable there is one central point or truth. It is that point that is important, whereas the elements of the story are merely contrivances to carry you along to the meaning. They do not have to be “truthful.” When it comes to the bulk of Sci-Fi and Fantasy, if you try and interpret things allegorically, where everything literally means or represents something, you wont get through the first minute, and if you do, you will probably get it wrong.My research paper in the Corps was on “The Ethics of the Use of Allegories and Fables in the Cinema.” Simply put I looked at the use of Parables, Allegories and Fables (or lack thereof) in the scripture as they were employed in narrative story telling. I then applied those principles to visual story telling, specifically film, to help the reader discern between appropriate and in-appropriate applications of fictional story telling in communicating God’s Word For me the work had great significance, understanding and application. I am a filmmaker and communicating God’s Word in culture has always been my heart’s desire.Like the fictional Eli, my encouragement to the Body of Christ is to find (or find again) your calling, and heed it. Or, as Jesus admonished Simon Peter -Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.” (John 21:18)Truly Yours in Christ,Steven Budlong12th Way Corps

COWBOY POETRY

Posted by frank manasseri on January 21, 2010 at 11:37am

PURT NEARBy S. Omar Barker

They called him purt near Perkins, For unless the bugger lied. He'd purt near done most everything that he had ever tried.He'd purt near been a preacher and he'd purtnear roped a bear, He'd met up with Comanchees once, and purt near lost his hair.He'd purtnear wed and heiress who had money by the keg. He'd purtnear had the measles and he'd purtnear broke his leg.He'd purtnear been a trailboss and accordin' to his claim, He'd purtnear shot Bill Hickhock which had purtnear won his fame.He'd purtnear rode the broncs upon which no one else had stuck, In fact he was the cowboy who had purtnear drowned the duck.Now mostly all the cowboys on the Lazy S.B. spread, They took his talkin' with a grin and let him fight his head.But one named Tom Mc Guinness sorta told it to him rough. You're ridin' with an outfit now, where purt near ain't near enough.We tie our lass ropes to the horn, and what we catch we hold. And purt near is one alibi we never do unfold.In fact right now I'll tell you, that no two words I hear, Sounds quite so plain dern useless as that little pair purt near.That’s how old Tom Mc Guiness laid it out upon the line. And like a heap of preachin' talk, it sounded mighty fine.But one day Tom Mc Guiness while a ridin' off alone, He lamed his horse and had to catch some hostile nesters roan.To ride back to the ranch on, but somewhere's along the way. A bunch of nesters held him up, and there was hell to pay.

Tom claimed he hadn't stole the horse, just borrowed it to ride. Them nesters hated cowboys and they told him that he lied.They cussed him for a horse thief, claimed they'd caught him with the goodsAnd set right out to hang him in a near by patch of woods.They had poor Tom surrounded with their guns all fixed to shoot,It looked like this poor cowboy sure had heard his last owl hoot.They tied a rope around his neck and throwed it o'er a limb,And Tom Mc Guiness purt near knowed this was the last of him.When suddenly a shot rang out from somewhere up the hill,Them nesters dropped the rope and ran like nesters sometimes will.When bullets started wizzin' Tom's heart lept up with hope,To see old Purt Near Perkins ridin' toward him at a lope."Looks like I purt near got here just in time." old purt near Perkins said,"To see them nesters hang you." Toms face got kind of red."You purt near did," he purt near grinned, "They purt near had me strung.""You're lookin' at a cowboy who has purt near just been hung.""And also one who's changed his mind for no two words ever said,""Can sound as sweet as PURT NEAR when a man's been purt near dead!"

NING Virtual Gifts - Deleting soon

Posted by John Richeson on January 17, 2010 at 5:30pm

This site is practically free. I pay $20 a month to have access to the space where the Way Corps Reunion banner is located and to be able to place the annoying ads wherever I want to. (To go competely ad free is more money.) NING recently installed (without asking us Network Creatorts) a new feature called NIng Virtual Gifts. Here are a couple of links about it. http://blog.ning.com/2009/10/introducing-ning-virtual-gifts.html http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-10379290-36.html To me it looks like NING wants to make a profit from this silly feature. They say us Network Creators can "share in the profits" as people pay for these gifts. Ha, ha. No thanks, NING. Nice try Mark Andreesen

I intend to delete this feature from our site. I just wanted to announce it before I do. Does anyone object? On another note......God told me to tell you to send me ALL your money or he will take me home. (Cash only please.)

