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{SFTH} *NUMB* 6/11/01
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Michael's long awaited book Straight From the Heart: "A Celebration of
Life," is finally here! Close to 200 pages of true short stories filled
with love and laughter await you! Visit our web site to order your copy!
You can also read some sample stories from the book here!
http://storiesfrommyheart.com/michael_t__powers/
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Author and friend Bob Perks shares some very powerful words with us
today. May they touch your heart this morning... Be sure to visit his web
site and e-mail him with your thoughts after you read his story.
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By Bob Perks
Bob@BobPerks.com
I have been in situations in my life when I felt overwhelmed, at a loss for
words. But there have been rare instances when I have felt this way.
I am in Oklahoma City. Far from home and wanting desperately to hold
my wife closely and kiss my children as if never wanting to ever let go of
them again for fear of losing them.
I am numb to all my senses except for complete sadness and an
overwhelming feeling of shock.
Upon my arrival here to speak to the Oklahoma Press Association in
Lake Texoma, I drove immediately to the site of the bombing. I was drawn
like a magnet. I felt this pulling, this calling to be there. I nervously drove
through the city lost and seeking directions. I stopped and hesitated to ask
a stranger which way to the National Monument. Perhaps these local people
are tired of what has happened to them. Maybe they are sick of people
coming here to see the site of disaster rather than coming to share in
this wonderful city's unique and beautiful sites.
They didn't ask for this. But they got it. My feelings were unwarranted.
They have opened their hearts and arms wide to the world to come and
see what hate and sickness created and then how faith, hope and
commitment has overcome tragedy.
I parked my car and slowly walked up the street toward the site. My heart
began to pound with anticipation. What incredible timing to have been
booked here just days before the execution.
As I approach the towering wall before me I read the following...
"We come here to remember those who were killed, those who survived
and those changed forever. May all who leave here know the impact of
violence...May this Memorial offer comfort, strength, peace, hope and serenity."
Off to my right and left were the all too familiar fences with pictures, poems,
stuffed animals, flowers, and pieces of lives left there as homage to the tragedy.
I walked up the ramp before me and as I reached the top, I began to lose my
breath. I hesitated, not knowing what I was about to see. It scared me. Then
off to my right I saw the chairs. I had only seen them on television as unreal
images. In front of me was a reflection pool, a very thin layer of almost
glass-like water gently pouring over granite from one tall monument to another.
One wall had 9:01 engraved at the top, the other 9:03. You know why.
So did I.
I didn't understand this place. I was lost, confused and wanting desperately to
scream out, "Oh, God help us!"
I walked past the chair monuments scattered across the lawn before me.
The sign said the walkway that I was standing on was created from the
stone that once made up the building. "You are now standing inside the
spot where the building once stood."
I shook.
I made my way over to a Park patrol person who was handing out brochures
that explained everything. I never looked at it. I stopped her by grabbing her
arm and started to say, "Could you tell me where the front of the building was?"
I never finished. I started bawling, trying desperately to catch my breath. I
began apologizing to her, and she said, "It's not necessary. This happens
often. You are moved by being here."
She pointed out that the reflecting pool was where the street ran. She said,
"The truck was parked right there," pointing to a spot near the side and
center of the water."
I was standing just a few feet from where it was parked. Oh, my God help me.
The thought of being right here where the truck was parked and where he
walked turned my stomach, made me shake till I was numb.
I couldn't feel or think. I almost didn't know where I was. This was all unreal,
as if I was visiting a movie set and this was all pretend.
But it wasn't.
There to my right stood the "Survivor Tree." It lived through the blast that
leveled buildings and took lives. It now stands as a symbol of hope.
I walked through the new museum that holds stories, pictures, poems. pieces
of lives lost. I relived the whole thing from beginning to end. The biggest
impact on me was when we were placed inside a small room that had only
a table, two chairs, a microphone and tape recorder sitting on the table.
Suddenly the sound came up. In anticipation I held my hand to my chest.
I closed my eyes and waited. "Okay it's 9:00 a.m. this session is now in
order," it began and I rocked nervously. I had heard this before. We were
listening to the actual explosion as it occurred.
Off to my right was a woman with a camera. I didn't know it until she
approached me later, but she took my picture. She was with the Associated
Press. She could see my anguish and pain. I don't know if it will ever be
used. But I suddenly realized that I belonged there.
As sure as I have shared with you before that God sends me places,
connects me with people, I was supposed to be here. But I didn't want
to leave. In fact it is 12:20 a.m. Sunday morning and I want desperately
to jump in the car and go back. I can't. I can't. It's a place I where I
become numb.
I have stood on the battle fields of Gettysburg and prayed thankfully to
all the men and women who fought for freedom. I have been to national
cemeteries which honored those who served our country.
But I was standing in the middle of America, in it's heart and soul where
all that I value about it was attacked...but not destroyed. I stood where
the devil stood, I cried for perfect strangers. I cried for myself. I cried for
the world. I felt so useless.
Then I found out why I had to go there first before heading to the site of
my presentation two hours south of there. I was tired from a week of
travel and little sleep and yet found the strength to spend time here.
In the final minutes of my visit to Texoma, I discovered why I went to the site first.
