T.J.I.F.A.

THANK JESUS IT'S FRIDAY AGAIN!
PASS IT ON...& ON...& ON...& ON

MAY 23, 2003

SALUTE TO BOARD SCHOLAR OF EDWARD L.  BOUIE TRADITIONAL THEME SCHOOL WANNESHA  MCKENNEDY
SALUTE! WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL - VALEDICTORIAN   SHELLY LEANNE COLEMAN
SALUTE! LUTHERAN EAST - TOP TEN PERCENTILE - SHARIETTA SPIRES
AND SALUTE ALL GRADUATES!  KEEP UP THE FINE WORK.



SUBJECT: ANTHONY THE RED ANT - THE FIRST SHALL BE LAST AND THE LAST FIRST.  

THIS WEEK WE HAVE A NEW VISITOR - ANTHONY THE RED ANT., WHO COMES WITH SINCERE DESIRE TO DO HIS FATHER'S WILL.  AS   THE NEW LEADER OF HIS COLONY, HE LEARNS ABOUT THE REAL ENEMY OF THE MIND.  HE ALSO EXHIBITS THE IMPORTANCE OF "PRESSING TOWARD THE MARK."    AND AS A RESULT THAT WHICH WAS LAST BECOMES FIRST AND VICE VERSA.

NOTEWORTHY:   BMCC REMINDS US THAT TOMORROW IS NOT PROMISED SO PRAISE GOD TODAY.  

FRIDAY'S WORD: RELINQUISH

IN THE MIRROR: S.L.C .SHARES A CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE

O TASTE AND SEE!  POTATO SALAD.  JUST IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAY HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!

LOOKING FORWARD

SEE YA NEXT TIME

TER



ANTHONY THE RED ANT

Matt.19:28-30;20:1-16

The harvest had been slim this year.  The Farmers were barely allowing the apples to touch the ground, before they picked them up . These apples were used for cider, if they weren't too bruised.

All of the ants,  red and black were experiencing an understandably difficult  time obtaining food for their perspective  families. In critical times the ants  would look up and search  higher for their food.   One of the red ant scouts spied a bird on the roof top eating an apple and he noticed that there were other cores of apples in the gutter.  He supposed that if he could get to that remnant he could feed the colony of red ants, not just his immediate family.
    
In the colony of Red Ants there was a leader, who was very sick.  When leaders   are sick, the whole colony suffers until the leader either dies, or appoints another in his place.  The leader knew this and told his son Anthony, that he would have to lead the other scouts to the food.  Anthony had been out many times with his father, but he never thought about actually leading the whole band of harvesters and scouts  anywhere.  

Anthony's father had confidence in his young and capable son.  He spoke in private with Anthony.  He reminded him about his heritage as a leader, and laid on his shoulders the responsibility of, not only his immediate family, but the whole colony.  His  father  instructed and spoke into  Anthony's heart; Love,  for future generations of the colony.  He explained that leaders die first, and not last.  When a leader refuses to give up his life for the colony it will soon die of decay, but when the leader is willing to relinquish   his life, the spirit of life continues in the colony.  It is a spirit to work together and ensure the happiness of others over yourself.  

Then Anthony's father asked him this question, "Do you know the enemy?"  Anthony knew the answer to this question and he quickly replied, "The Peony Ants are our enemies!" It was then that Anthony received his greatest revelation, because his father took the  rest of their time together to explain to him the difference in temporary , light affliction, and the torment that is within from the enemy of your mind.

His father  reminded him that he shouldn't desire to become GREAT ,but should become SERVANT to all.  

He now understood that the enemy he could see was not as harmful   as the one who  whispers negative suggestions of low self esteem; self-destruction; fear; and destructive whimpers of victimization; Those thoughts to have the largest mound and the most harvesters were being replaced by the sincere desire to bring back food for the colony...no matter the cost to himself.    

The next day found Anthony at the head of the formation. He moved the long line of harvester ants quickly through the field.  They were making  good time, and would reach their goal in less than fifteen minutes.