Prayer For Haiti

Posted by Donna (Van Amburg) Edwards on January 17, 2010 at 4:46am

Please join in with Christians everywhere in prayer for Haiti.The PrayerFather, in this hour of trial for your children in Haiti, we pray that you will pour out your Holy Spirit as the latter rain in that land. Thank-you for casting down the false gods who have ruled that nation for centuries. Be now exalted in Haiti above all gods, and manifest your presence in your people in a new and living way.Father, in the midst of chaos, give your children peace. In the midst of danger, protect them by your angels and cause those who would do them harm to be paralyzed by the fear of the Lord until they acknowledge you as King. In the loss of friends and family, comfort them and strengthen them with hope and courage. In the destruction of their churches, let your people find greater unity in Christ. In the destruction of their government, let them know the true government of your Kingdom and true righteousness.Give them a great increase in faith by meeting their needs when they call upon you. In the midst of famine, multiply their bread to feed the multitude. In the midst of thirst, let their water continue to flow without ceasing and be a river of life that flows out from their midst. Bring forth abundance out of poverty by your creative power operating in them. In the midst of injury and death, give your children a new confidence of faith to heal the sick and injured and to raise the dead.Let there be an outpouring of the Spirit upon Haiti without measure until all the inhabitants of the island proclaim you as their King. Let them repent of the folly of calling upon Satan to deliver them from bondage. Open their eyes to the only source of true Freedom, that they may know the power of the Jubilee.Father, let these birthpangs bring forth a new day, a new Son, a new nation, anointed with the authority to rule and reign over the elements that you have created. Give them the revelation and understanding of what it means to rule, that they may seek to serve, rather than to be served, and to bless, rather than to seek blessing.Let the baptism of fire come down upon your people and upon the entire nation by the Power of the Flame (Isaiah 47:14).We pray this in the name of Jesus. Thank-you, heavenly Father, for answering this prayer.Thank you,Donna (Van Amburg) Edwards

I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked;

Posted by Rita Migliore on January 5, 2010 at 3:44pm

"The different dark nights are just God stripping us of our selfishness at ever deeper levels. Level one is being stripped of the emotional inducements which first drew us: the joy, the exhilaration of Spirit-filled music, of great preaching, of feeling the weight of sins dropping way. These things are all good, but they naturally grow less and less as we get used to them. Been there. Done that.' Singing carols at Christmas time is more appealing than visiting someone in prison...God strips us of our unnecessary attachment to emotional highs and frees us of deeper selfishness. Our intellectual pride is the next to go. We may begin our Christian journey by being comforted by belonging to a church we believe is the best and truest church. We feel spiritually superior. But we are humbled to find Christians outside our group who are more loving than we are. We begin to struggle with doubts, including doubts about whether we are any holier than we were ten years ago. Now we are bored by preachers who used to inspire us. Worse yet, we are disillusioned by the falls from grace we may see in our heroes in the faith.What God is doing is getting you now to deepen in faith and hang on to the ideal of imitating Jesus by hanging on to your ideals by faith ~ which is by definition something we can't see. We may feel like Jesus on the cross: "Why have you forsaken me?"It is only through suffering and living throughout the disappointments of life that are not your choice. Peter was the forceful leader of the early church, but for his personal growth he needed to be cured of his self-will, like all of us. At the end of John's gospel, Jesus tells Peter that he will have to be stripped of his self-will, as we all will: John 21:18.A the end of the dark night comes the dawn and we will see Jesus"Francis MacNuttFounding Director and Executive Committee Member of Christian Healing Ministries

Dave Brubeck Honored at Kennedy Center

Posted by John Richeson on December 29, 2009 at 8:30pm

I was in the 7th Corps with Catherine, Mr. Brubecks daughter. We had a fun time and she had a great sense of humor. One of my fondest memories was hitchiking with her from Emporia to Headquarters. (She has her fathers constant smile.) We were from completely opposite backgrounds which made it all the more fun. I once met her famous father Dave Brubeck when he came for a visit to Emporia one parents weekend.

