tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89765232162427696582024-03-13T06:59:26.557-07:00Noah and the Teen SteppersGramps Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08460487253055175359noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976523216242769658.post-49023123739930410202011-12-24T10:14:00.000-08:002012-02-02T02:46:13.747-08:00INTRODUCTION<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Noah and the Teen Steppers</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Where
students, silver-hair, scripture, and start-ups come together.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Noah Partners With Samson</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Silver-topped Noah Pierson
learns how to mentor teens, especially troubled ones like Samson
Tiffin, by fanning entrepreneurial flames inside most of today's
teens. With the help of each other, burdens and baggage are turned
into tools to become what starts out as an imaginary business.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Is it possible that God can
make silver-haired seniors and students to be the perfect partnership
to draw both generations into the Bible's joy overflowing? Without
hesitation – YES!</span><br />
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<b>= 1 </b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The Funny
Moto</b>r -Mentoring Door Opens</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<b>= 2 </b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The
Willness Battle</b> -Mentoring Role Model</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<b>= 3 </b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The
Splinter Story</b> -Seed Planted</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<b>= 4 </b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Noah and
the Phone</b> Call -Glimpses into Mentoring Door</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<b>= 5 </b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Noah
Meets Samson</b> -First Contact</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<b>= 6 </b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>What'd I
Do Wrong?</b> -Self Examination</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<b>= 7 </b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Leading
From Behind</b> -Getting Acquainted</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<b>= 8 </b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Poster
Power Business</b> -Preparation - Guidelines</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<b>= 9 </b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Ben's
Bomb</b> -Sharing Bible Truths</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<b>=10 </b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Hunting
Samantha</b> -Gender Diversity Preferred</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<b>=11 </b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Closet
Secrets</b> -Biz Brainstorming Begins</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<b>=12 </b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Sunspots
and Mannie</b> -Mannie's Database Leftover People</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<b>=13 </b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Don't Want
Any!</b> -Heaven's Open-Door Leading</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<b>=14 </b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Loose
Screws</b> -Orange Hair Getting Noticed</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<b>=15 </b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Brainstorming</b> -Product
Ideas Come Together</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<b>=16 </b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>No Gimme
Prayers</b> - Priorities in Prayer</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<b>=17 </b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The Jungle
Path</b> -Traveling Among Life's Dangers</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<b>=18 </b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Little Big
Things</b> -Love and Trust Invested </span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<b>=19 </b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Testing
the Waters</b> -Beginning Market Testing</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<b>=20 </b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Git-er-Done-For-Jesus</b> -Coming
Together in Joy</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>=21 Go With Whatcha Got!</b> -Faithful In a Few Things... </span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>Gramps Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08460487253055175359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976523216242769658.post-36663680393305290082011-12-08T13:39:00.001-08:002011-12-24T10:03:13.572-08:00=1 The Funny Motor<br />
“<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">God's
up to something! No, I mean it – God's up to something. And I know
I'm never going to find out what it is, and be a part of it, until I
get off of what I'm down on.”</span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">How
many times I've said that to myself, only half believing it. This
makes me think He's an 'all-the-way' God. Either you are all in, or
all out, of trusting Him.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">My
name's Noah Pierson. As I sit at the end of the table of a storage
room watching teens take apart old computers and sort out their
parts, I just feel like something is missing in my service to Him.
This 'missing out' part of my attitude makes me wonder if some
unconfessed sin has led God to put me on the bench, with the chronic
spectators. I don't want to be there. Though my eyesight is not that
great, it's easy to see the emptiness in the eyes of the teens busy
with screwdrivers and other tools. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">My
thoughts are broken occasionally by Bob, the white-haired leader of
the project, speaking to everyone in the room. The project is to
create teaching kits to be sent to missionaries in Mexico and
elsewhere. Bob held up a computer part and asked everyone in the room
to lay down their tools and pay close attention.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">He
began, “I want you all to meet Mr. Funny Motor.” Bob had a
wonderful way of bringing lessons down to earth in a way that me and
my white hair could understand, and even share with others. I think
Bob could take about any part of an old computer system and make a
story; a parable out of it. The teen boys and girls listening, loved
him for it. You could tell his lessons were all from the heart,
because he'd always make each of us feel more important than any
thing in the computer, or anything the computer does.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">In
his other hand, he held up the fan motor that keeps the computer
insides cool. He continued, “This fan motor we all see lots of them
all around us. These fan motors get turned on, and they spin
continuously, until you switch them off. There's nothing strange
about them. But I want to teach you about Mr. Funny Motor.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Holding
up the funny motor, the lesson went forward. This guy; this funny
motor is almost never seen. He always seems to be back in the shadows
or squeezed in some little spot where noone cares to look. When in
reality, he should actually be getting the spotlight of lots of our
attention. Without this guy we wouldn't be able to print things on
our computers, store our files on disks and drives, and a thousand
other things beyond our thoughts. The list of their uses can be found
on the Internet, so I'll not take time here.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Our
funny motor here, acts like it has the jitters. It doesn't spin all
the way around and keep it up, like the fan motor here. Because of
the way the funny motor is made, it has to get it's electricity from
a computer, that sends it pulses of electricity. Something like
sending Morse code pulses along a wire. Well, this motor is able to
count the number of pulses and then knows how much to turn. It may
need to turn a few degrees, or half a revolution or lots of
revolutions. But it always knows exactly when to stop and maybe even
go back in the other direction.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">This
'funny motor' that seems like a nervous person; sort of jittery, is
actually called a 'Stepper Motor'. Say it with me will you? Stepper
Motor. OK. Great. All sorts of grinding machines that are run by
computers, are big users of stepper motors. They make airplane wing
parts, gasoline motor parts for cars and tons of other things that
make our lives more productive and safer.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Bob
wrapped up his parable about stepper motors with, “I have to tell
you. I try very hard to be a stepper motor controlled by God's
direction and love for me. Stepper motors are crucial in getting
printer cartridges, drills and all sorts of things in the position
they need to be in. As God's stepper motor, I want to make sure I'm
in the position He wants me to be in, as I try to encourage all you
teens in His matchless love for each of you. Part of that right
position is to always keep myself in His shadow and promote Him to
always be in the spotlight of the lives and vision of others.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Just
like that poster on that wall over there reminds us, be cautious of the
sharp edges of the metal computer parts. And also don't put your
hands around your face until the parts have been disinfected and
you've washed your hands. OK... back to the fun.” </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">I
had gotten permission from Bob to borrow one of the stepper motors
for a couple days. For almost a whole week, I looked at that 'funny
motor' and wished God would show me how I could be fully connected to
His leading and help myself and others to get on God's path to
pleasing Him. Each day, I'd spend part of my Bible reading time
searching for the scripture code that would help me to find my
'place' in discovering what God is up to.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>Gramps Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08460487253055175359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976523216242769658.post-69355115781456983022011-12-07T13:41:00.000-08:002011-12-11T16:09:40.766-08:00=2 The Willness Battle<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">It
was a tough battle that promised not to end any time soon. When God
called Noah's wife, Nenee, home to be with Him, the battle became
even harder to survive. Nenee had lung problems the last 23 of her 71
years. Noah could still picture himself slipping the wedding ring on
her finger in the little log cabin church, as the circuit-riding
preacher, in a few moments, pronounced them husband and wife, almost
half a century ago. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Noah
couldn't count the number of times he used the back door of their
little home, because Nenee was in her front porch 'office',
counseling girls and young women. Her technique never changed – it
didn't need to. Nenee sat in one home-made rocking chair with her
well-worn Bible open on her lap, at the ready. The hurting one was in
a similar rocker as both faced the fresh smelling forest, just a few
yards away. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Any
counseling professional today would be plum proud of those front
porch moments – putting worlds back on track with God's directed
mentoring. Today, some of her efforts would be labeled 'wellness
training'. But in those front porch moments, one rocker spoke to the
other what Nenee called 'willness training'. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">To
start with, she always preferred being called 'Granny' by others. It
sort of put a homey partnering to the moments together. As she began
with someone new, she'd engage the hurting one by talking about the
forest; in front of them. It was God's forest that He made, and He
made it for us. That forest had soft sweet-smelling parts over here
and harsh brutal things over there. God's forest included flowers,
berries, birds, bears, and briers. Granny was always strong on her
student seeing that it all fit together, and stayed that way. God was
in control when He made that forest, and He still is. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">The
Willness lessons made it clear, that in some respect, each of us has
a forest within us and our daily activities too. We've been designed
by the same One that created that birds 'n bears forest. And He wants
us to work at putting our inside-outside forest in His capable
control too. Without being pushy, Granny would hold her ragged Bible
over to have her student read comforting promises written just for
them. One of Nenee's lessons dealt with God's schedule of things in
His creation and our timing of our selfish agendas that needed to be
fashioned toward His. As the Willness lessons began to be
understood, it was like opening a solid path; a lane letting in the
light of truth and hope into those inside-outside forests we all
carry around.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Today,
Noah ached to have his precious Granny rocking on that front porch
and they both share more Willness lessons and their promises. These
rather empty days without her, would sometimes flash images of Him
sitting in Nenee's rocker and sharing those Willness lessons with
teens hungry for a path of light through their forest flooded with
confusion and stress. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Noah
wanted to get some branches and try to fashion one of those long-ago
rocking chairs, flooded with prayers asking God to take him off his
spectator bench and share with others the Willness lessons that
reform our wills and ways into God's all-knowing ways of love, hope,
and purpose. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>Gramps Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08460487253055175359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976523216242769658.post-38031120352674506472011-12-06T17:05:00.000-08:002011-12-11T17:07:01.796-08:00=3 The Splinter Story<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Everybody
hates splinters... everybody everywhere. Whenever I get a splinter or
thorn in me, it's always in the part of my thumb or finger that
continually irritates; it painfully nags me until I take action on
it. Well, if there was ever such a thing as a 'splinter story', it
had to be the one Bob Button told the teens and their work group,
busy scrapping all the discarded computer parts, that would someday become
missionary teaching kits, headed for Mexico and beyond.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Driving
home after today's teen workshop, Noah Pierson tried to fit together
the story that Bob had told. Noah couldn't think of much else. That
story was becoming a mental splinter; a 'splinter story' that was to
make big changes in Noah's life. Lessons from the story would nag
Noah until something was done. The story went something like this:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
[<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Beginning
of Bob's story]</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">His
teeth were chattering so bad; Marty couldn’t remember when it’d
been worse. No. It wasn’t cold and he wasn’t scared. It was the
railroad tracks. He said, “Todd. I’m never going to let you take
this train tracks shortcut again while I’m riding on your
handlebars.” When Todd doubled back under the train trestle and
down the embankment, Marty thought he was a gonner for sure.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Surprise
#1 came when the two boys rounded the last curve and spied the house.
