T.J.I.F.A.

THANK JESUS IT'S FRIDAY AGAIN!  
PASS IT ON ...& ON...& ON...& ON
JULY FOURTH 2003
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY! !
TJIFA SALUTES AMERICA AND ALL OF ITS DIVERSITY...SALUTE!

SUBJECT: BIG FAT FROG AND A.I.D.S.
(SPECIAL EDITION)

THIS WEEK TJIFA HAS GIVEN ALL OF ITS WRITERS A DAY OFF.  WE DO CELEBRATE JULY FOURTH, THE DAY DECLARED AS INDEPENDENCE DAY FOR THE MAIN LAND OF NORTH AMERICA.  WE HONOR ALL OF OUR FOREFATHERS THIS DAY AND THANK GOD FOR THE INDEPENDENT SPIRIT OF THOSE WHO CROSSED THE TREACHEROUS OCEANS TO FIND A PLACE WHERE THEY COULD WORSHIP JESUS CHRIST AS THEIR LORD AND MASTER.  SALUTE!

PLEASE PRAY FOR ALL OUR SOLDIERS IN IRAQ.

THIS WEEK BIG FAT FROG TACKLES A SENSITIVE SUBJECT - AIDS.  WE CAN NO LONGER BRUSH THIS UNDER A CHRISTIAN RUG.  IT HAS TAKEN THE LIVES OF MANY INNOCENT PEOPLE AND CHILDREN.  THE STATISTICS IN AFRICA SAY THAT ONE IN EVERY FIVE PEOPLE HAVE THIS DISEASE.  CHILDREN ARE HOMELESS ALL OVER THE WORLD.  WE BREATHE THE SAME AIR AS THE REST OF THE WORLD.  LET'S OPEN    OUR EYES TO THIS MURDEROUS SPIRIT THAT DETERMINES TO KILL, STEAL AND DESTROY HUMANITY WITH LASCIVIOUS, THOUGHTLESS LIVING.  

NOTEWORTHY: FRIDAY'S WORD: IN THE MIRROR: AND O TASTE AND SEE! WILL BE BACK AGAIN IN FULL SWING NEXT WEEK...UNTIL THEN, KEEP...

LOOKING FORWARD

SEE YA NEXT TIME

TRUE E. READYWRITER

PRAYER LINE: 770 808 0542
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B.F.F - A.I.D.S.   

The teacher wiped her eyes as she read the short letter from their classmate, Solomon Day.  "I had a transfusion of blood two years ago, and it made me very sick.  I wish to pass this grade for my parents.  I probably won't be going on with you after this year.  I've asked the teachers to read this letter because I would like someone to bring me the assignments and take them back to class.  Even though I feel bad a lot, there are days when I feel real good, and I think that doing my class work will take my mind off of this uncontrollable situation." Signed,  Solomon Day. (A.K.A. Jedidiah)  P.S." Thanks, in advance."  

The class sat and stared at the teacher.  Then the questions began to ring out faster than she could answer them.  The teacher told the class that whoever took up the task would have to get their parents permission to go to the  hospital at least twice a week, or maybe two people could take turns.  Then, she dismissed them for the day.   

The class hurriedly ran out of the classroom to discuss their new found information.  They were afraid.  "Do I have it?  What does he have?  Only thing you can get with a transfusion is Hepatitis, West Nile Virus, or AIDS.  AIDS!  Do you think he has AIDS?"  
"Oh no!  Solomon has AIDS!  We can't touch anything that belongs to him.  We can't go to the hospital.  Do you think Solomon will die?  Solomon has AIDS.!"  

Big Fat Frog never hung around listening to the lure of his classmates. Instead he ran home.  He seemed not to care about his friends who were in the huddle after school, talking.  But his friends saw him running away.  

They immediately decided that  IF Big Fat Frog wasn't going to help, then neither were they because after all, he was a Christian and he was running for his life.  

