Flat Tire

He almost didn't see the old lady, stranded on the side of the road, but even in the dim light of day, he could see she needed help. So he pulled up in front of her Mercedes and got out. His Pontiac was still sputtering when he approached her.

Even with the smile on his face, she was worried. No one had stopped to help for the last hour or so. Was he going to hurt her? He didn't look safe; he looked poor and hungry.

He could see that she was frightened, standing out there in the cold. He knew how she felt. It was that chill which only fear can put in you.

He said, "I'm here to help you, ma'am. Why don't you wait in the car where it's warm? By the way, my name is Bryan Anderson."

Well, all she had was a flat tire, but for an old lady, that was bad enough. Bryan crawled under the car looking for a place to put the jack, skinning his knuckles a time or two. Soon he was able to change the tire. But he had to get dirty and his hands hurt.

As he was tightening up the lug nuts, she rolled down the window and began to talk to him. She told him that she was from St. Louis and was only just passing through. She couldn't thank him enough for coming to her aid.

Bryan just smiled as he closed her trunk. The lady asked how much she owed him. Any amount would have been all right with her. She already imagined all the awful things that could have happened had he not stopped. Bryan never thought twice about being paid. This was not a job to him. This was helping someone in need, and God knows there were plenty, who had given him a hand in the past. He had lived his whole life that way, and it never occurred to him to act any other way.

He told her that if she really wanted to pay him back, the next time she saw someone who needed help, she could give that person the assistance they needed, and Bryan added, "And think of me."

He waited until she started her car and drove off. It had been a cold and depressing day, but he felt good as he headed for home, disappearing into the twilight.

A few miles down the road the lady saw a small cafe. She went in to grab a bite to eat, and take the chill off before she made the last leg of her trip home. It was a dingy looking restaurant. Outside were two old gas pumps. The whole scene was unfamiliar to her. The waitress came over and brought a clean towel to wipe her wet hair. She had a sweet smile, one that even being on her feet for the whole day couldn't erase. The lady noticed the waitress was nearly eight months pregnant, but she never let the strain and aches change her attitude. The old lady wondered how someone who had so little could be so giving to a stranger. Then she remembered Bryan.

After the lady finished her meal, she paid with a hundred dollar bill. The waitress quickly went to get change for her hundred dollar bill, but the old lady had slipped right out the door. She was gone by the time the waitress came back. The waitress wondered where the lady could be. Then she noticed something written on the napkin.

There were tears in her eyes when she read what the lady wrote: "You don't owe me anything. I have been there too. Somebody once helped me out, the way I'm helping you. If you really want to pay me back, here is what you do: Do not let this chain of love end with you."

Under the napkin were four more $100 bills.

Well, there were tables to clear, sugar bowls to fill, and people to serve, but the waitress made it through another day. That night when she got home from work and climbed into bed, she was thinking about the money and what the lady had written. How could the lady have known how much she and her husband needed it? With the baby due next month, it was going to be hard ....

She knew how worried her husband was, and as he lay sleeping next to her, she gave him a soft kiss and whispered soft and low, "Everything's going to be all right. I love you, Bryan Anderson."

There is an old saying "What goes around comes around."

The next time you see someone who needs help, give that person the assistance they need, and tell them to pass it on. Start a chain of love.

This story apparently has no known source. However it struck a chord with me when I read it. 

Hurricane Tomas Soaks Haiti

Here is a snipet from a Partners in Health e-mail I received today
 on current conditions in Haiti and the potential problems of the future. Sorry I can not provide more info. Partners in Health is the organization started by Dr. Paul Farmer.

Right now, Hurricane Tomas is soaking its way across Haiti. 

Heavy rains have exacerbated the intense misery that Partners In Health has been combating since the earthquake, and indeed for more than 20 years. The rain has raised the specter of a magnified cholera epidemic—while disrupting the vital resources needed to contain the outbreak—and opened the door to diseases like typhoid and malaria. 

We've been anxiously monitoring reports from PIH's sister organization, Zanmi Lasante, and I just received the note below from Dr. Louise Ivers, PIH's Chief of Mission in Haiti. 

