Ebenezer and Ninety-Eight Friends

By Marty Magee

Samuel, Mephibosheth, and a woman on death row -- people telling of our Savior’s love. A chicken, a dinosaur, and a tarantula -- just a few props to show how we can serve God and our neighbors. Peanut butter, pinto beans and grandmother’s chow-chow -- merely tools to help share the Bread of Life. These are just a few of the characters in Ebenezer and Ninety-Eight Friends.
It is Marty’s desire to bring the hymns out of their sometimes formal, Sunday best stuffy setting and into our Monday through Friday lives. At the same time, she presents a light object lesson and appropriate Scripture passage. This is done with the format of a devotion book, yet it has a light tone and style. From Ebenezer to Willie, Marty’s characters can scarcely be contained within the pages of this whimsical yet insightful volume.

• Language: English
• Publisher: White Tree Publishing
• Release date: Jun 26, 2017
• ISBN: 9780995759411

Book preview

About the Book

Samuel, Mephibosheth, and a woman on death row -- people telling of our Savior’s love. A chicken, a dinosaur, and a tarantula -- just a few props to show how we can serve God and our neighbors. Peanut butter, pinto beans and grandmother’s chow-chow -- merely tools to help share the Bread of Life. These are just a few of the characters in Ebenezer and Ninety-Eight Friends.

It is Marty’s desire to bring the hymns out of their sometimes formal, Sunday best stuffy setting and into our Monday through Friday lives. At the same time, she presents a light object lesson and appropriate Scripture passage. This is done with the format of a devotion book, yet it has a light tone and style. From Ebenezer to Willie, Marty’s characters can scarcely be contained within the pages of this whimsical yet insightful volume.

EBENEZER

AND NINETY-EIGHT

FRIENDS

Musings on Life, Scripture

and the Hymns

Marty Magee

Ebenezer and Ninety-Eight Friends

New edition © 2017 Marty Magee

This eBook ISBN: 978-0-9957594-1-1

Also available as a Rickety Bridge paperback

ISBN: 978-15446472-4-1

Published by

White Tree Publishing

Bristol

UNITED KINGDOM

[e-mail]

For full list of books and updated information

visit:

www.whitetreepublishing.com

Scripture references are taken from The New International Version (NIV) Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society Unless otherwise stated

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the copyright owner of this edition.

Table of Contents

Cover

About the Author

Dedication

Foreword

Acknowledgments

Endorsements

Introduction

1. Ebenezer was No Scrooge.

2. Find Your Separator and Start Turning

3. Chocolate Chips, Raisins and the Word of God.

4. I Know the Author.

5. All Roads Lead to God.

6. From Every Stormy Wind That Blows.

7. Cracker Box Decisions.

8. Fresno or Florence.

9. I Sing for I Cannot Be Silent.

10. Mr. Lincoln's Precedent.

11. Sweet Disneyland.

12. In the Garden . . . or the Kitchen or Wherever.

13. Chicken Feathers.

14. Funeral Plans.

15. Bringing Spices.

16. To Sweep or To Vacuum.

17. Twiling On.

18. What's All the Commotion?

19. Pizza on the Sea of Galilee.

20. My Dull Very Chronic Toothache.

21. I'll Be There.

22. The Red Coat.

23. Pretzels.

24. Three Writers and a Roomful of Librarians.

25. Please Pass the Chow-Chow.

26. My Resting Place is not an Airport Terminal.

27. Which way to Salem?

28. My Grandmother's Calendar.

29. Overthrowing Prince Albert.

30. Wouldn't You Know It?

31. Be Yourself.

32. How Do You Heal a Blind Man?

33. Rejoice!

34. Mr. Mulroney's Auction.

35. It's Not the Place.

36. I Would Have Told You.

37. Lesson from a Hot Air Balloon.

38. Though the Darkness Hide Thee.

39. Simon's Mother-in-Law.

40. Deep-Sea Fishing.

41. The Stroke Dog.

42. I Like Singing About My Defensive Wall.

43. Quick 'n' Instant.

44. Don't Jump off the Teeter-Totter.

45. Saul, Do I Have a Deal for You!

46. One Day.

47. Muppim, Huppim and Ard

48. Pure Blood at Last.

49. Georgia Lou Shaw's Baby.

50. Keeping Up Appearances.

51. Even Me.

52. Ponder Anew.

53. Hospice Living.

54. I Have a Plan

55, Mephibosheth and Me.