Big Fat Frog arrived at his home out of breath and calling anxiously for his parents; "Mom.  Dad. Where are you? "
"Calm down  Frog.  What's wrong?  Why are you so upset?"  
Still out of breath, BFF began telling his parents about Solomon Day, and how he wanted to do his homework, but, needed someone to bring it to him.  BFF wanted  permission to do that task for him.  He was running, because he wanted to be the first one who volunteered for the task.  He told his parents that there would be only one other person to help.  His parents thought it would be a great  task for their son, but, they would have to go first and talk with Solomon's parents.  And they did.  

They all  visited Solomon's hospital room that evening, talked with his parents and his Nurse.  It was all clear.  Big Fat Frog would be Solomon's messenger.  

While Big Fat Frog was visiting Solomon, the Nurse told him all about the disease that Solomon was suffering and how some days BFF  wouldn't be able to go into his room, if Solomon's blood count was too low, because Solomon would catch any germ and it could shorten his life.  She also told Big Fat Frog, that Solomon would love to hear from his other classmates, they could write to him, but it wouldn't be healthy if they all decided to come.   

While going home, Big Fat Frog was so excited.  He told his parents that he hoped he could be the first one to tell the teacher in the morning.  His parents agreed that this was a type of Mission, and he could say that he was doing Missionary Work.  

Big Fat Frog thought about it for a moment, then he said, "But, I'm only taking him his homework."
To which his parents asked, "Does he know the Lord?"  
"I don't know. But I think so.  How could he be so happy and sick if he didn't?"
Upon reaching home, and before bedtime, the family prayed; about Solomon, his salvation; his  family and his healing.  Big Fat Frog's mother reminded him of the telephone message, "It's from Cindy.  But, it's too late to call tonight."
"O.K.," he replied, as he thought about being the first one to respond.  He just knew that Cindy would like to go, but he had to make sure that he was FIRST.  

He ate his breakfast as  he,  once again,  ran to school.  He was early, so he didn't see Cindy nor Frederick en route.  He passed Frederick's house, still draped in plastic because of the  Code Red Terrorist precautions, ,earlier this year.  

    Wanting to be first, he ran into the classroom, only to find the teacher taking Solomon's books out of his desk and placing them in a brown bag, to make it easier to carry.  She had a stack of homework on fresh clean paper with the instructions on top.  When she looked his way, he blurted, "My mother and father said that I could go.  We visited Solomon last night.  I..."
"Big Fat Frog, I know how much you like to be first, but this is an assignment that we must allow others to also participate in, if they desire.  So, we will wait until the rest of the class comes to make that decision.  O.K.?"  Interrupted the teacher. "Uh, O.K."  Replied a disappointed Big Fat Frog.  

When the others came in.  The teacher made everyone put their heads down on their desks and asked, "Who obtained permission from their parents to take Solomon Day his homework?  Please, raise your hand on the count of three, and we will decide on two people to carry out this ‘mission.'   Eyes closed..One.  Two.  Three! Hands up,
1;  Alright, we must do it again.  One.  Two.   Three!   O.K.  Big Fat Frog, you win.
You will carry Solomon Day's homework."
Overcome with inexplicable Joy, BFF shouted, "ALRIGHT!"  The rest of the class slowly turned to get a good look at BFF, then Frederick began clapping very slowly, and the others joined as they snickered under their breath.  

It didn't bother BFF, he had a "Mission."  After school, he picked up the brown bag and was content to embark on his new project.  BUT...The others from the class encircled him in the School yard, and began questioning , "Aren't you afraid?  Don't bring those papers back to the classroom!  We could all die.  What are you thinking about?"  Then Frederick broke the trend and said, "Frog!  I've got to talk to you.  Can you give me a minute?  Let's walk home!"
BFF took that opportunity to break away from his peers, "Sure."  

