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{SFTH} *To Honor A Veteran* 7/2/01
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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 the EBook, or to order
by credit card! You can also read some sample stories from the book here!
http://storiesfrommyheart.com/michael_t__powers/
A number of people have written to us asking what an EBook is, since our book is being offered in both print and EBook versions. An EBook is a book that can be downloaded and read right on your computer. The advantage of ordering the EBook is that is costs less, $8.95 (No other charges), as compared to $14.95 + shipping and handling for the print book. Plus you can download the EBook and begin reading the stories in a few minutes! EBooks are read via Acrobat Reader, which is software that most of you already have on your computer. And if for some reason you don't, it can be downloaded free of charge at the web site. So for those of you who don't want to wait for the print book to be delivered, check out this web site to order the EBook version of Straight From the Heart "A Celebration of Life."
http://www.booklocker.com/bookpages/michaeltpowers01.html
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To Honor a Veteran
By Bill Paxton
Several years ago my father was killed in a tractor accident in Arkansas.
He didn't have much experience on a tractor. He was a military man. He'd
seen combat duty in World War II, Korea, and Viet Nam. For twenty-seven
years he'd worn the uniform of his country and it was decorated with a silver
star, a bronze star, and a purple heart. He was to be buried with full military
honors at the national Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. Things like that don't
seem to matter to most folks these days.
The lot had fallen to my older brother to drive to Pine Bluff, Arkansas to pick
up the cremated remains of my father and return them to the family home
for a memorial service. My brother drove home on Interstate 30 with a
plastic box containing my father's remains and an American flag riding
on the passenger seat of his pickup. As he drove along, somewhere
in east Texas, his emotions started to get the best of him so he pulled
on to the shoulder of the road to cry for a while. He placed the plastic
box and the neatly folded flag on the hood of his truck, sat on the
bumper and let the tears flow.
It wasn't long before a trucker stopped to see if he was all right. My brother
told him the story and showed him the flag. The trucker listened patiently,
patted my brother on the shoulder, and said, "Son, It's going to be all
right." The trucker disappeared for a minute and was soon back at
my brother's side. In a few minutes another trucker stopped to pay
his respects and to listen to the story of my Father's life and passing.
A few minutes later two more truckers stopped to lend their support.
Within fifteen minutes there were more than thirty rigs parked along
the interstate. The truckers stood in a semicircle around my Father's
remains and quietly paid their respects. One of the truckers took off
his cap and said, "Let's have a prayer." All of the other truckers took
off their caps and bowed their heads as a prayer was spoken. After
the prayer each of the truckers had a word of encouragement or strength.
One of the truckers said, "Come on friend. Follow us into town." The
truckers all turned on their lights and escorted my brother the rest of
the way into the Metroplex.
I owe a debt to those unknown truckers. Those men stopped to help
what they thought might be a stranded traveler. Instead they paid a
deep honor to a man who had done his duty. Those truckers understood
duty, honor, and sacrifice. And their kindness helped my family to deal
with its grief over the loss of our Father.
Bill Paxton
Bgpipe@aol.com
Send Bill an e-mail and let him know what you thought of his story!
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Bill Paxton (not the actor) lives in Springtown, Texas. He and Sharon
have been marred for 26 years this August 9. He preaches for the
Springtown Church of Christ. Sharon is the editor of 'Guidewords,' a daily
Internet devotional (www.Guidewords.inJesus.com). They have two sons,
Joshua (23) and Caleb (21), and their first grandchild on the way.
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Feedback!
Dear Michael,
I have already placed an order for a copy your book. Reading everyone else's stories or reviews on what they have read makes me real green with envy. I am so anxious to start reading this book just from what others have already shared. And even though I haven't read it myself, I am already contemplating ordering extra copies for the men in my life -- husband, dad, dad-in-law and my ex-youth leader; hey guys guess what you getting for birthday presents this year!!
Keep up the good work of touching so many peoples lives in such a simple yet special way.
God Richly Bless
Adele Mosley
addiepops@hotmail.com
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I just happened upon straight from the heart just a few weeks ago. It is one of the best spots on the net to go. The stories are great, with such uplift. I'm glad I found you. Keep up the good work. Thanks again.
Don Lane
dlane@jps.net
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Thought For The Day:
The teacher asked the pupils to tell the meaning of loving-kindness. A little
boy jumped up and said, "Well, if I was hungry and someone gave me a
piece of bread that would be kindness. But if they put a little jam on it,
that would be loving-kindness."
Verse for the Day:
"Bless the Lord, O my soul...who crowneth thee with loving kindness and
tender mercies; who satisfieth thy mouth with good things..."
Psalm 103: 1,4,5
Kid's Thought For The Day:
"When you've just caught the football, the tackle doesn't hurt as much."
Parent's Thought For The Day
"Never lend your car to anyone to whom you have given birth." --Erma Bombeck
Coach's Thought For The Day
When asked about which team is the toughest team in the league, he
responded with an answer all players must comprehend. He said simply
that it was, The team you are playing." --Roy Campanella
Deep Thought For The Day:
"In dog years, I'm dead."
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REQUESTS:
Dear Friends,
Please keep praying for Sister Ernestine Blake. She is not out of the woods
yet. She still suffers back pain and her spirits are sometimes low. She is
beginning to question if she will ever return to full health. Please pray
as never before for her healing to be complete in God, and for the faith to
endure that she will recover.
Thanks a lot.
Maria Carey, Connecticut
mcarey@greenwich.lib.ct.us
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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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The copyrights to the stories that appear in SFTH 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!
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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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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
_________________________________________________________
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/
AOL Users Click Here: Straight From the Heart: A Celebration of Life
To order your autographed copy at no extra charge, send a check or
money order for $18 ($14.95 for the book and $3.05 for shipping and handling)
made out to Michael T. Powers.
To:
Michael T. Powers
1918 Liberty Lane
Janesville, WI 53545
For two books add $4 for shipping and handling and for three books add $5 for shipping and handling. If you want four or more autographed copies of our book you only pay $5 for shipping and handling. We'll pay the extra shipping costs!
Be sure to let us know who you would like it autographed for and then allow about two weeks for us to sign it and send it on its way to you.
