Editor: Richard (Dick) Innes
Published by: ACTS International
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Vol. 11 – No. 2909 July 18, 2009
Thought for the week: "They say seeing is believing, but sometimes it needs to be believing is seeing. Chances are what I refuse to believe I will remain blind to seeing." – Dick Innes
"Give us clear vision, that we may know where to stand and what to stand for—because unless we stand for something, we shall fall for anything." – Peter Marshall
"The best sermons are lived not preached." – Author Unknown
"It's choice, not chance, that determines destiny." – Brian Tracy
"He who wants a rose must respect the thorn." – Persian Proverb
"Persistence is what makes the impossible possible, the possible likely, and the likely definite." – Robert Half
"If I miss one day's practice, I notice it. If I miss two days, the critics notice it. If I miss three days, the audience notices it." – Ignacy Paderewski, Polish concert pianist
"You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it." – Margaret Thatcher
A Catholic priest working in an inner city was walking down an alley one evening on his way home when a young man came down the alley behind him and poked a knife against his back. "Give me your money," the young man said.
The priest opened his jacket and reached into an inner pocket to remove his wallet, exposing his clerical collar. "Oh, I'm sorry, Father," said the young man, "I didn't see your collar. I don't want YOUR money."
Trembling from the scare, the priest removed a cigar from his shirt pocket and offered it to the young man. "Here," he said. "Have a cigar."
"Oh, no, I can't do that," the young man replied, "I gave them up for Lent."
Christian Viewpoints on Current Events by Jerry Beaven
At age 90, Jerry Beavan has been a world traveler (47 round the world trips), has been a college and a seminary professor, served with the Billy Graham Association for a number of years, has been active in the American government process as a state and federal lobbyist, and as a journalist and newscaster . . . and now, recently retired, Jerry has founded the American News service.
To some, Jerry's viewpoints might be controversial, but his comments are well worth reading and considering. I just hope and pray that I can be as active in mind and body as Jerry is when or should I reach his age.
I had a vivid reminder of the brevity of life from my oldest son who turns 40 in a few days. He said, "I can't believe that I am about to turn 40!" I can hardly believe it either. Where have all the years gone? Sure makes me realize how short life is.
Whatever it is we really need to do—such as sending a friend a note of appreciation ... telling your spouse and your children that you love them ... making that important phone call you've been putting off ... and especially sharing or sending the gospel to that person God has laid on your heart. Do it today as there are no guarantees of tomorrow.
I had an overseas friend I was about to send the gospel to. Tragically, he died suddenly of a heart attack. I was too late. Don't put off what you need to do as today is the only day we ever have.1
"You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late."2
Remember the day I borrowed your brand new car
and I dented it?
I thought you'd kill me, but you didn't.
And remember the time I dragged you to the beach,
and you said it would rain, and it did?
I thought you'd say, "I told you so." But you didn't.
Do you remember the time I flirted with all the guys
to make you jealous, and you were?
I thought you'd leave me, but you didn't.
Do you remember the time I spilled strawberry pie
all over your car rug?
I thought you'd hit me, but you didn't.
And remember the time I forgot to tell you the dance
was formal and you showed up in jeans?
I thought you'd drop me, but you didn't.
Yes, there were lots of things you didn't do.
But you put up with me, and you loved me,
and you
protected me.
There were lots of things I wanted to make up to you
when you returned from Iraq.
But you didn't.
Anonymous (originally written to apply to the Viet Nam war).
Fifty years ago, President Dwight Eisenhower declared May 1st Law Day to honor the critical role of law in our unique Constitutional democracy.
Try to imagine what our lives would be like without laws. There would be no way to enforce our contracts, regulate the way people drive, trust the safety of our foods and drugs, or protect us from our neighbor's dog. Without laws to create and protect our right to free speech, religion, privacy, and fair trials, the liberties we hold so dear would be nonexistent.
Laws establish standards of behavior that are necessary if we are to have an orderly, peaceful, just, humane, and respectful society.
Yet today, it's popular to express disdain for the law, especially those that regulate controversial conduct such as using stem-cell research; allowing same-sex marriages; buying automatic weapons; and dealing with criminals, suspected terrorists, and prisoners of war. This is understandable. Such topics generate passionate convictions worth fighting for.
Still, these areas of intense disagreement are precisely the ones where we most need democratically enacted ordinances. Without respect for the law, our society could devolve into constantly warring factions where physical power rather than popular vote would win the day.
Rules define our expectations as well as our standards of right and wrong. Whether we're playing a game or running a family, school, company, or community, clear and specific rules backed up by consistent and just enforcement make our lives more fair, efficient, and safe. And I'm all for them.
This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.
"As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, 'Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!'"1
Down the hot, dusty Jericho Road, leaving with his disciples and a host of followers thronging around him, Jesus was trying to move on from Jericho. Farther down the road two blind men (probably beggars) were sitting by the wayside. Wondering what all the commotion was about, they inquired about what was happening.
"I think it's the man they call Jesus—that unorthodox religious fellow," they heard someone say. "They say he goes against many of our religious traditions and the leaders hate him because of it. But he also heals people of all sorts of ills. It will be great to hear him. He's coming this way."
The blind beggars knew all about Jesus but they'd never "seen" him this close before. "Now's our chance," they said to each other. Somehow they knew that this might be their only chance to ever come anywhere near this man they call Jesus. He would be passing right by them.
As the crowd neared them and they sensed that Jesus was somewhere near, they yelled at the top of their voice, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!"
The crowd rebuked them and tried to shut them up, but with dignity thrown to the wind, they shouted all the louder, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!"
And Jesus stood still! Amazing words. Amazing action. The Son of God stood still.
Imagine it! The winds and the waves couldn't stop Jesus. The crowds couldn't block him. The Roman soldiers had no power over him without his permission. King Herod failed to have him killed when he was just a baby. And the religious leaders couldn't silence him. But the cry of two blind, lonely beggars caused the Son of God to stop dead in his tracks. And listen!
And Jesus called to them, saying, "What do you want me to do for you?"
"Lord," they answered, "we want our sight."
And Jesus, being moved with compassion, touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.
"Lord, have mercy on me," is one cry that God always hears and for which Jesus always stands still and listens, and says to you and me through his Word, "What do you want me to do for you?"
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you that two blind beggars had the power to stop you and you had the power to heal them. Help me to see my deepest need and confess this to you. Have mercy on me and forgive all my sins, and grant to me the healing of my wounded soul and the gift of eternal life. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer just as you heard and answered the cry of the two blind me. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."
NOTE: For further help read "How to Be Sure You're a Real Christian" at: How to Be Sure: http://tinyurl.com/8glq9.
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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
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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...
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Because the world is filled with deceptions and lies,
go with truth.
Because the world would die without,
go with the love of God."
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