T.J.I.F.A.

 

THANK JESUS IT'S FRIDAY AGAIN!
PASS IT ON…& ON…& ON…& ON.
JULY 16, 2004

 

SUBJECT: "THE ICE CREAM MAN"

 

DO YOU REMEMBER THE ICE-CREAM MAN ON THE BICYCLE WITH THE FREEZER ON THE FRONT?  WHEN THE BELL WAS HEARD EVERYONE RAN TO GET THEIR COINS OR PLEAD MOTHERS FOR A DIME.  WHAT IF THE ICE CREAM MAN WENT BAD?  READ ON!

 

NOTEWORTHY: A QUOTE SUBMITTED BY BMCC.

 

FRIDAY'S WORD: WISDOM

 

IN THE MIRROR: SLC SHARES ON WISDOM AND THE WORK OF GOD.

 

O TASTE AND SEE!  STRAWBERRY PIE.  THE WOW OF THE SUMMER.  BMCC SAYS THAT EVEN THE CATS LOVE THIS PIE AND IT'S REAL EASY TO EAT AND MAKE. ENJOY!

 

LOOKING FORWARD

 

SEE YA NEXT TIME!

 

TER

 

THE ICE-CREAM  MAN

 

Ephesians 4:32; "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as GOD for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." 
Ephesians 5:1,2; "Be Ye therefore followers  of GOD, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to GOD for a sweetsmelling SAVOR."

 

Ting-a-ling.  Ting-a-ling.  It's the Ice-Cream Man!  That bell signaled everyone to get your money, and wait at the curb.  Some would anticipate his coming, and have their money ready and their wishes verbally sprouting as he pulled up on his ice-cream bike.  It was always a wonder how he could have as many articles in that little cooler; but he seemed to never run out of cool things on a hot day.  Even the parents and older people enjoyed the gathering at the refrigerated bike.  The Ice-Cream Man was known by everyone, even though no one ever knew where he lived.  He would just appear with bells ringing, his bike, and a smile. A real refreshing event.  

 

One day the tingling of the bell seemed to be exceptionally commanding.  There was no real rest from the sound.  This was strange because in order to serve his customers, the Ice-Cream Man had to stop his bike and hand out selections; and also collect his money from customers.  But the bell was getting closer and closer; THEN . . . it appeared.  Immediately the change was noted.  A DIFFERENT driver! The old familiar driver had been promoted to a truck driver for the company.  

 

This new Ice-Cream Man was impatient and UNKIND.  He brushed passed the customers and was loud as he announced that he had no cream SICKLES  and told the waiting customers that he didn't have time to wait for them.  If they wanted ice cream, they had to be on the curb, with the correct change. 

 

Trying to accommodate this controlling salesman, the customers did what he asked them to do.  They stood on the curb with correct change, but even that wasn't enough for the demanding salesman.  He placed his cell phone number on the side of the freezer. Then  he told the customers if they wanted something they had to order it before he arrived,  (like ordering pizza).  In addition, he required them to  hold up a sign to let him know what they wanted.    If they didn't call in advance, they wouldn't be served.  No more impromptu service. 

 

The children noticed how much  the   irritating salesman enjoyed   riding pass  potential customers  on the curb shouting:   "You didn't place an order!  You're not on my list!  Sorry, correct change only! You're too late!  All out of cream sickles.  Too late!  Too late!"

 

NOTE:  Some people  seem to think that being kind to others makes them weak.  These people feel that the only way they will be acknowledged is to have others subjugated  to them, in some way.   These individuals are lacking in self esteem and would do well with a  big dose of Salvation.  TER

 

On one of the streets which the Ice-Cream Man visited there lived a couple of boys who loved to play tricks.  Needless to say, they identified  the Ice Cream Man as a likely target for one of their jokes. 

 

They decided to put a plank in the street that would cause the Ice-Cream vehicle to go wheeling out of control.   Hazen and Jacquel would benefit from  the popsicles  and other ‘cool' stuff that would fall out. 

 

The day came when Hazen and Jacquel would carry out their prank against the impatient Ice-Cream Man.  They heard him in the distance; his bells ringing at a fast pace.  Others who wished to purchase a cool treat were standing out on the curb, holding signs and shouting loudly for their desired purchases. 

