It was quiet that day, the guns and the mortars, and the land mines for some reason hadn�t been heard. The young soldier knew it was Sunday, the holiest day of the week.  As he was sitting there, he got out an old deck of cards and laid them out across his bunk. Just then an army sergeant came in and said, �Why aren�t you with the rest of the platoon?� The soldier replied, �I thought I would stay behind and spend some time with the Lord.� The sergeant said, �Looks to me like you�re going to play cards.� The soldier said, �No, Sir. You see, since we are not allowed to have Bibles or other spiritual books in this country, I�ve decided to talk to the Lord by studying this deck of cards.� The sergeant asked in disbelief, �How will you do that?�

�You see the Ace, Sergeant? It reminds me that there is only one God.

The Two represents the two parts of the Bible, Old and New Testaments.

The Three represents the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost.

The Four stands for the Four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

The Five is for the five virgins - there were ten but only five of them were glorified.

The Six is for the six days it took God to create the Heavens and the Earth.

The Seven is for the day God rested after making His Creation.

The Eight is for the family of Noah and his wife, their three sons and their wives � the eight people God spared from the flood that destroyed the Earth.

The Nine is for the lepers that Jesus cleansed of leprosy. He cleansed ten, but nine never thanked Him. The Ten represents the Ten Commandments that God handed down to Moses on tablets made of stone.

The Jack is a reminder of Satan, one of God�s first angels, but he got kicked out of heaven for his sly and wicked ways and is now the joker of eternal hell.

The Queen stands for the Virgin Mary.

The King stands for Jesus, for He is the King of all kings.

When I count the dots on all the cards, I come up with 365 total, one for every day of the year.

There are a total of 52 cards in a deck, each is a week � 52 weeks in a year.

The four suits represent the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.

Each suit has thirteen cards � there are exactly thirteen weeks in a quarter.

So when I want to talk to God and thank Him, I just pull out this old deck of cards and they remind me of all that I have to be thankful for.�

   The sergeant just stood there. After a minute, with tears in his eyes and pain in his heart, he said, �Soldier, can I borrow that deck of cards?�

   Please let this be a reminder and take time to pray for all of our soldiers who are away, putting their lives on the line fighting. Of all the gifts you could give a Soldier, prayer is the very best one.

Prayer for the Military.

Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands.

Protect them.

Bless them and their families.

I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

Amen


ALERT: MOTORISTS URGED TO BE
CAUTIOUS FOR DEER ON ROADS

   TRENTON - The Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish and Wildlife is urging motorists to be on the alert for white-tailed deer on the roadways with the arrival of the fall breeding season, especially during the morning and evening commutes when visibility may be poor and deer activity is likely to be higher.

   "White-tailed deer become most active and unpredictable during the annual fall rut," said Division of Fish and Wildlife Director David Chanda. "At this time of year, deer are much more likely to dart into roadways without warning. Drivers need to be extra alert to avoid collisions that could result in serious injuries or even death."

   Deer movements related to the rut are beginning now and will pick up in the coming weeks. Studies indicate that the peak of the mating season in New Jersey occurs during the first three weeks of November in northern counties and during the last three weeks in southern counties. Breeding can continue well into December in both regions.

   Triggered by shorter days and cooler weather, deer disperse and move around considerably as they search for mates. Deer behavior is likely to be sudden and unpredictable.

In many instances, deer will wander closer to and onto roadways. They may suddenly stop in the middle of a road, crossing and even re-crossing it. The danger is particularly pronounced at dawn and dusk when many people are commuting to and from work. Visibility resulting from low light or sun glare may be difficult during these times.

   Commuters should be esecially alert and drive with additional caution when daylight saving time ends on Nov. 6. Normal driver commuting times will more closely align with peak deer activity periods after this time.

   The DEP offers the following tips to help motorists stay safe:

* If you spot a deer, slow down and pay attention to possible sudden movement. If the deer doesn't move, don't go around it. Wait for the deer to pass and the road is clear.

