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{SFTH} *The Lamb* 7/23/01
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Following today's wonderful story by Mike Boudreaux will be another e-mail
containing an interview author Roger Dean Kiser, Sr. It is the first
in a series of interviews that we will be doing with the gifted writers who
share their talent with us here at Straight From the Heart! You won't
want to miss it!
Have a great week everyone!
Michael
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The Lamb
By Mike Boudreaux
One afternoon in the summer of 1996 Christopher, who is called Chris, was
driving back to Porterville, California from Bakersfield where he worked as a
California Highway Patrolman. But before I go on, I must back up and tell you
about my grandson, Christian. Christian was born in January 1996, at birth he
seemed to be a healthy bouncing baby boy with no problems, but at age three
months it was discovered that he was born with only three chambers in his
heart. The doctors advised of many major surgeries and the likelihood of him
not living past his third birthday. At the time Chris was 26 years old and had
been married for four years. Of course he was very worried about his son
and it weighed heavily on his mind. Many hours were spent in prayer for
Christian and Chris had ample prayer time as he commuted to work in
Bakersfield from Porterville a 100 mile round trip each day.
One afternoon as Chris was driving home, north along Hwy. 65 he felt an urgency
to pull over to the side of the road. Chris said that he felt that God was telling
him to climb to the top of a small hill just off of the roadway. Chris stood there
beside his car and looked at the hill, it was not a large hill, but it was hot and
he decided that there was nothing he could see from the top of the hill that
he could not see from where he stood. Chris looked around and saw nothing
except a slow moving diesel truck which he had passed several miles back
approaching from the south. Chris let the devil tell him that if he did not get
back on the road soon, that he would have to again find a place to pass this
approaching truck. So he quickly jumped back into his car and sped off
towards home ahead of the diesel truck.
When he arrived in Porterville he stopped by our house for a visit and he told me
of the incident. I could not believe that Chris had not obeyed what he felt was
a word from God. I encouraged Chris to return to the hill and be obedient to
what he felt God had told him. I gladly volunteered to go along to keep him
company. So within a few minutes we were on the road headed back to that
hill. When we arrived at the hill, Chris pulled to the side of the road, we got out
of the car and looked at the hill. Chris said, "Now what?" I said, "Well, if God
said to go to the top, then you had better go to the top." Chris then said,
"Well, lets' go." "Oh no!", I replied, "God told you to go up that hill, He didn't
tell me to go." Chris then crawled through a barbed wire fence and headed up
to the top of the hill alone. I stayed by the car and prayed while Chris climbed
to the top of the hill and then went over the crest out of my sight. In about
twenty minutes he came back to the car and sat in the front seat without
saying a word. We sat in the car for a few minutes and finally Chris said,
"You know Dad, just over that hill is a large flock of sheep, maybe two or
three hundred. I watched the sheep for a while and all was very peaceful
and serene. As I watched those sheep I saw a little lamb stray away from
the flock with it's head down grazing on the grass. And then I saw movement
in the tall weeds near the flock and saw a big coyote stalking through the
weeds, inching ever closer to the little lamb. There was a shepherd sitting
on a small knoll watching the flock but he didn't seem to be watching the
lamb which had strayed and was now in imminent danger. I called out and
whistled trying to alert the shepherd to the danger but I was unable to get
his attention. The coyote kept inching it's way closer and closer to the
lamb and I had to watch helplessly knowing that the coyote would soon
be upon the lamb. I was too far away and unable to do anything about the
impending attack upon the lamb. I was so frustrated in my attempts to get
the shepherd's attention and I knew that soon it would be too late.
Suddenly the coyote ran out from the cover of the tall weeds and raced
towards the defenseless lamb, rapidly closing the distance between them.
Even if I managed to get the shepherd's attention he was too far from the
lamb to be able to save it. All I could do was watch in horror. I was sure it
would be over in seconds, but just then the shepherd raised his arm and
pointed toward the lamb. I then saw two of the biggest dogs that I have ever
seen burst forth out of the tall weeds and head straight for the coyote at full
peed. The coyote slammed on the brakes at the sight of these two huge
dogs bearing down on it. The coyote nearly lost it's footing as it turned
and headed in the opposite direction as fast as it's legs could carry it.