Frederick didn't waste any time, "Look, I have a great "Diet" Book" for  Solomon.  This diet guarantees success for people who have AIDS or any other condition that affects the Immune System.  If Solomon uses my diet and gets well, sales will increase and I'll pay you for introducing it to him."  
BFF stopped and looked at Frederick, he couldn't believe his ears.  What's wrong with everyone, he wondered.  
Frederick continued, "Frog, the Diet and Nutrition Field is wide open.  According to U.S. News and World Report, Last year it sold millions upon millions of books and nutritional products.  It's a BILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY!  You'd be a fool to have an opportunity like this and  pass it up!  Everyone's doing it!  This is a window of opportunity, Diets aren't against your religion.  In fact, many ministries are now encouraging their people to buy some sort of nutritional guidelines."    
He continued, "This diet could save Solomon's life.  What do you say?  Here just take it with you and tell him to try it."  He pushed two sheets of paper into his brown  book bag.  
BFF went on his way , not looking back nor losing time.  
Frederick shouted to him as a last appeal, "Don't be a Fool, Frog!"

When the others heard Frederick shouting, they imagined in their hearts and spoke with their mouths, "He is a fool.  I'm glad I didn't fall for it.  He's a fool.  He'll end up just like Solomon." (Of course, they didn't know what Frederick was talking about, but fear causes peoples minds to be corrupted at the least bit of influence. So, they assumed that Frederick was attempting to get BFF  to pass up going to the hospital, as they had all predetermined in their hearts.)   

When BFF arrived at his home, he had lost some of the Joy of doing his own personal "Mission" work.  He needed to talk to his mother and father about what had happened today.  Was he a fool?  And if he was, Why?

He called his mother as soon as he stepped into the house. His mother answered, "I'm in the kitchen, Frog; here with Cindy.  Come on."    
Oh No!  Not Cindy!  She'll probably have much to say about today.  I really need to talk to Mom, by myself.  

"Hi, Cindy."  He spoke casually.
"Hey Frog.  I was just talking to your mother about going to see Solomon.  Would you allow me to go with you?"
"Well, Uh, sure, why not?" replied BFF. "Did you tell the teacher?  And did you ask your mother?"
"Yea.  All of that has been arranged, I just wanted to know if when you went, I could go with you.  You see I have no transportation."
"O.K. Cindy, I have to talk with Mom right now." BFF said, in a quietly remorseful tone.
"Alright, Frog, is there anything wrong?  Did I say something?"  Asked Cindy.
"No.  It's just that I want to talk to Mom about school today."  
"I told your mother about what happened in the classroom.  I'll see you later.  Bye."  Briefed,  Cindy.

BFF informed  his mother about the situation in the School yard and the conversation with Frederick.  He communicated to  her how he felt when all of the class called him a fool. Then he asked her, "Mom, am I a fool?  Why do I feel like this is a good thing?  Is it?  Should I change my mind?  I really want to visit him and give him his homework,  but why should that make me a fool?  The teacher even called it a ‘Mission,'  Mom."
His mother answered, "Frog, you have been assailed by fiery darts of cruel words by people who refuse valuable  lessons of life.  If you can, just imagine how much more they would attack Solomon Jedidiah Day, if he were in school now.  Imagine the devastation to his self esteem, and the destruction to his physical body and mind.  It might cause him to be sicker than he already is.  Are you hurting, Frog?  If you're hurting without disease..."
BFF interrupted his mother, "Mom, I just had to talk with you.  Thanks.  Why  did  you call him Jedidiah?"
"His mother told me that she calls him that and since he's been sick he has wanted everyone to refer to him as, Jedidiah.  It means, ‘Beloved  of Jehovah."    
That night was the first visit to Jedidiah to carry out his ‘Mission.'  Big Fat Frog was back in high spirits, and looking forward to the pleasure of seeing and talking with Jedidiah again.  As they approached the room, he noticed that everyone coming out had on masks and gowns and gloves.  His heart sank.  He wouldn't be able to go in to see him, he thought.  The Nurse recognized him and told him that he could go in for twenty minutes with all of the isolation garb.  She helped him get dressed and told him how to act.  She said that Jedidiah had been talking about him, BFF, all day long and was determined to do his homework.   

