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*God Works in Mysterious Ways* 3/26/02 ______________________________________ 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 the thousands of HeartTouchers.com readers around the world by sending an e-mail with the word "Subscribe" in the subject line to: HeartTouchers@aol.com Visit our inspirational web site and read all the past stories in our archives at: http://www.HeartTouchers.com ____________________________________________ Can't get enough inspirational stories in your life? Would you like to send a unique gift to your friends and family? Then order a personalized autographed copy of the inspirational book: Straight From the Heart "A Celebration of Life" by Michael T. Powers for only $13.95. And best of all, we'll pay the shipping! Michael is an award winning writer whose stories have appeared in numerous newspapers and magazines around the world and in the following books: Chicken Soup for the Sports Fan's Soul, Chicken Soup for the Grandparent's Soul, Stories For the Extreme Teen's Heart, Stories For the Extreme Teen's Heart 2, Stories for the Teen's Heart 2, Heartwarmers, God Allows U-Turns Volumes 1, 3, and 4, and Creating Emotionally Safe Schools. He has signed several contracts for future Chicken Soup and other inspirational books. Still not convinced? You can preview his book by visiting: http://www.HeartTouchers.com/michael_powers AOL Users click here! To order your autographed copy have a check or money order for $13.95 for each book made out to Michael T. Powers, and then send it to: Michael T. Powers 1918 Liberty Lane Janesville, WI 53545 (Please allow about 2 weeks for delivery.) _________________________________________ It is my pleasure to introduce a new writer to HeartTouchers.com! Mary Rachelski shares about an unnerving experience she had in prison of all places... (Got your interest?) Well, I'll let Mary explain what happened... Be sure to give her a warm HeartTouchers welcome by taking some time to write to her... and rumor has it that Mary's birthday is on Easter Sunday! Some birthday wishes may be in order too! Be on the lookout for Chicken Soup for the Prisoner's Soul, which will hit bookstores on Easter Sunday also. I have an autographed copy from my friend and co-author of the book, Tom Lagana, and it is more than touching...in fact it will change your whole outlook on life. Be sure to see how you can get your copy at the end of Mary's story! From my family to yours, Michael P.S. There is an Easter Week devotional that was written by Pastor Sean Christensen on the new web site I put together for our church. If you would like to be able to go about Easter week and know exactly what Jesus was doing each day, then check it out at: http://www.FaithCommunityChurch.net A number of people have been asking about my new job as the Youth Director at our Church so if you would like to find out what I have been doing then be sure to check out our site at the above link! _________________________________________ God Works in Mysterious Ways By Mary Rachelski -- from "Chicken Soup for the Prisoner's Soul" I looked across the room and my heart froze! There, standing among the other inmates lined up against the wall, was a younger version of my recently deceased father. It was so uncanny that my husband, Andy, who was standing next to me, leaned down and said, "Do you see that guy across the room? He looks so much like your dad, it's creepy." Outwardly, I'm sure I looked calm and composed, but inside I was shaking. Get hold of yourself, I reasoned. It's probably just a trick of the lights. Maybe Dad's been on your sub-conscious mind; after all, it hasn't been that long since his death. My childhood left much to be desired. My father and I had a talk years before his death during which we both agreed, he was not the father either of us would have liked. He had even given me the gift of an apology. Yet somehow, I still had the feeling that there had been no closure before his death. "How do I get myself into these fixes?" Here I was committing to bring a weekend retreat into this prison with my husband and twenty-five other volunteers. Get a grip, I kept telling myself. Finally, I decided just to avoid the man all weekend. I can do that; it's a big room, lots of people. No problem! What's the worst that can happen? I'm here now. Just keep plenty of space between you, and you'll be fine. I was snapped out of my mental argument when I heard my name called. "The outside leader of table six, Mary Rachelski. First candidate sitting to her left, Richard." I managed to weave my way to the table, trying not to make eye contact with him. I reasoned, "If I don't look at him, he can't see me." "Hello, my name is Richard." I turned to look into the watery gray-blue eyes of the younger version of my father. This man not only looked like my father, but he sounded like him, same mannerisms, same way of combing his hair, same big words used out of context like my father. He even wore the same after-shave. God has a cruel sense of humor, doesn't He? Or does He? This man was like my father in almost every way, except that instead of making me feel stupid when I said something, he acted like I was the most brilliant woman on the planet! He validated everything I said and did. He laughed at my jokes. He got my snacks. He held my chair, and most of all, he never once made me feel shamed. Now, after the initial shock, I could see that he wasn't exactly like my father, but I had to admit that the similarities were uncanny. One of the most important and beautiful exercises of the weekend is the foot washing. We reenact the foot washing before the Last Supper in the Bible. It's an immensely powerful experience, because everyone is totally connected emotionally. You may see a white man washing a black man's feet or a man washing a woman's feet. Everyone humbles himself or herself. I had just taken the place of someone who had been kneeling on the floor washing the feet of others, when I looked up to see the next person to sit down. You guessed it; it was Richard. Except this time it wasn't Richard, it was my father. I started to cry. I was truly washing my father's feet with my tears. This was my chance to tell him I love him; I forgive him; and to go in peace. When I looked up again he was crying too, but he also had such a look of pure peace on his face. Then just as quickly, it was Richard again. I couldn't wait to tell Andy what had happened on the way home. I wasn't sure if I was losing my mind. That night I couldn't sleep, so I wrote Richard a long letter, telling him all about my childhood and just what had happened that evening, and why it probably seemed to him that I must have been acting strangely that weekend. Only then was I able to sleep. The next morning I got clearance from the chaplain to give Richard the letter, and to my surprise he had spent several hours writing me a letter. He asked that I wait