As you can see from Dr. Ivers' message, today's storm is yet another test of our resolve. Please donate now to ensure that Zanmi Lasante has the resources needed to respond to this storm, the cholera epidemic, and the fundamental task of building back better in Haiti. 

Ministering to the Sick

I would like to write more on this as I would like to grow in this area of reaching out even to the sick. However time has not permitted me to write personally. Here is a article that has some good points to ponder on this subject. At least it has helped me. Maybe it can help you. It seems Christ had so much compassion on the sick and yet I find myself uneasy or even try to avoid such visitation for the awkwardness of it. So anyway here is some advice I have found on the matter.

Ministering to the terminally ill

By Jewell Johnson

The disease has spread to other organs," the surgeon told Robert and his family. "The outlook is not good. We can try..."

Each day someone hears these words. Perhaps a member of your congregation has been told a disease will eventually end his life.

Persons with terminal illnesses need physical, emotional, and spiritual support. Family members, friends, doctors, and nurses can help. However, the spiritual advisor’s role is unique, for he or she focuses on the spiritual needs of the ill person. These guidelines will help one minister effectively to the terminally ill.

Make frequent visits

Family and friends often bypass people with terminal illnesses. The reasons vary. For example, a daughter made infrequent visits to her cancer-stricken mother. "I can’t bear to see Mom this way," she admitted.

The disease may limit the ill person. While he has been active all his life, now he is out of the mainstream shelved. He may feel isolated and alone.

The spiritual advisor visits on a regular basis. Frequent, short visits are most meaningful. It is important to the ill person to know his spiritual advisor cares and is available for him.

Accept him where he is. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, in her book, Death and Dying, identifies five stages the terminally ill person will experience:

1. Denial–"not me."

2. Anger–"why me?"

3. Bargaining–"yes, me, but....

4. Depression–"oh, me."

5. Acceptance–"yes, me."

These stages may not follow in order. They can overlap. Not every person will reach acceptance.

When Jane was told cancer had spread to her lungs, she said, "I feel fine. I’m sure the doctor is wrong." To help Jane effectively, the spiritual advisor will accept her denial of the disease.

Be a good listener

Pull your chair close. Give the ill person your full attention. Allow him to talk if he wants to. Avoid false cheerfulness–"everything will be all right" attitude. This denies the person the chance to share his fears and anxieties. He may be afraid of pain or frustrated at the thought of dying. One man had this concern, "Who’s going to care for my wife when I’m gone?"

If you can’t answer all questions, admit it. Some questions do not have answers at the time. It is more important for the ill person to verbalize his concerns than to receive answers.

The ill person may share some information in confidence. Don’t make this public. Maintain confidences.

"My need is for a friend," a terminally ill woman said, "someone who is willing to listen and share my struggles and unanswered questions." The pastor can be that friend.

Use God’s resources

The world for the ill person is changing. He may be receiving new treatments and medications. Possibly he is seeing several doctors-some unfamiliar to him. His body is changing. There are decisions to make. In this unsettled climate, God and His Word are constant anchors to hold to. Share a Scripture portion and offer prayer at each visit. What are his prayer concerns? Pray with him about these. When possible, encourage him to pray.

The Lord’s Supper points ahead to a time when illness will be abolished. Give the ill person regular opportunities to participate in this time of renewal.

Nourish hope

Living with a serious illness is discouraging. Pain and weakness often bring despair. The advisor will encourage an attitude of hope-not a false hope that "nothing bad can happen to you" but a confidence in God who loves him and watches over his life.

The ill person may hope for a cure. If the disease progresses, his hope may shift to lesser, more immediate goals. One terminally ill mother wanted to attend the Mother’s Day program in her son’s school. With the support of her doctor and family, she realized this goal.

The spiritual advisor can encourage hope. God’s love is unchanged. Jesus promised, "I will never leave you." A hopeful attitude will bring quality to the ill person’s days no matter how much time he has left.