56. Listen to McGruff.

57. Nottoway.

58. I Hear the Rolling Tundo.

59. Mr. and Mrs. Noah's Anniversary Party.

60. Romancing the Plane.

61. Thelma's Winding Path.

62. Is There No Balm in Gilead?

63. Mud Pies.

64. Puppets Bring Life to Death Row.

65. Remembering Stuff.

66. In Times Like These.

67. Stand in It.

68. Janet's Prayer.

69. Am I a Gong?

70. Uncle Jay's Little Sheepherder.

71. Peanut Butter for a Housewarming Gift?

72. Those Bloody Goats.

73. Tang Jars and Fine China.

74. Better than Sugarplums.

75. Just for Today, Again and Again.

76. Tongue-Tied at the New Mexico State Spelling Bee.

77. Where is Your Macedonia?

78. The Tops of the Mountains Became Visible.

79. You're the One with the Tarantula.

80. Finale: All Groups.

81. What's That in Your Hand?

82. Yet -- Great is Thy Faithfulness.

83. Mornin'.

84. This Night.

85. The Little Boy Who Couldn't Cry.

86. Aunt Modena Buys A Farm.

87. He Always Insists On Paying.

88. Grocery Cart Ministry.

89. You Put the Dinosaur in the Pan?

90. Choir Practice.

91. Craftstoraphobia.

92. Keep on Singing Your Zion Songs.

93. Our Thanksgiving Maypole.

94. My Last Day at Scrapbooking.

95. Unsanctified Servants.

96. Not Just for Little Children.

97. Two-Inch Backhoe.

98. Do You Need a Passport to Go Where Jesus Goes?

99. Willie and the Ninety-and-Nine.

About White Tree Publishing

More Books from WTP

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Christian Fiction

Younger Readers

To my mother, Georgia Lou.

Without her, I would still be wondering

how many friends Ebenezer had.

She is my cook, researcher, secretary,

marketer, editor and friend.

About the Author

Marty Magee sold her first article at fifty and published her first book, Ebenezer and Ninety-Eight Friends, at sixty. This is a revised edition of the book. Marty has also written an Advent devotional, Twenty-Five Days Around the Manger. These books are available as both paperbacks and eBooks.

She sometimes plays the piano for church. She has written plays for churches.

At sixteen, the scriptures she'd learned as a child came alive. Never since that day over fifty years ago has she doubted the lasting work of God in her life.

Marty and her husband, David, retired in Mill City, Oregon, near two of their grandchildren. Other grandchildren live in Perth, Australia. Her 102-year-old mom acts as one of Marty's loving critics and encouragers.

Foreword

Benny C. Aker, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, Springfield MO.

. . . Every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old. (Matthew 13:52 NIV)

Marty Magee's devotionals are like the message of this verse: She has brought out of her storeroom treasures abundant to inspire and renew one's faith and spiritual life.

In an age that is not concerned about the past and frightful of the future, these treasures of experience and faith provide comfort and direction for the present. In the Bible, believers did not fear the future because they could look back and see how God had taken care of them-they knew that the future would be OK. What treasures Marty has provided from her storeroom!

Acknowledgments

Thanks to:

David, who lets me write and makes sure I have everything I need to do the job.

Jo Bond, my sister, friend, editor, idea person and supporter.

Denise Arzoian, my friend, sister, writing partner and mentor.

Jim Denney for his expert writing advice.

Dan Norsworthy for his hard work on my web site and other technical issues.

Celest Smith for the colorful bookmarks and her tech savvy.

My daughter, Jennifer Magee, for 20 years telling me I could write.

Hary Daud at Majesty Bible and Gifts, Fresno, for his support and help with publicity.

My former pastors, Tim, Gene, Steve and Robert for their Biblical knowledge and encouragement.

My present pastor, Richard Cole, for allowing  me to present my plays at church, giving me exposure and confidence.The people from nearly every state who have promoted Ebenezer.

The many people who through their lives gave me ideas worth writing about.

Those too numerous to mention who have shown enthusiasm for Ebenezer.

Endorsements

SQUIRE PARSONS, songwriter, vocalist and nominee for Dove award:

One of my favorite gospel songs is Little is Much When God is in it. This phrase describes so well the little stories composed in this volume by Marty Magee.

* * *

JIM DENNEY, author of nearly 70 published books: He was the ghostwriter for Michael Reagan's Twice Adopted:

Marty Magee's Ebenezer and Ninety-Eight Friends is a lively collection of devotionals that will give your day an inspirational lift. Warm and personal in tone, these readings combine engaging stories, biblical wisdom, and a love of sacred music. Marty's optimistic writing will keep you focused on the joy of knowing Christ.

* * *

RAJENDRA PILLAI, Author of Reaching the World in our own Backyard:

Looking for a heartwarming devotional that will gently nudge you to the more important things in life? Look no further. Marty's book is sure to bring a fresh perspective in your spiritual walk.

Introduction

Page numbers are not included in this draft. I read these words from my publisher as I pushed the print button. I hadn't pulled out the paper tray. In my already-messy living turned workroom, characters flew. Ebenezer thankfully landed safely on the couch. Chocolate chips and raisins were about to get stepped on and mashed into the carpet.