until I got home to read it. This is in part what it said: Dear Mary, I almost didn't go through with the foot washing exercise. You see, I didn't feel worthy. So before sitting down, I asked God for a sign to show me that He could forgive me for all the terrible things I've done in my life, many of which I've shared with you in this letter. I've only told one other person in this world my secrets. When I looked down into your face, you were crying. I thought that was my sign, and then I saw your face change, to that of Christ's. The Peace of the Lord be with you, Richard Mary Rachelski, © 1998 Mary Rachelski jailbirdlady@att.net Write Mary and let her know what you thought of her story! _____________________________________________ Mary Rachelski and her husband, Andy, have been involved in prison ministry since 1989. She volunteers several days a week in the Institute Activities Coordinator's office. The purpose is to introduce as many programs as possible to help the men help themselves. She and her husband teach self esteem classes, and she holds a weekly Twelve-Step meeting. They are currently trying to get John Gray's Men Are From Mars Materials into the Correctional System and in the meantime facilitate workshops in their home in the St. Louis area to the public. She may be reached at Missouri Eastern Correctional Center, 18701 Old Highway 66, Pacific, MO 63069; 314-257-3322 x 231; e-mail: jailbirdlady@att.net ~~ Chicken Soup for the Prisoner's Soul: 101 Stories to Open the Heart and Rekindle the Spirit of Hope, Healing and Forgiveness -- co-authored by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, and Tom Lagana. To obtain an autographed single copy for you or a loved one, send a check or money order for $20 (includes shipping and handling by Media Mail in the U.S.) payable to "Success Solutions," along with the shipping address, and mail to PO Box 7816, Wilmington, DE 19803. Copies available in Bookstores starting March 31, 2002. It's also available at the following links: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1558748369/tomlauralaganassA/ or http://secure.worldpub.com/acb/showdetl.cfm?&DID=6&Product_ID=4522&CATID= 1&r=Y34 ~~ Co-Author "Chicken Soup for the Volunteer's Soul" (July 15, 2002) Co-Author "Chicken Soup for the Prisoner's Soul" Tom Lagana ~~ Success@TomLagana.com ~~ http://www.TomLagana.com Success Solutions ~~ PO Box 7816, Wilmington DE, 19803 "Tom is a professional speaker and author, helping people become their best." _________________________________________ Reader Feedback! The Forgotten Generation, by Virginia Rodriguez was a beautifully written piece that shares what so many people face as our parents get older. The days of families living with families is no longer possible with health conditions for those going through this type of thing. I applaud Virginia and her family for taking time out to visit and speak with others living in the home. How fortunate their Mother is to have caring children. Thanks so much for alerting some Virginia, that may not realize we just don't pick a home out of the yellow pages for our loved ones. Blessings, Diane, Thelamb212@aol.com _________________________________________ Thought For The Day: "Only when we have knelt before God, can we stand before men." Verse for the Day: "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time." 1 Peter 5:6 Kid's Thought For The day: "Everyone's afraid of noises at night." Parent's Thought For The Day "I always wondered why babies spend so much time sucking their thumbs. Then I tasted baby food." (Robert Orben) Coach's Thought For The Day "Perform the best you can for when you find that you perform your best, there is still so much more in volleyball to do better, harder, faster, and smarter. It is just like when you go for a long journey. You go as far as you can see, and when you get there, you can see farther." --John Kessel Writer's Quote For The Day "When I couldn't find the poems to express the things I was feeling, I started writing poetry." --Audre Lorde Deep Thought For The Day: "The thing that bothers me about doctors is they give you an appointment six weeks ahead, then they examine you, then they ask, 'Why did you wait so long to see me?'" ___________________________________________ REQUESTS: Gabriel Merrill, the 15 yr. old that I requested prayer for, pulled through the surgery fine, and is recovering. The tumor was not only wrapped around his spine, but inside it as well, so they had to open up his spinal column. Eighty-five percent was removed and they think they can get the rest with chemo or radiation. Keep him in your prayers, as they still have no results on the biopsy. He has movement in all limbs, so that is a good sign. Please keep him in your prayers. Thanks, D. Anne Jones DAJSB@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 ___________________________________________ The copyrights to the stories that appear in HeartTouchers.com are owned by the authors and are used with their permission. We refuse to run stories without the author's permission and contact info listed after the story. We also refuse to publish stories listed as "author unknown." (All of which violates Copyright Law and the rights of the authors.) This e-mail may be forwarded in its entirety, but please do not cut and paste the stories to be used elsewhere unless you have contacted and been given permission by the individual writer. Thank you so much for honoring the rights of those writers who graciously share their stories with us! __________________________________________ 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 photos! Check out my video production business by visiting: http://www.hearttouchers.com/video_imagery/ AOL Users click here: Video Imagery ___________________________________________ Would you like to see your story in HeartTouchers.com? Writer's guidelines can be found on our Web site here: http://www.HeartTouchers.com/guidelines/ AOL Users click here: Writer's Guidelines ___________________________________________ SUBSCRIBE: "I need a daily source of inspiration and encouragement in my life!" To become a HeartTouchers.com Member send an e-mail with "Subscribe" in the subject line to: HeartTouchers@AOL.COM Then get ready to laugh, cry, and be deeply touched by some of the best stories on the Internet! __________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE: All you have to do is send an e-mail with the word "Unsubscribe" in the subject line to: HeartTouchers@aol.com Give it a day or two to be processed... __________________________________________ Do you feel as if life has no meaning for you? http://www.greatcom.org/english/four.htm AOL Users click here: The Four Spiritual Laws __________________________________________ |
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Touching Lives - One E-mail at a Time! Author Michael T. Powers - HeartTouchers @ aol.com
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