We were in Purcell, Oklahoma on June 1, and one of the stormiest nights to hit that area hit just before our concert.  The people who came early were the only ones who attended, because the weather got so bad.  We understand that a tornado went over us in the church - "went over" being the clue words - and it rained so hard one could not even see the cars parked by the door.  They said they received three inches of rain in about 20 minutes.  But God in His faithfulness protected the few of us who were there, we went ahead with our concert, and suffered no damage to any vehicle.  You might say we were at peace in the midst of the storm.

BLESSINGS-WISE - All glory to God our Heavenly Father!

***"May God bless you and your ministry.  You are helping people in so many ways!

***We so appreciate you calling and asking if you might give a concert here...Your singing and sharing of your love of Jesus was truly a blessing to us all.  We hope you will contact us again when you will be in the area.  We would love to have you come again.

***Thanks for the newsy [news]letter.  It was...a wonderful weekend.  Your witnessing and music was such an uplifting blessing.  We all need encouragement and you provided what we needed to hear.  Thank you so much.

***We are still so grateful to you Frankie and Phyllis for ministering one Sunday...Even though attendance was small that day it carried on to others as we are still sharing about it!  Many people I talk to are touched by the fact that you gave of your time that Sunday to a tiny new church.

***On behalf of all our congregation, we want to thank you and Phyllis for a wonderful service.  You and your wonderful wife are a God's send to us.  May God continue to bless you and your whole family and allow you to go forth in a mighty way.

MUSIC-WISE -  Yesterday [our nursing home] was supposed to have singers come in for a Sunday afternoon program, but they didn't come.  So I played your piano CD.  Everyone sat there for the whole CD and thoroughly enjoyed it.  One lady [75-years-old] wants to buy one.

KJV-WISE  - Part Two (Part One was in last month's newsletter.  You can find it on our web site):

Using the New International Version bible, answer the following questions.  Do not rely on your memory.  As the Bible is the final authority, you must take the answer from the Bible verse (not from footnotes, but from the test).

14.    John 3:13 is a very important verse, proving the deity of Christ.  According to this verse (as Jesus spoke), where is the Son of man?

15.    What happened each year as told in John 5:4?

16.    In John 7:40, what time of day did Nicodemus come to Jesus?

17.    In Acts 8:37, what is the one requirement for baptism?

18.    What did Saul ask Jesus in Acts 9:6?

19.    Write the name of the man mentioned in Acts 15:34.

20.    Study Acts 24:6-8.  What would the Jews have done with Paul?  What was the chief captain's name?  What did the chief captain command?

21.    Copy Romans 16:24 word for word from the NIV.

22.    I Timothy 3:16 is perhaps the greatest verse in the New Testament concerning the deity of Christ.  In this verse, who was manifested in the flesh?

23.    In the second part of I Peter 4:14, how do [they] speak of Christ?  And what do we as Christians do?

24.    Who are the three Persons of the Trinity in I John 5:7?

25.    Revelation 1:11 is another very important verse that proves the deity of Christ.  In the first part of this verse Jesus said, "I am the A_____ and O_____, the _____ and the _____."

Conclusion: If you followed the instructions above, you not only failed the test, you received a big goose egg!

(By Rex L. Cobb as printed in Battle Cry January/February 1999 from Chick Publications)

HEALTH-WISE - In response to our article in last month's newsletter concerning aspartame, we received the following e-mail:  "You don't know me but I wanted to let you know how much I enjoy receiving your newsletter...The diet drink information is really interesting.  My brother-in-law has lupus but I am not sure if he drinks diet drinks.  I will find out though.  I have not suffered from any really bad effects from drinking them but sometimes they have given me headaches."

Continuing on from last month's newsletter from an article entitled "Sweet, But Poison": Part Three.

In last month's newsletter we mentioned that especially with diabetics, aspartame passes the blood/brain barrier and it then deteriorates the neurons of the brain causing various levels of brain damage, seizures, depression, manic depression, panic attacks, uncontrollable anger and rage.  And consumption of aspartame causes these same symptoms in non-diabetics as well.  Documentation and observation also reveal that thousands of children diagnosed with ADD and ADHD have had complete turn around in their behavior when these chemicals have been removed from their diet.

So called "behavior modification prescription drugs" (Ritalin and others) are no longer needed.  Truth be told, they were never NEEDED in the first place!  Most of these children were being "poisoned" on a daily basis with the very foods that were "better for them than sugar."

It is also suspected that the aspartame in thousands of pallets of diet Coke and diet Pepsi consumed by men and women fighting in the Gulf War, may be partially to blame for the well-known Gulf War Syndrome.  Dr. Roberts warns that it can cause birth defects, i.e. Mental retardation, if taken at the time of conception and during early pregnancy.

