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{Heart4Teens.com} *The Lamb*
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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
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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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Inspired Audio -- Inspirational Audio Message of the Week!
Inspired Audio is a brand new offshoot of Heart4Teens.com & HeartTouchers.com. Every week we will offer a different audio message that you can listen to right on your computer as you are surfing the net. Be sure to come back and visit each week!
This Week: "Science: What is True" by Author Michael T. Powers
http://www.HeartTouchers.com/Inspired_Audio
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Thought For The Day:
"Motivation is when your dreams put on work clothes." --Parkes Robinson
Verse for the Day:
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."--Colossians 3:23
Teen's Thought for the Day:
"If you want someone to listen to what you are saying, whisper it."
Parent's Thought For The Day
"When I was a boy of fourteen my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one I was astounded at how much the old man learned in seven years." --Mark Twain
Coach's Thought For The Day
"You can be harsh to your players and still coach, but it is easier if you are kind to them." --John Kessel
Deep Thoughts For The Day:
"If at first you don't succeed, see if the loser gets anything."
"Listen to your heart. A stethoscope will make this easier."
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Author MICHAEL T. POWERS
www.Heart4Teens.com
Contributing Author to Chicken Soup for the Teen's Soul on Love and Friendship and 25 other inspirational books.
"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 by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20
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ALL-STAR Ministry
--The Youth Church of Faith Community Church in Janesville, WI
If you are in 6-12th grade and live in the southern Wisconsin/northern Illinois area and would like to check us out, we meet every Sunday night from 6:30-8:00 PM at Faith Community Church which is located at 2931 Lucerne Dr. in Janesville, WI. (About 3 blocks south-east of The Skating Place.)
All-Stars: 6:30 - 8:00 PM Sunday nights! Open to all youth grades 9-12.
The Outlet: 6:30 - 8:00 PM Sunday nights in the Multi-Purpose Room! Open to all youth grades 6-8.
Currently we have students from Edgerton, Fort Atkinson, Milton, Janesville Craig, Janesville Parker, Marshall, Franklin, Orfordville, Clinton, Beloit Memorial, Beloit Turner, South Beloit, and Hononegah. E-mail me back if you have any questions about our weekly meetings or would like to come to any of our events that are listed below... We have way too much fun and then, most importantly, talk about issues that are relevant to you as a teenager.
Upcoming Topics:
New Series! Rewired: Developing a Biblical World View
October 15: If We Come From the Ground We're Nothing But Dirt
October 22: Creatures that Defy Evolution
October 29: Image is Everything
November 5: Special Drama Presentation by the Spring Creek Players! 6 PM start time!
November 12: The Gates of Hell
November 19: Bad to the Bone
November 26: Somebody Save Me
December 3: That's Not Fair
December 10: Prepare to Die
December 17: True to Who?
December 24: No All-Stars -- Spend Christmas Eve with your family!
December 31: No All-Stars -- Spend New Year's Eve with your family!
Visit our youth website to see our topics for all of 2007!
http://www.faithcommunitychurch.net/youth
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Teen Community Groups
6:30 - 8:00 PM Wednesday nights (September though May)
These groups are limited to no more than ten teens and are split into Jr. High and High School ages. This night is for those teens who want to dig deeper than what we do in All-Stars, but may not be ready to be a part of the Xtreme Teens. These cell groups will also be doing special activities with each other as the year goes on to build community.
Jr. High age meets at the church and are led by Kent and Rachel Martin
High School age are led by Matt and Kristi Kauffman: 4339 Fox Hills (Call 758-1243 if you have any questions!)
Xtreme Teens
Xtreme Teens meet on Wednesday nights from 6:30 - 8:00 PM all year round at the Powers' house. This group is very extensive with weekly homework, memorization, service projects, etc. Students interested in this group will have to fill out an application, provide references as to why others think they should be involved with this, and sign an agreement as to what is expected of them. Admission into Xtreme Teens is on a case by case basis. Contact Pastor Michael for more details!