Nate and his mom lived in a house that was little more than a shack
in a really remote part of the county. They certainly had no
telephone and there was no evidence they had electricity either. The
questions in Marty and Todd’s minds were really piling up. But the
important thing was that their youth pastor asked that they visit
Nate and invite him to the Computer Missions Club next Thursday.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
first impressions by the boys were that Nate would be better off not
to be bothered about all this computing stuff since it sure looked
like Nate would never have a computer - let alone use it in missions
and for church. But little did the pair realize the exciting
revelation God had in store for them today - that was to be surprise
#2. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Marty’s
grandfather would caution both the boys, in a situation like this to,
“Don’t judge a book by its cover.” Or he might also say,
“First impressions are most important, but not always correct.” </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Only
a couple raps on the rickety screen door and Nate was greeting the
boys with very few words. The three teens sat on the front steps as
Marty and Todd told a little bit about themselves. Nate didn’t talk
much but listened with great interest. Todd started to tell some
about the Computer Missions Club at church with a lot of enthusiasm.
Nate reached out and picked up a piece of scrap paper lying on his
front porch, not far from him. From his ragged shirt pocket he pulled
out a broken off piece of a pencil and began doodling as the boys
talked. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In
no time at all Nate handed Marty the finished sketch he had done
while listening to the boys. It was a simple drawing that included a
cross, a computer, and a couple teenagers. They were arranged in a
way you could almost make an emblem or a logo of it. Marty almost
knocked Todd off the steps in his excitement over the sketch. As Nate
saw the joy his creation had made, he took it back and above it
wrote, “Computer Missions Club”.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
hoots and excitement prompted Nate’s mom to peer through the
cracked front window. The three boys spent more time bouncing around
ideas about using Nate’s apparent art skills as a tiny business of
creating much needed computer missions clipart.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Peddling
back home took a slower pace amid real remorse in Marty and Todd’s
hearts. When it comes to drawing, they both certainly drew the wrong
conclusions Nate’s home and abilities. Though they were both might
grateful to God for bringing Nate into their friendship, their
continuing thoughts brought examination of other lives that had
crossed their path. Had they been too quick and ‘cruel’ in making
hasty judgments of others? [End of Bob's story]</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">There
are a number of lessons to learn from Bob's story. Noah touched on
some of them in his mind. But the story was becoming a nagging
'splinter story' to Noah. He tried to put a face on Nate. A face; a
teenage friend he hadn't met yet. Was this 'Nate' in the story, to be
someone that Noah would search out? Did this future 'Nate' have an
aching desire to be used of God, in the same way Noah begged Heaven
for?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">All
this was to be answered a few days later, by the phone call, Noah
would never never forget.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>Gramps Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08460487253055175359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976523216242769658.post-11523054535134765962011-12-05T12:22:00.000-08:002012-01-13T21:21:38.262-08:00=4 Noah and the Phone Call<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">He
didn't know why. It was just one of those things you're moved to
start doing, hoping noone will ask you, “What's if for?”
White-haired Noah had begun taking notes about Bob's lessons dealing
with little computer parts and the simple-to-understand story
parables he made with each one. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Noah
sat at his kitchen table, finishing the last few sips of his morning
coffee, still wishing his sweetheart was in the other chair always
ready with short Bible promises that warmed the heart and soul more
than the cup of coffee and muffin. He lightly fingered the edges of
the pages of those lesson notes. It was almost more than he could do,
to hold back from asking the empty chair what he was saving the
lesson notes for. But he knew what he'd hear as Nenee's voice would
happily tell her husband, “Noah! Another Noah took 120 years to
build a boat with no oars and no motor! Stick to God's timing...
God's timing.” It was her loving way of saying, “Prayer always
makes patience less painful.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">The
cup and saucer were placed in the sink just as the telephone rang. In
fairness to older folks like Noah, the phone should have flashed a
warning, “Be warned! This phone call is going to change your life,
like you can't imagine... God is at work, and you're in the middle.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">The
phone caller said, “Hey Noah! How ya doin' man?! This is Bob
Button. You probably recognize my voice. I've got a question for ya.
Have ya got a minute?” Noah's heart wanted to blurt out, 'Ya, I got
a whole day full of unused minutes, and I don't like it.' Instead,
Noah said, “Bob – for you, I've always got time. What's up?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Noah,
thanks for that. Well, I got a call about an hour ago from Ben.
That's the teen with the orange hair and super baggy pants. He asked
a favor of me, and I've just spent the last hour in prayer about it,
before I called you. Ben told me about a special friend of his, about
his same age. Now Ben is pretty sure his friend Sam is saved. Sam's
given name is Samson Tiffin.” Bob continued, “Well anyway, Ben
said his friend Sam was not very good getting around groups. Ben
didn't give all the details about the boiling water scalding that
disfigured Sam's face.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Noah
spoke into the phone, “I'm listening, Bob. Is there some way I can
help?” In a pleased tone, Bob said, “Noah. I'm glad you said
that, because that's why I'm calling. I want you to ask God about
this, but I'd like for you to call me day after tomorrow and let me
know if you can help. OK?” “Now Bob. I don't need any two days to
talk this out with God. I've already been pleading with Him to let me
help with the teens. I'm sure that Sam is part of His answer. Um,
Bob. Can I call you tomorrow and see what plans you have for me to
hook up with Samson... I mean Sam? Right now I'm ready to prance
around my kitchen, like a kid unwrapping his most favorite present.
I'll call you about 3 tomorrow. Is that OK?” Confirmation was made
and the phone call ended.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Noah
did a minute or two clapping and prancing around the kitchen. But he
knew what he must do next. He knelt down at his dear-departed wife's
rocker on the front porch and thanked the Lord for meeting his need
for service by bringing a needy teen into his life. Almost like
stepping into Nenee's ministry with teens, Noah seated himself in her
'teen-helpin' front porch rocker and stared at the forest nearby. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">In
his mind, he envisioned a teen named 'Sam' was lost and distressed in
that woods, and God was splitting a clear path through that forest
for Noah to follow by faith. His expectant heart asked if this was
the way God's people felt as they saw the Red Sea open up for them to
follow God's will to His uncountable promises? Noah assured himself
there would be hungry bears and briers along the way. But that's
nothing when a teen's life of hopelessness and out-cries for someone
to care, can be heard, and led home to the love and safety of God's
open arms. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>Gramps Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08460487253055175359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976523216242769658.post-26950761201128490832011-12-04T08:46:00.000-08:002012-01-13T21:22:36.735-08:00=5 Noah Meets Samson<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Silver-haired
Noah Pierson knocked at the front door of Samson Tiffin's house. A
lady answered the door with some caution. Noah introduced himself as
a friend of Samson's teenage friend, Ben. Noah said he'd like to just
sit on the porch steps and meet Samson.</span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Sam's
mom spoke loudly over her shoulder, “Sam. The man Ben called you
about, is here and he'd like to say hello! Come on down and meet
him!” Noah wore his baseball cap hoping it would give a warmer
first impression. As Sam stepped past his mom going out the door, she
asked, “Fellas. I just made a fresh batch of sun iced tea. Can I
pour a glass for each of you?” Noah answered with a cordial
'please'. Sam didn't make eye contact with Noah much at all. His iced
tea reply was, “yeah, I guess...”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Sam
and Noah both sat on the concrete steps getting the full force of the
July high-noon sun. Noah's heart told his mind, 'listen to God's
leading. Don't mess this up.' The scars on Sam's face didn't disturb
Noah but might discourage any of Sam's dating prospects. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Before
the iced tea arrived, Sam began with, “Ben told me he asked you to
come over. And that's OK, so long as you don't drown me with a bunch
of DOs and DON'Ts.” Noah's reply was, “Works for me. Actually,
I'm here to LEARN, not TEACH or DICTATE. When my wife died last year,
there seemed to be so much I needed to learn about others, and their
challenges. Nenee would sit on our front porch and just open her
heart to teen girls and remind them of God's love and provision.” </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">We
live right next to a big woods and I sure miss taking quiet walks
with her among all those tall refreshing trees. Sam, I wanna ask you,
'have you ever loved someone so much, you could talk to them without
using words?' God has given us so many ways to show our compassion
and love to others, sometimes just by a warm look, or a gentle touch
or hug. What do you think, Sam?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">The
iced tea arrived, and welcomed by teen and man. After a few long
refreshing sips, Noah spoke. “Sam, I was serious when I said, I
came here to learn; learn about you teens and the incredible
challenges you all face. By the way, I'd appreciate it if you'd have
eye contact with me, often. I can see that a hot-water accident has
given you some challenges that other teens and I don't have to deal
with. But you know what? I firmly believe God is going to show both
of us, that you've got some really great reasons to hold your head
high and be proud of the many good gifts God has already given you.”