Know your limitations

Rarely can one person meet all the needs of the ill person. Consider yourself part of the health-care team. Don’t give medical advice. If the sick person has questions about his care, suggest he talk to the doctor or a family member.

Humor helps

Smiles are like medicine. Laughter is wholesome. It breaks down tension and brings a sense of normalcy to life for the ill person. Be sure humor is appropriate for the situation, however, or it can be offensive.

The unconscious person

As body processes shut down during a serious illness, we can’t be sure how much the unresponsive person understands. His hearing often remains sharp although he appears unaware of his surroundings. Identify yourself to this person even if family members say he can’t hear you. It is appropriate to read Scripture and pray with him. You may want to sing a hymn. Familiar words and a voice he recognizes are comforting even if he doesn’t understand all you say.

Terminally ill persons need more than painkillers and comfort measures. They also need spiritual strength to go through life’s deepest valley. Sensitive, caring pastors are part of the team that provides this strength.

Other sources: A Family Guide to Death and Dying, Tyndale, Wheaton, Illinois, 1987, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service Taking Time, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, 1986.

Verse for the Day: Becoming a New Creature

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Cor.5:17


Why?


We will know Him personally because he will forgive our sins and dwell in us if we accept him. So looked forward to by the old prophets in the Bible.


And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. Jer. 31:34


What will a New Creature do?


Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Isa. 1:16-17

True Christians qualification.

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. Rom8:9

Nothing Else Holds Water. You have it or you Dont.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. Gal. 6:15



Do YOU have IT. Are you a New Creature? 


Please Get It, it's worth it.

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32

JLT

Hope for Nigeria

But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?  1 John 3:17


Here is another brotherhood grass roots charity I picked up on. To put it in a egg shell they are helping poor individual Nigerian farmers get started in the poultry business. Boilers and laying hens. Their goal is to portray Christ's love in this way.  Charles and Dennis Goossen are presently flying from Canada to check on the progress and give training on business management to the farmers already enrolled. They also are investigating the possibility of setting up a microcredit system for brethren in NA to personally assist in lending money to help these farmers and entrepreneurs in Nigeria and even other developing countries.  


They originally were pushing for boilers, (chickens primarily raised for meat), until they found it difficult to market without adequate freezer storage. One of the local processing plants in Fugar they were previously going to rely on had recently shut down. However the farmers are finding an open door to set up nesting in their barns and selling the eggs which have a shelf life of two weeks (If never chilled).


The project is looking for an additional $10,800 to jumpstart this seasons pullet (baby chickens) and feed expenses. The farmers are committed to give a portion of their earnings back into Hope for Nigeria to help the next farmers.
Administration, registration costs, etc. have already been paid for and all donated  monies go directly to the farmers' operating and capital loans.
They work alongside Christian Veterinary Missions of Canada  www.cvmcanada.org  which has experience with these sort of projects.



For more info: 
See their blog at  http://hopefornigeria.wordpress.com/2010/08/


Contact 
Charles Goossen (founder) ---Canada
306.547.3353


Dennis Goossen --- Canada
Ph: 204.548.4500

Fx: 204.548.4800

dennis@goossenaccounting.ca

Roger Ensz--- Center CO. USA

719.754.3270

Faith, Works, and Fruit

I hope in even some small way I can benefit the reader. These have been my latest inspirations. I have raced trying to type them done before I finish the "honey do's" around the house for my wife. She went to town so I will have to get a move on so she can see progress  :)  Anyways I have been to busy providing a living to write much justice in Op-Noah, but by and by you will see more material. Thanks and feel free to send me your inspirations. Thank-you. JLT




I just quoted the verses out of James 2


What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. What is the real fruits and works of a "True Christian life? 


 Our weakness is really our strength because it is then that we trust less in our flesh and more in Jesus Christ.