The earth started to shake in rhythmic patterns.  A pattern he had heard too many times before.  It was the Peony Ants.  Their large bodies and big feet tramping loudly and grimacing through the field.  Anthony wondered where they were going,  because they too had been without food.  He hoped that they wouldn't annoy the smaller ants, as was their custom.    They found great joy in lording over them and throwing them off track.  They began to run between the small ants and disrupt their line and formation.  Anthony continued calling signals and moving toward the goal.  

Hearing his voice, the small red ants would be brought back to their objective,   and  forward in their movement.  Pressing ever so hard for the goal.   Anthony kept his mind stayed on the sound advice of his father.  At times it seemed as if his father was right there with him.  He looked at the movement of the Peony Ants and discovered that they weren't ‘harvesters', but scouts.  That meant that they had to return and tell the others in the colony that they had found food...if they knew it was true.  

Anthony hoped that by the time they reached their colony he and his harvesters would be well on their way back to the colony.  

The red scouts told Anthony that the best way to get up to the roof was a long ladder.  If they would all assemble there, they could reach the top in no time.  Anthony found the suggestion a good one, so the small red ants started the climb upward to the roof.  The thunderous sound of the Peony ants racing through the field and clambering to reach the roof first frightened the little red ants.  Anthony called his orders sure.  He commanded that the small ants hold onto the first rung of the ladder, and not to fall back for any reason.  

The large ants laughed and pushed the small ants around as they raced to the top of the ladder.  There were swarms of the huge ants.  Anthony wanted to cry and go home; but he was the leader.  One of the small ants asked,   "Why don't we just follow them?"  
Anthony replied with a loud voice, "Because we are not followers.  We are leaders.  And we must follow our minds...NOT theirs."  

When the last Peony Ant had stepped on the ladder, there came a noise which was unfamiliar to the Ant Kingdom.  It was a farmer.  He grabbed the ladder and took it further down the side of the   house;  But when he sat the ladder down, he placed the top rung on the bottom, and the bottom rung on the top.  

That meant the small red ants had first choice of the apples on the roof.  By the time the leader of the Peony Ants understood what had happened and was running to the front of the formation, the small ants had grabbed large mouthfuls of the apples and once again were on the ladder, headed down.  

The farmer finished on the roof, climbed down; and once again picked the ladder up to move it and placed it top down and bottom up.  

Well, now the small ants were on the first rung of the ladder, near the ground, so all they had to do is start their journey back to the colony, with Anthony leading the harvesters and their bounty secure.  

The Peony Ants?  Well they were busy trying to understand what had happened.  They were so confused that they didn't even try to aggravate the small Red Ants. Instead   they consumed themselves with getting back into formation.  

Note: Our lives, as Christians, seem to come in last...but we don't!  It is seldom that we are chosen for a team...But we Coach!  We're never allowed to pitch...But we hit home runs! When the Medical Profession says "No hope."...We lay hands and are healed!  When the last rites are given...We work until retirement.  

And if we never see our objectives while on this earth, we must never give up the well spring of Hope which will lead us to our Father's Throne of Peace, Love, and Joy!  


Looking Forward

See Ya Next Time

TER

NOTEWORTHY:
Christians are the only people who are fully prepared to deal with life's problems.  They know that worry about the future will destroy the beauty of the moment. Don't let  the sin of  fear rob you of the treasures that the Lord  has in store for you.

Submitted by: BMcC

FRIDAY'S WORD: relinquish; re*lin*quish (verb) to  renounce; let go of one's possession or control, to surrender or submit completely

IN THE MIRROR:

Jesus said in John 11:25 "I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, tho he were dead, yet shall he live."

Have you ever had an experience that you know could have had the ability to stop you in your Christian belief  had you not known  better?

The lady was reading some Christian material, when enquiries were made by another lady onlooker. She questioned the material being of a particular denomination of which she had obvious disapproval, and was told she was incorrect in her observation. I quickly saw an opportunity to gain more religious perspective, being aware of  her savvy in an area that always catches my attention.

Expecting to surely agree and have something in common with this lady on a short commute to work, I proceeded to ask of her faith, and the denomination she attended.