</span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Noah
continued with, “Sam, I'm trying to help Bob Button and some other
adults at the teens workshop that your friend Ben is really enjoying.
I'm guessing Ben has already told you a bit about the workshop. While
we work on our iced tea, can I tell you about the jitter-bike ride
story that Bob told us? It's a cool story that sure spoke to my
heart, and maybe it will yours too.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Sam's
finger traced a crack in the steps as he listened with interest to
the Jitter-Bike Story the white-haired man was retelling to the young
teen next to him. When the story was finished, more sips from
sweating glasses of iced tea. Noah remained silent, giving the teen
time to digest the story.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Is
it OK if I call you Noah?” came a timid question from Sam. The
reply was, “Sure, Sam. Anything you want. I want to be your friend;
your ongoing friend. Call me anything you like.” Sam said, “Well,
I was just wondering. I liked the story you just told. It really
strikes home with me when people will look on my insides, and not
just my face. The other thing is that Ben had told me about the Funny
Motor Story that Bob had told at the workshop. I was just thinking
that until you get another name, it might be neat to call the group
Teen Steppers.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Sam
opened up with his thoughts to silver-haired Noah. “You talk about
a stepper motor making little steps in its rotation, and then you
said these little jerky funny motors are super important in helping
printers and grinding machines to step across a sheet of paper or
other stuff. Well... these steps we're sitting on, we could be like
'teen steppers', making our way up these steps in service for God.
You'd have to be real careful, though. If you don't say that in the
right way, my generation might think you gotta work your way up to
get to Heaven. And Noah, I'm certain none of us could do that. Jesus
done it all for us!”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Noah
stood up while asking, “Sam. I've gotta take off. This visit we've
just had, has meant so much to me. If I call first, would I be able
to come over next Tuesday, after supper? I need some more of your
great ideas. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">The
silver-haired man did a teen hand-shake with Sam by sort-of bumping
fists. Noah drove about 3 blocks and then pulled over to a parking
area. He pulled out a pencil and used an old envelope that was on the
car seat to write on. Noah excitedly scribbled down, the things he
just learned from Sam. Right under the notes he wrote: “God's up to
something!”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>Gramps Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08460487253055175359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976523216242769658.post-87928594143649988622011-12-03T10:36:00.000-08:002011-12-21T10:37:04.804-08:00=6 What'd I Do Wrong?<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Noah
Pierson sat alone in his favorite easy chair. At least he thought he
was alone. Today, about this time every day, the silver-haired
widower picked up his well-worn Bible. Not knowing exactly what
scripture God wanted him to feed on today, he fanned through the
yellowing pages, with their notes he'd put there. Some notes were
great sermon tips, others were sort of a written thank you to God,
for a stormy moment that verse had helped him through. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">It
just seemed that everywhere Noah went and things he heard, he'd
strive to make a note or two about it. Some were deeply heartfelt
notes with tearful memories. One Bible notation he'd made asked, “Why
has this happened to me?” As his eyes slowly traced the note over a
couple more times, it seemed like he could hear the question in Sam's
humble tone, “What have I do ne wrong, to make God mad enough to
burn me like this?” And a further question, “Is there something I
can do to really say I'm sorry God, I won't do it again?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Maybe
in different words, these questions are like the ones asked by every
generation, <b>“Why does God let bad things happen to good people?”</b> </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">In
some of Noah's deepest moments, he still asked that same question of God.
Noah decided the best way to begin answering the question is to help
Sam 'listen' to the lesson Jesus taught about the parenting skills of
His Heavenly Father... in the last 10 verses of Matthew chapter 6.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;"><b>Then
the light came on.</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">As
he sat at the kitchen table, lightly sliding his fingertips over some
pages of his open Bible, Noah's mind scanned over the lives of
well-known characters in its pages. The characters that came to mind
were ones that struggled with burdens, or what folks today call
'baggage'. In fact, most characters in scripture, each had their own
hurdles, that God, 'for HIS reasons', allowed into their lives. Noah
had settled long ago, that God was not sadistic by putting pain on
people, for His own personal pleasure. The Romans did enough of that
in Bible times, as a sport, themselves.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Still
running his fingers over the pages, Noah Pierson realized that God
was doing two major things in each of their lives. Number one was a
polishing process, to make them more atuned to His will as they ran
to His protective loving arms for comfort and direction. The second
was the comfort that Noah, and all of us – in our stormy moments,
would get as we saw from scripture God using those storms of doubt
and distress, to minister to others. It was like others would listen
to someone who, by God's hand, had 'been there – done that'. The
challenges faced by one, becomes a way to gain access to the heart
and hurts of another. It was like a 'pain-stained password', allowing
me to become a partner with you in discovering God's purpose and
power in serving Him with 'joy overflowing'. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Noah
got up from the kitchen chair and walked out to the front porch and
gently sat in his dear departed wife's rocker, she had soothed so
many hearts in their stormy moments. He looked at the worn arm rests,
and slowly moved his fingers across the arm rests just as he had been
doing with the Bible pages, moments earlier. The light was beginning
to show a special purpose in God taking his precious wife, Nenee home
to glory. Heaven was making room in Noah's heart for other lives full
of storms; like those of Sam and his long-ago boiling water accident.
That light of understanding even showed some faint glimmers of other
youth God has already been preparing for their terribly needed
rocking chair moments on Noah's front porch.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>Gramps Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08460487253055175359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976523216242769658.post-85137872079779634972011-12-02T19:24:00.000-08:002012-01-13T21:50:28.457-08:00=7 Leading From Behind<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">A
telephone call like no other. Noah's phone rang and was answered. “Is
this Noah Pierson?”, was the lady's question. “Yes, this is Noah
Pierson.” “Well great. I'm Bonnie Tiffin. You sat on our front
porch talking with my son Sam a few days ago. He mentioned you and
the kind things you had to say to him, and teens as a whole. Well, I
have a favor to ask.” There was a pause before Noah caught his
breath and replied, “Sure, Mrs. Tiffin. I'll help if I can.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Mrs.
Tiffin spoke, “Mr. Pierson, for the next couple days after you were
here, Sammy's spirits were riding high. He didn't stare at the floor
nearly as much as he used to. When his dad left after the divorce two
years ago... well... he just needs an older wiser buddy to spend some
time with and keep the right perspective on things today. Now, I'm
sure you're pretty busy these days, but if you could see your way
clear to come over and visit with him again, I'd be plum grateful.”
Noah's heart wanted to yell out, “I CAN BE THERE IN 20 MINUTES!”
But instead, he replied in a friendly tone, “I could come day after
tomorrow, after supper, if that's ok with you. I'd prefer calling you
that day, before I come, just to confirm.” “Mrs. Tiffin. I'd
really like it if you and Sam would call me Noah or Gramps, instead
of Mr. Pierson.” “Well, Gramps, I'm sure Sammy will be thrilled.
We'll expect a call from you day after tomorrow. Have a good day.
Good by.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Two
days later, silver-haired Noah greeted Sam Tiffin on the teenager's
front porch. This was fast becoming a 'win-win' friendship. The
teenager with a scarred face looked forward to the silver-haired
senior's visits very much. And the reverse was true also. Noah began
his 'leading-from-behind' mentoring of the teen with, “Sam. I am
very serious in saying I thank you for letting me come over and learn
about teenagers from you. I mean it.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">See...
two years ago my wife died and it's been pretty tough to find
important things for me to do with my days.” Noah looked toward Sam
with a soft smile and said, “My mom raised me to be a doer not a
watcher. She'd always tell me, 'don't worry about making a mistake.
Just get out there and do your best while you're asking God for His
help. Noah, don't you cheat God! He wants to join you in doing the
things that He's best at. So don't cut Him out.' ”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Noah
continued, “Sam, I don't know how many times mom would point her
finger in my face and exclaim, 'Noah. We named you after a famous
boat builder that spent a long time building something that had never
been done before. People laughed at him, but because he was committed
to doing his best at what God wanted him to do, many people and
animals were saved. And what's more, we're still reading about him
today. So son, make us proud, and God happy.'”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">After
a few moments of quiet, Sam said, “Gramps, I'm just so afraid that
kids and people will make fun of me, 'cuz of my burned face. So I
just stay home and wish this was all just a bad dream.” </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">In
an instant, Noah slapped both his legs and exclaimed, “Sam! I know
what! Let's dream. I have a fairly good imagination, and I'll bet you
do too.” Turning in his seat for better eye contact with the teen,
Noah said, “Let's make a dream. Here's what we'll do. We are going
to dream up a business. You and I'll pretend we're going to start up
a business. You know, we've gotta think what we'll sell and how we'll
make it and how much it will cost and all that stuff. Wouldn't that
be cool?! It doesn't cost us anything to dream, does it, Sam?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">It
was like a siren went off, in Sam Tiffin's head. For the very first
time his eyes seemed to have a sparkle in them. In some way, it
seemed his scarred face didn't make any difference anymore. The
teenager wanted to hug Noah, I mean 'Gramps', but wasn't sure if it
was the right thing to do. The silver-haired senior settled that in
short order. His arms had ached a long time for someone to hug, and
this was the perfect time. Noah wanted so much for his departed wife
to know about the friendship just made, on Sam's front porch. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">I
think she did. Don't you? </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>Gramps Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08460487253055175359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976523216242769658.post-8386161029567781412011-12-01T23:00:00.000-08:002011-12-27T10:38:12.277-08:00=8 Poster Power Business<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Noah
was really pumped (excited) on Thursday, as he walked up to Sam
Tiffin's front door. There was no doubt this
partnership-in-the-making, was absolutely the best of any so-called
'win-win' situations. Though Sam was a new Christian, he desperately
needed an older buddy as something of a 'grandpa' to share his
teenage feelings and be introduced to some of the potential that God
puts in all of us. On the other hand, Noah Pierson needed to be
needed, every day, in fact. His precious Nenee had been called home
to Glory two years ago and left the house and Noah's daytime hours
mighty empty. Silver-haired Noah was already seeing little happenings
that told him that God was definitely up to something. That something
was starting to show itself as a partnership between Noah, God, and
the teenager – Sam Tiffin.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Sam
escorted Noah (who preferred to be called 'Gramps') in to the kitchen
and were seated at the table. As Gramps voiced the closing 'amen' to
his prayer for them, Sam's mom, Bonnie, set two frosty glasses of
Sun-iced-tea in front of the pair. She looked toward Gramps and said,
“Thanks for coming over, Gramps. We both like it when you visit.