So too much doomesday is really getting on the nerves because we are not here to trust ourselves to increase. We are so pre-occupied with our own personal neediness to accept  the promises of God to give us the grace to over come. We are spending to much time thinking we are improving our worth in God's eyes by acts of righteousness and fruits when in reality we are running around naked thinking we are clothed. My point is that God is looking for broken contrite hearts that can look upon humanity and see themselves as vile and wretched as anyone else if it truly were not for the blood of Christ.  And even with the blood of Christ we bow our head before the Lord and say, "Be merciful to me a sinner" Out that soul will come forth fruit with power. From good Samaritans to widows casting mites, to people digging up fields looking for precious pearls. Fruits will be noticed from these "changed people" that will super cede and eclipse the fruits of texting, clothing lapses, hair styles, etc. I do not one minute say these things are not fruits in one sense or another or are not worthy to ponder, but the are consuming way too much time and effort, when real issues are building up.






What are fruits?
My question is that Galations 5 and Colossians 3 define worldlinesss and it's spirits and also the evidences of a Spirit born of God.








We try to avoid the real cross of Christ and getting out of our comfort zones by settling for human bench marks and keeping status quo for our righteousness. It makes us appear to others our righteousness and yet we are hiding from doing more. We hide behind our "circumcision" on "things" issues versus visiting the widows and the fatherless.


Galatians 6: 12-16
As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. 14But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. 15For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. 16And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.




Christ spent so much time warning us to "clean the inside of the cup first"


Matt 23: 25-28


Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. 26Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.


27Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. 28Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.




I have entered into a study of Colossians 2 and Galations 3 (and the book of James) as a result of Matthew 23
If you do not understand where I am coming from read those passages and ask yourself


1. What goals can I attain by human effort
2 What is the fulness of Christ in my life
3 Does it give me power
4 If not what hinders it


What is amazing is that God calls us often when we really did not know we needed him. We accept him and he changes us into a new creature. Instead of remaining in the potters hands we jump up and try to produce our own righteousness and our own personal rules to keep us "in bounds". As a result we loose power until we "wisk not that the spirit departed"


All the laws and the prophets hung on a few points. 
1 Love God with all thine heart
2 Love they neighbor as ourselves


A real Christian will also become a intercessor. Look at Moses, Abraham towards Lot, Joeseph and his brothers, Nabal's wife, Jonathon and David, the list would be an article in itself. That all points to Christ. And where does that leave us. Our famalies, our neighbors, the Church, the prodigals and how much time does that leave for self.....................txting.........cellphone problems.......internet...........To solve these problems is to replace them by looking towards the source of our power---Jesus Christ, the Resurrected. That is what is going to put the air into your boots to leap over the obstacles in your life. "Newness of Life" Rom. 6:4


For the Gospel came not unto you in Word only, but also in power and in the Holy Ghost and in much assurance 1 Thess. 1:5


  

GNFI Reports on Lasstic Canyon, Haiti and on Orphanage in Mexico

 
Hello to all that support and follow Good News Foundation International! The last month and a half or so have been very good for the organization. People are giving readily and we are happy with what’s going on, not just with how donations have poured in, but with the current projects in Haiti and Mexico.

First off, we'll update you about the Lastic Canyon project. Thanks to all your support we have paid off around $70,000 which was direct costs from the work done last winter. On top of that, there is another $21,000 that has been received for Lastic Canyon, with another $25,000 that has been pledged. So, you can see that the project is well on its way to being funded and completed, but we can’t stop quite yet! We still need people that can give us a monthly donation (see attached letter) that will make Good News a more solid organization. We have those that give $50 to $100 every month, we really appreciate it, and hope to see more ongoing support like it!

Next, the Mexico project... Agua de Vida Orphanage! This place is exciting to go see, the children there seem so happy! At first they are a little shy, but after awhile they will warm up to you, and you will have a new friend south of the border! The newspaper in Yuma had an article on the needs there and directed all those interested in donating to go through Good News. Here is the link to that article,http://www.yumasun.com/articles/andrews-64189-orphanage-yuma.html , please read it! We are gearing up to help them with the new dormitory electrical and plumbing once the building is framed. A Canadian crew plans to start framing the building around November 11th. We are still in need of more funding for our portion of this project, around $4,000 is still needed. If you are interested in helping these poor children have a better place to sleep, consider giving a donation of any amount with the memo "Agua de Vida" and we will put it towards their new building. Jim Victor(Livingston) and Benny Friesen(Yuma) are working together to manage the project. If you have any questions about the orphanage, email us and we'll answer as soon as we can.