Children are especially at risk for neurological disorders and should NEVER be given artificial sweeteners.  There are many different case histories to relate of children suffering grand mal seizures and neurological disturbances due to the use of NutraSweet.  Unfortunately, it is not always easy to convince people that aspartame is to blame for their child's illness.

Two doctors, Dr. Russell Blayblock and Dr. H. J. Roberts, a diabetic specialist, will soon be posting a position paper with case histories on the deadly effects of aspartame on the Internet.  According to the Conference of the American College of Physicians, "We are talking about a plague of neurological disease directly caused by the use of this deadly poison."

Editor's note:  Frankie and I are still appalled at the number of people who still drink the diet drinks, in spite of all the information we have given out:  they're poison; they are not "diet" drinks - they make you gain weight; they are addictive; they can cause symptoms that mimic multiple sclerosis; they can ultimately cause death and at least 91 other "side effects"; and yet people continue on in their rush to destruction.  Go figure!

Next newsletter - Part Four.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT-WISE - IN HIS IMAGE

When you look in the mirror,

Whose face do you see?

Is it the face of the One,

I created you to be?

Does a light shine in your eyes?

Is there a smile for all the world to see?

Dear child, when you look in the mirror,

Is it Me that you see?

I wrote this because I am taking a course in Christlikeness and realize how very difficult this task it.  We all desire to be more like Christ, but are we willing to pay the price?  As I go through these studies, I realize more and more that I don't see His face when I look in the mirror.  I see a worldly, emotional person whose feelings still get hurt, who sometimes feels inadequate, and one who doesn't want to fail.  If I can learn to trust in Christ and allow Him to mold me into the girl He intended me to be, I will perhaps one day see His face looking back at me.  (by Mary Kay Gould)

AMAZING FACTS-WISE - For more than 20 years, Dennis Hope has been selling plots on the moon, Mars, and other heavenly bodies--all for a pretty reasonable price:  about $20 an acre! (from Hidden Truth-Amazing Bible Facts Revealed, p. 21)

LAUGH-WISE -

***There was a very gracious lady who was mailing an old family Bible to her brother in another part of the country.  "Is there anything breakable in here?" asked the postal clerk. "Only the Ten Commandments," answered the lady.

***Somebody has said there are only two kinds of people in the world.  There are those who wake up in the morning and say, "Good morning, Lord," and there are those who wake up in the morning and say, "Good Lord, it's morning."

***There is the story of a pastor who got up one Sunday and announced to his congregation:  "I have good news and bad news.  The good news is, we have enough money to pay for our new building program.  The bad news is, it's still out there in your pockets."

***While driving in Pennsylvania, a family caught up to an Amish carriage.  The owner of the carriage obviously had a sense of humor, because attached to the back of the carriage was a hand-printed sign:  "Energy efficient vehicle: Runs on oats and grass.  Caution:  Do not step in exhaust."

SIGN-WISE

***At a military hospital door to colonoscopy:  "To expedite your visit, please back in."

***At a tire shop in Milwaukee:  "Invite us to your next blowout."

***Door of a plastic surgeon's office:  "Hello, can we pick your nose?"

***At a towing company:  "We don't charge an arm and a leg.  We want tows."

***In a non-smoking area:  "If we see smoke, we will assume you are on fire and take appropriate action."

***At a car dealership:  "The best way to get back on your feet -- miss a car payment."

HUH?-WISE -  

***Hubby and I had to have the garage door repaired.  The Sears repairman told us that one of our problems was that we did not have a "large" enough motor on the opener.  I thought for a minute, and said that we had the largest one Sears made at that time, a 1/2 horsepower.  He shook his head and said, "Lady, you need a 1/4 horsepower."  I responded that 1/2 was larger than 1/4.  He said, "NO, it's not.  Four is larger than two."  We haven't used Sears repair since.

***I live in a semi rural area.  We recently had a new neighbor call the local administrative office to request the removal of the Deer Crossing sign on our road.  The reason:  "Too many deer are being hit by cars out here!  I don't think this is a good place for them to be crossing anymore."  From Kingman, KS

***My daughter went to a local Taco Bell and ordered a taco.  She asked the person behind the counter for "minimal lettuce."  He said he was sorry, but they only had iceberg.  He was a chef? Yep.  From Kansas City

***I was at the airport, checking in at the gate when an airport employee asked, "Has anyone put anything in your baggage without your knowledge?"  To which I replied, "If it was without my knowledge, how would I know?"  He smiled knowingly and nodded, "That's why we ask."  Happened in Birmingham, AL

***The stoplight on the corner buzzes when it's safe to cross the
Street.  I was crossing with an intellectually challenged co-worker of mine.  She asked if I knew what the buzzer was for.  I explained that it signals blind people when the light is red.  Appalled, she responded, "What on earth are blind people doing driving?!"  She was a probation officer in Wichita, KS

***At a good-bye luncheon for an old and dear co-worker who was leaving the company due to "down-sizing," our manager commented cheerfully, "This is fun.  We should do this more often!"  Not another word was spoken.  We all just looked at each other with that deer-in-the-headlights stare.  This was a bunch at Texas Instruments.