I'll leave both you men to talk over business, while I give some
buttons their proper home on a blouse. If you need anything, just
holler.” She headed for her sewing basket softly humming a happy
tune, like she also thought God was up to something wonderful. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Gramps
was ready to start the next phase of his 'leading-from-behind'
process. “Sam, the last time we talked, we decided it'd be fun to
create an imaginary business. You remember?” The enthusiastic reply
was, “You gotta be kidding! My mind has been going a mile a minute!
I've been getting so many ideas, I had to start making notes.” Noah
noticed the scarred scalded face now lit up like a rocket about to
jump into orbit - blazing a path to exciting discoveries for this
teen and his precious silver-haired friend.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">As
we start putting together our imaginary business, you and I both know
Satan is going to throw a monkey-wrench into our plans one way way or
another. I figured we should start right out using Poster Power.”
The teen scratched his head and thought, “Oh no. He's started one
of those senile moments that all old folks like Gramps are supposed
to get.” The confused look on Sam's face easily told Noah what was
going on, in Sam's mind.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Sam.
Try to think of a poster as your own private grandpa. The poster
hanging on your bedroom wall is a constant reminder of important
things - that Satan does NOT want you to remember. Maybe think of a
poster as an important note that shouts.” Noah paused a moment, as
he laid a shopping bag on the table in front of them. He began
emptying its contents as he spoke, “Before you think I've flipped
out, let me do the poster this week and you can do the one for next
week.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">The
teen almost heard the launch count down in his heart as Gramps
continued his explanation in a happy expectant tone. Gramps
positioned a poster panel on the table and withdrew a green marker to
begin the poster. Sam watched every move, like he might have to do
the same thing in front of one of his few friends.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">What
first appeared on the poster was a large tower with many of those
criss-cross beams that gives strength in stormy times. It's not hard
to think that each of us need our own supply of criss-cross beams in
our own hearts for each stormy moment that Satan sends. After the
simple tower was finished, Noah (I mean Gramps) spoke. “Now my
poster today is about a fella that wanted to build a tower. This
fella was given a rule to go by, that included a warning. Now, Sam.
The rule and warning this fella got, was important to him and it's
super important to us, as we build our imaginary business. Ya with
me?” If Sam was any more interested, he'd forget to breathe. “Yeah,
Gramps. Don't stop. What was the rule and warning, that was
important?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Actually,
God had Mr. Luke write it down so we could easily learn and share it.
Sam, open your Bible there, to Luke chapter 14, starting at verse
28.” After reading the verse and the next one, the silver-topped
mentor went on to explain that counting the cost was a crucial step
in PREPARATION to building a tower (or even a business). The rule
here was to make sure you had everything needed to start the project,
which might be boards, nails, or attitudes and rules. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Now,
the warning was that if good preparation was neglected, the project
probably wouldn't be finished. If the project wasn't finished, all
those watching would be ashamed of the fella. Gramps used a different
color marker and wrote next to the tower, “PREPARATION is crucial”.
Just below that, was the simple words, “PEOPLE ARE WATCHING.”
Whether we want to, or not – each of us are teachers in everything
we do. And we'll never know all those who are watching us. We need to
always be doing our best – as unto the Lord. Another helpful verse
is “Let all things be done decently and in order.” 1Corinthians
14:40.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">The
two at the table continued talking about other preparation steps that
should be remembered. Sam said a warm thankful closing prayer to God,
and to Gramps, before the 'business' meeting came to a close.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Do
you suppose that Jesus 'counted the cost' as plans were put in place
for Him to shed His innocent blood on the Cross, for the sin of man?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>Gramps Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08460487253055175359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976523216242769658.post-47318260608962951492011-12-01T22:30:00.000-08:002012-01-14T15:18:07.490-08:00=9 Ben's Bomb<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Space
Station astronaut food doesn't place pizza and pop at the top of the
menu, but it should, thought Sam. Sam almost choked, trying to get
his share of the pizza before his friend Ben, gobbled far more than
his share. If it's possible to inhale pizza, Ben is sure to come
close. Both pizza-eating teens had very few friends. With his orange
spiked hair, it was a little easier to tell that Ben, more than Sam,
had some serious unanswered questions in his life. Ben had tried so
many bizarre things to find meaning, purpose, peace, and love, it
would scare an Army commando. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">With
the pizza gone, Sam began telling Ben some of the exciting things,
his silver-haired friend, Gramps (that's Noah Pierson) had been
teaching him. In spite of Ben's orange hair and facial jewelery, he
listened closely to all that Sam was saying. Looking into Ben's eyes,
you could almost see his brain wheels turning. It was almost like
feeding little bits of gasoline into an old car that was trying to
come to life, as the lessons of preparation, others are watching, and
decently and in order were being shared.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Ben's
Bomb Was Dropped!</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Mr.
Orange Hair (that's Ben) dropped his bomb with the question, “Ok,
Sam. So what's your poster going to be about? Startin' this imaginary
business, what poster do you think ought to shout to everyone?” In
his heart, Sam was pretty sure that Ben was not saved. Ben had told
Sam once before, he was sure he wasn't saved. He wanted Ben to talk
to Noah as they discussed salvation. The poster in Sam's heart,
warned of Ben's need to be saved and sure.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Sam
decided to make a different poster for now – but he didn't know
what. Ben's finger traced a pattern in the tablecloth and said, “Why
don't you make your poster about the 'decently and in order thing'?
It sounds pretty important to me – especially in this startup
phase.” BOOOM!! The bomb was dropped, with no turning back. Ben's
brain wheels had no intention of keeping this 'business' imaginary. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Ben
continued, “Look Sam. That phrase... er verse, is two-fisted; I'm
thinking 'decently' would mean the AMOUNT or size or speed, or
something like that. The 'in order' thing talks about the DIRECTION
or sequence. Ya hit the ball and then run to FIRST base, not second.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">The
two teens continued planning on the layout for the poster as Sam's
mom came in the kitchen to get a toothpick for something. Without any
words of interruption, she returned to her sewing project in the
living room. She could hardly believe what she had just seen the
teens in the kitchen doing. Through all the struggles Sam had been
dealing with, since his parent's messy divorce last year, Sam seemed
to be finding his right path. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Holding
back tears, Sam's mom closed her eyes and could still see HER SON Sam
pointing Ben's attention to the words in his open Bible. “Let all
things be done decently and in order.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">God
is up to something, whether it's with orange hair, pizza, posters, or
Heaven's promises. </span>
</div>Gramps Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08460487253055175359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976523216242769658.post-19570307978724118482011-12-01T22:00:00.000-08:002011-12-30T09:55:21.112-08:00=10 Hunting Samantha<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;">
'<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Right-Brain
Recruiting' might be the title of some guidance Gramps (a.k.a. Noah
Pierson) began sharing with the teen boys, forming their imaginary
business.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Silver-haired
Gramps loved filling his often empty retirement days with thoughts
and mentoring of the teen boys, Sam and his newly included Ben.
