The Boerne Star (Boerne, Tex.), Vol. 97, No. 60, Ed. 1 Friday, August 1, 2003 Page: 7 of 36
thirty six pages : ill. ; page 23 x 14 in. Scanned from physical pages.View a full description of this newspaper.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
IrAI, UUUS11,
1 fit DUENL viAK
inubai
igion
Scam artists
target people
through Web
. By Jan Nunley and potential victims, and up to
E Episcopal News Service 500 pieces °f related correspon-
Te , 1 , dence, per day.
If you re on the Internet, espe- But while most of the 419 scams
dally if your e-mail address ap- targct simple greed, a new variant
pears on any Web site, you must seems to appeal to Christian fel-
have received at least one of them. lowshi10 PP 10re1
The messages come from some. An early version purports to be
one you don t know — many f a retired Nigerian militarv
from Nigeria , or from another from a retired Augean military
... 6 ’ :1 cr officer, a convert from Islam to
Africancount be with an offer Christianity, wanting10 donate
that Stoo 800d to be true, or a tale $45 million diverted from the
so sad it can t help but touch your Nigerian government to God's
And if you’re not careful it can work, specifically to “your min-
clean out your bank account too. 1ST letters have to abroad
The Rev.. Benjamin Musoke- 1 ne 1CrS. nave sone 0 a broad
Tabega Afia partnerships offi range of Episcopalians — among
Lubesa, Africa partnerships oili others, a clergy per son in North
cer for the Episcopal Church Cen- Carolina , bishop in New Eng-
ter, has been receiving an increas- land and members of the Church
ing number of inquiries from indi- Center staff. Letters viewed by
viduals and parishes in the U.S. Episcopal News Service, ad-
who have been targeted by these dressed to two different locations
scam artists. Some come by e- 1 1 1
1 Oth , ce 1 and sent several weeks apart, are
mail, utners are sent DV snail . 1 .
.1,, 1 1 identical in wording, written on
mail to names and addresses . 1 1 1
gleaned from Internet sources: “"^^be
parish and diocesan websites from the wife of a bishop needing
rectories ′ a heart transplant. “The letter was
an known as “advance suspicious just from looking at it,”
fee fraud'’or 419- schemes (after Mr Musoke-Lubega recalled,
the relevant section of the Niger- "The name of the diocese was in a
ianpenal code), they’re an old con the address where they wanted the
made easier by the instantaneous . 3:
■ money sent. We checked it out
nature of electronic communica- : . , „
tions. According to the U.S. Se- and11 was raises . ,
cret Service’s Operation 419 Web Some American bishops have
site, most such schemes follow already een takenln Py such
this formula: letters. One sent a check for $300
:... to a location in Africa and was
* An individual or organization later dismaved to find had been
receives an e-mail, letter or fax cashed in India " for $3,000.
from someone who claims to rep- “Somebod in the line was
resent a foreign government or duped w he tFoltheic of
agency, offering to transfer mil- aupecl’ ne for the price or
lions of dollars into a personal Aunareda Tr neyl Ben 20 sen NA
Documents arrive with offi- sponses they can make akilling."
• 1 r 1 ■1 1 With so much need in the world,
fjal-lckinginstamps, authenticity it seems hard-hearted to say no to
of the esuring to authenticity everyone who asks. What should
* The target is requested to pro- you do if you receive such a letter
vide banking account informa- oremail: . 1
:11 If its an e-mail, recommended
dim: S^pa^ ^oX^^
variousstaxes, attorney fees, trans- can send the offending message
action rees or bribes. t(with full headers) to the Secret
The most prevalent and suc-1 2 • .
r 1 c Service and to their e-mail
cesstul cases of Advance Fee 1 1
Fraud is the fund transfer scam,” provider 5 abuse address," usual-
says the Secret Service site. “In ly a note sent to abuse@ [domain
1: name] will reach the proper
this scheme, a company or indi- inbox. -
vidual will typically receive an ext. .a.
unsolicited letter by mail from a With a letter, the first thing to
Nigerian claiming to be a senior do is not t0 send.money right
civil servant. In the letter, the away, to do some checking. His
than he "s^fg Tepulabit Ion church organization that received
eign company or individual into aroator of an ATS “I
whose account he can deposit signature of a" African bishop 1
funds ranging from $10 to $60 was able to call the bishop, fax the
million that the Nigerian govern- information, and within two days
ment overpaid on some procure- they came ack an sal , 0, we
ment contract.” The goal is not to don t know this person, even the
clean out the victim’s bank ac- signature doesn 1 belong to the
count immediately, but to per- bishop, he said. .
suade the victim to volunteer a If the need seems genuine, he
huge sum later to “save the deal” said, it’s best to channel the funds
when it’s artificially threatened. through a local African partner,
Sometimes the victim is encour- such as a diocese or provincial of-
aged to travel to Nigeria — with- fice, which would be able to make
out a visa — and winds up miss- certain that the money goes to the
ing. Secret Service agents are cur- right person for the right purpose,
rently on temporary assignment at I think there s an impulse on
the American Embassy in Lagos the part of clergy to say, I have
to help US citizens victimized by this amount in my discretionary
the scams. The Financial Crimes account, why can’t I help this per-
Division of the Secret Service re- son?’” he explained. “But the per-
ports it receives approximately son you are helping on the other
100 telephone calls from victims end is not what they appear to be.”
