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 Dick Innes


Weekend Encounter

Editor: Richard (Dick) Innes          
Published by: ACTS International

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Vol. 9 – No. 2607 June 30, 2007

 
Thought for the week: "If you wish to travel far and fast, travel light. Take off all your envies, jealousies, unforgiveness, selfishness, and fears." – Glenn Clark
 
    INDEX
1.   Words of Wisdom
2.   On the Lighter Side
3.   Making Sure We Win
4.   Wealth
5.   The Power to Be
6.   The Power of a Single Flame
7.   A Voice in the Night
8.   Receive Daily Encounter Devotional  Without Charge
9.   Weekend Encounter E-mail Edition  Without Charge
10.   Know God ... Without Having to Be Religious
11.   Seven Pillars of Character
12.   Prayer Partners Needed
13.   To Submit a Prayer Request
14.   Please Help Support Weekend Encounter
15.   Helpful Books and Cassette Messages
16.   Free Services
17.   ACTS in Action Report; Archives for Daily and Weekend Encounter
 

1. Words of Wisdom

"Don't blame others for your failure to be fully accountable for your own life. If others are to blame, then you have given them control." – Bob Perks

"To go against the dominant thinking of your friends, of most of the people you see every day, is perhaps the most difficult act of heroism you can perform." – Theodore White

To be upset over what you don't have, is to waste what you do have. – Ken S. Keyes, Jr.

"The world is a great mirror. It reflects back to you what you are. If you are loving, if you are friendly, if you are helpful, the world will prove loving and friendly and helpful to you. The world is what you are." – Thomas Dreier

"The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it's on ... a football field, in an army or in an office." – Dwight D. Eisenhower

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired and success achieved." – Helen Keller

"Without personal growth the best we can achieve is infantile relationships." – Terry George

Index

2. On the Lighter Side

A socialist once came to see Andrew Carnegie and soon was railing against the injustice of Carnegie having so much money. In his view, wealth was meant to be divided equally. Carnegie asked his secretary for an assessment of everything he owned and at the same time looked up the figures on world population. He did a little arithmetic on a pad and then said to his secretary, "Give this gentleman 16 cents. That's his share of my wealth."

Bits & Pieces, October 13, 1994
Cited on www.witandwisdom.org

Index

3. Making Sure We Win

A story is told about the noted director of biblical epics, Cecil B. DeMille. When they began working on the movie Ben Hur, DeMille talked to Charlton Heston—the star of the movie—about the all-important chariot race at the end. He decided Heston should actually learn to drive the chariot himself, rather than just using a stunt double. Heston agreed to take chariot-driving lessons to make the movie as authentic as possible.

Learning to drive a chariot with horses four abreast, however, was no small matter. After extensive work and days of practice, Heston returned to the movie set and reported to DeMille.

"I think I can drive the chariot all right, Cecil," said Heston, "but I'm not at all sure I can actually win the race."

Smiling slightly, DeMille said, "Heston, you just stay in the race, and I'll make sure you win."

That is such a great illustration of the spiritual race which we are all running as Christians. We are to run that race in such a way that we "win" because only the one who wins the race receives the prize at the end (I Corinthians 9:24).

The thought of having to win the race seems a little unsettling to us until we realize that God says the same thing to us that DeMille said to Heston: "You just stay in the race and I'll make sure you win." Our responsibility as Christians is to run the race with endurance (Hebrews 12:3), to never quit and never give up. If we do that, God will make sure that we "win."

"Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen" (Jude 24-25).

Alan Smith, Thought for the Day
Archives http://www.tftd-online.com

Index

4. Wealth

A wealthy American textile buyer told a lengthy but amusing joke at a luncheon in Seoul, Korea. When his translator repeated it in just a few phrases, the audience laughed uproariously and applauded. The rich American asked the translator how he was able to translate the story with so few words. "It was not a problem," the translator said. "I told them, 'Rich American with big checkbook has told a joke. Do what you think is appropriate.'"

Why is everyone so fascinated with wealth? We're mesmerized by people who have it and spend large segments of time daydreaming about what we would do if we were as "blessed" as they are. Is wealth always a blessing from God? True, everything comes from Him ultimately. But for every person whose wealth is a blessing, we can probably find one for whom it is a curse. For every person whom God has blessed with riches, we can probably find one who has fought tooth and nail to accumulate them. Wherever you are on the wealth scale, make sure you received it and are spending it as a blessing from God: God's wealth has no sorrow attached to it.

Money is neutral. Whether it becomes a blessing or curse is a function of how it is used.

Turning Point Daily Devotional, 9-5-06
Cited on PreachingNow

Index

5. The Power to Be

    Your greatest power is the power to be.

    To be more loving.
    To be more courageous.
    To be more joyous.
    To be more friendly.
    To be more sensitive.
    To be more aware.
    To be more forgiving.
    To be more tolerant.
    To be more humble.
    To be more patient.
    To be more helpful.
    To be a greater human being.