Samuel and Mephibosheth threw themselves right down beside Ebenezer.

I tried to come to the rescue. But they kept spewing out before I could fix the tray. Chicken feathers got tangled up in the tarantula's web. Oh what a mess. A cold piece of pizza was sucked up into an old vacuum cleaner.

Lo and behold out came a medium-sized dinosaur filling the room.

I wish Ebenezer would get his friends in order. Willie is too busy getting himself in trouble; he has no time to help.

I must hurry before the peanut butter and pinto beans shoot out onto the wall.

This mess is too big for me. I am right now asking God to gather up these disjointed characters. May the stories, old and new, be used to bless you today. May He reveal to you an old scripture in a new way. May He give you a new song from an old hymn.

Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8 (KJV)

Suggested reading:

1 Samuel 7:5-14

1

EBENEZER WAS NO SCROOGE

"Here I raise mine Ebenezer;

Hither by thy help I'm come."

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Robert Robinson, 1758

I've heard the name twice: In Charles Dickens' Christmas Carol and in one of my favorite hymns, Come Thou Fount. However, I cringe at singing words and phrases I don't understand. The rest of the song speaks volumes to me. But who -- or what -- is Ebenezer?

A few years ago we studied the book of 1 Samuel in our Sunday school class. Ebenezer jumped off the page and introduced himself to me. The word means, a stone of help. After the Israelites had defeated the Philistines, Samuel set up this stone as a reminder, Thus far the Lord has helped us. This was a legacy to their children and grandchildren of what the Lord had done.

We may not have a boulder in our front yard. We may not be able to view the Half Dome of Yosemite every day as a reminder of our great creator. But each of us needs an Ebenezer.

My Ebenezer is a child's woodcarving. When our Jenny was in junior high school, she carved on everything that didn't move. A 14-inch-piece of driftwood still sits on our piano, with the words, The Lord is Risen Indeed. On the other side are the three empty crosses and a sunrise on the mountain.

Maybe if we made more Ebenezers in our lives, we'd have fewer Scrooges in the world.

Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far the Lord has helped us." 1 Samuel 7:12

Suggested reading:

2 Corinthians 8:11-15

2

FIND YOUR SEPARATOR

AND START TURNING

To the many duties ever near you now be true.

Brighten the Corner Where You Are

Ina Duley Ogdon

I know the stories of my older sister's childhood as though I'd been there. Even as a little girl, she had a nurturing way about her.

When our daddy was recovering from an appendectomy. Neighbors came in to milk the cows and do other farm chores.

Mother confided in Jodie: I wish I could do more of the farm things so the neighbors wouldn't have to help so much.

Mommy, don't feel bad. At least you can turn the cream separator.

For those of us who think cream comes only in aerosol cans, there's more to it. The farmer had an obnoxious piece of equipment sitting on his back porch. It had to be hand turned -- after it had been well cleaned. The milk was put into a big bowl. As you turned the handle, the cream came out one spout and the milk another. Our mom had this tedious job.

I think little Jodie's wisdom works today.

Are you sitting in the corner doing nothing because you can't milk the cow?

So, you're not a teacher! Is your car big enough to pick up children for Sunday school?

Do you croak instead of sing? Maybe you have a knack for making newcomers feel welcome.

Katie, now gone to be with Jesus, led a group of ladies on fixed incomes. They didn't let that stop them from being good stewards. They spent every Tuesday making quilts, rugs and ornaments. In October, they sold their wares for mission money.

My friend, Penny, with multiple sclerosis, does most of her work from her bed. She published her first book and is working on a second. Did I mention the hundred plus articles she has in print?

If anyone had a right to let someone else do the chores, it would be Otho. As a young man, he suffered a spinal cord injury while rescuing a drowning swimmer. From that day until his death a few years ago, he helped his wife from his hospital bed. He walked her through changing the air conditioner filters. With his ham radio, he monitored her driving to Los Angeles. He enjoyed a good conversation -- about current events or history -- or you. He didn't talk about what he couldn't do, nor did he brag on what he could. He just did it and lived his life to the fullest.

My friend Linda serves as a deaconess in our former church. She takes her job seriously. I don't know what she can't do, but she doesn't spend much time worrying about it. Her car must be a deacon car. It takes her over Fresno and Clovis, visiting the sick, taxiing people or visiting a shut-in. I think her phone is a deacon phone. It dials the other members to arrange meals or report a prayer need.

Our former pastor’s mother, June, was legally blind. You’d never know it the way she saw the hurts and administered the needed balm. She also saw when a person needed a pat on the back. I once tried to show her a picture of my grandkids, forgetting she couldn’t see it. I get a chuckle and a hug, and then she says, I can’t wait to meet them. And I can’t wait to meet June again someday, and she’ll be able to see me.

To offset June's handicap, Joan goes to