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Newsletter
I MAY 2004
MOTHERS ARE NOT BIRDS
My
son found a bird’s nest. It was empty. After just one season,
the mother bird was finished with it. Next year she will build
another. But I am glad human mothers are not like birds.
Did
you know that if someone handles eggs in a wild bird’s
nest the bird may stop sitting on them? And that if a mother
bird has a defective chick she will shove it out of the nest
and not allow it to grow up?
Thank God our mothers care for us, regardless of the many problems
we have. They take care of us when we are hurt or sick. Like
God, they love us even when we do wrong things.
A
mother bird keeps busy feeding her young and protecting them.
That is all she does, though. Think of how often our mothers
have to be nurses, teachers, housekeepers, cooks, chauffeurs,
counselors, and friends. With all we ask it is a wonder they
don’t push us out of the nest.
Baby birds are out of the nest in one season. The mother becomes
free from caring for them. Our mothers are forever. They continue
to do things for us even when we get older. They never stop
caring for us. They pray for us. They become grandmothers and
care for our children.
Mothers are a treasure. Take a moment to meditate on all that
your mother has done for you. Be sure to honor and thank the
mother God gave you.
--A
Treasury of Bible Illustrations
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A MOTHER’S BEATITUDE
Blessed is the mother who understands her child,
for she shall inherit a kingdom of memories.
Blessed is the mother who knows how to comfort,
for she shall possess a child’s
devotion.
Blessed is the mother who guides by the path of righteousness
for she shall be proud of her offspring.
Blessed is the mother who teaches respect,
for she shall be respected.
Blessed is the mother who emphasizes the good and minimizes
the bad,
for in like manner the child shall make
evaluations.
Blessed is the mother who treats her child as she would be treated
for her home shall be filled with happiness.
Blessed is the mother who has character strong
enough to withstand the thoughtless
remarks and
resentments of the growing child,
for again, in due time, she shall be
honored.
--A Treasury
of Bible Illustrations
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LETTER
FROM THE ISF ASSISTANT
Dear International Friend,
Spring has finally arrived. The spring showers we experienced in
the month of April did bring about the beauty of May flowers. Recently,
my wife purchased a flower called a gardenia. When she brought it
home it had not yet bloomed. Each day in the morning we checked
to see if one of the flowers had opened up. We waited patiently
and were rewarded one morning with a beautiful white blossom. What
a miracle of God’s creation. Not only did it open up one morning
but throughout the day we noticed its progress until it was a wonderful
thing of beauty. How great is God. He delights to share with us
a wonderful world filled with many beauties. In a small way it gives
us a glimpse of the very nature of God. While some serve a god who
is demanding and hard to satisfy, the God of the Bible shares good
things with the ones He created.
In the month of May we will again be taking time to honor mothers.
My mother is 83 years old. Over the years I have grown to love her
more. She helped to make me the person I am. No one will ever be
just like her in my life. Take time to remember your mother. Tell
her that you love her. It will be the best present you can give
her. My wife will be celebrating Mother’s Day this year as
a grandma. She thinks it is the most wonderful thing next to being
a mother. At our May ISF gathering we will honor the mothers who
are in attendance. We will have a small gift for every mother who
is there. Please invite anyone you can so we can make this a special
time for them.
Our May ISF Gathering will be on Friday, May 7th, 7:30 PM
in the beautiful Ballroom of the William
Pitt Union. The William Pitt Union is located in Oakland
on the corner of Bigelow and 5th. Avenue. To get to the Ballroom,
use the entrance on 5th. Avenue and then follow the signs.
Along with honoring mothers, Mr. Dan Quales and
his family from Salem, Ohio will be with us to sing and speak about
the family. Yes, of course there will also be a full course dinner,
good music, special children’s activities in the Kurtzman
Room, but especially good International fellowship. It’s all
free, so do plan to come and invite your friends.
We hope to see you on May 7th!
--Terry
Tiberio, ISF Assistant
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ISF
JANUARY GATHERING
(April 9, 2004)
130
were present from the following 9 countries: Bosnia,
Botswana, China, Indonesia, Macedonia, Sudan, Vietnam, Zimbabwe, USA..
Hope
to see you at the May ISF Gathering on May 7th, in
the Ballroom of William Pitt! |
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