Wilfred A. Peterson
Cited on Inspiration Peak
http://www.inspirationpeak.com

Index

6. The Power of a Single Flame

    by Michael Josephson, Character Counts (493.4)

When I was in college I heard of an event in a large stadium. Everyone was given an unlit candle. A speaker talked about the power of one person with the courage and desire to improve the world. To prove his point, he lit his own candle and walked over to two people in the stands and lit theirs with his. He asked them to light two others. In minutes, thousands of candles lit the entire ball park.

The experience was a powerfully vivid metaphor. The tiny flame from a single candle was all that was needed to light thousands of others. What's more, the original flame, and each one born of it, retained their own undiminished glow and warmth. The speed with which that single light spread to everyone in the stadium presented compelling proof of the life-changing power of every individual.

In today's dark world chilled by so many examples of human shortcomings, we need to reject the self-defeating prophesy of hopelessness and the self-fulfilling illusion of powerlessness.

If we are to realize our own potential as a change agent, we have to reject the darkened world view of the cynic. Even if we can't make everything perfect, we can make lots of things better—and that's a worthy lifetime's work.

As you approach the holidays and a new year full of unlimited possibilities, resolve to be a candle. Let your good deeds and kind words brighten days and heal wounds, stand up for what's right, and show others the way—and never waiver in your commitment to teach and model the power of virtue.

Please visit www.charactercounts.org to subscribe to these commentaries at no charge so you can pass on the light.

This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.

© 2007 Josephson Institute of Ethics; reprinted with permission. Michael Josephson, one of the nation's leading ethicists, is the founder of the Josephson Institute of Ethics and the premier youth character education program, CHARACTER COUNTS! For further information visit www.charactercounts.org

Index

7. A Voice in the Night

Sample of Daily Encounter by Richard Innes

"Sit up!" the voice in the night said, "and take a deep breath."

It was a stormy night and we were awakened by an extremely loud clap of thunder. After the initial fright, checking the kids and the house, we went back to bed and to sleep.

Then came the voice. I was certain I heard someone speaking. "Sit up and take in a deep breath," it said.

I only half-awoke and thought I must have been dreaming, so rolled over and went back to sleep."

The voice spoke again with more insistence, "Sit up and take in a deep breath."

"This is weird,"I thought, so again I rolled over and went back to sleep.

"SIT UP! Take in a deep breath!" the voice spoke again with great urgency.

So I sat up and took in a deep breath ... and smelled smoke! I was fully awake in an instant ... awakened my husband ... rushed to wake the children ... we had the oldest one phone 911 (for emergency) ... my husband took over the phone ... the operator asked if the lights were working ... my husband said they were going out one room at a time.

"Get OUT of the house immediately," declared the operator. "Your house has been struck by lightning."

As quick as a flash the family rushed outside ... immediately the house exploded and burst into flames. It took firemen six hours to put the fire out. The house was totally destroyed ... but the entire family was saved. Talk about a wake-up call!

Surely this was a God thing. Fortunately all members of this family, personal friends of Joy and mine, were committed followers of Jesus Christ and even though they lost their house, their lives were saved.

God doesn't usually speak to most of us with an audible voice. He doesn't have to because his "wake-up call" is spoken to us repeatedly in his Word, the Bible. "Wake up!" God says to every one of us, "Flee from the wrath to come" (God's judgment of sin and evil for the world that has turned from God will be judged and purified by fire). Wake up, "It is appointed unto man once to die and after this the judgment." Wake up, "I will come again," Jesus promised "to take all who believe in me to be with me in heaven forever."

"Wake up," Jesus is coming again ... it may be today. Are you ready? Again Jesus said, "I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in...."

Whatever you do don't miss God's wake-up call. Have you opened the door of life and invited Jesus, the Son of God, to come into your heart and life as your God and your Savior? If not, may I urge you to do that today ... right now ... by praying a simple prayer such as the following:

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, I hear your wake-up call as faint as it may be. I confess that I am a sinner and ask for your forgiveness. Thank you, Jesus, for dying on the cross to pay the penalty for all my sins. I invite you to come into my heart and life as my God and my Savior. With your help I repent of and turn from my sinful ways. Thank you for hearing my prayer, for forgiving me of my sins, and for coming into my heart and life as my Savior. Help me to live for you always in all ways. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

NOTE: If you prayed this prayer, please let us know by clicking on http://tinyurl.com/pgntm and we will send you articles (without charge) to help you in your Christian life. (Be assured that we will never give any information about you to any other person, organization, or business.)

For more help Click ON: http://tinyurl.com/8glq9 for the article, "How to Be Sure You're a Real Christian—without having to be religious."

Index

8. Receive Daily Encounter E-mail ... Free

Daily Encounter, a free weekday e-mail inspirational from ACTS International is now going to 70,000+ subscribers. Scores of letters from around the world have come from readers saying how much they are being helped by this brief, practical devotional.

Over 15 million e-mail Daily, Weekend and Prayer Encounters are delivered to subscribers every year!

Click HERE for more samples of Daily Encounter

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Index

9. Receive E-mail Edition of Weekend Encounter ... Free

NOTE: Some ISPs (especially AOL) now use e-mail filtering software that allows you to add e-mail addresses to your 'buddy', 'safe', or 'approved' list. Please be sure to add acts@actsweb.org to yours so you won't miss any issue of Weekend Encounter.

