As we continue to ponder the events that have
transpired the last few days, I thought Mark
Crider's story today entitled, "Folks" was a good
one to use today.  Across America and the world
"Folks" have come together in an extraordinary way
to help each other out. "Folks" have prayed for and
with one another.  "Folks" have given of their time,
money, and even blood...

Enjoy today's story and may it encourage you and
your family as our nation and the world comes together.

Michael

P.S.  If you haven't taken the time to visit our site in
the past few days, take some time now to log on and
read thoughts and stories from people all over the world
about the recent tragic events.  There are five new pages that
can be viewed by clicking on "The Day of Terror" button at:

http://www.HeartTouchers.com

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FOLKS

By Mark Crider


I have people ask me quite frequently why I use the word
"Folks" so much.

Well, in more than sixty years I've noticed a difference in
folks and people.  They look pretty much the same, but I
guess it's really not what they do or how they do it, but why.
I still don't know why either, now that I think about it.  I'll
just have to muse about it here and see what we can come
up with.  Maybe some would like to share some of their folks
things with me.  Should be interesting.

Folks share a lot.  Especially hugs and smiles.  Well, tears
too, but not necessarily tears of sadness.

Folks can pick up a colicky baby, hold it close, croon a
soft something you can't understand and the baby settles
down and goes to sleep.

All dogs and cats like folks and all folks like them back.
Even the wild birds, chickens and the rest of the animals
on the farm like folks, but are leery of people.

Folks never run unless it's an emergency to help people,
other folks or an animal in trouble.

Folks like good healthy food and always cook it at home.
They do seem to fix too many sweet things though and
give to the smaller folks, then see who can make the
biggest smiles.

Folks bait your hook for you after you've walked a mile
down the lane to the creek while talking about all the
beautiful things you see on the way.  They show you
how to look for bait under the rocks and dig worms.
Then they give the left over ones to the chickens to make
them happy and follow you around.

Folks show you where eggs can be found and not to
mess with a fussy old hen that wants to set on some.

Folks can clean and kiss a boo boo making the hurt
go away almost instantly with fresh sliced peaches topped
with brown sugar.

Folks like to go visit widows and widowers.  They even
plow their gardens for them and plant them sometimes.

Folks also take big sacks of potatoes to the neighbor folks
who give them bags of early peaches and plums till their later
ones get ripe.

Folks go the sick folks homes and milk their cows twice a
day, draw fresh water from the well and take it in the house
for them. Folks also take a pot of fresh chicken soup
when they do this.

Folks know how to not put too many hot red peppers
in the home made pickles so everybody can eat them.
Folks also know how to put a lot of brown sugar on poison
tasting turnips so you can eat them.

Folks know how to squirt a cat or a little folk in the face
with warm milk while milking the cows.

Folks know how to make blackberry pies in the summer.
They also know where all the bees live in the woods so
they can get some honey when it's time.

Folks make their own butter and sometimes mix it with the
honey to put on fresh baked bread.  This makes you learn to
bake your own bread too.

Folk's telephones have little cranks on the side and know
how many cranks it takes to call someone.

Folks know how to knit neat and warm stuff as well as
make feather beds to snuggle under on cold nights.

Folks like to hear a lot of squeals of delight and see a
lot of running around, that's why they bake oatmeal cookies
and make home made ice cream.

Folks like to hear church bells ring so they know it's
Sunday and they can go visit all their friends.
After church, folks walk across the church lot to the
cemetery where they visit their old friends who can't be with
them anymore.  I think they talk to them though about all the
good times they had in years past and when they will see them
again. Then they help fix a big meal and rest the remainder
of the day. I know a lot of folks fortunately, but not many
people. Guess that's the Good Lord looking over me.


Mark Crider
mark@cccoating.com

Write Mark and let him know what you thought of his story!
______________________________

Mark and his wife Sandra live in Northwest
Corpus Christi Texas on their sanctuary that is
frequented by folks on the 'Birders Trail'.  Schoolbus
loads of children stop to see the swans and other
birds enjoying the lake.
Migrating hawks, by the hundreds, roost and share
the property while on their route to and from their
seasonal visits to other parts of the country.
Mark writes for several inspirational sites in his
spare time.
_________________________________________

Reader Feedback!

Dear Michael,

     Part of the curative process in terrible tragedy is to share thoughts and
feelings with others.  I think you have done a wonderful job in very short time
with your Day of Terror pages at the Heart Touchers site.  The pictures are
among the best I have seen, and the organization of the sharing is very well
done.  I have just read through the letters, stories, and poems; and I sense
the need of others to share the sorrow and pain, to share the belief in God
through prayer, and to hope that such a tragedy does not occur again.

     The timeline of events and words of the President are likewise helpful and
inspiring.

     Thank you for comfort in a time of crisis.

Mary-Ellen Grisham  "meg"
fantasy@apci.net

**********

Michael,

Thank you for sharing all of the wonderful prayers from people in the "Heart Touchers" family.  I am one of the unfortunate ones who has lost loved ones and some still missing.  I am asking you to relate to our family my personal thanks for all the thoughts and prayers and kindness that all are given in such time.  I am seeking my Lord guidance to help me to keep an open mind and not to "hate" anyone - I have much anger but I have sadness as well. The loved ones I lost were ones of friends who chose their way of life is to save others.  My prayers go out to those who have lost ones closest to them, for that I could never fathom, losing a child or parent to such destruction and hatred.
Thank you for all you do for others,
GOD BLESS AMERICA, I am proud to be an American.
Love to all,
Joelle
Jst2nome@aol.com