Gramps was super grateful to God for leading the two teens with super
challenges trying to reach the 'young adult' class of society. Even a
first glance told you the boys were in stormy seas; Sam with his
badly scarred face and Ben with his orange spiked hair and
considerable facial jewelery. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">While
first impressions might suggest otherwise, the boys were a
'God-send', literally, in how they gave Noah (I mean, Gramps) a
mission for each day. When Sam's mom brought Noah into the kitchen
table, Ben and Sam were already there, excitedly sharing ideas for
their imaginary business.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Gramps
got seated and Bonnie continued her laundry folding tasks in the
spare bedroom. Gramps began their meeting by leading the teens in
prayer asking for God's leading and unity, knowing Satan is always
trying to destroy any Christians working together. Gramps always
liked to include a little about salvation, in his prayers; especially
since he knew that Sam was saved, but wasn't so sure about Ben.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Gramps
began with, “Fellas, I want to share an idea, the Lord put in my
heart a couple days ago. It has to do with our business, and how we
can make it our best. It has something to do with Adam and Eve and
the Garden of Eden.” Sam thought, “Oh, no. Gramps is having a
senile moment, where his mind is in another world, with this Garden
of Eden thing.” </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Guys,
I believe we ought to keep our eyes out for a girl to be a part of
our business, and here's why. For a whole number of reasons, God
partnered a woman with Adam to help take care of the Garden and other
things. More than that, he gave Eve some special skills that Adam
wasn't especially strong in. For instance, while men take a little
more logical mechanical at dealing with life's challenges, women uses
skills that scientists tell us are most prominent in the right half
of the brain. So in the same way that our left and right halves of
our brain compliment each other, so do men's skills and women's
skills.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Gramps
continued, “I mean, God has 'wired' women to be more sensitive, to
the feelings and visual queues from others. They are more proficient
at doing highly repetitive tasks, and even better at multitasking
than men are. And it's certainly no secret women are far better at
communicating than we are. Now what I've said, doesn't make women
better than men or worse. You can't say a fork is better than a
spoon, they're each better at doing some things than others.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Now
fellas, I'm suggesting that we should be asking God to show us a girl
or lady that might be better at doing some things in our business,
than we are. I'm thinking our business would be hindered by keeping
it a 'men and boys' business. We'll be our best if we take lessons
from how God does things, and also nature He's created all around us.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>Gramps Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08460487253055175359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976523216242769658.post-35025328037720341932011-12-01T21:00:00.000-08:002012-01-08T21:34:41.090-08:00=11 Closet Secrets<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">“</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;">I
like to write stories,” silver-haired Gramps told his teen friends,
Ben and Sam. “Since we've been talking about creating this
imaginary business, and just starting to think about what we want to
make or do, I made you each a copy of one of my many stories I've
written over the years. Take it home and read it without any
interruptions... maybe even more than once. Boys, God has many tasks
that He needs done for people who are serving Him, and just maybe, we
might be a step ahead if we pretend our business was something to
help Him and those He loves.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">“</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Now,
most businesses are either selling a SERVICE or they're selling STUFF
– you know, parts or pictures, or other things that can have a part
number on them, and maybe even a picture in a catalog. Well, anyhow,
read the story, pray about what God wants our business to be about,
and we'll share our ideas next time.” The story Gramps gave the
boys, is as follows:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Thirteen-year-old
Alia quickly thought of all the things she might have said as she
followed the animal doctor back to her office. Seeing the worried
look on Alia’s face, Doc Neese invited her to sit down. “Now,
there is nothing wrong, so don’t look so worried,” she began.
“Actually, I wanted to talk to you about the laptop computer you’ve
brought in with you. I noticed that in the waiting room you were
doing something on your laptop, but it didn’t seem to be a game.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Alia
breathed a sigh of relief. “Well, for my initiation into my
neighborhood’s computer club, I have to come up with a good use for
a computer that doesn’t have anything to do with entertainment.
What I like to do most of all is to make special lists called
databases that you can do neat things with.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Doc
saw the serious attitude with which Alia described some of the simple
things for which she had made lists, but she didn’t mention
anything that would help her pass her club initiation. Alia had
hardly finished sharing her problem with the initiation project, when
Doctor Neese rose to her feet from behind a desk that was piled high
with books and papers. She went over to a large closet, slid open
the doors, and said to Alia, “I’ve got a project for your
initiation that I think you would enjoy doing.” She pointed to
several large stacks of papers, all neatly tied up with strings.
Alia looked puzzled.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">“</span><span style="font-size: small;">Beg
your pardon, ma’am, but what does cleaning out this closet have to
do with my computer project?” The soft-spoken animal doctor
explained to Alia that the stacks of papers were actually records of
the medicine, that she had given to animals brought in for treatment
over the last two years. The problem was, the little animal clinic
had to make every bit of money count. The biggest waste was buying
too much of a certain kind of medicine, and then having to throw some
of it away because it was too old to be used any longer. “Alia, it
would be a big help and money saver if you would create a database
list of all the medicines that were actually used,” she said. Doc
added, “It will be very important for you to include when, and for
which kind of animal patient.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">After
getting permission from her parents, and praying about the project,
Alia began the following Saturday. Doctor Neese was impressed by her
mature approach in that she didn’t even bring her laptop computer.
Between patients, Alia told the doctor that good databases require
good planning, even before touching the keyboard.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">By
the next Saturday, the office clerk had gone through every one of the
old closet records and had written a number on each one. Alia
wouldn’t even have to type in names and addresses. Doc made the
project even easier by giving Alia a numbered list of all the
medications she had used on her animal patients. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Alia
saw how pleased Doctor Neese was, as her chaotic medicine inventory
started to take shape. And she also noticed the growing satisfaction
within herself as she continued to work on such an important project,
which went well beyond the initiation requirements. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Alia
thought about the key ingredients she had used.</span></div>
<ol>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Pray
for God’s leading in the project</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Preparation
even before she touched the computer.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Permission
from her parents.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Praising
the Lord for His goodness. </span>
</div>
</li>
</ol>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">(</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;">End
of Noah's story he sent home with Ben and Sam.)</span></div>Gramps Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08460487253055175359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976523216242769658.post-32627485868596817512011-12-01T19:30:00.000-08:002012-01-13T21:35:21.181-08:00=12 Sunspots 'n Mannie<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;"><b>Sunspots.
It must be tons of sunspots or something</b>. Mannie's odd feelings began
about the time she was brushing her hair and getting on her school
clothes in a rush. It felt like some sort of gigantic magnet in the
clouds that kept grabbing her mind when she wasn't already stretching
it to the limits, starting her school day. It was her fault she
hadn't told her dad at supper last night that her bike chain had
broken, so she'd have to walk over to Jacob's and catch a ride to
school with them. “Oh well... life goes on”, the 15 year old thought.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">So,
book bag over the left shoulder, breakfast bar and juice cup in one
hand, a kiss for mom and a 'see ya!' to a preteen brother, and out
the door she went. With a bit of a quick step, she munched on the
breakfast bar when that sunspot magnet, or whatever, pulled at her
thoughts. It was really annoying, not knowing why the pulling. She
had a Biology test second period and would need every bit of
brainpower, getting the chromosome definitions and other stuff
answered right.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Before
she got over to Jacob's to hitch a ride to school, she noticed the
new house being built. It now had its windows and doors, and was all
ready for a roof. What caught Mannie's eye, and brought her to a
stop, were the leftovers in the front yard. Over here was a stack of
30 or so boards the builders didn't need to nail up the house walls.
And nearby was a pile of leftover chunks of boards that had been
sawed off to make things fit.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Her
eyes and full attention fixed on the two piles of leftovers, almost
asking if they had the answer to these sunspot magnet feelings. No
answer. “I gotta scoot. I'll miss my ride and then I'll really be
in trouble,” she thought.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">The
rest of the school day went reasonably well, but then the sunspot
thing came up at the supper table. In between bites, Mannie told her
mom and dad about those sunspot magnet feelings and the leftover
piles thoughts that were really beginning to bug her. The meal was
about finished, when her mom tapped the edge of her brother's plate
and said, “Eat your broccoli now or I'll put your leftovers in the
refrigerator and you can eat them cold tomorrow.” His comments
clearly indicated he didn't like either option.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Jack,
(that's Mannie's dad) said, “hey, those broccoli leftovers remind
me of some famous leftovers in the Bible. I think it'd be a great
idea for you two youngins to take a look at them, in your personal
Bible time, tonight. See if you can find them in Mark chapter 8.”
Mannie thought only a nerdy brother like mine would ask, “Dad! You
mean the Bible talks about leftover broccoli?” She thought, “How
can God say He loves us, and at the same time give us younger
brothers?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Mannie's
cell phone was put to sleep, and her homework done. Her Bible was
opened up to the broccoli leftovers – I mean the Mark 8 leftovers.
She slowly read the two verses where Jesus quizzed His disciples
about the catering of the 5000+ and the 4000+. No, there were no
sunspot magnets around while she read about these leftovers of fish
and bread.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Wanting
so desperately to get to the bottom of all this leftover business,
Mannie closed her eyes and tried to envision Jesus quizzing her,
along with the disciples. In spite of the other powerful facts, Jesus
kept asking His pupils about the leftovers... how much was left? Did
anyone go hungry? Was Jesus putting special emphasis on leftovers or
some of His gifts to us, we don't give enough attention to? Hmmmmmm.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Then
the other thing Mattie noticed, was the two test questions were
worded almost the same. Food, fed, and then fragments(leftovers). And
the same sequence again. In an exciting way, she thought, “Hey!
