"God will provide." The statement is frequently uttered. But how many people really believe that? For those who do say it sincerely and believe it with their heart, it is a very powerful affirmation of placing your problems in God's hands. And it can bring amazing results. Personally, I have been on the receiving end of that too many times to doubt it.

When I was a young girl, my mother was expecting my younger brother. Although back then, we still had to wait for the birth to know if the baby would be a boy or girl. I especially remember how elated I felt at knowing I would have a new little brother or sister. But in spite of the impending joy, circumstances were not very encouraging. Mother was not well most of that time. The doctor had told Daddy that she shouldn't be left alone. He and my older brother took turns staying home with her. Now that meant that my brother had to stay home from school. Well, while that didn't exactly displease him, it was not in his best interest. And if Daddy didn't go to work, then he didn't get paid. My father was also a preacher in a small country town. My teachers said that I should refer to him as a "minister". I think the word preacher made them nervous, but to me, preacher or minister, he was my daddy and I was proud to be his little girl; his daughter.

But back to my story, looking back, I realize how brave Mother and Daddy were trying to be for us kids. We lived in a small three room house - a kitchen, living room, and a bedroom. The plumbing was outdoors. The water was in a well outside and you got it by dropping a bucket tied to a rope down into that watery hole, filled the bucket and pulled on that rope until you could grab the bucket. The water was then poured into another container - usually another bucket. You didn't dare spill a drop and that second bucket had to be carried into the house. One bucket at a time as needed. And you thought that just happened on TV. :-) THANKFULLY, I was too young and too little to have to do that chore. My older brother was just right. It was a normal way of life.

Daddy was the pastor of a small church, but there was no such thing as a salary for him. Instead, the collection plate was passed during the services and if it was our turn to be the receipients, we thankfully accepted whatever "the Lord provided" Unfortunately, the Lord was dependent on the good brothers and sisters to carry out His end of the deal, and too often the bottom of the plate was still visible. For in fairness, there were no wealthy people in attendence. We all lived below modest circumstances. Society today would have classified it as poverty. We knew we were poor, but any other kind was not even a real human being. But as Daddy's sermons often reflected, "God is mindful of even the sparrow." And so by faith we existed, and that faith was fueled with prayers.

If I were to live to be as old as Adam - 930 years (Genesis 5:5) - I would never forget this event. Christmas was approaching. I had heard the quiet talks and Mother had solemnly told us that since Daddy hadn't been able to work very much, that there was no money for Christmas presents. "Santa" didn't enter into the picture by this time because my older brother had already spilled the beans with great delight. I must have sensed her pain, because I remember that it really didn't matter about that, only that Mother was still with us and we were going to have a new baby.

It was a Sunday afternoon and suddenly we heard a siren. It was a fire chief's car and he pulled into the yard - no such thing as a formal driveway. Behind him followed four other cars. They all pulled to a stop and people started getting out of them and then reaching back inside the cars. Every person came up to the steps with their arms loaded with sacks of groceries. The fire chief was another preacher friend from a larger town. I remember Daddy looking at his friend and asking, "How did you know?" His friend replied, "The Lord told me you were in need."

Our unexpected visitors, some only acquaintances, all brought their gifts into the house and piled them onto the kitchen table, the counter top and floor. And then an envelope was presented with what looked like an unreal amount of cash. We had lots of food to last us awhile and we each had a present for Christmas.

Does God provide? Everyday in some way, although we are often too busy and engrossed in our lives to recognize it. God wants the very best for us, why else would He have prepared the Garden of Eden, or offered us visions of Heaven?

I was priveleged recently to hear Mark Gorman speak, a minister and motivator. So many of his words rang special in my heart, for they reminded me of another minister and motivator. The two would have been worlds apart in the socioeconomical status, but their hearts would have been in tune to the same Maker who wants only good for us all.

My mission statement is to encourage you to be the best that you can be. In order to do that, you have first got to believe. You must believe that God will provide. We are famous for quoting the bible verse about Ask and ye shall receive. Well, read the next part of that line, it says to Seek and ye shall find. God will help us, but He wants action from us. In Mark Gorman's message, he said, " We must envision our dream. And the dream must be so big that it is bigger and better than we are." How big is big? Mark's answer was, "It must be so huge that it owns a part of our day, every day."

Dreams are magic. Ask someone what is their dream? Watch their face light up. The immediate affect of dreams is a sense of respite, a spark of hope, and a challenge to stretch ourselves a bit as we reach for them. As my mentor, Mike Litman is famous for saying, "Focus on your goals. Then take baby steps to start. Gather your victories as you progress toward your ultimate goal - your ultimate dream."

This is...

