><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine - ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Issue Vol 3 # 4 April 2002 ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> FreEzine is a free email magazine/newsletter containing articles of interest from a Christian perspective and is published no less than monthly. FreEzine is NOT Spam and is only sent to people who request it. If you ever want to stop (or start) receiving FreEzine you'll find instructions at the end of this newsletter. A special "hello" to all of our new subscribers. We welcome and appreciate feedback on how we can improve this e-zine for you. IF YOU FIND THIS NEWSLETTER USEFUL... ... PLEASE FORWARD IT TO FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES! ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> IN THIS ISSUE: Editorial: The Errors of Others Newsbreak: Religious Freedom in Russia What's On? Seminars & Workshops: Repeatable Quotable: For Mother's day Book Look: We Are A 'Bus Article: Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6) Havagiggle: Cruelty to Animals? The Extensive Exposition: John Ploughman's Talks by C H Spurgeon. The Funny Bone: Ending a Sentence with a Preposition Split Second Wisdom: Diplomacy Sermon Snippet: The Offering Theologically Speaking: Honesty Take a Hint: Dad's Recipes For the Children: A prayer for the Approaching Winter Freebies: Screensavers From My Case Files: Taking Care of the Wedding Ring Letters to the Editor Watch This Space Subscription & Other Information Penultimate: Mule Maths The Last Word: To My Child ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Editorial: The Errors of Others Recently I was reading a mid 1800s publication called 'Gleanings of Past Years' by a Mr. Gladstone. In Volume one, on page 26, he says, 'The fierce light that beats upon a throne is sometimes like the heat of that furnace in which only Daniel could walk unscathed, too fierce for those whose place it is to stand in its vicinity.'. When I read this, I wondered how the author could confuse Daniel with Shadrach, Meshech, and Abed-nego, and it to also escape the proof-reader's notice. But then I was brought back to reality when I considered some of the errors that appeared in some of my early writings. I was especially reminded of a Latin manuscript I very roughly translated into English for my own interest and an over-enthusiastic friend at the University Press published my rough translation with my name as translator. I was rather hoping my old School Latin Master would not see a copy. I remember too, errors that have slipped through my fingers in more recent years due to my occasional 'lapsus calami', ignorance or assumption. I thank God that He is forgiving, and I hope that we can be forgiving of each other when we make mistakes. 'Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.' Matthew 7:1-5. US judge, Harold Medina said, ' Criticising others is a dangerous thing, not so much because you may make mistakes about them, but because you may be revealing the truth about yourself.' -- Lionel Hartley, Editor ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Newsbreak Religious Freedom in Russia Three pieces of legislation currently being considered by the Russian Parliament pose definite challenges to religious freedom in Russia. One bill concerns the identification of 'traditional' and 'non-traditional' religions in Russia, which legalises discrimination between religious groups. The other two bills deal with religious extremists (rather than identify 'religious' extremists, we should deal with all extremists in the same gracious way.) Our prayers are needed by the Russian peoples at this crucial time. (Information courtesy of ANN, ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> What's On? Seminars & Workshops: Check out: ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Repeatable Quotable: For Mother's Day (Second Sunday in May) Deer mum, M is for the million things you dun for me U is for your understanding love D is for the deeds for what you dayly praise me D is for the dum things you forgive E is for ever (thats how long i will love you( R is for remembring mudders day which I dun two Put them all to getha they spell MUDDER (I think thats how its spelled( --Written by Lionel Hartley, aged 9 (Found on a card in his late father's diary of that year. Grammar and spelling as written!) ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><>? Book Look: We Are A 'Bus. 'Everyone of us is like a 'bus travelling down the road, with hundreds of passengers inside. Every now and then, various occupants stick their heads out of the window and poke out their tongues. That's how we all are. We are that 'bus. We have all those ancestral passengers who emerge uninvited, unexpected, and uncontrolled at the wrong time and in the most embarrassing ways. (However, ...)' Find out more by reading Des Ford's 'Right with God, Right Now' (This quote is from page 258). A large selection of Des' books (including this one) are available from ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Article: Psalm 122:6 Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem The conflict in the Middle East is not new. I read recently a story in John H. Haaren LLD and A B Poland PhD's book 'Famous Men of the Middle Ages', about a monk known as Peter the Hermit who lived about 1050-1115. 