***I work with an individual who plugged her power strip back into itself, and for the sake of her own life, couldn't understand why her system would not turn on.  A deputy with the Dallas County Sheriff's office, no less.

***When my husband and I arrived at an automobile dealership to pick up our car, we were told the keys had been locked in it.  We went to the service department and found a mechanic working feverishly to unlock the driver's side door.  As I watched from the passenger side, I instinctively tried the door handle and discovered that it was unlocked.  "Hey," I announced to the technician, "It's open!"  His reply, "I know - I already got that side."  This was a Ford dealership in Canton, MS

KID-WISE - A first grade school teacher in Virginia had twenty-five students in her class.  She presented each child in her classroom the first half of a well known proverb and asked them to come up with the remainder of the proverb.  It's hard to believe these were actually done by first graders.  Their insight may surprise you.

1.    Don't change horses - until they stop running.

2.    Strike while the - bug is close.

3.    It's always darkest before - Daylight Saving Time.

4.    Never underestimate the power of - termites.

5.    You can lead a horse to water but - how?

6.    Don't bite the hand that - looks dirty.

7.    No news is - impossible.

8.    A miss is as good as a - Mr.

9.    You can't teach an old dog new - math.

10.    If you lie down with dogs, you'll - stink in the morning.

11.    Love all, trust - me.

12.    The pen is mightier than the - pigs.

13.    An idle mind is - the best way to relax.

SCHEDULE-WISE - Here is our Itinerary for the present month and the upcoming month, so you can not only keep track of us, but also pray for us.

Fri, June 1 - 7:00 p.m. Journey of Faith Tabernacle - Purcell, OK - 405-816-6538

Wed, June 13 - 7:00 p.m. Iconium United Methodist Church (R) -  Moravia, IA - 641-672-2187

Thu, June 14 - 7:00 p.m. Bussey United Methodist Church - Bussey, IA - 641-944-5322

Fri, June 15 - 7:00 p.m. Lacey United Methodist Church - Lacey, IA - 641-673-8956

Sat, June 16 - 7:00 p.m. Beacon United Methodist Church - Beacon, IA - 641-673-6103

Sun, June 17 - 8:30 a.m. Knoxville United Methodist Church (R) - Knoxville, IA - 641-842-3712

Sun, June 17 - 7:00 p.m. Eddyville United Methodist Church - Eddyville, IA - 641-969-4660

Tue, June 19 - 7:00 p.m. Des Moines Seventh Day Adventist Church - Des Moines, IA - 515-285-6245

Wed, June 20 - 7:00 p.m. St. John’s Lutheran Church - Madrid, IA - 515-795-3463

Fri, June 22 - 6:00 p.m. Ripper Park/Midwest Christian College Reunion - Bethany, OK

Sat, June 23 Midwest Christian College Reunion - Oklahoma City, OK

Sun, June 24 - 10:50 a.m. Draper Park Christian Church (R) - Oklahoma City, OK - 405-634-3389

Sun, June 24 - 6:00 p.m. Community Christian Church (R) - Oklahoma City, OK - 405-912-9673

Sat/Sun, June 30/July 1 - 7:00 p.m./10:30 a.m. East Side Christian Church - Council Bluffs, IA -  712-323-7805

Sun, July 1 - 6:00 p.m. Emmanuel Church of the Nazarene - Council Bluffs, IA - 712-328-0940

Sat/Sun, July 7/8 - p.m./a.m. Burlington Christian Church (R) - Burlington, CO - 719-346-7140

Sun, July 8 - 6:00 p.m. Church of the Nazarene - Goodland, KS - 785-899-2080

Sat/Sun, July 28/29 - 7:30 p.m./10:00 a.m. Longstreet United Methodist Church - Memphis, TN -  901-346-0552

AN OBSERVATION-WISE

Has the de-programming of patriotism of our youth been effective?  You decide.

In a recent patriotic presentation that Frankie and I sang, I noticed the young people laughing and joking while everyone else was singing God Bless America.  It was obvious the youth did not know the song and were flippant during the singing.  And the rebel young man with red spiked hair did not even attempt to join in.  To the contrary he stood dead still, body rigid, and face firmly set in non-participation during the entire song.  God Help Us - should be our plea.

LAST BLAST-WISE - ON COMPLAINING by Joyce Meyer

***Complaining is a sin.

***When we complain about our current situation we remain in it.  When we praise God in the midst of difficulty, He raises us out of it.

***Most people who complain are angry about something.

***The flesh looks for things to complain about, but the spirit searches for reasons to give God glory.

***Truly thankful people do not complain.

FINAL ADMONITION-WISE - "If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked." Proverbs 29:12 KJV