Tonight, her father, Dave Brubeck, was honored at the Kennedy Center along with the likes of Robert DeNiro, Mel Brooks and Bruce Springsteen. It was also Mr. Burbecks 89th birthday. I looked for Catherine but did not see her. I'm sure she was back stage and surely got to meet some of these awesome honorees and including President and Mrs Obama who were also sitting with the honorees. As I understand it they are big fans of his jazz.

Here is an excerpt from the evening. Catherines brothers are featured. They used to play with their father.

The Good People of Ennis

Posted by Diane (Trosclair) Luebbers on December 20, 2009 at 4:37pm

THE GOOD PEOPLE OF ENNISIt was rumored that Saturday would be a gorgeous fall day. Temps were supposed to soar into the 70's today- unusual, I thought, for Montana, but then, I’d just moved here from Virginia a few months ago. What did I know? I did know that everything I'd ever read or heard about trout fishing decried this being a productive day to catch trout, but as usual, I cast all common sense aside and decided to go up to Ennis to fish the Madison anyway.After packing the car and fueling up, I head out of Bozeman toward Ennis. I never get tired of that drive. That big blue sky that stretches on forever and those purple mountains in the distance always makes it hard to keep my eyes on the road that weaves and curves through the golden foothills of Madison County.I am so excited - I just KNOW today will be THE day - the fishing trip I'd talk about all winter long - the day I'd catch my first BIG Brown trout - a monster- a hog - a football-sized mammoth like my co-worker, a resident of Ennis and an expert fly fisherman, so casually brags about catching all the time, though I suspect some of this talk is just to torture me.The Madison suddenly appears off to my right, then to my left. Those sparkling, cobalt blue waters never cease to enchant and enthrall me. Today, I smiled, today's the day.I roll into Ennis around noon and in spite of my plans to spend the next seven hours on the river, I can't resist the tiny main street's charm. What can I say? I’m a woman. Shopping first, then fishing. First stop, Buckboard Mercantile, a wonderful shop full of great antiques. I chat for awhile with the two sisters that own the place and ask if they sell used fly fishing gear. They don't, but kindly recommend the store across the street, Nearly New, as a place I might be able to find what I was looking for. As we chat, we hear a siren go off and an ambulance speeds past the front window of the store. The sisters look at each other and voice their concern that someone must have been injured in a car accident.Thirty minutes later, I'm buying a pair of used Orvis hip waders at Nearly New from two more, kind, helpful ladies. Another siren wails, another ambulance speeds by the front window. Two ambulances? Again I see concern in the faces of the good people of Ennis over the possibility that someone they know might be hurt.I finish checking out and look at my watch. 12:30! What am I doing still hanging around town? I need to get to the river, daylight is wasting! I say my goodbyes but for some reason decide to get their phone number before I leave. Prices are good; maybe they'll have more fishing gear come through the doors sometime soon.I get in my car and point it toward my destination - next stop, Burnt Tree fishing access! Then I feel my stomach rumble. Hmmm. If I don't eat something, I'll be starving on the river. I pull into a parking spot and sit down at a table in Nugget Kelly's. Another siren wails, another ambulance speeds by. What is going on anyway??? Has there been some horrific pile up that they need three ambulances? What are the chances of that out here in the middle of nowhere?I look over at the couple sitting nearby, the expressions on their faces echoing my fears. A polite, blonde waitress walks up to my table and serves my eggs and toast, just as yet another ambulance speeds by, lights flashing. This time, something is very different. It takes me a minute, and then it dawns on me. No siren. What the hell? I sit there shaking my head, and then look over at the other couple again. They haven’t a clue either.All of a sudden the pieces click together in my brain and I break into a smile and laugh out loud. Ennis couldn’t possibly have more than one ambulance. It must have been the same ambulance every time!“Must be a drill!” I say. “Probably so many calls from the locals, they had to turn the sirens off.” The other couple nods and smiles in relief, then returns to their lazy Saturday breakfast.Twenty minutes later I'm FINALLY pulling into Burnt Tree fishing access. I park and start pulling on my gear. A man holding a trash bag walks by picking up trash and tidying up the access area.“Which way should I go?” I ask.The man pauses and smiles. “Are you Diane?” he asks.WOW! The good people of Ennis are amazing. Not only are they kind, and friendly, and concerned about the welfare of their neighbors, but somehow they know who I am!!!“Uh, yes,” I reply, totally dumbfounded.He walks up and shakes my hand. “I'm David.”