 

Hazen and Jacquel hurriedly ran and placed the plank around the corner where the bike was sure to come. 

 

After insulting customers, snatching money, and barely passing out his goods, the Ice-Cream Man came around the corner very quickly.  He was hit  . . .broadsided by a truck.  The Ice-Cream Man flew up in the air.  His   bike flew another way.   Like a bird whose flight is suddenly interrupted,  he fell to the ground . . . right at the feet of Hazen and Jacquel.
Startled, they looked at each other.  In concert, they attempted to help the injured Ice-Cream Man but were interrupted by the driver of the truck.  Quickly, he assessed the situation as he handed his cell phone to Jacquel to call 911.  Neighbors were running to the scene offering their assistance.  The driver of the truck asked for something to prop up the Ice-Cream Man's legs.  Hazen responded with a couple of planks and a rock, which an adult helped him maneuver into place.  Some neighbors brought blankets and some were also trying to reach 911. 

 

NOTE:  Life is an interwoven tapestry.  We'll NEVER be able to live it alone.  GOD didn't intend solitude.  TER

 

The Ice-Cream Man couldn't understand what had happened.  He brushed off the commotion and climbed back on his money-making bike.  As he pedaled he noticed that the sun was going down hurriedly and it was getting dark quickly.  He knew that he had to finish his rounds before returning to the base.  Then he looked ahead of him.  There were thousands of people running toward him screaming:  "It's too late Ice-Cream Man!  Give us cream sickles, popsicles, ice cream and sodas.  We're dying of thirst." They were reaching for his refrigerated box, drooling and sweating.  It was frightening!  What street was this?  He was LOST!  
He couldn't shut off the bell on his bike; its familiar sound was drawing people from everywhere.  They had signs.   They were standing out on the curbs and his cell phone was ringing without mercy.  ‘This has to be a dream,' he thought.  ‘But, I can't wake up.  I can't wake up.'  He was pedaling faster and faster.  The horror of his dilemma was that he COULDN'T get off his bike.  He had tried several times without success. 

 

The people finally surrounded him so that he couldn't go anywhere, and then slowly moved toward him.  He closed his eyes, only to open them and find that somehow, they had reached him and taken the freezer off his bike.  They, as a co-operative mass ran away to take the ice-cream from his freezer.  They were fighting and tearing at each other.  The noise was deafening.  They were biting, hitting, kicking, spitting, and saying all kinds of evil words to each  other.  When they opened the freezer, a great light invaded the darkness.  Shrieking they scattered.  A few of them pointed to him and cursed saying, "You betrayed us.  You're one of them." 

 

He heard someone count to three and yell . . . "CLEAR".  With that he felt a bomb go off in his body.  He awoke to find paramedics, caring neighbors, the Ice-Cream Man whose route he had taken, and two real scared looking young boys. 
In the process of rolling the stretcher to the back of the ambulance, the driver of the truck, who was the old Ice-Cream Man, told the victim:  "The neighbors bought all of your ice-cream.   They also have decided to pay for a new ice-cream bike for you, and these young men have something for you."    Hazen and Jacquel came to his bedside with a small black Bible, which they found in the bottom of the ice-cream freezer.

 

The NEW Ice-Cream Man was taken to the hospital and in the dungeons of his mind, he was secretly glad that unlike his dream or his previously lived life . . . It was NOT  TOO LATE!

 

Looking Forward

 

See Ya Next Time!
 
TER

 

NOTEWORTHY: 

 

"When you have walked through the fire, people began to listen to you.  When you have the wisdom born of suffering, you begin to have the tools to accomplish something in the world."
By: David Jeremiah

 

FRIDAY'S WORD: wisdom; wis*dom; (noun) accumulated learning; good sense (Merriam-Webster)

 

IN THE MIRROR:
"The meaning of wisdom- Wisdom is the practical side of knowledge.  It shows us what is important, gives proportion to what we know, and enables us to use insight skillfully to reach a desired goal. 
 There is more than one kind of wisdom.
According to the New Testament, the wisdom of the world is different from the wisdom of GOD.  The first uses knowledge to get ahead at the expense of others.  The second uses understanding for the good of others.  Each is distinguished by its motives.
 Seeing that real wisdom is not only a function of the mind but also a condition of the heart, an apostle of Christ wrote: "Who is wise and understanding among you?  Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom . . .For where envy and self-seeking exists, confusion and every evil thing are there.  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.  Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."  (James 3:13,16-18).
 By describing what's at the heart of both kinds of wisdom, James explained why knowledge makes some people arrogant while enabling others to love.  The wisdom he recommended is "pure" because it is not infected with "selfish ambition." It is "peaceable" because it values good relationships with others.  It is "gentle" because it knows the value of handling others with care.  This wisdom is "willing to yield" and is "full of mercy and good fruits."  It is also "without partiality and without hypocrisy" because it puts the well-being of others above selfish interest.