* Pay attention to "Deer Crossing" signs. They are there for a reason. Slow down when traveling through areas known to have a high concentration of deer so you will have ample time to stop if necessary.

* If you are traveling after dark, use high beams when there is no oncoming traffic. High beams will be reflected by the eyes of deer on or near roads.

* If you see one deer, be on guard: others may be in the area. Deer typically move in family groups at this time of year and cross roads single-file.

* Don't tailgate. Remember: the driver in front of you might have to stop suddenly to avoid hitting a deer.

* Always wear a seatbelt, as required by law. Drive at a safe and sensible speed, taking into account weather, available lighting, traffic, curves and other road conditions.

* If a collision appears inevitable, do not swerve to avoid impact. The deer may counter-maneuver suddenly. Brake firmly, but stay in your lane. Collisions are more likely to become fatal when a driver swerves to avoid a deer and instead collides with oncoming traffic or a fixed structure along the road.

* Report any deer-vehicle collision to a local law enforcement agency immediately.

   For more information about white-tailed deer in New Jersey, visit www.njfishandwildlife.com.

Where is Sunday School in your children�s lives?

   As parents, we work hard to provide our children with any number of lessons to help them develop their talents in music, art, dance, sports and more. We want them to have all the experiences we may not have had and opportunities that we hope will enhance their young lives.

   We worry about whether our children are accepted by their peers, if they have enough friends and if they are popular. We pierce their ears, cover their teeth with braces and buy them the latest fashions. We see to it that they are plugged in and attached to every piece of electronic equipment available. We even spring for tutors so they can up their SAT scores. So while our children look put together, have we done our best to take care of their total being?

   Oh sure, we feed them nourishing food, give them vitamins and see to all the necessary medical check-ups; after all, we are caring parents. We try to teach them right from wrong, to have good manners and to be respectful.  While we think we have covered all the bases, our children are facing, on a daily basis, a world filled with anger, hatred, (explicit often incorrect) sexual information, opportunities for temptation and a myriad of other negative influences.  But how do we help our children to lay the groundwork to build their character? How do we equip them to resist temptation, to be secure in their belief of right and wrong, and to have faith in themselves and others?  How do we prepare them to be able to discern a healthy spiritual community from a cult? Is the power within our family strong enough to outfit our children with the needed resources to grow and mature in order to defend themselves from the negative aspects of the world in which they live?

   In today�s world children spend less time at home than they do in other places.  It is a comfort to know that in at least one of those locations we can provide a community of love and support without the fear of judgment, harassment, sexual innuendo, mean spiritedness and excessive competition. Membership in a spiritual community among one�s peers provides the opportunities to learn and practice compassion, tolerance, forgiveness, patience and the confidences that add to the building of character.

   Studies show that while many young people, ages 18-35, leave the church for one reason or another, they often return if they attended Sunday School during their formative years. The reasons cited were memories of the good feelings regarding the classes, friendships with other children, a sense of belonging and the observance of religious holidays.

   Where is Sunday School in your children�s lives?

