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*Hit the Trail*

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Before we get to today's story by Ken Pierpont I wanted to share a writing opportunity for all of you from my friend Alice Gray. This book series, "Stories for the Heart" is one of our favorites and we are always glad to help in any way... The deadline for this is in just a few days so don't wait to send her your stories!

Be sure to tell her Michael sent ya and pass this on to any writers you know!

From my family to yours,
Michael

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ATTENTION WRITERS!!

MISSION POSSIBLE?
 
I have just received an urgent assignment with a deadline of April 17.  Yes, you read that right.  April 17.
 
Multnomah Publishers is looking for short stories (300-900 words) about our military men and women.  The stories are being gathered for the Stories for the Heart book collection.  If your story is selected, Multnomah will pay $200 for non-exclusive rights (meaning you retain ownership of the story).  Guidelines are listed below.  If more information is needed, you can contact me at 928-453-4944 on Saturday April 12 or Wednesday April 16.  I will be traveling April 13 - 15. 
 
God's blessings,
Alice Gray, compiler, Stories for the Heart book collection 
 


SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

Prefer contemporary stories written from a military man or woman's viewpoint.  The stories can be written "as told to" or "retold by."  If "as told to" be sure to include the name and rank of the military personnel.  Topics include sacrifice, patriotism, love, honor, faith, etc.  The stories  should be warm, uplifting, and encouraging... not teachy or preachy but embracing Christian values and biblical truth.  We are looking for stories that tug and the heart and end  powerfully or tenderly.  We are not accepting poetry at this time.  Story length is 300-900 words.  If your story is accepted, a separate permission agreement will be sent to you.  Payment, along with a complimentary copy of the book, will be mailed within 30 days of publication.   Stories must be received by April 17.  Please do not submit stories after that date.  Because of the short deadline, send your stories by email attachment to Alice Gray, Compiler at: agray1@citlink.net

Reprints are acceptable if you own the rights.  Include complete information re mailing address, daytime phone number, fax, email and social security number.  You may submit up to three stories.    Due to the large volume of correspondence Multnomah receives, we can only reply if your story is selected.  If you do not hear from us,  either your story was not a "perfect fit" or we have too many stories in a particular category.  Thank you for the privilege of reviewing your stories. Multnomah Publishers, Inc., Sisters, OR
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HIT THE TRAIL

by Kenneth L. Pierpont


A hike was the perfect order of the day.

The boys were excited about the idea. It would be a good workout and it would be good to be together. We planned to leave immediately after lunch. I noticed Daniel, who will be ten in November, and Wes, who will be seven in December, scramble for their gear. They had spent the morning pouring over outdoor outfitter catalogs looking at sophisticated equipment that would be sufficient to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail.

I thought back over the years to the hours I spent with my official Boy Scout handbook. I was disgusted to remember that I spent more time reading about nature than I spent experiencing it. That's when I said, "Guys, let's just use the day packs we have and take a nice hike this afternoon." They say the smallest deed is better than the grandest intention. The boys heartily agreed.

Immediately after lunch we made for the trailhead. Chuck joined us and led the expedition. The little guys fell in on the trail ahead of me with their full day packs, slouch hats, and bottles filled with water. They soon found walking sticks. I laughed as I watched Wes lurching along the trail ahead of me struggling with all his gear. He shuffled along behind his brothers careful not to drop behind. Not a syllable of complaint escaped his lips.

We hiked up some steep banks, through pine woods and across a meadow overlooking a pond. We climbed to the crest of a hill up earthen stairs built into the hillside. Finally, I asked Wes if I could carry the pack for awhile. He smiled quietly and handed the thing to me.

The guys hiked quietly trying to "leave no trace." The air was sweet with the scent of autumn. Goldenrod nodded yellow along the trial. We crossed a footbridge over a stream that ran among small boulders. At one point, we came to the edge of the wood overlooking acres of corn ripening in an undulating field.

I kept Wes's pack and finally asked him, "What's in the pack, Wes?" "A calculator," he said.

I thought I misunderstood him. I thought maybe trail mix, some apples, or maybe even some jerky would be good things to put in the pack. Maybe he packed a field guide, field glasses, or the writings of Thoreau. Any of these would have made sense, but Wes said, "A calculator."

