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{Heart Touchers}   *The Unexpected Answer*  10/8/01

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"A Celebration of Life," is finally here!  Close to 200
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1918 Liberty Lane
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It is with great pleasure that I get to share another story
from friend Scott Graffius.  If there is a more talented
person in this world, I haven't met them yet.  Not only
does he play many musical instruments and sing, but he
writes his own songs and music!  There is mention in his bio
that he has written a Christian fiction novel, and wanted
everyone to know that I have read it, and it is as good as
any Frank Peretti novel!  There is no doubt in my mind
that he will find a publisher for it, so be looking for this
young man's name in the near future!

Have a great week everyone!
Michael

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The Unexpected Answer

By Scott Graffius

My friend has been a pastor for many years, and
he received an unexpected answer to prayer in
his early days in the ministry...

Pastor Dave got a call from a young couple in the
church, and it was bad news.  The husband had
just been diagnosed with a deadly form of cancer.
Pastor Dave hurried to the hospital where they
were waiting.

When the pastor arrived, he felt led by God to pray
a very bold prayer for total healing.  "Lord," he
prayed with the young couple, "in the name of Jesus,
we ask for complete and total healing."

Later, the pastor went about his errands.  One day
several weeks later he returned home to find a
message waiting for him.  The young man had
died of his cancer-related illness.  Pastor Dave
was heartbroken for this poor young lady, who
was no facing life alone.  But more than that,
he was angry with God.  He had prayed in faith
for total healing, but now he was humiliated. How
could he face this young lady again?

His faith in God had been so shaken that he sat
down at his desk and began to write his letter of
resignation, muttering to God the whole time.
When he had finished, he left it on his desk and
headed out the door.  He couldn't put it off any
longer; he had to go visit the grieving widow.

His stomach was in knots as he pulled into the
driveway.  He had no idea what he would say.
He rang the doorbell and waited.  Moments later,
she opened the door and threw her arms around
him sobbing

"Thank you so much!" she cried.  "My husband
is totally healed now, at home with Jesus!"

God showed Pastor Dave something about his
sovereignty that day.  God had answered his
prayer in a completely unexpected way, and her
husband had experienced a deeper healing and
wholeness in heaven than he could ever have
hoped for on earth.  God always has a plan, and
His timing is always perfect!

Scott Graffius
mymiddlenameisdanger@excite.com

Write to Scott and let him know what you thought of his story!

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Scott Graffius lives with his wife, Megan in Beloit, WI.
He is the music minister and youth pastor at Faith
Community Church. In his spare time, Scott enjoys
working on their new house, audio/video production,
golf, camping, going to the movies and spending time
with close friends.  Scott has written a Christian
fiction novel entitled, "The Morrison Project"
and is currently searching for a publisher.  Send
milk & cookies, as well as daily affirmation to:
mymiddlenameisdanger@excite.com

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Thought For The Day:

"What is the use of praying if at that very moment
of prayer we have so little confidence in God that
we are busy planning our own kind of answer to
our prayer." --Thomas Merton

Verse for the Day:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in
everything, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
Philippians 4:6

Kid's Thought For The Day:

"Dirt is only considered bad when it is not on the ground."

Parent's Thought For The Day

"Advice for the day: If you have a lot of tension and
you get a headache, do what it says on the aspirin
bottle: Take two and keep away from the children."

Coach's Thought For The Day

"The minute you start talking about what you're
going to do if you lose, you have lost. --George Shultz

Deep Thought For The Day:

"When I went to college, my parents threw a
going away party for me. At least that is what
they told me in the letter I got in the mail."

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  _
/_/\/\    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/

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Do you feel as if life has no meaning for you?
http://www.greatcom.org/english/four.htm

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