By Jean Dale, Chairperson

Asbury Methodist Church, Woodstown, NJ

FOOTPRINTS...A New Version        
   Imagine you and the Lord Jesus are walking down the road together.  For much of the way, the Lord's footprints go along steadily, consistently, rarely varying the pace. But your footprints are a disorganized stream of zigzags, starts, stops, turnarounds, circles, departures, and returns.  For much of the way, it seems to go like this, but gradually your footprints come more in line with the Lord's, soon paralleling, His consistently. You and Jesus are walking as true friends! This seems perfect, but then an interesting thing happens: Your footprints that once etched the sand next to Jesus' are now walking precisely in His steps.  Inside His larger footprints are your smaller ones, you and Jesus are becoming one.  This goes on for many miles, but gradually you notice another change. The footprints inside the large footprints seem to grow larger.  Eventually they disappear altogether. There is only one set of footprints. They have become one. This goes on for a long time, but suddenly the second set of footprints is back. This time it seems even worse! Zigzags all over the place.   Stops.  Starts. Gashes in the sand.   A variable mess of prints. You are amazed and shocked. Your dream ends. Now you pray:  'Lord, I understand the first scene, with zigzags and fits.  I was a new Christian; I was just learning. But You walked on through the storm and helped me learn to walk with You.'
'That is correct.'  
'And when the smaller footprints were inside of Yours, I was actually learning to walk in Your steps, following You very closely.'
'Very good.. You have understood everything so far.'  
When the smaller footprints grew and filled in Yours, I suppose that I was becoming like You in every way.'
'Precisely.'  
'So, Lord, was there a regression or something? The footprints separated, and this time it was worse than at first.'
There is a pause as the Lord answers, with a smile in His voice.  
'You didn't know?  It was then that we danced!'
   To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: A time to weep, a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to dance.            `                      Ecclesiastes 3:1 & 4.  

Love Is�

Slow to suspect�quick to trust

Slow to condemn�quick to justify

Slow to offend�quick to defend

Slow to expose�quick to shield

Slow to reprimand�quick to forbear

Slow to belittle�quick to appreciate

Slot to demand�quick to give

Slow to provoke�quick to help

Slow to resent�quick to forgive.

Are you a loving person?

                                                Source Unknown

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HUGS!!

   Hugging is healthy. It helps the body�s immune system. It keeps you healthier, it cures depression, it reduces stress, it induces sleep, it�s invigorating, it�s rejuvenating, it has no unpleasant side effect, and hugging is nothing less than a miracle drug.

   Hugging is all natural. It is organic, naturally sweet, no pesticides, no preservatives, no artificial ingredients and 100 percent wholesome.

   Hugging is practically perfect. There are no movable parts, no batteries to wear out, no periodic check-ups, low energy consumption, high energy yield, inflation proof, nonfattening, no monthly payments, no insurance requirements, theft-proof, nontaxable, nonpolluting, and of course fully returnable.

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The Lessons of Noah 

     1.         Don�t miss the boat.

     2.         Remember that we are all in the same boat.

     3.         Plan ahead. It wasn�t raining when Noah built the ark.

     4.         Stay fit. When you�re 600 years old, someone may ask you to
       do something really big.

     5.         Don�t listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.

     6.         Build your future on high ground.

     7.         For safety�s sake, travel in pairs.

     8.         Speed isn�t always an advantage. The snails were on board with
       the cheetahs.

     9.         When you�re stressed, float a while

     10.        Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.

     11.        No matter the storm, when you are with God, there�s always a
        rainbow waiting.

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WHAT KIND OF MEMBER ARE YOU? 

     A lot of members are like wheelbarrows � no good unless pushed.

     Some are like trailers � they have to be pulled.

     Some are like kites � if you don�t keep a string on them they fly way.

     Some are like balloons � full of wind and ready to blow up;

     Some are like footballs � you can�t tell which way they will bounce.

     And then, some are like a good watch � open face, pure gold, quietly busy,
     and full of good works
                                     "From an Oregon Newsletter"
 

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Six Key Financial Principles 

Today in worship we will look closely at biblical principles of money management and learn how they apply to our daily lives. We will review some common pitfalls and cultural traps and discover how to avoid them. We also will receive a reminder of the Six Key Financial Principles. We hope you will take time this week to read these principles and Scriptures. They will make a great table devotional for you and your family. By practicing these biblical principles, all of us can find greater simplicity, contentment, generosity, and joy for our lives.

1.       Pay your tithe and offering first

2.       Create a budget and track your expenses

3.       Simplify your lifestyle (live below your means).

4.       Establish an emergency fund

5.       Pay off your credit cards, use cash/debit cards for
 purchases, and use credit wisely

6.       Practice long-term savings and investing habits

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Kids were asked questions