 

The source of real wisdom- Once we see that knowledge without wisdom is like marriage without love, we can see why Solomon wrote, "Happy is the [person] who finds wisdom and the man [or woman] who gains understanding; for her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold.  She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her" (Proverbs 3:13-15).
 The priceless treasure Solomon is describing is found by those who invest their lives in the principles of the Bible.  The Old Testament describes a wisdom that begins with the fear of GOD and is rounded out by timeless principles of practical insight.  (Proverbs 1:1-7; 9:10) The New Testament builds on the wisdom of Moses and Solomon but moves to another level of enlightenment.  With the coming of Christ, the Gospel writers introduce us to Someone  who makes the wisdom of Solomon pale by comparison.  As the Son of GOD, Jesus did more than teach truth and knowledge and wisdom.  He personified it (1Corinthians1:20-31).
 As Lord of heaven and earth, Jesus could have overwhelmed us with new information.  He could have lectured on science, theology, and philosophy in the most prestigious academies of higher learning.  Yet when He walked among us, He talked about what He knew was most important.  He talked about honoring His Father and seeing the value of people who were regarded as worthless by others.
 Showing wisdom with a heart of love, Jesus had a way of putting other information in perspective. With a wisdom that speaks for itself He simply asked questions like, "What profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own souls? Or what would a man give in exchange for his soul?"  (Matthew 16:26)."

 

The preceding was found in Mart De Haan's "BEEN THINKING ABOUT"  June 2004 copy sent to me from RBC Ministries, which was first sent by a very dear friend of the family.

 

There's a lot of talk going around today about how God works in the life of a Born-Again believer, and I saw in this little pamphlet a way of sharing with everyone, not only a beautiful perspective on wisdom, but a testimony on how easily you as a Christian, can learn to receive everything God has to offer.

 

What I saw in receiving my little "Our Daily Bread" was another opportunity to receive more testimonies of other Christians, more stories of all the people of the Bible, and all around more people like myself attempting to tell others about how great a God we truly serve in and through the Person of Jesus Christ.

 

God's always attempting to get a message to us, and its up to us to look around and see what we may be viewing or reading. Where and what are the goals you are setting for yourself, and how much do they involve faith and trust in God?  Do they embody the wisdom of this world or have you stopped to incorporate the divine wisdom of God as you come to know Him through scripture? 

 

Once you truly come to an understanding that the wealth God has given us through His Word  is unparalleled, and the one wisdom we can come to trust in is hidden in Christ Jesus, you'll be ready for so many wonderful edifying experiences that can come in the simplest form.

 

WHAT A MIGHTY GOD WE SERVE!!!    S.L.C. 

 

 O TASTE AND SEE!

 

STRAWBERRY PIE

 

INGREDIENTS:

 

ONE BAKED PIE SHELL (DEEP DISH SIZE)

 

ONE QUART FRESH STRAWBERRIES (WASHED AND HALVED)

 

1 ½ CUP BOILING WATER

 

4 TBLSPS CORNSTARCH

 

PINCH OF SALT

 

1 SMALL BOX STRAWBERRY JELL-O

 

1 ½ CUP SUGAR

 

DIRECTIONS:
MIX WATER,  CORNSTARCH,  SUGAR,  AND  SALT.
BOIL  UNTIL  CLEAR.
REMOVE  FROM  STOVE  AND ADD JELL-O AND MIX.
POUR  OVER  STRAWBERRIES  TO  COAT.
POUR  INTO  BAKED  PIE CRUST. 
CHILL UNTIL SET. 
TOP WITH WHIPPED CREAM  WHEN READY TO SERVE.

 

"A WINNER EVER TIME!"  BMCC.