That's just like a little database! God knows I love to make lists of
stuff, in my computer and then sort them different ways and make a
neat report about them. Wow! God gave us a computer manual that
starts out, 'In the beginning, God'.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Now
if that wasn't enough about leftovers, God had saved the best for
last. At breakfast the next morning, Mannie was telling her mom
about the Mark 8 leftover database. Her mom put jam on the last slice
of toast and said, “When I visit at the nursing home, I see many
people who seem to be forgotten by their families, church, and our
community. I wonder if there is such a thing as leftover people –
ones I've chosen to neglect?” </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Dear
God, draw my heart to leftover people, young and old, who your Son Jesus gave His
life on the Cross to save.</span></div>Gramps Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08460487253055175359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976523216242769658.post-39872039554155398152011-12-01T19:00:00.000-08:002012-01-11T09:09:26.300-08:00=13 Don't Want Any!<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Anyone
blind in one eye can see He don't want any!” Sam continued with,
“Ben and I have been asking God for almost a whole month, if He has
a girl that can help us with our business, even though it's only
imaginary.” While Sam's teen orange-haired friend nodded in
agreement, Noah piped up with, “Whoa now! Let's not be too hasty
now. Maybe we need to make sure we're lined up with God's schedule,
and not our own. Sure as I'm 70 with my silver hair falling out, we
need not get pushy when it comes to God doing His work.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">It
really seems to me His scheduling was OK when He created all this
world around us, and gave us the sun, moon, and stars for timekeeping
and directions. I know it's not the best thing you teens want to
hear, but the boat-builder with my name, spent 120 years working
without any power tools or much of any help. Worse than that,
everyone was laughing and mocking him all the while,” Noah reminded
the boys.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;"><b>It's
That 'Doors Thing'</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Gramps
(that's Noah Pierson) told the teen boys, “Fellas, it's definitely
time we talk about the 'Doors Thing.' If you picture yourself in a
hallway, that leads to many rooms, or offices. You pretty well know
you are welcome into the rooms that have their doors open. On the
other hand, closed doors signal us to 'stay out'. It's a pretty
simple way of guiding you and into places we can or should go, or not
– at least not now, anyhow. Pretty simple concept, right?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">The
lesson for the teens continued with, “That guiding by using open
doors is exactly how Jesus leads those who love Him, each day. We
begin each day wanting to know His will for that day, and even which
to do first. Well, we start out by looking for the door He has open
to us. One open door is labeled 'Praise Jesus Room', another is
'Scripture Meals Served Here', another open door is 'Dump Your
Burdens Here', and 'Your Harvest Assignments Are Here', etc.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">I
bet you two teens can think of some labels on the doors Jesus has
closed and latched. I got an idea. While we're waiting on God's
direction and provision for stuff we'd like for our business, let's
make a list with three columns. In the first column we'll put the
labels of doors that God has open for all all those that love Him. In
the middle column we'll put door labels that might be open to you,
Sam, but not to Ben, or vice versa. In the right column we'll put
door labels that will never be open to anyone who loves and wants to
serve Jesus.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Noah
said, “Before we have prayer and you two head for home, I want to
tell you about a door that has ears... you know, these things on the
side of our head. Well, this door is so important to teens, the Bible
tells us about it.” The boys looked closely as Noah turned his open
Bible to John 10, starting at verse 9. There was the description of
THE door, the one and only door that is always open to each and every
person, who seeks peace, hope, protection, and provision. Read the
description yourself, and then share it often with a friend.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>Gramps Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08460487253055175359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976523216242769658.post-32310037238619993322011-12-01T18:00:00.000-08:002012-01-11T18:40:45.163-08:00=14 Loose Screws<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">It
was a wreck that a junk yard would probably turn down. The two teens,
Sam and Ben kept looking out the back window to see if any fenders
had fallen off Noah's old wreck of a pickup truck. Silver-haired Noah
had invited the boys to help fix some doors over at the little
country church. Noah loved doing things with the boys, especially
since his beloved Nenee went home to Glory last year.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">But
Noah cherished every moment with the teens. God had built a fire for
teens in the old man, and these two bouncing in the seat with him
were his teachers, full of valuable lessons about growing up
teenager, in this stress-filled world.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">The
teens followed Noah around the little church and checked each door to
see if each one closed and latched OK. Many were found to need
attention; some kind of adjusting or oiling.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Ben
called out to Noah, from another room with, “Hey Gramps! This door
here needs some work on its hinges! It looks like it has a couple
screws loose!” Sam responded rather loudly, “...Some screws
loose? Ben, if you keep wearing that orange hair people are going to
think you've got some screws loose!” Sam made sure to say it with a
bit of a chuckle in his tone.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">What
silver-haired Noah heard next, couldn't have hurt any more than if he
was shot with a gun. Ben explained, “Sam, I don't like this orange
hair. I think it makes me look like a clown and pushes grownups to
distrust me, even be afraid of me. But Sammy, it gets me noticed.
This is the only way I know to get any attention – any at all, good
or bad. I guess I'm a little like this door hinge. Yeah, there are
some parts of me that need tightened up a bit, but I just wish I
could find someone that cared more about me than to just throw some
lubricating oil at me... telling me what stupid decisions I make...
that's all.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Ben
continued, “I'll tell you something else. Most of the guys I've
been around get tattoos that are pretty expensive. They take several
hours of pain that can be about a 6 on a scale of 10. They like the
pain because it continues on, for days after it's done. If you got
color, you have to go back again later and get the fading colors
touched up again. Mostly they don't care about the picture, they go
after the pain. See, Sam, they want the pain because it hides the
greater pain inside their head and heart. That inside pain keeps
screaming in their mind that no one cares, that they're not worth
dirt – and never will be. The tattoo pain hides all that for a
little while, just like a person getting drunk or doped up.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">In
his own heart, Noah heard a door of opportunity open. The door had
been labeled, 'Help Wanted'. A red marker had changed the door label
to read, 'Hope Wanted'.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">With
a bit of a quiver in his voice, Noah said, “Hey guys. I'm off to
bring back some subs and cokes for us. I'll be back in about 30
minutes. Oh. I'll get some chips too. Watch out for each other till I
get back.” </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;"><b>The
Surprise Those 30 Minutes Held -</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Hey
Ben! Come take a look at this!” was Sam's shout to his friend, in
the little church. “Ben, I was going to check another door as I
walked past this bulletin board. I want you to look at this report
listing the names of church friends in the nursing homes, and their
birthdays all arranged in calendar order, grouped by month. I think
that looks pretty neat.” Now both teens would agree that Ben
doesn't always come up with great ideas, even when he's trying to,
but he threw out the idea anyhow. “Sam, I wonder if this Mannie in
their teen department would like to try out some of her computering
in our business. It wouldn't hurt to ask, would it?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Isn't
it incredible how God opens doors of opportunity, in places you
didn't think there was even a wall?</span></div>Gramps Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08460487253055175359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976523216242769658.post-55052847996751904082011-12-01T17:00:00.000-08:002012-01-13T10:12:11.499-08:00=15 Brainstorming<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Imagination
launch... that's really what it was. Silver-haired Gramps (aka Noah
Pierson) had his aching right leg propped up on a nearby kitchen
chair. The two teens, Sam and 'orange hair' Ben were seated at the
same table. Sam was examining the small cobwebs in the kitchen
ceiling corner, while Ben traced the pattern on the tablecloth. The
gears in the three heads were grinding away, trying to think of a
product for their business, that was still imaginary.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Gramps
began with, “Well, guys. We've started out today's meeting with
asking God to lead us, and I'm sure He will, as long as we don't get
to pushing Him. I want to show you something.” Gramps went to the
silverware drawer and pulled out an odd looking plastic spoon. He
said, “Very seldom is something invented just out of the blue, as
we say. Lots of times something was discovered when a completely
different kind of product was being looked for. This kind of hints at
the fact that ideas have to be tried... then changed... and changed
again. And coming up with something new, takes an attitude of not
being afraid to fail. Courage is needed to get right back up and keep
on trying, learning from each mistake.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Gramps
continued with his lesson, “But most often, something new is
discovered, by combining two existing things in a way that had never
been thought of before. Now look at this goofy looking little plastic
spoon. Yeah, I know you've seen them lots of times. This is a really
handy rascal, especially to handicapped people that can't use forks
AND spoons to eat. What some guy probably did, without any rocket
science or anything technical, was laid a spoon along side a fork,
and asked himself, 'how can I combine the two?' I don't remember its
funny name, but he simply took a spoon and put a few points on the
end of it, that were just sharp enough to stab a piece of meat or
cheese.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">The
kitchen got quiet again as those brain gears kicked into high range
again. As though it was an expensive piece of china, Sam carefully
took hold of the always open 'kitchen' Bible and slid it over in
front of him. The fingers of his right hand moved across the page as
though he was testing for bumps in the printed words. After a minute
or two, Sam asked, “Gramps. S'pose we made some fun way for people
to get into the Bible? I mean so they'd really want to keep coming
back, and maybe even get their friends to join them. It would need to
be fun for grownups and kids. Maybe make it some kind of a game.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Ben
got a big grin and piped up with, “How about hangman? My younger
brother and sister would play this game where you have to fill in the
missing letters of a word. I don't know... I guess it's just a silly
idea to connect hangman with the Bible. Oh well, I've never been
smart enough to come up with really good ideas, I guess. Probably
when God was handing out brains, I thought He said 'trains', and I
didn't want any.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Gramps
spoke up in a determined tone, “Hold on now Ben. Don't sell God
short. He's given each of us a computer between our ears that
scientists couldn't begin to build. Even if they came close, that
computer wouldn't know anything about God and His deep abiding love
for you and me, whether we're young or old. Hey... I was just
thinking. When my Nenee was still alive, she would often spend a lot
of time in what she called, her 'word book'. Her word book was full
of nothing but wordsearch puzzles... you know. Each puzzle was just a
bunch of random letters in rows and columns, that had key words
hidden them.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Fellas,
I believe we need to close in prayer and let these ideas cook. God is
certainly in no hurry with his blessings and opportunities for us, so
let's not get ahead of Him. Let's take a few days and chew on these
ideas, and maybe some others. If it's OK with you two, we'll meet up
here, next Saturday at the same time and do some more of this
brainstorming of ideas for our business.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">After