Jedidiah sat up in the bed with a green mask over his face also.  When he saw Big Fat Frog dressed in the isolation hat, gown, mask  and gloves, he burst out laughing.  BFF returned the greeting with, "Let's play Alien."  And they laughed even more.  The laughter broke the unfamiliar atmosphere  between them and soon they were talking as usual. BFF brought him up to date with the good news and informed him that Cindy had come also, but only one of them could come in.  Then Big Fat Frog asked Jedidiah, "Jedidiah, are you saved?"

"Frog, all I can hope for is to see the Lord's face.  I don't deserve anything else.  This disease is for people who do bad things.  I've been real bad, Frog, that's why I got this.  I have AIDS, you know." replied Jedidiah.
Astonished,  Big Fat Frog quickly spoke up, "Jedidiah, you're on the wrong track.  Jesus came to die for everyone, especially bad people, but you haven't done anything so bad that He wouldn't forgive you.  That's what the Cross is all about.  It's about receiving Him into your heart an letting Him forgive you and wash you of all sin.  Jedidiah, if you don't give Jesus a chance to do that for you, you will be just like the real bad sinners who don't believe that He is the Son of GOD."  
"Oh, wait a minute, now, I didn't say that I don't believe, that He is the Son of GOD.  I said that I'm not good enough for Him to live in me, and I only want to see His face."
"Jedidiah, what you're saying is dichotomous.  Listen, ‘Now, to them that receive Him, to them gave He power to become the Sons of GOD; even to them that believe on His Name.'  So see, if you believe you have the power to become a Son of GOD.  That's why Jesus came to bring so many more back with Him to His Father.  John 3:16 says: FOR  GOD  SO  LOVED  THE   WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN  SON ,THAT  WHOSOEVER    BELIEVETH   IN  HIM  SHOULD NOT  PERISH,  BUT  HAVE  EVERLASTING   LIFE.  vs.17 FOR  GOD SENT NOT HIS SON INTO THE WORLD TO CONDEMN THE WORLD ; BUT THAT THE WORLD  THROUGH  HIM MIGHT BE SAVED. vs.18 HE THAT BELIEVETH ON HIM   IS  NOT CONDEMNED, BUT HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT IS CONDEMNED ALREADY, BECAUSE HE HATH NOT BELIEVED IN THE NAME OF THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD.   Jedidiah, are you condemned?"
"NO!  I believe!"  Shouted a teary eyed Jedidiah.

"Let's pray.  Heavenly Father, you said in Romans, ‘that if we confess with our mouths  the Lord Jesus, and believe in our hearts that God hath raised him from the dead that we shall  be saved.'  This night, Dear Lord, I and Jedidiah Day confess with our  mouths that Jesus is the Christ, the Only Begotten Son of GOD, and we believe that we are now citizens of heaven and will spend Eternity with you.  We will not just see your face to know that you are true, but we will live again in one of the many mansions that you have prepared for us and we thank you.  AMEN."

There was a knock on the door.  It was the Nurse.  "I'm sorry, but the time is up."
They gave one another high fives, and BFF turned to leave.
"See Ya Next Time Jedidiah."
"Bye Frog."   

In the waiting room were BFF's mother, Jedidiah's mother and Cindy.  They seemed engrossed in conversation, when he approached joyously.  "Mom, Jedidiah and I went through the Sinner's Prayer.  He looked real happy and then it was time to go."
Jedidiah's mother hugged him and through tears of joy, she said, "Thank you.  Thank you Frog.  And God Bless you both."
BFF's mother stood to leave and Cindy suddenly ran to the trash can.  She emptied her purse of some things, hugged Mrs. Day and prepared to leave also.  