During my speech I completely avoided mentioning the destruction. I
wanted desperately to tell these wonderful people the pain I felt. But
I never mentioned a word. Instead I shared my words of hope and my
own personal challenges. I talked about how life changes forever in a
split second. But never said a word about the loss. In the end I sang
the song, "This is the moment," and closed with my now signature
story, "I wish you enough."
Several people came up to speak with me afterwards. The very last man,
Don Ferrell, whom I had referenced several times because he received a
very prestigious award that day, said hello.
"I lost my daughter in the bombing," he said. He took my breath away.
Not only did I stand in the spot where the devil stood, where the truck was,
where the building once stood, but I met a man who lost his daughter in
the explosion.
Oh, God, Thank you for trusting me with this. I am forever changed and
even more dedicated than ever.
Yes, I cried when I tried to speak to Mr. Ferrell.
My friends, tonight I am "numb."
Please pray for all affected by this. America will be no better for the death
that will occur on Monday. But our strength is in our ability to rebound,
recover and go on.
"I believe in you!"
Bob Perks
Bob@BobPerks.com
Send Bob an e-mail and let him know what you thought of his story!
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Bob Perks is a professional Speaker, Trainer, and author of "The
Flight of a Lifetime!" Member of the National Speakers Association,
National Writers Association. For information on Topics, Products,
how to book Bob for your next program or to receive FREE weekly
messages "I Believe in You!" Visit: http://www.BobPerks.com
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For those of you who want to know more about the Oklahoma City Bombing
http://www.oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org/
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Be sure to visit our web site and sign our guestbook if you haven't yet!
http://www.storiesfrommyheart.com
AOL Users click here: Straight From the Heart
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From the Straight From the Heart Guestbook!
I just read the story, "The Diploma." (From Michael's new book: Straight From the Heart: A Celebration of Life") I, too, just finished my degree and graduated this year after attending school on and off for 32 years. This story could have been written about me. As I looked into the bleachers, there sat my husband and son. My parents and grandparents are all dead and my siblings had various reasons why they could not attend. My daughter is stationed in Germany and could not attend. So many emotions raced through me that day. The tears I shed that day were tears of joy for finally fulfilling a lifetime goal. Thank you so much, Michael, for your wonderful story. I will keep a copy of it tucked behind my diploma on the wall!
Jan Szymanski
jszymanski@apu.edu
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Straight from the Heart is wonderful. I can't quit reading -- these stories are so heart warming.
Thanks for sharing them with us.
Ellen Russell
eruse@aol.com
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First time reader and I have enjoyed what I've read so far. I really enjoyed the pictures of your children and I intend to read more. Keep up the Lord's work. Bless you. I'm from North Huntingdon Pennsylvania.
Anita Barnes
nitaba3@home.com
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Thought For The Day:
"A lot of people mistake a short memory for a clear conscience."
(Doug Larson)
\
Verse for the Day:
"And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of
offense toward God, and toward men."
Acts 24:16
Kid's Thought For The day:
"Wishing you knew how to jump rope isn't enough."
Parent's Thought For The Day
"A child is someone who stands halfway between an adult and a TV set."
Coach's Thought For The Day
"The world breaks every one and afterward many are strong at the broken places."
(Ernest Hemingway)
Deep Thought For The Day:
If your last name is Horse, it is probably a bad idea to wear a pony tail.
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REQUESTS:
Dear Michael,
Thanks for the prayer request that you have been so kind to put on line for me about my Daddy, God is truly working. As I have expressed to you before It was a very dear friend that first told me about SFTH, and I know she looks at this site first thing every morning. She has ask several times for prayer request for her Mother and God has blessed in this request also. My request to you and to the readers of SFTH is this my friend is a dear and faithful person she is always doing for others and never asking for anything in return. Her family, friends, her so very important to her and seeing people come to know the Lord Jesus Christ is a daily prayer she offers to God each day. My friend is having lots of problems with her neck and it really looks as though she will have to have surgery to correct this problem, she has suffered with this pain for a very long time and Dr's do say surgery is the only thing they can do for her now. Please put her on your prayer request and I ask that all the SFTH readers please pray hard for God's will to be done. I truly believe in the power of prayer as well as my friend, she is so very special to me and this is a very serious surgery. Thanks so much for your time, again please lift Sandra Fisher up to God in your prayers. In His service to help build his kingdom
Mira S. Shropshire. Reidsville, NC
jimmira@earthlink.net
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_
/_/\/\ MICHAEL T. POWERS
\_\ / THUNDER27@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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authors and are used with their permission. We refuse to run stories
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(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
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Thank you so much for honoring the rights of those writers who
graciously share their stories with us!
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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!
http://members.aol.com/Videoimg/index.html
AOL Users click here: Video Imagery
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Would you like to see your story in Straight From the Heart?
Writer's guidelines can be found on our Web site here:
http://storiesfrommyheart.com/writer_s_guidelines/
AOL Users click here: Writer's Guidelines
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Purchase your copy of Michael T. Powers' new book! For a sneak
preview, visit:
http://www.storiesfrommyheart.com/order_our_book_
AOL Users Click Here: Straight From the Heart: A Celebration of Life
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