the boys rode away on their bikes, Noah (I mean Gramps) returned to
his open kitchen Bible and looked for the verse going through his
mind,”...<i>for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.</i>” Like a
meal more nourishing than anything you could eat with silverware,
Noah savored all the juicy words and thoughts, King David penned in
Psalm 139. He reread slowly the words of verse 14 - “<i>I will
praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are
thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.</i>”</span></div>Gramps Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08460487253055175359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976523216242769658.post-54000321842160106432011-12-01T16:30:00.000-08:002012-01-14T17:13:38.015-08:00=16 No Gimme Prayers<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Sam
Tiffin's mom, Bonnie, ushered silver-haired Noah into the kitchen and
take a seat. Sam and his orange-haired teen buddy, Ben were already
seated. They had been talking about some ideas for a product that
their imaginary business could produce and sell. Noah touched the
shoulder of each boy, and with loving eye contact, told the boys how
much he loved being accepted as their sort-of Gramps. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Sam
did a great job with the opening prayer, thanking God for Gramps'
friendship and caring so deeply for the boys. Bonnie, leaning against
the kitchen doorway was silently praising God for the partnering of
the three at her kitchen table. In her heart she almost begged God to
keep Satan away from harming the unity that was clearly brightening
her spirits and those of the three 'business' partners at the table. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Bonnie
headed for her spare bedroom sewing basket as Gramps set a brown
paper bag on the table in front of them. He began, “Fellas, any
time you want to make this old man hear a happy tune in my heart, all
you gotta do is make a prayer from your heart that I can hear. I can
remember so many dark dreary days in my life, that my precious Nenee
and I would hold hands over a Bible and hear the other go before the
Lord in prayer. And not a one of them was a 'Gimme Prayer', either.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Ben
interrupted with, “Gramps. Hold on, a minute! What'd you say? A
'Gimme Prayer'? I never heard of one of those before. When do you say
a Gimme Prayer?” “Well, Ben, hopefully never. See, lots of folks,
young and old, think prayer is a 'Dear God – give me this or give
me that.' You know what I'm saying, 'gimme this or gimme that.' To my
way of thinking, prayer isn't putting in an order for something you
need or want. That misses the whole point of prayer.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Gramps
slowly moved his fingers over the pages of the open kitchen Bible,
like he was smoothing them. He continued with, “Boys, this Bible
tells us over and over, that God knows everything. He knows even
better than we do, what we need and should have, and when. We want to
be reminded of someone's love and trust by those we love. Well God is
the same way. When we speak to Him, we should first tell Him how much
we love Him. Almost the last thing in our prayer, we should tell Him
our need, and that we'll trust His provisions according to HIS will
not our own wishes. He proves over and over, He knows what we need
most and when. The best example of that is His Son Jesus becoming our
sacrifice for our sins on the Cross. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>Gramps Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08460487253055175359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976523216242769658.post-28449548585539722472011-12-01T16:00:00.000-08:002012-01-14T20:10:13.261-08:00=17 The Jungle Path<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Like
it held something mysterious, Gramps began opening the paper bag he
had brought with him, now sitting on the kitchen table. The eyes of
both teen boys were glued to what was about to come out of the bag
like Gramps was defusing a bomb or something else dangerous.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Noah
Pierson (that's Gramps), placed something in front of Sam Tiffin that
looked a little like a homemade blue ribbon award of some kind. He
put a similar one in front of Ben (he's the one with the orange
hair). Sam spoke first, with, “Thanks Gramps. I see it says 'The
Winner's Circle' on the ribbon, but I don't understand what it's
for.” Ben said he didn't understand either.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Gramps
picked up one of the unused poster boards and some markers, they'd
used before. He returned to the table and popped the top off the blue
marker. He began to explain, “Because of what both of you
suggested, when we began brainstorming, I now welcome you both into
God's Winner's Circle here on planet Earth. You may not remember, but
here are some crucial points you both touched on, we should make a
poster of... here goes.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Sam,
you suggested our business make something connected with the Bible.
Here, I'll put that on the poster... 1. Bible Connected. And number 2
was that you thought our product should be something fun... and
number 3 was that it would entice them to share it with friends,
young and old. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Now,
Ben. You did the biggie. You put the frosting on this cake of a
product.” “But Gramps, I didn't say nothin' about frosting, did
I?” Silver-haired Noah explained with, “No... not exactly. But
you said something very wise – and it wasn't about the trains 'n
brains thing either. Ben, your goodie idea was to make a product that
was a lot like something that people were already familiar with, kids
and older folks, alike. Remember mentioning the game named, Hangman?
Well, I believe that's an idea that can make this product a real
juicy one, that God will even like... because it's connected with His
precious word, our Bible.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">The
notes were all added to the poster, and reviewed again, with each boy
voicing more comments for them. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Gramps
spoke in an almost spooky tone, with “Now I want you fellas to
pretend you are about to start out on a path, not exactly like the
one we're now on, making our imaginary company. I want you to sort of
pretend you are on a path starting through a deep jungle, full of
vines, trees, bushes, swamps, and trails that have no directions
signs. OK?” The eyes of both teens got as big as golf balls. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">I
always thing of this jungle adventure whenever I read a verse in the
biggest chapter of the whole Bible, Psalm 119. Verse 105 is simple
and yet tells you how to get safely down any jungle path, or even
through those teen-livin' years, that most often seem as dangerous
and confusing as any jungle of snakes, tigers, spiders, and other
stuff.” Gramps rubbed his hands together in an excitable manner. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">You
can actually divide this verse up into 4 pieces. Here we go.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Lamp
unto my feet” (1)shows me the condition of my shoes and feet. (2)
That lamp also shows me if my feet are on the path, or what I need to
change to get on the path. Now 'Light unto my path' does two things
too. (3) it lights the path ahead to help me know where to travel and
what path is right for me. (4) the light unto my path also helps me
recognize dangers along the path. Remember guys. The Bible talks
about Satan as being a roaring lion seeking who he can devour...”
Pointing to each of the four fingers of his right hand, Gramps
reviewed each of the 4 points, two more times.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Before
we close in prayer, fellas, look at the verse and tell me where this
lamp and light come from.” The boys responded “Thy Word!” in
unison so loudly, Bonnie poked herself with a pin clear back in the
spare bedroom. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">If
you ask Him, God will tell you it's more than OK to get others
excited about “Thy Word”. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>Gramps Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08460487253055175359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976523216242769658.post-36782363524573306852011-12-01T15:30:00.000-08:002012-01-14T20:10:35.269-08:00=18 Little Big Things<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">God's
up to something. He's REALLY up to something.” The thought kept
propping up in Noah's mind in a way that often made him forget about
the nagging Rheumatism in his left knee. For that and so many other
reasons, he'd often sit in his usual kitchen chair with one leg
resting on another chair, just looking at his sweetheart's empty
chair, and wonder what encouraging word she'd plant in his heart. If
it wasn't for knowing... that's KNOWING that someday he'd see her
again in Glory, well... he just didn't know what he'd do. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">The
front door bell rang and startled him. He seldom got visitors since
Nenee wasn't around any more. Oh how he loved the muffled
conversations she had with teen girls on the front porch, staring at
that forest just a few yards away. That old front porch rocking chair
of hers did more powerful healing of hearts than any hospital could
do. Noah had no idea of the surprise that awaited him at the door.
But up he went, to see the caller.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Ben
stood at the front door with his orange hair trimmed pretty short.
That probably had a story to it, but nothing like Noah was about to
hear. “Gramps. I got your address from Sammy and I rode my bike
over here. Whew!” </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">I
have a favor to ask of you. Ya ever get a picture in your mind, of
something that's not exactly real, and you can't forget it? Well I
have. I keep seeing the report that some girl named, Mannie put on
the little church bulletin board, where we fixed the doors. What I
kept seeing in my picture was a little poster right next to her
report. The little poster had real important stuff on it too, that
all the people should be reminded of. Gramps, it don't look fancy
like your posters, and all I could find was a crayon. But I made this
little poster myself. If you don't think it looks too ugly, maybe you
could get the church to put it up next to Mannie's fancy report.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Without
reading it to Gramps, Ben handed it to him and said, “I know I've
bothered you too much already. Here 'tis. I gotta leave.” As Ben
climbed on his bike, he shouted to Noah, “Thanks for lovin' me a
little, Gramps! I need it!”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Noah
turned the poster over to read what started as, “THY WORD is a lamp
unto my shoes and a light always on my dangerous path.” At the
bottom of the little poster the final words said, “The bible says
so, and it's NEVER wrong.” </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Noah
thought to himself, Give God a little love and trust like a mustard
seed, and He'll turn it into mountain-sized changes in the lives of
someone near you.</span></div>Gramps Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08460487253055175359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976523216242769658.post-35271763499184576792011-12-01T15:00:00.000-08:002012-01-16T18:04:05.320-08:00=19 Testing the Waters<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">He
planted a mighty seed. Ben planted one of those seeds that yields a
harvest known only to God. All week long, Noah glanced at Ben's
little poster as though it was something that was going to blossom in
some unexpected wonderful way. If the poster was the seed, Mannie's
report was somehow the soil. Silver-haired Noah began pondering the
same vision Ben had, in seeing his little poster next to Mannie's
fancy Nursing Home Report. It was like the poster was the path that
Noah's thinking would take through a garden of opportunity at the
nursing home.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Noah
made an appointment with the Fireplace Hearth Nursing Home's
activities director, April Castmon. In making the appointment, he
explained to April some ideas he wanted to get her reaction to. The
ideas were connected with an imaginary business a couple teen
friends, Ben and Sam were putting together. April set an agreeable
time and said she'd like to invite a young volunteer helper she had
been grooming for a part time position, to the discussion.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Noah
arrived to meet the warm-hearted April and both took seats in the
vacant activities room where the TV was muted. A great deal of action
was going on, in the glassed-in bird aviary in the far corner of the
room. Smokey, an overweight cat, sat in his ready mode watching the
birds with no friendly thoughts in mind. April took her cellphone
pager and summoned her volunteer aid to come to the activity room as
soon as she was able. April offered beverages and the discussion
began.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">A
few moments later, a girl about 17 entered the group of two, wearing
a badge that said, “Hi! I'm Mannie Toth”. Mannie took a seat next
to April, as April said, “Noah, this is my helper that I can hardly
keep up with. Her name is Samantha Toth, but she prefers Mannie.”