"What else did you put in here, Wes?"

"That's all."

"It's kinda' heavy, Buddy. Did you put some books in here, too?"

"No, just the calculator."

He insisted the only thing the pack contained was a calculator. Then it hit me what he meant by a calculator. He was talking about the huge desktop adding machine that had been underfoot at home for the last few weeks! It was complete with a grounded power cord and a roll of paper. I was trekking the wide outdoors with an adding machine in my backpack.

"Why did you put an adding machine in your pack?"

"I just wanted something in my pack," he said.

Kids are fun and full of surprises. I chuckle within every time I think of it and I am reminded what a priceless thing it is to have a little boy to hike with.

It's better to live than waste your precious life watching other people pretend to live on television.

There are people out there who want your love and it's good to be alive. Get out and do something with the family. Spend time with the people who love you while you still can. Visit, ride bikes, stroll the beach, walk the dog, visit an orchard, get some pictures, go out for coffee and pie, walk the beach, or go to church.

If you can't think of anything better to do, throw an adding machine in a backpack and hit the trails.

Kenneth L. Pierpont
ken@kenpierpont.com

Write Ken and let him know your thoughts on his story!

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Ken Pierpont and his wife Lois live in Fremont, Michigan with their eight children. Ken is the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church. He publishes the Stonebridge Newsletter every Monday morning and sends it free on request. You can read more of Ken's work at www.kenpierpont.com or communicate directly with him at ken@kenpierpont.com

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Thought For The Day:

"The world belongs to the man who is wise enough to change his mind in the presence of facts." --Roy Smith


Verse for the Day:

"Whoever heeds correction gains understanding." --Proverbs 15:32


Kid's Thought for the day:

"If your mother wants to hold your hand, there's a good reason."


Parent's Thought For The Day

"Among all the abuses of the world, there is none worse than a negligent parent." --Stafano Guazzo


Writer's Thought For The Day: 

There was once a young man who, in his youth, professed his desire become a great writer.

When asked to define "great" he said, "I want to write stuff that the whole world will read, stuff that people will react to on a truly emotional level, stuff that will make them scream, cry, howl in pain and anger!"

He now works for Microsoft, writing error messages.


Coach's Thought For The Day

"Getting together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success." --Gary Colson


Deep Thought For The Day:

"I was thinking about how people seem to read the Bible a whole lot more as they get older, then it dawned on me... they were cramming for their finals." --Steven Wright

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REQUEST:

Dear Michael,

I hope this message finds you and yours very well.  I am coming to you again to ask you for the immense favor of putting out for me a request for prayer for my father, Thomas D., who has been diagnosed with lung cancer.  May he be healed, may he know peace and comfort, both physically and spiritually. 

Thank you so much for making this available to us, your readers.  I do believe it helps.  May God bless you mightily,

Kim Luret
Kimluret@aol.com

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Can't get enough inspirational stories in your life? Would you like to send a unique gift to your friends and family? Then order an autographed copy of the inspirational book: Straight From the Heart "A Celebration of Life" by Michael T. Powers for only $13.95. You can order the book in just a few minutes by visiting:

http://www.HeartTouchers.com/michael_powers

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MICHAEL T. POWERS
www.HeartTouchers.com

"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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Video Imagery --Michael's Video Production Business

Dear Michael,

I just wanted to take a minute to thank you for the beautiful video you made for me! It was so special to see both of my parents in tears as they watched their children grow up in pictures before their eyes! I loved the way you made Estania's part set aside from the rest--that was the part that really got them! The music was beautiful. My mom kept blubbering, "What song is that?" I don't know how you did such a beautiful job with the video in such a short time. I really appreciate your doing it so quickly. You have a wonderful gift, and I thank God that you are using it to create such sentimental memories. I hope that I can find my niche like that in an area that I love. Your video gave us one of our most lasting Christmas memories! I hope yours was filled with moments to be treasured forever! Love, Trisha Silverhill, AL

Let me make you a video from your photos! Check out my video production business by visiting: http://www.hearttouchers.com/video_imagery

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Would you like to see your story in HeartTouchers.com? Writer's guidelines can be found on our Web site here: http://www.HeartTouchers.com/guidelines/

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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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