“Oh! Yes! David!” I had just recently met David, a resident of Ennis and a member of the Madison River Foundation, at the Ennis Fly Fishing festival a few weeks ago. We chat a few minutes and then he points out a few choice spots for me to fish. Soon after, I head toward the river, vibrating with anticipation. I just KNOW I'm going to catch a monster Brown now! How lucky to run into David and have him personally steer me to the right places to fish!The scenery is spectacular - more blue Montana sky than I could ever wish for, fall's fiery yellows and oranges on the trees near the river, the omnipresent purple-gray mountains in the distance. The surface of the water sparkles with the fierce intensity of a million diamonds, blinding me with its brilliance as I make my way to the river’s edge.As I near the first fishing spot, I see the tantalizing rings of rising trout feeding on the surface. YES! This is gonna be great! I move into position and make a few awkward casts into the strong wind. No success. Several flies and a half hour later, I realize I am going to have to get in a better position.Just as I am about to move, a deer bounds out of the woods upstream from me and crashes into the shining, liquid-silver waters. In the blinding sunlight, all I can see is its black silhouette as it splashes across the river and bounds off across the fields on the other side. I shake my head in disbelief. Does anyone here ever get used to all this breathtaking beauty? Do they ever take it for granted? I fervently hope not.A half hour later, I'm still at the same place, vainly trying to get those blasted fish to take my fly. I know the guides all tell me to cast a few times and keep moving, but I don't want to. I'm comfortably ensconced, I know there's fish here, and I hate spending all my time moving around when I could just sit here and enjoy the scenery and wait for these fish to forget I'm here. But I'm not catching any fish. All right, all right! I grumble. The damn guides say move, so I'll move.I climb off the comfortable rock I've been sitting on, and try to cross the river. It didn't seem very deep - thigh high. I can do this, I tell myself. Just go slow. Even slow doesn't cut it. Before I realize what hit me, I lose my footing and plunge into the river. Even with the temps in the 70's the water is shockingly cold. I try to regain my footing and fall again, and this time, the river starts to carry me downstream. Now I start to panic, all the horror stories coming to mind, all the reasons I shouldn't fish alone. The third time I lose my footing I fall forward, plunging chest first into the cold river. Now my Madison River baptism is complete. I am sitting neck deep in the river, water pouring into my waders, wet, head to toe, inside and out. Finally I stagger to my feet and lurch and stumble until I reach shallow water.Now what? After I get over being shocked and scared, I get mad. I'm soaked head to toe, it's only early afternoon and I haven't caught my big Brown yet. I slosh and stumble my way down the river until I can climb out and make my way to my car.I could change clothes and go back out, I thought. Only one problem: I had another shirt to change into, but no other pants. I was starting to get chilled, so I took a quick look around and seeing no one, whip off my shirt and pull a dry one out of the trunk of my car. Just then I look up and to my horror see a drift boat with three fishermen cruise right past me. I squeal with embarrassment and duck down, then quickly peer around the back end of the car. The fishermen had all politely averted their faces as they drifted by, pretending they hadn't just seen a woman disrobe right in front of them.I had to laugh. The good people of Ennis again! But I'm still soaked from the waist down. What to do? Give up on my big Brown waiting for me out in the river? No way! Hey! What about that resale store, Nearly New? Their sign said they closed at 4 pm and it's 10 till 4 right now. I whip out my cell phone and dig out the scrap of paper from my bag and dial the number. After two rings, someone answers and I hastily explain my situation.“No problem,” she says, “We'll hold the store open for you.”I drive back into town and soon I am dressed in clean, dry clothes again, thanks to the kind ladies at Nearly New. Since I’m already in town, I stop at the Reel Decoy for dinner. Another polite, blonde waitress (is everyone blonde here?) smiles and clucks her sympathy over my recent dunkings as she serves me dinner.I finally do end up back on the river, and fish until just before dark, but still no monster trout. It is getting dark. I am alone. The water is deep enough and fast enough that I’m concerned about what could happen if I fall in again. Just one more cast. Then I'll call it quits. I tie on a big stimulator and make a cast. The fly floats slowly into a side eddy. Nothing. Trying not to be bitterly disappointed, I start to strip my line, when suddenly, I feel a pull going the other way. Holy cow! Fish on! After only a few minutes I land my only fish of the day. Not the whopper I'd anticipated, this little seven-inch Brown still looks beautiful to me. I hunch over close to the dark flowing waters, admire the little guy for a few minutes, then release him to live another day.I came, I saw, I caught a fish. Does it really matter how big he was? I had a marvelous day on a magnificent river and got to meet some of the good people of Ennis.