Love comes in many shapes, sizes
Dear Respectfully Yours,
How do you know if some-
one really loves you? I want a
relationship that will last, so I
want to know what to look
for.
RESPECTFULLY YOURS
even the un-loveable. It is
found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-
8, Love suffers long and is
J.S.
Dear J.S.
Look at yourself first. Don’t
expect from others what you
yourself cannot deliver. Let’s
first define the three types of
love used in the Greek lan-
guage.
1. Eros: This is a physical
sexual desire that is experi-
enced by many when a rela-
tionship begins. There’s little
to say about this type of love
because it has such a short
lifespan and needs to be con-
stantly rekindled with a new
partner.
It is extremely self-centered.
This is where you will hear
those words “I'm in love or
I’m falling in love.” If you
trust in these physically based
feelings for a lasting relation-
ship, you will be falling all
right...right on your face
when you lean in for that hug
and there’s no one there. Hap-
pens all the time.
2. Philos: This a friendship
type love. It is best described
in Ecclesiastes 4:12, Two are
better than one, because they
have a good reward for their
labor. For if they fall, one
will lift up his companion.
But woe to him who is alone
when he falls, for he has no
one to help him up. Again, if
two lie down together, they
will keep warm; but how can
one be warm alone?
Though one may be over-
powered by another, two can
withstand him. And a three-
fold cord is not quickly bro-
ken. There is much to gain
when someone cares and
shares. They concern them-
selves with your life and look
to you to benefit theirs. De-
pendent upon each other, you
both become an asset in each
other’s lives and become as
strong as a braided cord.
3. Agape: this is the most
powerful type of love that de-
scribes the individual who
can love under any condition,
Kathy Senkbeil kind; love does not envy;
ATIONSHIDS love does not parade itself, is
SICLAIVNODITO , 1
■ SOLAVED not puffed up; does not be-
• SPEAKER have rudely, does not seek its
own, is not provoked, thinks
no evil; does not rejoice in in-
iquity, but rejoices in the
truth; bears all things, be-
lieves all things, hopes all
things, endures all things.
Love never fails.
Sounds like co-dependency
but is the farthest thing from
it. When you love like this it
is because you believe in
truth and know the difference
between right and wrong and
that makes you desire the best
for others; and know that
with God there is hope for
change. You don’t give into
their weakness but encourage
and teach them to become
strong in character.
If you want to be loved by
someone like this, use this
scripture as a standard for
self-improvement. Just substi-
tute your name in place of the
word love. How do you meas-
ure up? Ask God and those
close to you to help you in
your areas of weakness.
Now that you have been
given these three definitions,
I want you to think of the
story of the Three Little Pigs.
The houses the pigs built pro-
vide a great illustration of the
structures of “love” relation-
ships.
The first house was built of
straw and was quickly gone
when pressured. This is usu-
ally the result of an “eros”
kind of love.
The second house was built
of sticks and eventually gave
in as well. This will some-
times happen to the “philos”
kind of love because our love
may not be strong enough to
support each other’s weak-
nesses.
The third house was built of
bricks and withstood the at-
tack. Relationships are at-
tacked all the time. Only the
“agape” kind of love will be
able to hold up during those
“huff and puff” situations.
Resist the temptation of the
first. Choose a suitable part-
ner for the second. Persevere
together to establish the third.
Then, you will have true love
that never fails.
Respectfully Yours
Send questions to RESPECT-
FULLYOURS@aol.com
Spiritual ‘dry’ seasons can strengthen one’s
relationship with God, prove to be beneficial
Richard Foster is a Quaker
theologian. His book, Cele-
bration of Discipline, contains
some of the greatest insights
on Biblical spirituality I have
ever read.
While discussing spiritually
“dry” seasons in the believer’s
life, Foster maintains that
such times may actually be
beneficial to one’s relation-
ship with God. He calls these
spiritually “dry” times the
“dark night of the soul.”
Foster writes, “What does
the dark night of the soul in-
volve? We may have a sense
of dryness, aloneness, even
lostness. Any overdepen-
PROD GAL’S PERSPECTIVE
Tom Lanier
PASTOR,
FAITH BIBLE
CHURCH
dence on the emotional life is
stripped away. The notion,
often heard today, that such
experiences should be avoided
and that we always should
live in peace and comfort, joy,
and celebration only betrays
the fact that much contempo-
rary experience is surface
slush. The dark night is one
of the ways God brings us
into a hush, a stillness so that
he may work an inner trans-
formation upon the soul.”