Doris OnLine with new dreams and a brand new E-Magazine. How may I help you?
Doris

And... as... Doris Off Line, I am available for speaking and mentoring engagements for motivational, self-enhancement, and how-to-reach for your dreams. If your customers think you or your staff need an attitude adjustment, I can help. Been there; done that. I can lend a helping hand to help you put a smile in your voice so it will radiate on your face and you will make your customers feel truly welcomed and appreciated. I may have a few others surprises as well. So if your office crew, or special organization needs some fine tuning, perhaps I can help. Let's talk

I am Doris Newnam, APMM, Owner, Texas D Net Domains and Web Services, and Former ISP Dial Up Services. Client Relations has been a big part of my life throughout my various business careers and affiliations, from meeting and greeting, to cosmetologist, salon owner, to sales, marketing, and advertising, to customer service and trouble shooting, writer, author, (print) magazine publisher, now e-magazine publisher, motivational speaker, personal enhancement, and soon-to-be book publisher.

For inquiries and scheduling, please contact me first via e-mail: Seminar Scheduling

Thank you one and all. Remember: God intended for you to be great. Don't disappoint Him.
Doris
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My special "Thanks" to the following readers. Thank you. Doris
Reprinted with Permission in order as received:

"Keep on keeping on." Bennie

"Congratulations, Doris Have a great week and may God bless you." August

"Way to go Doris! Your E-mag is great!" Kathy L.

"I was just at the ezine online and yes I think you should keep it accessible online. With all the marketing I do this would be better than losing your invaluable resource in Tons of Safelist incoming emails" Richard S.,

The following comments are between myself and a very special Internet friend since 1996 who is also a subscriber of Doris OnLine.

"Hi Doris
I like the idea of clicking in on the web. It worked good for me. I enjoyed it very much. It makes me want to write some more poems like I did before. Thanks Judy"

"Hi Judy,
Thanks for the report on this. And dust off those writing skills. I'm going to be expecting some new poems. Go for it!
Love you!
Doris"

"Hi Doris
You are welcome to use what ever I say anytime. By the way I wrote this Poem since I last e-mailed you. Judy"

Judy is a published author with a book titled: POEMS FROM A COUNTRY GIRL by Judy Obuchowski. Let's hear it for Judy. Here is her latest creation.

"THE LIGHT

Have you seen the light of Jesus
It comes from the love within us
It's in your Soul and in your Heart
You know it's there from the start
In the beginning you just feel it
As you grow He begins to reveal it
When He calls His angels home again
And nobody knows when
Things may get rough
But we will all hang tough
And new stars will shine bright
In the end everything will be all right"

Judy Obuchowski
©Copyright 2004 Judy Obuchowski


Send Questions or Comments to: Doris OnLine

Hands Across The Oceans

I want to pause here for a moment to extend a special
"Welcome of Friendship" to our International Friends.

Off hand, I'm not sure how many have joined us from other Countries, as I don't know where everyone lives, but I believe I speak for all of our American subscribers. We are blessed to have you join us.

And from "Yours Truly"... A BIG TEXAS WELCOME, YA'LL!

"Heaven was designed for all people of all Nations.
God intended that we all be friends." Doris Newnam

Just For Laughs... Science has proven what we older folks knew all along. Laughing is good for us. My thanks for the following submissions. ...
"Only in America......do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and a diet coke." submitted by: Louis L., TX

"An atheist was walking through the woods one day
when suddenly an 8-foot grizzly bear began to charge
towards him. He ran as fast as he could down the path.
He looked over his shoulder and saw that the bear
was rapidly closing on him. Somehow, he ran
even faster, so scared that tears came to his eyes.
His heart pounding in his chest, he tried to run faster
yet. But alas, he tripped and fell to the ground. As he
rolled over to pick himself up, the bear was right over
him, reaching for him with its left paw and raising its
right paw to strike him.

'OH MY GOD! ...' Time stopped.......... The bear froze
........... The forest was silent...........Even the river
stopped moving ...

As a brilliant light shone upon the man, a thunderous
voice came from all around, 'You Deny My Existence
For All These Years, Teach Others That I Don't Exist;
And Even Credit Creation To Some Cosmic Accident.
Do You Expect Me To Help You Out Of This Predicament?
Am I To Count You As A Believer???'

Difficult as it was, the atheist looked directly into the
light and said, 'It would be hypocritical to ask to be a
Christian after all these years, but perhaps you could
make the bear a Christian?'

'Very Well.' said The Voice. The light went out.......
The river ran....... The sounds of the forest
resumed and the bear dropped down on his knees,
brought both paws together, bowed his head and spoke:

'Lord, thank you for this food which I am about to receive.' "
submitted by James S., VA

Do you have a good clean joke that you would like to share? Submit your entries. Any submissions published will give credit to the contributor with first name, city, and state, and or country.

Send entries to: Doris OnLine Place In Subject Line: "Just For Laughs"

Got a better name for our jokes catagory? Let's see who can come up with a winner.

New Features in Doris OnLine Web Site

Do you ever have a problem figuring out the number of characters or words for your advertising submissions? Many submission forms are limited in either character or word input.

Now there is a free tool to help you work up your ads or other submissions.

I have installed two separate free tools - a Word Counter and a Character Counter.
Feel free to use them at any time.

Just go the the main page of Doris OnLine to access either or both of them. Enjoy.

©Copyright 2004 Doris OnLine by Doris Newnam, Issue #3. 3/15/04 All Rights Reserved Wordwide.