BFF was slightly confused about what happened in the waiting room, but he also knew that his mother would explain, either at home or in the car on the way home.  
He was right.

Big Fat Frog's mother began relating what had happened in the waiting room: "Mrs. Day needed encouragement and assurance about the trial that her family is facing.  She needed to understand that GOD, in His Sovereignty still had their best in His plan.  She felt that Jedidiah was suffering from his parent's sin and this devastated her.  Her family was torn apart and she couldn't pray any more.  I, also, prayed with her and Cindy was right there with me.  I told her that Jedidiah needed her now, more than ever.  He could possibly face death at any time and it was her job to help him cross this great divide."  

"Wow!  We were doing the same thing."  Reported BFF.  "This is truly a Mission."

Then Cindy, in her quiet small voice, said, "I'm so glad that I went with you.  I told your mother about what happened in the Classroom, but, you didn't even know.  While our heads were down on the desks, you were the only one to raise your hand to go to see Solomon.  No one else volunteered or even wanted to go.  I didn't raise my hand either but, my heart was convicted and I told my girl-friends, who told me that I was stupid and a fool.  Then they convinced me to take these lucky tokens with me.  I dumped them in the waste basket in the waiting room of the hospital. When I arrived at the hospital, and they said that I couldn't go in, I felt that the ‘lucky tokens' were working. It wasn't until I listened to your mother minister to Mrs. Day, that I understood: I AM NOT LUCKY AND JEDIDIAH DAY IS NOT UNLUCKY, Jedidiah Day is blessed of GOD, and GOD has poured His Grace and Mercy on him so that people, like me ,would see His Glory, and be drawn to THE CROSS.   

When you don't follow Christ, you'll fall for anything, including, believing that pulling back and trying to save our own lives in fear, is politically correct.  GOD has not given us a spirit of fear, but of LOVE, and a SOUND MIND.   

The next week, Cindy and Big Fat Frog arrived at school together, still talking about the "Mission" in which they had   successfully been participants.  They didn't notice that their Class Mates were allowing them great areas of space.  

Frederick broke the sound barrier with a jubilant, "Hey, Frog!  How's Solomon doing on my diet?  Getting better, right?  Did you see anyone else who needed it?  Well, I'll tell you this. I found out that Mrs. Clinton wrote a book about the President and her publishers gave her eight million dollars right up front.  And, look at this.  Harry Potter sold five million copies on the first day of it's  release.  I'm working on a book about Sorcery In The Whitehouse, and if I'm really brilliant I'll also find a way to work in ‘Nutritional Facts.'  Sorry, I can't include you anymore, because this book will have sorcery in it, and I know how you feel about other religions."  
Before BFF could respond to Frederick's outrageous antics, the teacher came into the Classroom followed by a tired looking  Mrs. Day, Jedidiah's mother.  

The Teacher introduced her, and Mrs. Day began to speak,  "Solomon Day, or Jedidiah, is now resting in the arms of his Savior.  He wanted me to come and tell you, his friends and class mates,  thank you for all of your caring and prayers.  He said that he couldn't have been more happy than when Big Fat Frog and Cindy visited him and told him how much he was missed and how everyone battled for the position to bring him his homework.  He had gotten an opportunity to talk with others in the hospital who had the same diagnosis, and their friends wouldn't come near them, nor even bring them their homework.  

He said that he knew he had very special friends and he didn't want, not even one of you, to miss out on him saying, Thank You.  He said, that he was expectantly waiting  to see you again, but not soon.  Then, he asked me to read this to you.  It's a quote from a great News man, Walter Winchell:  "A FRIEND STEPS IN...WHEN OTHERS RUN OUT."   
Have a great life in Christ, and  if you don't understand that, have Big Fat Frog sit down with you.  Jedidiah, Beloved of Jehovah."

Looking Forward

See Ya Next Time

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