Cancer Fighting Superfoods

Posted by Cheryle Geiger on December 19, 2009 at 7:20am

Cancer Fighting SuperFoods, By Rebecca Katz, MSCancer Fighting SuperFoods.. What to Eat Before, During and After ChemotherapyBy Rebecca Katz, MS (Some information added by Cheryle Geiger, V.P. oilMD)Commonweal Cancer Help ProgramSome people experience virtually no side effects from cancer chemotherapy, but this is rare. Most patients report at least some problems, including nausea, fatigue and diarrhea during the treatment.Reason: The drugs that are used in chemotherapy are designed to kill fast-growing cancer cells. But they also damage fast-growing healthy cells, particularly in the mouth, digestive tract and hair follicles.Good nutrition is critical if you’re undergoing chemotherapy. It’s estimated that up to 80% of cancer patients are malnourished. People who eat well before and during chemotherapy tend to have fewer side effects. They also are more likely to complete the full course of therapy than those who are poorly nourished and may feel too sick to continue.What to do…Load up on nutrient-rich foods.In the weeks before chemotherapy, patients should emphasize nutrient-dense foods, such as whole grains, vegetables and legumes. The high nutrient load of a healthy diet helps strengthen healthy cells so that they’re better able to withstand and then recover from the effects of chemotherapy.Good choices…Dark leafy greens, such as spinach, kale and Swiss chard. They’re high in antioxidants, such as beta-carotene, lutein and other phytonutrients. These compounds help minimize the damaging effects of free radicals, tissue damaging molecules that are produced in large amounts during chemotherapy. Kale is particularly good because it contains indole-3-carbinol that has anticancer properties.Olive Oil, like green vegetables, is high in antioxidants. It’s one of the best sources of oleic acid, an amega-9 fatty acid that strengthens cell membranes and improves the ability of the immune system to fight cancer cells. I like extra –virgin olive oil because it has been exposed to the least heat. (Found at a great price at Trader Joes)Garlic, The National Cancer Institute reports that people who eat garlic regularly seem to have a lower risk for intestinal and other cancers, including breast cancer. The strong-tasting sulfur compounds in garlic, such as allicin, have strong antiviral and antibacterial effects important for chemotherapy patients because they’re susceptible to infection. Best way to prepare it is to smash it and let it sit for 10 minutes to allow the antiviral properties to become more accessible, then chop and cook.Increase protein, It’s the main structural component of muscle and other tissues. People who undergo chemotherapy need large amounts of protein to repair tissue damage that occurs during the treatments.Recommended: About 80 grams of protein daily. That’s nearly double the amount that healthy adults need. Cancer patients who increase their protein about a week before chemotherapy, and continue to get extra protein afterward, recover more quickly. They also will have more energy and less fatigue.Try this: Two or more daily smoothies (made in a blender with juice or milk, a variety of fresh fruits and ice, if you like) that are supplemented with a scoop of whey powder. The protein in whey is easily absorbed by the intestine. And most people can enjoy a nutrient rich smoothie even when they have nausea or digestive problems related to chemotherapy.Drink to reduce discomfort. Stay hydrated both before and after chemotherapy sessions to reduce nausea. Drink liquids until your urine runs clear if it has more than a hint of yellow, you need to drink more.Helpful: Soups and broths provide water, as well as protein, minerals and vitamins. (Organic chicken or beef broth at Trader Joe’s)Avoid your favorite foods two days before treatments. It’s common for chemotherapy patients to develop food aversions when they get nauseated from treatments and then to associate the nausea with certain foods. It’s sad when people develop aversions and can never again enjoy their favorite foods.Eat lightly and frequently. People tend to experience more nausea when the stomach is empty. During and after “chemo days,” keep something in your stomach all the time but not too much. Patients do better when they have a light snack such as Sautéed vegetables or a bowl or broth, than when they go hungry or eat a lot at one sitting.Treat with ginger. When your stomach is upset, steep three slices of fresh ginger in a cup of simmering water for 10 minutes,Then drink the tea. Or grate fresh ginger with a very fine grater, such as a Microplane, and put the shavings under your tongue. Ginger alleviates nausea almost instantly. Also you can use the oilMD’s GingerMD roller ball frequently throughout the day.Overcome “metal mouth.” The drugs used in chemotherapy can damage the nerves that control the taste buds. Some people complain about a metallic taste in their mouths after treatmentsOthers notice that foods taste “flat” or that their mouths are extremely sensitive to hot or cold.These changes, known as transient taste changes, usually disappear a few weeks (or, in some cases, months) after treatments, but they can make it difficult for people to eat in the meantime.Helpful: The FASS method. It stands for Fat, Acid, Salt and Sweet. Most people will find that it’s easier to enjoy their meals, and therefore ingest enough nutrients, when they combine one or more of these elements in every meal.For fat, add more olive oil than usual to meals…lemons are a good source of acid…sea salt has less of a chemical aftertaste than regular salt…and maple syrup gives sweetness with more nutrients (including immune building manganese and zinc) than table sugar.Try kudzu root. Used in a powder form to thicken sauces, puddings and other foods, it soothes the intestine and can help prevent diarrhea. You also can dissolve one teaspoon of kudzu root in one teaspoon of cold liquid and drink that. Drink after meals, as needed. Kudzu root is available in most health food stores.Soothe mouth sores with soft, easy-to-eat foods, such as granitas (similar to “Italian ices”) or smoothies. The sores can be intensely painful, which makes it difficult to eat.Recommended: Watermelon ice cubes. Puree watermelon,And put it in a tray to freeze. Then suck on the cubes. The cold acts like a topical anesthetic you can numb the mouth before eating a regular meal. And the juice from the melon is just as hydrating as water but provides extra nutrients, including the antioxidant lycopene.Tags: antioxidants, aromatherapy, Cancer, cancer help, chemotherapy, Diet, diseases, essential oils, free radicals, ginger, oilMD, organic greens, preventative medicine, superfoods, wellness