**********

I cannot believe the horror people must have felt, watching this happen. My heart goes out to all those affected, in however small a way. My mother phoned to make sure I was watching on TV, and I could not say too much because I was crying! Each time I think about this horror, I want to cry! I used to be a stewardess, and I can just imagine how terrified they must have been. I have been praying constantly for all those involved, and in particular I pray for the perpetrators, who so mistakenly think what they have done is "right". I will be coming back to this site later today to read more.
God bless you all.
Barbara Atkinson
barb747@telkomsa.net

**********

 My heart breaks to think of the anguish of so many people losing their lives due to the selfishness of a few. My son and daughter are both in the Air Force, my daughter at Andrews AFB, son in tech school at Keesler AFB, MS. A friend has two children in the Army National Guard. Our prayers go out for all those families grieving and for all those young people in our country's military who may soon be called upon to participate in something they'd prayed would never happen on their watch.
Ingrid 
ihawley@medicorpihn.com

********

Hi Michael and everyone,

I hear word that they caught a couple of people here locally in the Ft. Lauderdale area suspected of involvement in the recent events. Two of the pilots were in Hollywood, where I live, on Friday.

Like watching the events unfold in New York yesterday, it is all too real and horrible to comprehend. That any of them were from here is even worse, it seems.

What has surprised me is the people I work and live with. That is, there are a number of people from South Africa who sobbed with us Americans as it all sinks in, what we are seeing. There are people from Puerto Rico who are also very emotional at the events at work. It has hit all, American or not, who I work with. In my apartment building, most are either here on Visas or recent immigrants and they too, are very upset and weep with those of us who weep. They feel the hurt and anger and indignation that those of us who were born here feel. This country is as much a place of hopes and dreams for the people who come or visit or immigrate here as it is for those of us who were born in this land. For all of us, seeing a flag, hearing one of our songs like "God bless America" or "Oh, Beautiful" or the national anthem is more than enough to stir the emotions like never before. I learned these as a child but I hang on to them as an adult in this time of sorrow. These are the things which unite us. I watch the reports not to hear about the tragedy, and there is so much of that out there, but to hear about what America is all about, the people who help each other, the rescue workers who dove to safety as the first tower fell, dug themselves out to help others and probably perished when the second one fell, the passengers who retook the last plane. These are people who do not care about their lives or give them so others can live. This is the greatness of America, not the buildings which were hit. They tried to attack our heart, not realizing that the heart of America is not in a building or the tragedy but it beats in the chest of all of us Americans and you can't kill that. Our hearts break over the people lost but the best part of America is still be written in the people here lining up and waiting 6 hours to give a pint of blood, the selfless acts we may never know about. That is freedom and may it ring clear and true forever.
Robin Hubbard
rhubbard@firstam.com

_________________________________________


Thought For The Day:

"The trouble with modern civilization is that we so
often mistake respectability for character."


Verse for the Day:

"Man looks at the outward appearance but
the Lord looks at the heart." --1 Samuel 16:7


Kid's Thought For The Day:

"Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot
about puppies."


Parent's Thought For The Day

"Sometimes the best way to understand your
teen is to remember how you felt or acted when
you were a teen."


Coach's Thought For The Day

"People who wait for something to turn up might
start with their own shirtsleeves."


Deep Thought For The Day:

Five frogs are sitting on a log. Four decide to
jump off. How many are left? 
Answer: five. 
Why? 
Because there's a difference between deciding and doing.


___________________________________________

REQUESTS:

Please pray for my Dad, Charles.  My Mom died on June 20, after they had
been together for 64 years!  He is really having a hard time going on
without her.  We don't want to lose him, too, although we know it is a
possibility.  He has always been a strong Christian but is really struggling
with his faith now too.

Thank you.
shirley@lloydhaus.com

***********

Michael,
Thanks to your posting of my messages to you, I have
been blessed with many encouraging and prayerful email
messages from other readers.  It warms my heart that
others extend the hand of friendship to me and that I'm
not alone in my struggle to survive each day.  You are
truly doing God's work.  Sincerely,
Nancy
nh11151@att.net

*********

Please pray for my friend George Carpenter (54) who is in Baptist East
Hospital, Louisville, KY, with a rare abdominal cancer.  He is an
extraordinary person with a wonderful sense of humor.  The doctors are
stumped, and I know prayer can heal him.

Diana
dyberry@juno.com

*********

Please pray for salvation for four of my five sons.  Two got involved in new age.
My youngest son needs a miracle, he has to have back surgery.  Please pray for healing, wisdom and strength.  Thank you,  Ceilfinn@aol.com



___________________________________________

  _
/_/\/\    MICHAEL T. POWERS
\_\  /    HeartTouchers@aol.com  
/_/  \    "For I have been crucified with Christ and I no
\_\/\ \   longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I
  \_\/   live in the body I live for the Son of God, who    
           loved me and gave Himself for me."
           Galatians 2:20
___________________________________________

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__________________________________________

Video Imagery --Michael's Video Production Business

"I thought of you first after my family sat down to watch
the video we gave them. They loved it, to say the
least!  Within thirty seconds my mom was crying
and my dad did too. They said it was the best
Christmas gift we could have given them!!  You
did such a beautiful job!  They were so surprised
and so touched--they really, really, really loved it.
Thanks for helping to make it so special to us all.
My mom mentioned how the songs were perfect
for the video too! Thanks again!"
Kelli-- College Station, TX

Let me make you a video from your pictures or
home movies! Check out the web page for Michael's
video production business!  Visit:

http://wwwhearttouchers.com/video_imagery/

AOL Users click here:   Video Imagery
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Do you feel as if life has no meaning for you?
http://www.greatcom.org/english/four.htm