Noah, replied with, “Mannie, I'm pleased to meet you. My name's
Noah Pierson, but I prefer 'Gramps'.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Gramps
began describing the joy and opportunities of working with Ben and
Sam. Oh sure, they had their own unique ways of being different. Sam
had his badly scarred face and a pretty reserved way of connecting
with others. Ben, was slowly moving away from his orange-hair and
facial jewelry appearance. In warm tones, Gramps was explaining to
April and Mannie how the imaginary business idea was building unity
and spirit among them, beyond what he first thought possible.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Gramps
was getting good eye contact so he continued, by describing simply
their business product they'd been thinking about. Pointing at his
fingers he began listing the ideas and the positives of the ideas.
Gramps paused to take a sip of his ice water as April rose to her
feet and briskly walked toward a large magazine rack next to the
aviary. Smokey didn't seem distracted.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">April
pulled out a softbound book and returned with it in hand. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">April
began, “Noah, I mean Gramps, we have quite a few residents that
will go through one of these wordsearch books in less than a month.
They'll finish one and begin the next without hardly a breath.
Mannie and I try very hard to keep the resident's minds active, but
we want to do more than that. We'd like to engage them in doing
things that are more than just busy work. We'd like to have them
doing things they can say with pride, “I did that.” or “I made
that. And here's what it's used for.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Gramps,
we have two residents that were both ministers for many years. As
each fellow picks up his large print Bible, you can almost see it in
their eyes, they'd still love to find a way to get people excited
about God's word. And another thing. A little voice in me keeps
telling me there ought to be a way to make a contest using those
wordsearch puzzles. But the problem is that many of the residents
need a simpler version of the puzzles they can finish, and have pride
about it. Mannie here, gave me the idea of having a bulletin board
with some of the achievements of the residents and their picture
connected to it. Gramps this young lady sitting here with me has lots
of good ideas, but we just don't have the time to make many of them
happen.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Moments
before the meeting broke up, Gramps handed April a couple wordsearch
puzzles with blank letters in most of the key word list, and gave a
duplicate to Mannie. He explained the right half of the page had
about 15 Bible verses that contained the key words. The verses had to
be searched through to find the missing letters in the key words.
Only then could the key words be searched for in the wordsearch
jumble. It was like a double puzzle, that required you to 'search the
scriptures' before you did anything else. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">With
her shift over, Mannie (aka Samantha Toth) headed for home, trying to
remember where she'd heard that phrase before... “Search the
Scriptures”. Have you heard it before? Was it good advice? It
certainly is, if your life is full of questions missing answers like
the key word list, and if your life is a jumble like the wordsearch
puzzle. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">What
do you do first? <span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Se_rc_ the S_ri_tu_e_.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>Gramps Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08460487253055175359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976523216242769658.post-80282826366608880692011-12-01T14:00:00.000-08:002012-02-02T02:43:56.372-08:00=20 Git-er-Done-For-Jesus!<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">The
phone rang probably 6 times before Noah got his aching bones moving
to answer it. April, the nursing home activities director happily
said, “Noah – I mean Gramps. This is April Castmon, the nursing
home's activities director. Well, I called to get permission from
you, for something. We'd like to make a dozen copies of the word
search puzzle sample you left with us. Yesterday I talked with 5 or 6
residents about the puzzles and showed them your sample. It was about
all I could do to hold them off till I got permission from you.” </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">In
an excited tone, April said, “Monte told me he wanted to share a
puzzle with Barb Deets. What thrills me, is that Monte was a circuit
riding preacher for forty-seven years, and wants real bad to be the
hands for Barb in working your puzzle. Barb has Arthritis in her
hands so bad they're both curled up into permanent fists. Well, Monte
got that old determined preacher look in his eyes and told the others
that he and Barb mean to be the first puzzle team to complete the
thing. He had that real 'git-er-done-for-Jesus' sparkle in his eyes. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">April
continued. “What's almost comical is that Nancy Fanes doesn't get
along with hardly anyone except the aid that feeds her her meals.
Well, she told Monte and the others, she aimed to find someone to be
her partner and they'd beat the socks off the Monte and Barb team.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">It
must have been twenty times, at least, that Mannie had to explain to
other residents, what the puzzle contest excitement was all about.
Margaret was a little lady that had few happy memories, and was
always moving her rings around on her fingers, like she was a jewelry
model. Mannie described the puzzles and the searching it took to
solve the puzzle. Margaret fingered her dime-store engagement ring
with its glass diamond inset. She interrupted Mannie in saying,
“Mannie, if you have to dig for these key words, and since they're
really important, maybe you could call the puzzles 'Diamonds', or
'Heaven's Diamonds', or something.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">As
Gramps listened to April explain these exciting discussions at the
nursing home, it was like God had uncovered a diamond; a real gem of
an idea. The little imaginary business was beginning it's own market
research with more than positive results. April said, “Gramps. When
do you and your teen team get together? I'm going to have Mannie
Toth, my helper-in-training, here about 10 am this Saturday, to go
over some new regulations we now have. She's just bustin' with some
super puzzle ideas for you, I know you and your team will want to
hear about, and give serious thought to.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">The
phone call ended on an excited note. “Thank ya, Jesus. Thank ya,
Jesus,” Gramps repeated countless times, as he tried to busy
himself around his house, so empty since his precious Nenee
passed away. But he knew what he had to do, and without further
delay. Gramps stood the broom in the utility closet, closed the
closet door and headed straight for the front porch.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Almost
like it was made of fragile paper, Noah (that's Gramps), sat himself
in the front porch rocker that had been Nenee's favorite. He couldn't
count the number of times he'd hear her through the screen door,
always with her open Bible on her lap. She'd be telling some teen
girl, of God's peace, power, and promises that were there for the
accepting, by faith.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Oh
how Noah missed his sweetheart. But there was some kind of connection
with those past memories, to be had, as he let himself relax in the
rocker and watch the nearby tall forest trees sway in the afternoon
breeze. In some odd way, he imagined the trees were all swaying in
unison like robed choir singers, praising God through song. Noah
imagined the message of the song must be something like, “God's up
to something. He surely is. Trust Him today, in every way, 'cuz there
are diamonds just waiting for you.”</span></div>Gramps Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08460487253055175359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976523216242769658.post-78716379914334969932011-12-01T13:30:00.000-08:002012-02-02T02:44:42.689-08:00=21 Go With Whatcha Got!<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Words
can't describe the spirit of enthusiasm that flooded the little
business meeting that Saturday. It was surely what was needed to
overcome Sam's shyness caused by his badly scarred face. Anyone would
be quick to state there was no company for this business to be
centered on, but everyone was certain God was up to something, that
involved them.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">April
stayed for the opening prayer, while silver-haired Gramps, Sam, Ben,
and Mannie began discussing their ideas and the ton of questions.
April returned momentarily with some beverages and chips for the biz
meeting, and then was summoned by her pager to ward 3-B.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Mannie
moved an easel pad near the table for all to see. Her blue marker was
put to work listing many of those questions that seemed to have no
answer. Noah watched the teens really work together in listing
hurdles that might discourage some folks trying to begin a business.
After most of the large page was full, Gramps asked Mannie if she
could find a roll of masking tape pretty easy. Mannie was gone and
back in a flash with the tape, and a smile of accomplishment, even in
this small task.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Gramps
carefully tore the filled sheet off the easel pad and had Sam tape it
to the nearby wall, for easy reference. Proving he was no artist,
Gramps drew a small door at the top of the clean sheet. He tried to
draw it as though it was partly open. He placed the cap on the marker
firmly and then faced the teen team. With one hand outstretched
toward the filled page he said, “It's certainly important we make
a list of things we need to give attention to – even if we don't
have the answers yet. But we need to start an God's Open Door List
right away. There are some Bible stories – actually called
PARABLES, that God teaches us we are to be careful to put into use
the things He's already given us. I'm sure He wants us to be good
stewards; good managers, of the skills, tools, materials and stuff,
before He gives us any more. God doesn't waste His gifts on slackers
and goofoffs.” </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Something
I want you three to dig out for our next meeting. In Matthew chapter
25 we're told about the very stewardship thing I just referred to.
OK? Find that principle and promise for our next meeting. Now. Let's
begin a list here of things we CAN do with what God has already given
us. The reason this is important, is that God show us His will; what
He wants us to do, in about 3 different ways. If you've wondered what
God wants of you, well... this might help.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Number
1 is that He tells a great deal of what He wants of us, by what we
learn from scripture. You'll see some of that, as you dig into
Matthew 25. Number 2 is that God speaks to our heart as we hear good
preaching and teaching, and as we spend quiet time in prayer
LISTENING for His leading. And number 3 is by opening and closing
doors of opportunity in front of us. We are to go through doors He
has opened in front of us, and stay out of the others.” </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Gramps
continued by listing the things the teens saw as open doors of
opportunity God has set before them. Each teen took a hard look at
what things they might be able to start making some puzzle books as
prototypes, until God showed them how to get machinery for printing
etc. You really get blessed knowing God is leading as you remain
happy and content 'with such things as you have'. Hebrews 13:5 – 6.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;">Don't
forget your Matthew 25 homework! </span>
</div>Gramps Curtishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08460487253055175359noreply@blogger.com