Dear Friends and Family, Our normally policy for Notes from the Valley is only to do one or two posts each week because our subscribers are already flooded with e-mail and don't need us filling up their "in" boxes. I apologize that this week has been different from our normal routine and ask everyone's patience. The flood of traffic to our sites and the responses to the posts we've sent out already this week seem to indicate a need for this continued sharing of "thoughts" sent to us by friends around the world. We'll dial back down to normal shortly, but I've really felt God's leading me to be a channel for this material over the last several days. In fact, I'm convinced one of the reasons I've not found a job yet is because I needed to be free to do the things I'm doing now with Notes and other ministries we're involved with. Tonight, Cathy and I and some friends will be attending the opening of the Billy Graham Crusade for the Central Valley of California here in Fresno. Whether you are a supporter of Billy Graham or not, please be lifting up the crusade and everyone involved in it in prayer. There is concern that the event will be a target for more terrorist activities. I believe God has other plans and, if we will submit ourselves into His mighty hands, there will be a great harvest in "The Valley" this week - a harvest beyond anything we can imagine. I have this feeling deep within my spirit. It carries with it a vision of Moses standing on the shore of the Red Sea, raising his staff, and telling God's people "Behold - the mighty hand of God!" What followed was something beyond what they could imagine. Their eyes beheld the miraculous work of His hands that opened the route to free them from bondage and to utterly destroy their enemies. Of course, the opening would have been of little value if they hadn't had faith enough to trust Him and pass through it. We are anxious to see the mighty works of His hands revealed in "The Valley" tonight. And pray for everyone to take the step of faith it will require. Much love from us to each of you, Steve ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From Michael T. Powers Heart Touchers *We Are Not Alone* 10/11/01 ______________________________________ If you enjoy this free daily email service, I encourage you to spread the word to family and friends that we may bring inspiration into the lives of many! If you are not on the list and this has been passed along to you, join us by sending an e-mail with the word "Subscribe" in the subject line to: HeartTouchers@... Visit our inspirational web site and read all the past stories in our archives at: http://www.HeartTouchers.com ____________________________________________ It is with great pleasure that I introduce a new writer to Heart Touchers -- Jaye Lewis. I am sure a lot of you are familiar with her writing already, but if not, you are in for a treat! Give her a warm Heart Touchers welcome for me! From my family to yours, Michael "But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." -- Isaiah 40:31 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7 _________________________________________ "We Are Not Alone" By Jaye Lewis I see You weeping bitter tears, Your heart about to break. I see You lifting souls, oh God, Beyond the terror's wake. I see You holding every heart, Within my native land. I see You whispering Your love, To help us understand. I see You holding back the gates Of hell's demented flood. I see Your mercy through the smoke, As You wipe away the blood. I see You through each valiant soul, Who searches endlessly. I see You comforting their fears, As You, also, comfort me. I see You in each precious flag, Unfurled before the world.I see You binding up the wounds, Before the darts are hurled. I see You in each beating heart, And in the Chaplain's prayer; Protecting each and everyone, Who seeks to find You there. And in the planes that fly above us, I see You in the cockpit, too; Telling all who care to listen, "I AM still defending you!" Jaye Lewis jlewis@... Write Jaye and let her know what you thought of her poem! _______________________________ In the last month, I have asked God all the questions that are in the hearts of all Americans, at this terrible time in our history. I've sought God in prayer, and begged for the answer. "Show me, Lord!" I cried. "Where are You in all of this?!" Two nights ago, this poem is the answer He gave me. As the wife of a US Navy veteran, as a mother, and a veteran of the Vietnam Era, I am certain that we do not take this journey -- not a single step -- without our hands tucked in His. I live in southwestern Virginia, in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I live with my husband and youngest daughter, two dogs, two cats, and a bird. Beautiful Blue Ridges surround us. The leaves are just beginning to turn from green to red and gold. We have always been southerners, until September 11 - no north; no south; no east; no west -- just American. _________________________________________ 2 Sam 8:15 David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people.NIV Subject: President Bush in Prayer By Todd Starnes WASHINGTON (BP)--James Merritt, president of the Southern Baptist Convention and pastor of the Atlanta-area First Baptist Church, Snellville, was one of six ministers invited to join President Bush for a closed-door meeting just hours before the president addressed a joint session of Congress on Sept. 20. I think I can speak for the entire group when I say that without question, we all came away impressed with where he is right now as a leader and where he is spiritually," Merritt told Baptist Press. "I was very elated and came away from the meeting encouraged." Merritt said the six religious leaders spent 30 minutes with the president talking about the importance of Americans to come together spiritually and the importance of faith. "Those were the things on his heart and mind," Merritt said. "He shared with us that he is being very deliberate and he is going to uphold his responsibility to defend this nation. "This meeting was a signal that this is a president who understands the foundation of this nation is not financial, economical or military," Merritt said. "The foundation of this nation is spiritual." At times, Merritt said, the president became emotional. "He is a man of deep faith," he said. "The president is without question a compassionate conservative. His heart is broken over what has happened." Merritt