Editor: Richard (Dick) Innes
Published by: ACTS International
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Vol. 19 – No. 1917 May 12, 2017
Thought for the week: "If you really want to do something, you'll find a way; if you don't, you'll find an excuse." – Unknown
"You must have long-range goals to keep you from being frustrated by short-term failures." – Charles C. Noble
"I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found a way to serve." – Albert Schweitzer
"He who truly knows has no occasion to shout." – Leonardo da Vinci
"I have never been especially impressed by the heroics of people convinced they are about to change the world. I am more awed by those who struggle to make one small difference." – Ellen Goodman
"Do not wait for leaders. Do it alone, person to person." – Mother Theresa
"You don't have to be great to get started, but you have to get started to be great." – Les Brown
"Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay." – Author Unknown
"Better to do something imperfectly than to do nothing flawlessly." – Robert Schuller
Tom Lehrer, lecturing in "The Nature of Math": "On my income tax 1040 it says 'Check this box if you are blind.' I wanted to put a check mark about three inches away."
David Brenner: "A vegetarian is a person who won't eat anything that can have children."
Brian Kiley: "Got a piece of mail today, and it said, 'This is not a bill.' So I opened it up, and inside it said, 'That was the envelope. This is the bill.'"
Fred Allen: "A committee is a group of people who individually can do nothing but together can decide that nothing can be done."
Somebody said that it couldn't be done,
But he with a chuckle replied
That maybe it couldn't, but he would be one
Who wouldn't say no till he tried.
So he buckled right in, with a trace of a grin
On his face. If he worried, he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn't be done and he DID it!
"Grandmas are moms with lots of frosting." – Author Unknown
"What a bargain grandchildren are! I give them my loose change, and they give me a million dollars' worth of pleasure." – Gene Perret
"A grandmother is a babysitter who watches the kids instead of the television." – Author Unknown
"Becoming a grandmother is wonderful. One moment you're just a mother. The next you are all–wise and prehistoric." – Pam Brown
"Grandmas never run out of hugs or cookies." – Author unknown
"Grandmothers hold our tiny hands for just a little while, but our hearts forever." – Author Unknown
"If I had known how wonderful it would be to have grandchildren, I'd have had them first." – Lois Wyse
"If becoming a grandmother was only a matter of choice, I should advise every one of you straight away to become one. There is no other fun for old people like it!" – Hannah Whitehall Smith
"It's such a grand thing to be a mother of a mother—that's why the world calls her grandmother." – Author Unknown
"Grandchildren are God's way of compensating us for growing old." – Mary H. Waldrip
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother." – Proverb
"Grandmother–grandchild relationships are simple. Grandmas are short on criticism and long on love." – Author Unknown
"Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children." – Alex Haley
"Grandmother—a wonderful mother with lots of practice." – Author Unknown
"A grandparent is old on the outside but young on the inside." – Author Unknown
"It's amazing how grandparents seem so young once you become one." – Author Unknown
During my long life, I have learned one lesson: that the most important thing is to realize why one is alive—and I think it is not only to build bridges or tall buildings or make money, but to do something truly important, to do something for humanity. To bring joy, hope, to make life richer for the spirit because you have been alive, that is the most important thing.
If you want to do well in your job or get a better one, here are three good rules for success:
Be a positive force. Bad mouthing, letting off steam or unloading about the shortcomings of your company, boss or coworkers may be therapeutic or entertaining, but it's unprofessional and nothing good will come of it. Don't sweep real problems under the carpet, but find constructive ways to raise them. Loyal employees who are seen as positive forces, team players and morale boosters are highly valued. Those who develop reputations as gossipers, whiners, backbiters or finger-pointers are liabilities who everyone will be glad to see go.
Always give your best. Go the extra mile, pitch in to help others, get to work early and stay late when needed. Demonstrate pride in your work even if you think no one appreciates it. Keep non-work-related chatter and activities to a minimum. Don't let slackers and minimalists set your standards. Pursuit of excellence is never wasted. Those who give their best efforts will eventually flourish; they will stand out and move up. Those who do only what they have to do will languish. When opportunities arise, they will be ignored. When economic pressures mount, they will be moved out.
Be accountable. Admit mistakes readily. Even when a problem is not your fault, think of what you could have done to avoid it or lessen the impact. Acknowledge your part apologetically when appropriate, but not defensively and make a mental note to do more or better next time. If you see something that's not working, fix it or bring the matter up in a positive manner to those who can.
This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.
"If your gift is to encourage others, do it! If you have money, share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Don't just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically."1
Marshall Field, quoted in "Predictions & Prescriptions" newsletter, gives twelve points to remember for successful living:
1. The value of time
2. The success of perseverance
3. The pleasure of working
4. The dignity of simplicity
5. The worth of character
6. The power of kindness
7. The influence of example
8. The obligation of duty
9. The wisdom of economy
10. The virtue of patience
11. The improvement of talent
12. The joy of originating
In a nutshell, the best advice for successful living: Be kind, be diligent, do good, model Christian living, and above all love one another. And over all the above, don't forget God.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, help me to so live that my life will model what it means to be truly successful (in your view) so that people will see you in me and want the same for themselves. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
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