I find comfort in my Quaker
brother’s words. I have also
come to believe that many
modern expressions of Chris-
tianity are simply “surface
slush.” I also believe many of
us are over-dependent on our
emotional lives.
The most profound insights I
have gained in following
Jesus Christ have often come
through times when I either
felt no positive emotion or I
was actually feeling strong
negative emotions — alone-
ness, lostness, dryness.
We who attempt to follow
Jesus would do well to heed
the words of Scripture — ’’Be
still, and know that I am
God.” (Psalm 46:10)
God is God when we feel
warm and fuzzy and close to
Him, but He is also God when
we feel far away from Him.
If you find yourself in a “dark
night of the soul,” relax.
Don’t fill your days with fran-
tic searches for remedies to
your feelings of lostness. Re-
member that this dry period
will pass. Meanwhile, be still
— listen to the thunder of
God’s silence.
BRIEFLY
ONGOING
SUMMER BIBLE STUDY —
Summer Table Talks will meet
from 9 to 11:30 a.m. each
Wednesday until Aug. 13 in the
education building at First Baptist
Church. Join others for fellow-
ship and lively discussion about
such topics as amazing mercy,
embracing simplicity, grasping
God’s grace, making meaningful
memories, we’re gifted gals and
many others. We will hear what
God’s word has to say about
each topic and learn from each
other as the discussion flows.
an intensive five-day or eight-day
silent retreat, Aug. 12 to 19. For
more information or reservations
call (830) 816-8471.
AUG. 12 T019
PRAYER RETREAT — The
Omega Center in Boerne is host-
ing the Centering Prayer Retreat,
AUG. 15 T016
PRAYER SEMINAR — Freder-
icksburg United Methodist
Church is sponsoring an Inter-
cessors International Prayer
Seminar at 6 p.m. Aug. 15 and at
9 a.m. Aug. 16. The course is
based on The Mighty Warrior: A
Guide to Effective Prayer by Eliza-
beth Alves, president of interces-
• sors international. The cost for
adults is $40 or $55 for a couple
or $30 for youth. For more infor-
mation and to register call Jackie
Heupel at (830) 990-1256. Reg-
istration deadline is Aug. 1.
“Sticks, Stones and Bread: Keys to Faith”
Inspiring biblical teaching by
Keith Howard
August 3 - The Grammar of Faith
August 10 - Bread for "Loafers"
August 17 - The Big Staff Meeting: Walk Faithfully and Carry a Big Stick
August 24- Rocks in a Box: From Prohibitions to Promises
August 31 - Four “Ps" in a Pod: Presence, Power, Purpose and Perseverance
6:30-8:00 p.m. in the Boerne High School Cafeteria
Hosted by
A Boerne-area Outreach Group
of Faith Presbyterian Church, San Antonio,
In conjunction with the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) progressing
toward the establishment of
TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Which exists to glorify and enjoy our triune God through the ministry of His inerrantWord,
Christ-centered worship and faithful witness in the Texas Hill Country and beyond
For more information contact 210-341-6305 or 830-537-6120
Barkley’s Landscape & Nursery Center
From all the Staff at Barkley's Nursery, thanks to our Boerne customers for
Voting us
"Best of the Best" Nursery.
To show our appreciation we are offering selected ornamental grasses for
50% Off. Remember, they are reliably deer resistant!
Just present this as your coupon.
Thanks from:
Barbara Dooley, Manager
Laura Roberts
Jackie Donnelly Palmer
Pat Roumaya
Jeannie Dunscomb
Ashley Riley
Cleasie Perez and Landscaping Crew
Shane Riley and Dick Barkley, Owners
Katy and John Cenicola, The Pond Crew
Landscape Design & Installation
(830) 249-8894
32450 IH-10 West
Thank you to the readers of
The Boerne Star for selecting me
Best Religious Leader of the
Boerne community.
Because of our unity, I share this award with
the pastors of all the churches of this fine com-
munity since we all provide leadership to the
Boerne area. I apologize for the lateness in acknowledging this award,
but I was on a mission trip in Africa (along with other members of First
Baptist Church, Boerne) when news of this award reached me. Thank
you for honoring me in this manner, and thanks to the Lord for the
opportunity to serve the people of
Boerne.
Se66a Stale
out Saptiot Chcech,
Soemte, Texas
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Cartwright, Brian & Collins, Valerie. The Boerne Star (Boerne, Tex.), Vol. 97, No. 60, Ed. 1 Friday, August 1, 2003, newspaper, August 1, 2003; Boerne, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1650580/m1/7/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Patrick Heath Public Library.