The last I saw of the coyote it was three hills over, still running at top
speed with the two huge dogs nipping at it's heels. The little lamb never
looked up, never saw either the coyote or the dogs and never knew how
much danger it had been in. The shepherd then turned towards me, gave
a little wave and then turned his attention back to the flock. In a few moments
I saw the dogs trot back as they returned to lie back down in the tall weeds
near the flock. All was again very peaceful and serene.
Chris then started the car and we headed back to Porterville. Neither of us said
a word for about ten miles. I finally said, "Chris, your little lamb is going to be
just fine. His shepherd has His eye on him and when the time comes He will
raise His arm and the next thing you know the devil will be three hills over
running at top speed with his tail between his legs, being chased by the
biggest angels your ever saw. God may seem to be out of reach and too
far away to do anything about little Christian but He is in control. Don't get
frustrated when you think that God doesn't hear your prayers, He hears,
and He sees all and He knows the situation. He's not going to let the devil
snatch one of His little lambs.
By the way, Christian just celebrated his fifth birthday, to watch him run and
play, you would never know that he has only three chambers in his heart. The
doctors are amazed at his condition and say that the longer they can wait the
stronger Christian will be and his chances at surviving the necessary operation
will be much better. Please keep him in your prayers.
Mike Boudreaux
boodrow@sosinet.net
Send Mike an e-mail and let him know what you thought of his story!
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I am a retired law enforcement officer after thirty years of service with the Tulare
County Sheriff's Office. I live in Porterville, California and have been happily
married to my wife Portia for 36 years and have two sons. Both pups have
followed in the old dog's tracks and have chosen law enforcement as their
careers. Being retired I am able to devote more of my time to His service
and serve on the board and as the men's minister at our church.
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From the Guestbook!
I enjoy receiving your stories. I will soon get the book. I am from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Thank you for spreading Love in the world.
Maria Cristina
angelmaria50@hotmail.com
Michael, Kristi, Caleb and Connor,
I live in Kansas City Mo. I was born in Pennsylvania. Moved out here a little more than five years ago. I got lost in your site for over an hour reading and enjoying my time in there. You have a wonderful family and it seemed like I was almost there with you. Your stories and poems and everything is captivating. If more folks were more like you we would have one wonderful world to live in. Time is so close for the second coming of our Lord. I MAY NOT KNOW YOU NOW OTHER THAN WHAT I READ IN YOUR PAGES BUT ONE DAY WE WILL MEET UP THERE, KEEP WRITING THE GOOD STORIES AND THINGS YOU HAVE HERE AND YOU WILL BE DOING A GOOD JUSTICE FOR THOSE THAT READ IT.
LOVE IN THE Lord Jesus And may God bless you real good. I am planning on ordering your book.
Sincerely,
Angie A. Holt
mon1y@aol.com
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Ah! An exceptionally profound web site indeed for so many. With love, I remain.
Anjum Azad, Pakistan
anjumazad@pk.netsolir.com
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Thought For The Day:
"Most men believe that it would benefit them if they could get a little
from those who have more. How much more would it benefit them if
they would learn a little from those who know more?" --William Boetcker
Verse for the Day:
"How much better to get wisdom than gold?" --Proverbs 16:16
Kid's Thought For The Day:
"Giving away one cookie when you have two is harder than giving away
ten when you have a whole batch."
Parent's Thought For The Day
"Virtually every issue that we deal with, be it education...be it human
services or gang problems or drugs, we find STRONG FAMILIES the
ultimate solution." --Governor Mike Leavitt
Coach's Thought For The Day
"Anyone can become angry. That is easy. But to be angry with the
right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right
purpose, and in the right way - that is not easy." --Aristotle
Deep Thought For The Day:
"I read that for every mile you jog, you add one minute to your life.
That enables you at age 85 to spend an additional six months in a
nursing home at $5,000 a month."
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REQUESTS:
UPDATE ON THE TWINS!
The latest and greatest on Patrick and Mary is they are both home and doing well. Patrick is up to 8 pounds, 3 ounces! Praise God! He came home on Friday after one full week observation after being off his antibiotics. The twins were 2 months old on Wednesday, July 18th. (their original due date was July 17th.) We are grateful for all the prayers that have gone up on behalf of the twins and their parents, Dave & Jeannie. Older brother Michael is thrilled to have his babies home now and so is everyone else! Thanks again for all you prayers and thoughts and love.
Susan
susanmcd@telocity.com
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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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Video Imagery (Michael's Video Production Business.)
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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!
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