One of the special joys of this season of the year is music that stirs the soul with its glorious melodies and inspirational lyrics. I have compiled a Top Ten List of Christmas Spirituals which has an

Posted by Lonnell Johnson on December 17, 2009 at 7:33pm

One of the special joys of this season of the year is music that stirs the soul with its glorious melodies and inspirational lyrics. I have compiled a Top Ten List of Christmas Spirituals which has an introductory discussion of spirituals and their origins in the South, and I make a local connection with the Fisk Jubilee Singers. You can read some background information on each of the 10 songs and listen to a performance at the end of each article. Here is the link:http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-20264-Columbus-Christian-Spirituality-Examiner~y2009m12d5-Top-10-Christmas-SpiritualsHere are some additional Christmas songs that might also be a blessing:http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-20264-Columbus-Christian-Spirituality-Examiner~y2009m12d14-The-12-days-of-Christmas-a-deeper-meaning-to-the-familiar-song http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-20264-Columbus-Christian-Spirituality-Examiner~y2009m12d13-O-Tannenbaum-O-Christmas-Tree http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-20264-Columbus-Christian-Spirituality-Examiner~y2009m12d10-Up-on-the-housetop-a-local-connection-to-the-familiar-carol http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-20264-Columbus-Christian-Spirituality-Examiner~y2009m12d10-Who-is-he-in-yonder-stall-another-Hanby-Christmas-song