'During the Middle Ages the Christians of Europe used to go to the Holy Land for the purpose of visiting the tomb of Christ and other sacred places. Those who made such a journey were called "pilgrims." Every year thousands of pilgrims--kings, nobles and people of humbler rank--went to the Holy Land. While Jerusalem was in the hands of the Arabian caliphs who reigned at Bagdad, the Christian pilgrims were generally well treated. After about 1070, when the Turks took possession of the city, outrages became so frequent that it seemed as if it would not be safe for Christians to visit the Saviour's tomb at all. About the year 1095 there lived at Amiens in France, a monk named Peter the Hermit. Peter was present at a council of clergy and people held at Clermont in France when Pope Urban II, made a stirring speech. He begged the people to rescue the Holy Sepulchre and other sacred sites from the Mohammedans. The council was so roused by his words that they broke forth into loud cries, "God wills it! God wills it!" "It is, indeed, His will," said the Pope, "and let these words be your war-cry when you meet the enemy." Peter listened with deep attention. Immediately after the council he began to preach in favour of a war against the Turks. With head and feet bare, and clothed in a long, coarse robe tied at the waist with a rope, he went through Italy from city to city, riding on a donkey. He preached in churches, on the streets--wherever he could secure an audience. When Peter had gone over Italy he crossed the Alps and preached to the people of France, Germany, and neighbouring countries. Everywhere he kindled the zeal of the people, and multitudes enlisted as champions of the cross. Thus began the first of seven wars known as the "Crusades" or "Wars of the Cross," waged to rescue the Holy Land from the Mohammedans. It is said that more than 100,000 men, women and children went on the first Crusade. Each wore on the right shoulder the emblem of the cross. Peter was in command of one portion of this great multitude. His followers began their journey with shouts of joy and praise. But they had no proper supply of provisions. So when passing through Hungary they plundered the towns and compelled the inhabitants to support them. This roused the anger of the Hungarians. They attacked the Crusaders and killed a great many of them. After long delays about seven thousand of those who had started on the Crusade reached Constantinople. They were still enthusiastic and sounded their war-cry, "God wills it!" with as much fervour as when they first joined Peter's standard. Leaving Constantinople, they went eastward into the land of the Turks. A powerful army led by the sultan met them. The Crusaders fought heroically all day long but at length were badly beaten. Only a few escaped and found their way back to Constantinople. Peter the Hermit had left the Crusaders before the battle and returned to Constantinople. He afterwards joined the army of Godfrey of Bouillon. Godfrey's army was composed of six divisions, each commanded by a soldier of high rank and distinction. It was a well-organised and disciplined force and numbered about half a million men. It started only a few weeks after the irregular multitude which followed Peter the Hermit, and was really the first Crusading army, for Peter's undisciplined throng could hardly be called an army. After a long march Godfrey reached Antioch and laid siege to it. It was believed that this Moslem stronghold could be taken in a short time; but the city resisted the attacks of the Christians for seven months. Then it surrendered. And now something happened that none of the Crusaders had dreamed of. An army of two hundred thousand Persians arrived to help the Moslems. They laid siege to Antioch and shut up the Crusaders within its walls for weeks. However, after a number of engagements in which there was great loss of life, the Turks and Persians were at last driven away. The way was now opened to Jerusalem. But out of the half million Crusaders who had marched from Europe less than fifty thousand were left. They had won their way at a fearful cost. Still onward they pushed with brave hearts, until on a bright summer morning they caught the first glimpse of the Holy City in the distance. For two whole years they had toiled and suffered in the hope of reaching Jerusalem. Now it lay before them. But it had yet to be taken. For more than five weeks the Crusaders carried on the siege. Finally, on the 15th of July, 1099, the Turks surrendered. The Moslem flag was hauled down and the banner of the cross floated