Editor: Richard (Dick) Innes
Published by: ACTS International
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Vol. 18 - No. 4716 November 19, 2016
Thought
for the week: "Anyone can count the seeds in an apple, but only God can count the apples in a seed." – Unknown
"Do not wait; the time will never be just right." – Napoleon Hill
"If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done. Keep on sowing your seed, for you never know which will grow—perhaps it all will." – Ecclesiastes 11: 4, 6 (The Living Bible)
"Character may be manifested in the great moments, but it is made in the small ones." – Phillips Brooks
"The problem with the rat race is that even if you win, you're still a rat." – Lily Tomlin
"We will receive not what we idly wish for but what we justly earn. Our rewards will always be in exact proportion to our service." – Earl Nightingale
"We are all missionaries. Wherever we go, we either bring people nearer to Christ, or we repel them from Christ." – Eric Liddell
"Happiness doesn't depend on what we have, but it does depend on how we feel toward what we have. We can be happy with little and miserable with much." – William Dempster Hoard
While making the rounds, Dr. Owens points out an x-ray to a group of medical students.
"As you can see," he says, "the patient limps because his left fibula and tibia are radically arched. Phil Parker, what would you do in a case like this?"
Phil pondered for a second and answered, "I guess I'd limp, too."
A lesson in "heart" is my little 10 year old daughter, Sarah, who was born with a muscle missing in her foot, and wears a brace all the time. She came home one beautiful spring day and told me she had competed in "field day" — that's where they have lots of races and other competitive events.
Because of her leg support, my mind raced as I tried to think of encouragement for my Sarah, things I could say to her about not letting this get her down, but before I could get a word out, she said, "Daddy, I won two of the races!"
I couldn't believe it! And then Sarah said, "I had an advantage." Ah, I knew it, I thought she must have been given a head start....some special privilege due to wearing a brace.
Sarah said, "But Daddy, I didn't get a head start; my advantage was that I had to work harder than the others!"
If a dead man is raised to life, all men spring up in astonishment. Yet every day one that had no being is born, and no man wonders, though it is plain to all, without doubt, that it is a greater thing for that to be created which was without being than for that which had being to be restored. Because the dry rod of Aaron budded, all men were in astonishment; every day a tree is produced from the dry earth, ... and no man wonders ...Five thousand men were filled with five loaves; ... every day the grains of seed that are sown are multiplied in a fullness of ears, and no man wonders. All ... wondered to see water once turned into wine. Every day the earth's moisture, being drawn into the root of the vine, is turned by the grape into wine, and no man wonders. Full of wonder then are all the things which men never think to wonder at, because ... they are by habit become dull to the consideration of them.
– Gregory the Great, (540–604) Pope of the Roman Catholic Church 590–604. Cited on University of St. Thomas, "General Environmental Quotations" http://www.stthomas.edu/recycle/GENERAL.HTM
We give you thanks, most gracious God, for the beauty of the earth and sky and sea; for the richness of mountains, plains, and rivers; for the songs of birds and the loveliness of flowers. We praise you for these good gifts and pray that we may safeguard them for our posterity. Grant that we may continue to grow in our grateful enjoyment of your abundant creation, to the honor and glory of your name, now and forever. Amen.
Think of the five most successful people you know. Now think of the five happiest. How many made both lists? Most people think of success in terms of possessions and achievements, while happiness is a state of mind. Although it's common to think success will bring happiness, it's often not the case.
Think about what the people on your happy list have in common. I'll bet they have better-than-average relationships, especially with their spouses and children. Of course, other factors besides good relationships also tend to produce happiness like good health, enjoying one's work and having fun. And people driven by spiritual and ethical values usually are more content than those who measure success in terms of prosperity, pleasure and peer approval.
Still, if I had to choose the one thing most essential to happiness, it would be good relationships.
Think about it. The happiness quotient of people who live high-flying lives of the rich and famous or the swinging lives of the young and beautiful is surprisingly low. Yes, these people experience plenty of moments of soaring satisfaction, but they become harder to duplicate and sustain. Often such people are left with an "Is that all there is?" feeling that can lead to depression and boredom.
No matter how rich, sexy or famous one is, happiness is almost impossible for people who have hurtful and unsatisfying relationships. Yet people surrounded by the affection, love and respect of others can find their way to happiness despite economic hardship, hard work and even ill health.
That's good news. We can't all be rich, famous or beautiful, but we can all find people worthy of our love.
This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.
"A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver," and, "An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up" (Proverbs 12:25; 25:11, NIV).
One of my favorite songs sung by the Bee Gees a number of years ago went something like this: "It's only words and words are all I have to take your heart away."
Words can be a force far beyond their weight, and can have an impact far beyond their immediate reach. With words we can make people laugh—or cry; respond positively—or negatively; draw people closer to us—or drive them away. With words we can inspire people to noble acts of kindness or, if we are so inclined, to evil deeds of wickedness. Compare the words of Martin Luther King with those of Hitler.
And while you and I will never be a king or a Hitler, our words can and do have a lasting impact especially on our spouse and on our children—as well as on our friends, associates, and people in our circle of influence. I know of one mother who told her daughter that she wasn't wanted, and that child, now an adult, is still traumatized by that rejection. And speaking personally, I can still remember words of encouragement I received as a young man growing up—words that have stayed with me all of my adult life.
So never forget the impact your words can have on those you love the most and those who are closest to you—and even on strangers. Remember today's scripture verse: "An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up," and that:
Words spoken may soon pass away
and forgotten be,
but when spoken in love and kindness
are like beautiful flowers,
and even though they fade and die
from conscious memory,
their fragrance lives on
embedded in the deeper mind –
forever.1
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please give me a sensitive spirit and help me to learn the art of speaking loving and kind words (eloquent or otherwise) to all those who cross my path and are in need of encouragement. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
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