The Fourth Man

Posted by Steve Burch on December 16, 2009 at 7:00am

During the Advanced Class at Emporia in 1975 (and I'm sure many other times) Dr. Wierwille played this teaching by Oral Roberts. Even though the theology isn't quite right, it was pretty exciting. His passing yesterday caused me to find it on the web.PS. When I got home from the Advanced Class I tuned in Oral on Sunday morning TV. Unfortunately he had become a different man by that time, but I am blessed that he taught this.The Fourth Man

From Here to There: Reflections on Psalm 133

Posted by Lonnell Johnson on December 9, 2009 at 4:46pm

photo credit: http://www.toastmasters.org/OtherImages/DrivingDirections_1.aspx

Earlier this morning as I was reflecting upon a recent teaching related to Psalm 133 and the unfolding of the breathtaking beauty of unity. As I re-examined a poem that I had just completed, I thought of other poetry I had written related to striving to “get there”, to scale Mount Zion to arrive at the place of everlasting blessing. I also recall a prophetic word from Al Thomas who touched upon the same topic a few years ago. Finally a couple of songs also came to mind, as I recognize that God is always speaking, that God is never not speaking. When I hear these two songs in my “inner ear,” I hear what I believe God is speaking to me at the time.The first song I thought of was “I’ll Take You There” the inimitable version by Mavis Staples and the Staple Singers, with its refrain that indicates the possibility of reaching a place where there are “no smiling faces, lying to the races.” Even beyond the purest aspirations of the Civil Rights movement or any human efforts to attain unity and harmony in daily living, is the desire to dwell together in peace expressed in Psalm 133 which the song brings to mind:

Here is an excerpt from an excellent word of exhortation and encouragement from Al Thomas regarding God’s desire that we also reach that place of sublime communion with one another and with Him. Indeed God will take us from “here to there,” Here are the concluding comments he makes. To read the entire prophetic word click here.”God Said, "YOU'VE BEEN HERE WAY TOO LONG, I WANT TO TAKE YOUTHERE--GET READY""There ahead of you is your destiny," says the Lord. "The hope, thedream and the fulfillment of My promise--it's simply staring you inthe face! Here, is where you are now, but how you conduct yourselftoday has everything to do with where I will take you tomorrow--Mythere. Extend My grace to others when you least feel like doingso--it will prepare you to go from here to there. Determine that youare serious to get to My there for you (Luke 9:62). You will getthere by serving Me in the here and now (1 Corinthians 10:21, James 1:8)."Are you serious about the vision you are following? If so, thenbuild in the now (here) for what I have shown you in the future(there). If you are faithful in little, here, I will give you muchthere (Luke 19:17). Use the compass of praise, private prayer andundaunted searching in My word to guide you and keep you on course(Mark 4:14-20)."Be faithful today--tomorrow is almost upon you, and it is nearlytime to take you from here to there. Look up, it's approaching andyou are about to leave here and arrive there--right where I've beenwaiting for you. Pack up, say goodbye, and prepare to leave here forthere. My command is coming for many to move out--out there.""Faithful is He that called you, who also will do it" (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

In the poem “Deeper” I express my desire for God to “take me there,” as I strive for deeper intimacy:Deeper

Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls;All Your waves and billows have gone over me.Psalm 42:7

There is a place I long to be.There is a face I long to see,And in that place your face I’ll seeWhen I behold the glory of your presence for all eternity.But until then I strive to reach the pinnacle set before me,As I walk in power to see miracle after miracle, for your gloryAnd fight the good fight for deeper intimacy.I shall follow closely all your ways that take me there.Take me there, take me there, take me there.Here I am, show me how to get from here to there.Until I get there, where the air is rare,where I have ever longed to be,I shall relentlessly pursue you to findand abide in deeper and deeper intimacy,To find and abide in deeper and deeper intimacy.To get from “here to there” on the surface, seems such a simple process: you simply go! On the journey, however, one encounters obstacles, pitfalls, diversions, distractions and all kinds of set-backs. At times it seems as though “you can’t get there from here.” I respond to that notion as I encourage myself along this tedious journey called life with this poem:When at Last I Get There