over the Holy City. A few days after the Christians had occupied Jerusalem, Godfrey of Bouillon was chosen king of the Holy Land. "I will accept the office," he said, "but no crown must be put on my head and I must never be called king. I cannot wear a crown of gold where Christ wore one of thorns nor will I be called king in the land where once lived the King of Kings." Peter the Hermit is said to have preached an eloquent sermon on the Mount of Olives. He did not, however, remain long in Jerusalem, but after the capture of the city returned to Europe. He founded a monastery in France and within its walls passed the rest of his life.' David in Psalm 122:6 pleads for us to 'Pray for the peace of Jerusalem'. Can we put the zeal of Peter the Hermit for the Holy Land into our prayers? Yet I say, not for the dominion of Jerusalem by this nation or by that nation, but for 'the peace of Jerusalem'. Pray with me, today. -- Lionel Hartley <> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Havagiggle: Cruelty to Animals? An Amish lady was trotting down the road in her horse and buggy when she was pulled over by a traffic policeman. "Ma'am, I'm not going to ticket you, but I do have to issue you a warning. You have a broken reflector on your buggy." "Oh, I'll let my husband, Jacob, know as soon as I get home." "That's fine. Another thing, ma'am. I don't like the way that one rein loops across the horse's head and around one of his ears. I consider that animal abuse. That's cruelty to animals. Have your husband take care of that right away!" Later that day, the lady is home telling her husband about her encounter with the traffic policeman. "Well, dear, what exactly did he say?" "He said the reflector is broken." "I can fix that in two minutes. What else?" "I'm not sure, Jacob...something about the Emergency Brake..." ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> The Extensive Exposition. Each issue we will make available a longer article available by email free to those who request it. This is to keep the FreEzine a readable length yet make available more in-depth material for those who are interested. Articles provided under this section do not always reflect totally the beliefs of the editor. In some issues more than one article will be available under this section and articles will need to be asked for by name to save confusion. We have no separate mailing list for the automatic despatch of articles in The Extensive Exposition so a separate request will need to be made for each article. This issue we begin a series from the pen of C H Spurgeon. By way of explanation, I share here Spurgeon's own preface to the series: In John Ploughman's Talks, I have written for ploughmen and common people. Hence refined taste and dainty words have been discarded for strong proverbial expressions and homely phrases. I have aimed my blows at the vices of the many, and tried to inculcate those moral virtues without which men are degraded. Much that needs to be said to the toiling masses would not well suit the pulpit and the Sabbath; these lowly pages may teach thrift and industry all the days of the week, in the cottage and the workshop; and if some learn these lessons I shall not repent the adoption of a rustic style. Ploughman is a name I may justly claim. Every minister has put his hand to the plough; and it is his business to break up the fallow ground. That I have written in a semi-humorous vein needs no apology, since thereby sound moral teaching has gained a hearing from at least 300,000 persons. There is no particular virtue in being seriously unreadable. --C H Spurgeon. This month's article: John Ploughman's Talks Number 1 Articles may be obtained free by writing to the editor and asking for the article by name. ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> The Funny Bone: Ending a Sentence with a Preposition A Texas girl and a woman from New York met at a party. The Texas girl says, "Hi! Where y'all from?" The New Yorker sticks her nose in the air like she's checking for rain, and replies, "Where I come from, we don't end our sentences with a preposition." Texas gal says, "Fine. Where y'all from...Stupid!" (I was always taught that a preposition is something you should never end a sentence with! --Editor - P.S. 'with' is a preposition. And, to put it simply for the non-grammarians and non- syntacticians, a preposition is a closed-class or function word that combines with a noun or pronoun or noun phrase to form a prepositional phrase that can have an adverbial or adjectival relation to some other word.) ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Aside: Are you a writer, a poet or an illustrator? If you have something you have written or illustrated that you would like to consider having published, a free 60 page Style Guide is available online at , or from the Editor of this FreEzine. There is no charge for publishing and YOU receive payment on publication (see the free Style Guide for details). ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Split Second Wisdom: Diplomacy is the art of letting other people have your way. ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Sermon Snippet: THE OFFERING Here is a true story about a nine year old boy who lived in a rural town in Tennessee. His house was in a poor area of the community. A church had a bus ministry that came knocking on his door one Saturday afternoon. The kid came to answer the door and greeted the bus pastor. The bus pastor asked if his parents were home and the small boy told him that his parents take off every weekend and leave him at home to take care of his little brother. The bus pastor couldn't believe what the kid said and asked him to repeat it. The youngster gave the same answer and the bus pastor asked to come in and talk with him. They went into the living room and sat down on an old couch with the foam and springs exposed. The bus pastor asked the kid, "Where do you go to church?" The young boy surprised the visitor by replying, "I've never been to church in my whole life." The bus pastor thought to himself about the fact that his church was less than three miles from the child's house. "Are you sure you have never been to church?" he asked again. "I sure haven't", came his answer. Then the bus pastor said, "Well, son, more important than going to church, have you ever heard the greatest love story ever told?" and then he proceeded to share the Gospel with this little nine year old boy. The young lad's heart began to be tenderized and at the end of the bus pastor's story the bus pastor asked if the boy wanted to receive this free gift from God. The youngster exclaimed, "You Bet"! The kid and the bus pastor got on their knees and the lad invited Jesus into his little heart and received the free gift of salvation. They both stood up and the bus pastor asked if he could pick the kid up for church the next morning. "Sure", the nine old replied. The bus pastor got to the house early the next morning and found the lights off. He let himself in and snaked his way through the house and found the little boy asleep in his bed. He woke up the little boy and his brother and helped get them dressed. They got on the bus and ate a donut for breakfast on their way to church. Keep in mind that this boy had never been to church before. The church was a real big one. The little kid just sat there, clueless of what was going on. A few minutes into the service these tall unhappy guys walked down to the front and picked up some wooden plates. One of the men prayed and the kid with utter fascination watched them walk up and down the aisles. He still didn't know what was going on. All of a sudden, it was like a bolt of lightning hit the kid to what was taking place. 'These people must be giving money to Jesus.' He then reflected on the free gift of life that he had received just twenty-four hours earlier. He immediately searched his pockets, front and back, and couldn't find a thing to give Jesus. By this time the offering plate was being passed down his aisle and with a broken heart he just grabbed the plate and held on to it. He finally let go and watched it pass on down the aisle. He turned around to see it passed down the aisle behind him. And then his eyes remained glued on the plate as it was passed back and forth, back and forth all the way to the rear of the sanctuary. Then he had an idea. This little nine year old boy, in front of God and everybody, got up out of his seat. He walked about eight rows back, grabbed the usher by the coat and asked to hold the plate one more time. Then he did the most astounding thing I have ever heard of. He took the plate, sat it on the carpeted church floor and stepped into the center of it. As he stood there, he lifted his little head up and said, "Jesus, I don't have anything to give you today, but just me. I Give You Me!" --Author Unknown. Courtesy of Dwayne Savaya ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Theologically Speaking: Honesty A Sunday school teacher was teaching her class about the difference between right and wrong. 'All right children, let's take another example,' she said. 'If I were to reach into a man's trouser pocket and take his billfold with all his money, what would I be?" A child raises his hand, and with a confident smile, blurts out, "You'd be his wife!" (Editor's comment: If it was my wife and the billfold had money in it I would say that it was some-one else's trousers!) ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> For the Children: A Child's Prayer for Approaching Winter. Dear Jesus, The trees are shedding all their leaves. Soon it will grow colder O dear Jesus, be with me, Your love wrapped round my shoulders As You keep me snuggled tight I'll sit and watch the trees For they might get chilled at night Without their blankets green Amen (-Anon) ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Take a Hint: Dad's recipes. My daughter recently wrote to my wife and me and asked if we could send her my recipe for Gluten Steaks (we share the cooking in our household). As I use the leftover broth to make savoury damper -- I hate waste -- we sent her my damper recipe also. I wrote them in conversation style for my daughter's benefit. Perhaps you may be interested in these recipes also. ><> Dad's Gluten Steak Recipe. There are two sets of ingredients - one for the steaks and another for the broth to cook them in. Ingredients 1. Steaks: A pinch of salt, Gluten flour, water and Marmite (or soy sauce) - see directions for amounts required.. Procedure: First I put a pinch of salt into a mixing bowl. Then I measure the gluten flour into the bowl. For just a few steaks, one cup of flour may be enough. For enough steaks for all the family, I may use 3 or 4 cups of flour. Then using the same cup I add the liquid - one cup of warm water and a teaspoon of Marmite (or soy sauce) for each cup of flour. (you may need to dissolve the Marmite in the water by stirring it). I then mix and knead it well with my hands. Don't be frightened of the mess as it will come off your hands easily once it is kneaded. I leave this to stand for 30 minutes. After about 20 minutes I start preparing the broth. Ingredients 2. Broth: 1 onion, 1 tablespoon cooking oil, 1 tablespoon Marmite or soy sauce. Procedure: For the broth, I sauté (cook) one finely diced onion in a tablespoon of cooking oil in a large saucepan. I then half-fill the saucepan with hot water and a tablespoon of Marmite or soy sauce. when this comes to the boil, I turn the heat down to a simmer. I then mould the gluten mix into a large sausage shape and cut it into chunky slices. As I cut each slice, I immediately put it carefully into the broth without splashing the hot liquid onto myself. (If you cut several and try to put them in all at once they will stick together). These are simmered for half to three-quarters of an hour and can be cooled before use, eaten as is, re-heated later, or fried in oil; with or without batter. If you store them in the fridge, leave them immersed in some of the broth. Leftover broth can be used in soup or re-used for a second batch of steaks. I have even used left-over broth as the liquid for making a savoury damper. ><> Dad's Savoury Damper Recipe: Ingredients: Three cups of Self-Raising wholemeal flour (or 2 cups flour & 1 cup rolled oats), A pinch of salt, A tablespoon of brown sugar (you can leave out the sugar if you wish or add more if you're feeling naughty), Enough liquid (about a cup or so) to make a firm dough. Liquid can be leftover soup, gluten broth, milk, or just plain water, and a tiny amount of oil, margarine or butter to grease oven slide or pan. (This is for a savoury damper. For a sweet damper use milk or water and a handful of raisins, or sultanas, or chopped dates or dried apricots, or pre-soaked currants.) Procedure: Place dry ingredients into a bowl (you only need to sift the flour if it is damp). Slowly add liquid, stirring continually to avoid lumps. Add more liquid if mixture is too firm or more flour if it becomes sloppy. There is no need to knead the mixture, just stir it well into a firm dough. Turn out the dough onto a greased oven slide or large flat pan. Press mixture into a thick, flat slab and score with a knife into segments. Pre-heat a MODERATE oven and place the slide on a middle shelf. Time by the clock! After 10 minutes, carefully open the oven door and turn the slide around so the (now partially cooked) back is at the front. Carefully close the oven door and reset the timer for another 10 minutes. Damper is now cooked and needs to be cooled on a rack wrapped in a clean cotton or linen tea-towel. ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Freebies: Screensavers. Due to a further reader request, I have provided the following link for free screensavers. The Beethoven Screensaver with music and animation is a challenge for serious music lovers as the accompanying music is a very jazzed-up version of the Fifth Symphony. Look at . ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> From My Case Files: Taking Care of the Wedding Ring Egbert and Maggie had been married for many years, however Egbert was becoming increasingly frustrated that Maggie would not let him assist in the kitchen. Maggie explained that when she was a young bride-to-be she, with Egbert had just selected her wedding ring. As she admired the plain gold band she had chosen she asked the rather elderly salesman, "Is there anything special I have to do to take care of this ring?" With a fatherly smile, the salesman told her, "One of the best ways to protect a wedding ring is to soak it in dishwater three times a day." ><> (If you think dishwashing is only women's work, read Mark 7:11-8 which talks about men doing the washing-up and 2 Kings 21:13 which talks about men drying the dishes.) ><> 'Men, be prepared to put your arms into her sink before you expect her to sink into your arms.'