When she told me, I expressed my surprise to her because I'm always very open and honest about what I believe in Christ Jesus. We are always called upon to be His witness. She also began to witness clearly about her faith and the type of denomination she attended. Tho our conversation was succinct, I tried to learn and share as  much as I could in what I knew would be a short visit.

Her stop came up, but  before she exited  the train, she clearly told me, "When it's over down here, it's over."

After getting over the initial shock of what I just heard, my next natural response was to search my spirit about everything I've ever known and learned pertaining to the lady's remark. It was a very ‘intellectual' remark with mundane overtones that I'm afraid to think in terms of how many would agree with. It puts me so much in mind of Woody Allen's comment of, "What's the use of a life that just ends up dying?" Anticipated answer, "None" ; "No Use".

I think today of the ostensible way this subject can be regarded, and the disparagement it can cause if we live in a world void of any real hope. I think of the blind that will never have a chance to see all the beauty that God created in this world; I think of the deaf that knows there is supposed to be  sound, but with the inability  to hear the wonders associated with the sound perceived; I think of the lame from birth, and every other birth defect known to man, (and there are many) that don't have a chance if God in His Sovereignty hasn't made a way for everybody.     

No! Man is the author of ‘hierarchy.' For him it's a life  where he has no problem establishing his own system of what's important, and what's not;  who's important, and who's not; what's valuable, and what's not; and on down the list. Don't you realize he even chooses his own "religion" while ignoring Jesus' saying "I am the way, the truth, and the life...." (John 14:6a)

We are equal in being born into this life, and we are equal in death;  but what so often separates us is what we believe about this life that God has so freely given us. Whether you are the "privileged" or the "under-privileged" in this life, God says He has another life waiting on you, (John 10:10) and that one will possess His true abundance for all of mankind.

If anyone ever tells you, "It's all  over for you", just give them whatever you know about JESUS, and I'm sure it'll be more than sufficient!

S.L.C.

O TASTE AND SEE!

MAMA'S POTATO SALAD

INGREDIENTS:
6 TO 8   LARGE WHITE POTATOES
1   CHICKEN BOUILLON CUBE (OPTIONAL)   MAY SUBSTITUTE FOR TSP. OF SALT.
4   HARD BOILED EGGS FINELY CHOPPED
1   WHITE ONION CHOPPED
1    CLOVE GARLIC MINCED OR GARLIC FLAKES
2    CUPS DICED SWEET PICKLE RELISH
1    CUP CUBED DILL PICKLE
2    CUPS KRAFT SALAD DRESSING
1   TABLESPOON TURMERIC POWDER
1    TABLESPOON THYME
1    TABLESPOON CURRY POWDER
½    TABLESPOON CELERY SEEDS
½    TABLESPOON SUGAR
½   CUP MUSTARD TO TASTE
½    TABLESPOON PARSLEY FLAKES
½    TABLESPOONS PAPRIKA

DIRECTIONS:

PEEL, AND  DICE WHITE POTATOES; BOIL IN LARGE POT OF WATER WITH EITHER THE BOUILLON OR SALT UNTIL TENDER; SET ASIDE AFTER DRAINING.
IN A LARGE BOWL START WITH SALAD DRESSING AND THEN ADD ALL ABOVE INGREDIENTS EXCEPT FOR PARSLEY FLAKES AND PAPRIKA.
MIX THOROUGHLY.  THIS MIXTURE IS A GOLDEN YELLOW COLOR.  YOU MAY WANT TO PUT THE CHOPPED EGGS IN LAST.  
TO THIS MIXTURE GENTLY FOLD IN THE POTATOES, MAKING SURE THAT THEY ARE WELL COVERED WITH THIS SAUCE.  
SCRAPE SIDES OF THE LARGE BOWL, FREQUENTLY.  SMOOTH OUT THE VERY TOP OF THE POTATO SALAD, CLEAN THE EXPOSED INSIDE OF THE BOWL; SPRINKLE PARSLEY FLAKES AND PAPRIKA AS A GARNISH ON THE TOP.  

SALUTE! TO A GREAT OLD FAVORITE.

NOTE: YOU MAY WANT TO USE FRESH THINLY SLICED CELERY INSTEAD OF THE DRIED, EITHER WAY THIS DISH IS GREAT!  

TER