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended;but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behindand reaching forward to those things which are ahead,14I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward callof God in Christ Jesus.Philippians 3:13-14

Despite constant reminders to the contrary,I know in my soul that I can get there from here.Someday I shall see the place of my destinyAnd worship before the throne of God and serve thereWhen at last death is swallowed up in victoryAnd war and strife, poverty and disease have ceased.In this place true believers dwell in unity.Redeemed from sin, restored and made righteous; released,Set free from bondage to savor sweet liberty,To bask in the fullness of God’s glory and grace.His favor and everlasting goodness increasedBeyond measure, as the champions finish the raceTo stand under the banner of Judah’s lionWhen at last I get there, when I reach Mount Zion.God ever sets before us pictures of possibilities. The glorious portrait of harmony and communion of the highest degree is set before us in Psalm 133 which inspired another poem with a similar theme:From Here to There

Behold, how good and how pleasant it isFor brethren to dwell together I fron unity!It is like the precious oil upon the head,Running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron,running down on the edge of his garments.It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion;For there the LORD commanded the blessing—life forevermore.Psalm 133:1-3

The final phase of life’s journey from here to there,Yearning to return to Eden, beyond the placeOf the first promise spoken to all who would hearAnd receive the fullness of the measure of graceAnd know the never-ending flow of perfect peace:Where perfect love has triumphed to cast out all fear;Where all shall dwell in harmony and wars shall cease;Where there shall be no night for the Lamb of God is near;Where our joy shall never wane but only increase;Where we know intimacy far beyond Hebron;Where our raptured souls shall find rest and sweet releaseIn endless afterglow of sublime communion;Where we know the everlasting blessings of unityAs we dwell in Zion for all eternityFinally my most recent reflections on Psalm 133 not only reinforced the message of earlier poetry based on that scripture, but I recognized the application of that particular scripture to my life, as a member of the Body of Christ, whereby we are all exhorted to “endeavor to keep the unity of the faith in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3). I summarize my thoughts in this recent work:How Good and How PleasantPsalm 133Ephesians 4:3I now behold how good and how pleasant it isFor brethren to dwell together in unity.To commune together beyond the highest blissI strive to arrive at the place of my destiny.Though small as a tiny grain, I add my measure:A small amount multiplied in the Master’s hands.In seeking to arouse the Father’s good pleasure,I walk uprightly and follow as He commands.May I come together to be of benefitAs one who adds favor but never takes nor dividesNow I see that God is faithful—His Word explicit:In unity everlasting blessing abides.As brethren we must come together to increaseThe unity of the faith in the bond of peace.I conclude my discussion with a final musical selection, a benediction of sorts, a message from the Father, by way of Oleta Adams, relating this reminder: “I don’t care how you get there. Get there, if you can.”

"I'm gonna dance with the girl I brung..."

Posted by John and Janet Ruiz on November 30, 2009 at 5:00pm

I was thinking this last week or so about a blog related to the season, writ some scrits, saved it to draft and lo it has gone the way of all flesh, albeit before it's time I think, as is so often the case with many things. Gone but not forgotten, to these eyes at any rate. So here I sit, pondering the words that might best capture what was on my mind at the time and more importantly what's on my mind now. Cracking the mental knuckles...here goes....As the last few days wound down I determined to wind up some sweet tunes and ran across this one, a rollicking rendering of the song "What a Life" by Mike Finnegan. This song kind of says it all for me, he's tellin' the story pretty clear and clean. Should anyone run across this blog I highly recommend giving it a listen and a watch. It's good for what ails you and if nothing does it will surely add to that fine state of health and happiness you currently enjoy.I'm enjoying some of each today. It's been a great last few days. Family and friends in abundance, and barely tapped the keg in either category. Still, it all rings nicely in the ol' ears. I doubt I could be any more thankful at this point, for all good things everywhere. Thankful.I believe every note of the songs I've sungI'm gonna dance with the girl I brung......Cause it's my life, my great big life!What a life, what a life.What a life, what a life, my life.It's the omly one that I got and I sure do love it a lot.What a life!

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.