Attached is a donation flyer, please use it as you feel lead to and pass it on to your friends that may be interested. Thanks again for your interest.

--
Good News Foundation International
Daniel Jantz
209.409.4597
Atwater, Ca

Orani Haiti Clinic Back On Track!

We are leaving for Haiti in 2 days! 

  Wow, is it ever hard to finish things up to go! We found a vehicle in Atlanta Georgia that looks like it will fit the bill. It’s a 2000 model Ford 4x4 Diesel. Our last SUV apparently is settled into the Bahaman sea floor. We are desperately hoping and praying that this one will be granted safe passage. We are excited that God has continued to lead us to go to Haiti. We are courageous and feel His nearness as we try to move ahead in faith, in many ways not knowing how things will yet work out. Kimmie the nurse is arriving Nov 14th and we hope to be able to have our house well on the way to livable by then. We are making a 9x28 addition onto it and putting a new tin roof on. Some local church brethren dug the hole for the new outhouse, so we’ll just have to cement a lid and build it now! The clinic is getting a wall built around the yard already and we are eager to get working on getting it ready for use!

Alot of you heard of Anthony and Darla’s baby Wade and his very close brush with death. Thanks for praying for my little nephew and continue to pray that he grows strong and healthy.  Please pray for the Oriani families too. In the little church there, the last 7 pregnancies have all produced 0 living children. Thats ZERO!  Can Confidence Health Center help change that ratio? By God’s help I hope and pray we can!

Many people say that life is cheap in Haiti, but can you imagine the pain that is forced upon them before the calluses develop that makes Haitians numb to these things? Pray for us that numbness will not come in to deaden our senses and we accept this as normal! In our developed countries we are so blessed with good health and good health care services that I become numb to how good we have it!
Good night and keep us in your prayers that we can be used only as instruments of God.                     

      —Keith and Candace Toews

Mystic Ship Sends Clinic to Bottom of Ocean

The Haitian clinic organized in St. Mary's Ontario to be overseen by Bro. Keith Toews has went to the bottom of Ocean for now. I hear they plan to go ahead with their plans however and make do with what  courage is left. May we remember them in prayer. You just can't imagine the shock this must have brought after all the effort put forth. Here is the e-mail of what they sent me for the details:

We are stunned and in disbelief.

We had so many interesting and “God moments” when it seemed like God was almost miraculously making things happen to be able to get this vehicle, and get it loaded with supplies, and actually across in the USA, that we were disappointed that after all that... it was delayed for almost 2 months leaving Miami docks to got to Haiti. But, the other day we heard it had left! and the ship was on it’s way!  We were so happy, and repeatedly thanked God in our family prayers that the timing was good that we would have it in Haiti by the time we go in a couple weeks.  (I haven’t bought the tickets yet)

Today... we hear this afternoon that the ship and all the cargo, is peacefully resting on the bottom of the ocean. This included a couple other vehicles that were being bought by some of our poor Haitian brethren. Which makes me very sad for them too.

Words fail to describe our disappointment and we have already cried our tears of frustration. The weeks and weeks of effort into rounding up the clinic and household supplies, equipment, extra parts, tools, propane freezer, schoolbooks, and all the effort involved in buying and equipping the Suburban for Haiti.... all finished.

Where do we go from here? We can only say the very common Haitian phrase “BonDye konnen” (God knows).  I know I am not feeling too chipper today, but I don’t feel we have the energy or the time to start buying and replacing it all here before we go. We already have Steve Greydanus’ looking after our chickens, I have quite my job, and we are working on renting out the house. So maybe we’ll have to just go, and figure out how to do without it all or buy what we can in the Dominican over the next yr (generally high priced).  Finding a suitable vehicle is the challenge right now.  

Forgive me for writing a blue letter, but we thank you our friends for listening and praying.