said the president requested prayer from the group of leaders. "He wanted to share with us his need for prayer and his need for wisdom during these days," Merritt said. "Physically, he is doing well. Emotionally, he is totally at peace. He knows where he wants to lead the nation." Merritt said the religious leaders stood in a circle with the president, clasped hands, and prayed. "For a president to take 30 minutes to spend with religious leaders tells you where his priorities are," Merritt said. "The fact that we were able to interact with him in that type of setting is remarkable. He listened more than he spoke." While some ministers offered counsel to the president, Merritt said he simply offered a word of encouragement. "As fellow believers we believe in the sovereignty of God. On the one hand, God knew what was going to happen on Sept. 11, but he also knew who would be sitting in the White House. I believe that President Bush is God's man for this hour. God's hand is on him. "I encouraged him to humble himself to the Lord and God will lead him in a divine, providential way," Merritt said. After the meeting, Merritt asked the president how Christians could pray for him. "First, he said to pray for wisdom; second, strength; third for clarity of thought; and he asked us to say a special prayer for his wife, daughters and family that God would protect them and he would be a godly husband and godly father," Merritt said . . . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Received from A-Gift-from-God The Shoes My alarm went off-it was Sunday again; I was tired-it was my one day to sleep in. But the guilt I'd have felt the rest of the day Would have been too much, so I'd go; I'd pray. I showered and shaved, adjusted suit and tie, Got there and swung into a pew just in time. Bowing my head in humble prayer Before I closed my eyes, I saw that the shoe of the man next to me Was touching my own and I sighed. With plenty of room on either side, I thought, "why do our soles have to touch?" It bothered me so; he was glued to my shoe, But it didn't seem to bother him much. Then the prayer began: "Heavenly Father," someone said-But I thought, "Does this man with the shoes have no pride?" They were dusty, worn, scratched end to end. What's worse, there were holes on the side! "Thank You for blessings," the prayer went on. The shoe man said a quiet "amen." I tried to focus on the prayer, But my thoughts were on his shoes again. Aren't we supposed to look our best when walking through that door? "Well, this certainly isn't it," I thought, Glancing toward the floor. Then the prayer ended and songs of praise rang. The shoe man was loud, sounding proud as he sang.. He lifted the rafters; his hands raised high; The Lord surely heard his voice from the sky. Then the offering was passed; what I threw in was steep. The shoe man reached into his pockets, so deep,And I tried to see what he pulled out to put in, Then I heard a soft "clink," as when silver hits tin. The sermon bored me to tears-And no lie- It was the same for the shoe man, For tears fell from his eyes. At the end of the service, as is custom here, We must greet the visitors and show them good cheer. But I was moved inside to want to meet this man, So after the closing, I shook his hand. He was old, his skin dark, his hair a mess. I thanked him for coming, for being our guest, He said, "My name's Charlie, glad to meet you, my friend," And there were tears in his eyes-but he had a wide grin. "Let me explain," he said, wiping his eyes. "I've been coming for months, and you're the first to say, "Hi." I know I don't look like all the rest, But I always try to look my best." "I polish my shoes before my long walk, But by the time I get here they're as dirty as chalk." My heart fell to my knees, but I held back my tears, He continued, "And I must apologize for sitting so near." "But I know when I get here, I must look a sight. And I thought . . if I touched you, our souls might unite." I was silent for a moment knowing anything I said Would pale in comparison, so I spoke from my heart not my head. "Oh, you've touched me," I said. "And taught me, in part, That the best of a man is what's in his heart." The rest, I thought, this man will never know. How thankful I am that he touched my soul! Fwd with Love by Daniel LOke (Malaysia) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From: "St. Christopher's School - Nanyuki" <beehive@...> Subject: Re:God bless you Hi Steve, I want to thank you very much for the messages you've been sending to us. I've enjoyed reading them and have shared them with my Christian friends here in Kenya (Africa). In case you do not know, we suffered a terrorist bomb attach in 1998 when the US Embassy in Nairobi was bombed. We lost many friends - who just happened to be around the embassy at that time. It was a very painful experience. Kenya being a small country, there was no way we could think of revenge - we just sort of forgave these people and have been praying for them to change their evil ways. I hate to imagine what god they claim to pray, a god who condones murder. I think I forwarded to you a message I received from a Kenyan friend who lives in Nairobi, out capital city, where the 1998 terrorist bomb went off. In case I did not, I'll send it again now. We know how difficult it is for many of those affected by the Sept. 11 attack to forgive, but we'll keep praying for all of them. Here in Kenya we have many problems, including HIV Aids and poverty. We have very many Aids orphans who need help all the time. Many such orphans do not even go to school since they have no close relatives to help them. I've been wondering whether among your many Christian brothers and sisters you could identify some who sponsor some Aids orphans through education? May our loving Lord bless you in all you do. In Christ, Helen --------- Thank you Helen. I've been to Mombasa and Nairobi, Kenya on several occasions while I served in our Navy. I know the horrific conditions you are dealing with. They are truly heart breaking. I praise God for dear people like you who are His instruments of healing and peace within Kenya. I don't know of anyone who might be interested in adopting AIDS orphans, but I will post this through our various distribution sites for Notes from the Valley, in case someone might be interested and want to contact you. I pray there will be many responses. God's blessings and love to you and your coworkers, Steve