Editor: Richard (Dick) Innes
Published by: ACTS International
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Vol. 11 – No. 4309 October 24, 2009
Thought for the week: "A constitution of government, once changed from freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever." – John Adams
"How well we communicate is determined not by how well we say things, but how well we are understood." – Andrew Grove
"It's not what happens that will determine our destiny; it's how we react to what happens." – Mac Anderson
"Life is too short to waste. Dreams are fulfilled only through action, not through endless planning to take action." – David J. Schwartz
"Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you'll start having positive results." – Willie Nelson
"I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle." – Winston Churchill
"I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble." – Helen Keller
Failure? What is the role of failure and how in the world can it be Good?
Failure's role is to teach us.
We learn from failure.
Failure teaches us that we need to change our plans.
Failure teaches us that we need to change our decisions.
Failure teaches us that we need to change our hunches.
Failure teaches us that we need to change our teamwork.
Failure teaches us that we need to change a lot of things.
At least now we know more things that won't work!
By Chris Widener. Source: "Thought for Today" by Ray Lammie. To subscribe send a blank email to RIL3@aol.com with Subscribe to "Thought for Today" in the Subject line.
After being interviewed by the school administration, the teaching prospect said, "Let me see if I've got this right? You want me to go into that room with all those kids, and do the following:
Correct their disruptive behavior
Observe them for signs of abuse
Monitor their dress habits
Censor their T-shirt messages
Instill in them a love for learning
Check their backpacks for weapons
Wage war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases
Raise their sense of self esteem and personal pride
Teach them patriotism and good citizenship, sportsmanship and fair play
Teach them how to register to vote
Balance a checkbook
Apply for a job
You want me to check their heads for lice
Recognize signs of anti-social behavior
Make sure that they all pass the state exams
Provide them with an equal education regardless of their handicaps
Communicate regularly with their parents in English and Spanish by letter, telephone, conferences, email, homework hotline, web page, midterm newsletters, and report card
You want me to do all this with a piece of chalk, a blackboard, a bulletin board, a few books, a big smile, and a starting salary that qualifies me for food stamps
You want me to do all this and then you tell me I CAN'T PRAY?
I once received an e-mail with a story worth sharing. The names have been changed to preserve privacy.
Doug was the proud and loving father of Emma, a high school junior who was taking a leadership class that was responsible for putting on dances and other student events. All student body officers had to take the class, but other kids like Emma who wanted to participate could also enroll.
Emma was different from everyone and was becoming more aware of those differences. Recently, she had told her father through tears, "I don't like having Down Syndrome."
Doug comforted and encouraged her the best way he could, but he wondered how her classmates perceived her. Did they just tolerate or patronize her, or did they see the richness of her character and appreciate her sense of humor and beauty of her heart?
These concerns came into play when he visited Emma at a school event. She was working at a table with the student body president, a handsome kid named Chris. Emma excitedly told her father that Chris had invited her to the homecoming dance.
Doug was doubtful. Fearing she would be embarrassed and hurt if she had misunderstood him, he checked with the leadership teacher, who confirmed it was true. This extraordinary young man had indeed asked Emma to accompany him to dinner and the dance.
Doug was moved to tears, confessing that he was ashamed for doubting such a thing could happen. He wrote me of his joy seeing his daughter prepare for one of the greatest days in her life. And he marveled at the kindness and self-confidence of the young man who was able to see and care about the inner Emma.
Doug was rightfully proud of Emma, but how good would you feel to be Chris's parents?
This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."1
"Shortly after Booker T. Washington, the renowned black educator, took over the presidency of Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, he was walking in an exclusive section of town, when he was stopped by a wealthy white woman.
"Not knowing the famous Mr. Washington by sight, she asked if he would like to earn a few dollars by chopping wood for her. Because he had no pressing business at the moment, Professor Washington smiled, rolled up his sleeves, and proceeded to do the humble chore she had requested.
"When he was finished, he carried the logs into the house and stacked them by the fireplace. A little girl recognized him and later revealed his identity to the lady. The next morning the embarrassed woman went to see Mr. Washington in his office at the Institute and apologized profusely. "It's perfectly all right, Madam," he replied. "Occasionally I enjoy a little manual labor. Besides, it's always a delight to do something for a friend."2
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help to remember that I, too, am a fellow struggler and always be ready to lend a helping hand to that person in need whom you bring across my path. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
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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
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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."
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