Keith and Candace

Mystic cries 'mayday'

Ten crew members and a dog have been rescued and flown to safety after their cargoship capsized and eventually sank near Damas Cay in the Cay Sal Bank on Thursday afternoon.

The ship sank in an area south of Florida.

The US Coast Guard says the drama began to unfold when the 1,131-dwt general cargoship Mystic (built 1976) "broke into pieces" after striking a submerged object shortly after leaving Miami on a voyage to Haiti.

Authorities received the first mayday call from the crew at 2:08 pm Wednesday afternoon.

When the USCG arrived on the scene, the ship was listing 15 degrees to starboard as water poured into a hole on the starboard side of the hull.

Efforts to control the ingress of water with a pump were not successful until a USCG helicopter dropped a second pump down to the crew.

While rescue boats were unable to approach the vessel, due to high waves and powerful wind, authorities established an hourly communications schedule with the ship.

Several hours later, the vessel began to stabilise, but the USCG maintained communication with the vessel as a precaution.

At 3:00 am, a day after the first mayday call was logged, the ship began listing 30 degrees to starboard.

An hour later, when pumping proved futile, the crew abandoned ship in a pair of life rafts.

It took a the USCG rescue team roughly 30 minutes to hoist the men, and their pet, into a nearby helicopter, just moments before the ship sank into the ocean.

No injuries have been reported, and the USCG says a salvage team has been despatched to the scene to assess damage and pollution.

http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local-beat/Dramatic-Rescue-for-Miami-to-Haiti-Ships-Crew-104578294.html 

and

http://www.tradewinds.no/casualties/568324/mystic-cries-mayday 

Farmer John's Power in the Barn

JOHN THE FARMER AND THE POWER IN THE BARN

A farmer inherited a great acreage and farm to be steward over and a good amount of credit to do whatever needed to be done.

He had a great shop built and bought the biggest and best tractor he could buy.

Everyday he would whistle, "There is power, There is power, wonder working power, in the barn, in the barn."

He would turn on the lights and think wow, what a farmer I am to have such a nice piece of equipment.

However he would be loathe, to take it out in the field and get it dirty.

Rather on special occasions he would take it out give it a wash job and drive it in a parade or where others could see it, but never out in the field. Sometimes when he felt down he would start it and sit in the cab till he felt better. 

One day his wife was peeved at him and told him, he was not getting enough of the farm work done.

It wasn't long and she seen him riding out of the barn with a garden tractor. He seen her shocked look on her face and said don't worry I am just going out to mow the lawn. --For they did have a nice place to behold.

The next day she approached him with concern and said he really needed to use the big tractor to help pay for its upkeep.

He finally got willing it hooked it up to his smallest disc to do some discing around some of his fields. He was very careful to not to get it too dirty or scratched or put to many hours on it.

His wife finally gave up on encouraging her husband in this area and let him be. Since he had credit and a nice place to keep up he hired more help and rented equipment to make up for what he didn't do with his tractor.

By and by the time came and the winds blew in such a way, that trouble came to the farm.

To save you the heart rending details that perhaps would distract from our narrative we will tell you that eventually it came to the fact that the farm failed, the man had to sell out to pay debts, and the bank repossessed the tractor.

All this happened when the man's kin whom he had inherited the estate came to see how he had proved as steward. They sent him and his family packing and gave the farm to the poor farmers to tenant on contract and that is the end of the sad story of Farmer John  Brown. If this was a parable what can we glean from this story? It came to me all at once this week. The Lord's spirit had been reproving me of the need to follow him with more compassion and to study hs life and pay more attention to what he was saying and living. The poor of the world marched before me , even harlots, pimps, publicans or who ever you may consider removed from your world or could we say  your respect or esteem---he (Jesus) said, not dead but sleeping and yet we laugh that such can be redeemed. Am I not willing to put my tractor to work. I thought perhaps I was just daydreaming when my phone rings and someone from town asks me to help someone in need. The evidence of God is too strong for me to ignore. Please tell me the meaning to this story......