Index

10. Know God ... Without having to be religious

Click on: How to Be Sure You're a Real Christian -- without having to be religious. Know God

Index

11. Seven Pillars of Character

The first of these six pillars of character are from Michael Josephson of Character counts to which I have added a seventh:

  • Trustworthiness
  • Respect
  • Responsibility
  • Fairness
  • Caring
  • Citizenship
  • Personal Honesty

Index

12. Prayer Partners Needed

One of ACTS greatest needs is Prayer Partners to stand with us as we seek to share the gospel with millions of people around the world through E-mail and the Internet and to win the lost to Jesus. If you would like to be an ACTS Prayer Partner, please subscribe to the Prayer Encounter list. Approximately two prayer reports are emailed monthly. Thank you.

Index

13. To Submit a Prayer Request

If you have a special prayer request please submit it to David Clark at: www.responda.co.uk/prayer.php. David is not on the ACTS staff but is offering this as a service to Daily and Weekend Encounter readers.

Helpers Needed: If you can help David pray for prayer requests, please could you go to:
www.responda.co.uk/member.php

Index

14. Help Support Weekend Encounter

    "Changing the World . . . One Person at a Time" 

Weekend Encounter and Daily Encounter are just two of the ways the nonprofit organization, ACTS International, is working to improve the spiritual and emotional life of many thousands of people around the world.

Every weekday Daily Encounter is going to 70,000+ subscribers, and every week Weekend Encounter is going to almost 10,000 subscribers worldwide—many of whom are in places where it is forbidden to spread the Christian gospel and message. Plus we reach several hundred thousand more every week through our advertising. As a result every day we are seeing an average of 5-6 salvation responses from around the world—over 3000 in the past 12 months!

If you find value in the free Weekend Encounter and/or Daily Encounter, we hope you will be comfortable donating at least $26. That's only 50 cents a week for an entire year (tax-deductible in the U.S.). You can donate in one of the following ways:

Donate Online: You can donate online at ACTS secure web site. Click HERE on ACTS support donations.

Donate Through PayPal:You can donate securely through PAYPAL. Click HERE on PayPal. Where it says Payment For: type in Donation.

Donate by Telephone: ACTS accepts credit card donations by phone by calling 1-949-940-9050.

Donate Through Postal Mail: If you prefer to write a check or money order, please send it and make it payable to:

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     P.O. Box 73545
     San Clemente, California 92673-0119
     U.S.A.

Index

15. Helpful Books and Cassette Messages

Oprah Winfrey: "Books were my pass to personal freedom. I learned to read at age three, and soon discovered there was a whole world to conquer that went beyond our farm in Mississippi." – Oprah Winfrey

Books:

Books by Dick Innes, Editor of Weekend Encounter
   You Can't Fly With a Broken Wing
   How to Mend a Broken Heart
   I Hate Witnessing—A Handbook for Effective Christian
      Communications

Books by Bestseller and Popular Authors:
   The Miracle of Kindness
   His Needs, Her Needs by Willard F. Harley, Jr.
     has topped the charts as the best marriage
     book available. More than one million couples
     have read it ... made their marriage sizzle.
   Fall in Love Stay in Love
   Just Hand Over the Chocolate ...
   Love, Sex, and Lasting Relationships
   Sex Starts in the Kitchen
   Making Children Mind Without Losing Yours
   Harried With Children
   Adolescence Is Not an Illness
   Show Time
   It Takes a Church to Raise a Christian
   On Sale at: http://www.actscom.com/store

Cassettes:

  Healing, Wholeness & Happiness by Dick Innes
  Loving & Understanding People by Dick Innes
  I Hate Witnessing by Dick Innes
  God's Formula for Success by Dick Innes
  Damaged Emotions by David Seamands
  Healing of the Memories by David Seamands...
  On SALE at:
http://tinyurl.com/2unmmy

More books, tapes and poems by D. Innes & others are also available at: http://www.actscom.com/store

Index

16. Free Services

 1. Bible concordance and Bible helps
 2. New Hope Crisis Counseling with trained
     lay/volunteer counselors. www.newhopenow.org
 
3. E-Word Today for a daily Bible reading
 4. To find your ZIP+4 Area Code in the U.S.A.
 5. How to find and write to your U.S. Representative
 6. ASK ... Smart answers fast
 7. Send a FREE greeting card for all occasions
 8. To check the weather in your area
 9. Hoax Web Sites
10. Plus many more sources of helpful information

11. Also donate to Food for the Hungry

GO TO: http://www.actsweb.org/links.php

Index

17. ACTS in Action Report and Encounter Archives

ARCHIVES: Daily and Weekend Encounters




"Because the world is hungry,
    go with bread.
Because the world is filled with strife,
    go with peace.
Because the world is filled with deceptions and lies,
    go with truth.
Because the world would die without,
    go with the love of God."



Know God

ACTS International
PO Box 73545
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