--Lionel Hartley, 'Thank God For Sex', Stereo Publications, Christchurch, 1976 ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Letters to the Editor ....................... ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Watch This Space: Future issues will include other sections not listed here. Why not write to us suggesting what you would like to see included. ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Subscription Information: (NOTE NEW EMAIL ADDRESS!) FreEzine is a Free ezine magazine/newsletter, published no less than monthly and sent out only to those who request it. As FreEzine uses an opt-in email list, we never buy or otherwise obtain email addresses. We have a strictly No Spam Policy. To subscribe, please send a blank message (we invite your comments also) to and type SUBSCRIBE FREEZINE in the subject line. To change your email address, please send a blank message to and type ADDRESS CHANGE FREEZINE in the subject line. To unsubscribe, simply send a blank message (we invite your comments also) to and type UNSUBSCRIBE FREEZINE in the subject line. It is NOT necessary to access a website and/or go through a complicated ritual to unsubscribe from FreEzine! Privacy: Protecting your privacy is very important to us. We will not share, rent, sell, or exchange your e-mail address with a third party for any purpose. Unsubscribing permanently removes your name and address. A note on the format: Your editor has considered many possible formats, including a colourfully illustrated E-book, webpage, Portable Document Format (.pdf), etc. Reluctantly, plain text was chosen to make this ezine available to the greatest number of users - DOS, Windows(R), Macintosh, etc. Address all correspondence to the editor Please do not use "Reply To Sender" email option as this magazine may occasionally be sent out by a commercial or other distributor, unrelated to FreEzine. Free offers in FreEzine of CD-ROMs, Back issues, software, posters, additional articles, screensavers, etc. have a time limit which is normally until the issue of the next edition of FreEzine. Special exceptions are sometimes made. Contact the editor for information. In order to cater for a variety of tastes and beliefs, the content of FreEzine does not always reflect totally the beliefs of the editor. Contents of FreEzine are COPYRIGHT and we make every endeavour to acknowledge sources. You may freely quote from FreEzine PROVIDED is cited as a reference source. Occasional contributions from Good News Australia are used with permission. YOUR contributions and comments most welcome. E&OE PS. This could be your next home: Check out ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Penultimate: Mule Maths A farmer died and left his 17 mules to three sons. His will stated that his oldest son would get half of the mules, the middle one would get one-third and the youngest would get one-ninth. They wracked their brains to figure out how to do it, but couldn't. Soon after this their minister came to help them in their grief and heard their predicament. He added his mule to the lot, making 18 mules. The oldest got half, or 9. The middle got one-third, or 6. And the youngest got one-ninth, or 2. Then the minister got on the remaining mule and rode home. Source: My Daily Dose of Inspiration ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Last Word: To My Child *Just for this morning, I am going to smile when I see your face and laugh when I feel like crying. *Just for this morning, I will let you choose what you want to wear, and smile and say how perfect it is. *Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park to play. *Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together. *Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles. *Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck, and I will buy you one if he comes by. *Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned. *Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and won't stand over you trying to fix them. *Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald's and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys. *Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you. *Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry. *Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars. *Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favourite TV shows. *Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair as you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever given. * the mothers and fathers who are searching for their missing children; the mothers and fathers who are visiting their children's graves instead of their bedrooms; and I will think about mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly, and screaming inside because they can't handle it anymore. *And when I kiss you goodnight I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer. It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask him for nothing, except one more day. --