Editor: Richard (Dick) Innes
Published by: ACTS International
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Vol. 16 – No. 2414 June 14, 2014
Thought for the week: "Peace is seeing a sunset, and knowing who to thank." – Unknown
As Buddy Hackett tells it, fellow comedian Jimmy Durante was no golfer, try as he might. On one particular day, Durante's first round was terrible. When the Schnoz stepped up for the 18th hole, his score had already soared to well over 200. He took a 12 on the final hole and turned to his partner.
"What should I give the caddy?" he asked softly.
"Your clubs," his friend replied.
– From Speaker's Treasury of Sports Anecdotes, Stories and Humor, by Gerald Tomlinson, published by Prentice Hall, 1990, p. 13. Cited in Parables etc, July 2004
"Would you like me to give you a formula for success? It's quite simple, really. Double your rate of failure. You are thinking of failure as the enemy of success. But it isn't all that. You can be discouraged by failure—or you can learn from it. So go ahead and make mistakes. Make all you can. Because, remember, that's where you will find success." – Thomas J. Watson
As a boss of mine once said to me when I made a major mistake, "The man who never made a mistake never made anything." – Dick Innes
In addressing graduates, Albert Schweitzer said, "I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve."
A group of students were asked to list what they thought were the present "Seven Wonders of the World." Though there were some disagreements, the following received the most votes:
1. Egypt's Great Pyramids
2. Taj Mahal
3. Grand Canyon
4. Panama Canal
5. Empire State Building
6. St. Peter's Basilica
7. China's Great Wall
While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student had not finished her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many."
The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help. The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the 'Seven Wonders of the World' are:
1. To See
2. To Hear
3. To Touch
4. To Taste
5. To Feel
6. To Laugh
7. And to Love."
The room was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop. The things we overlook as simple and ordinary and that we take for granted are truly wondrous!
A gentle reminder: The most precious things in life cannot be built by hand or bought by man.
"I am responsible. Although I may not be able to prevent the worst from happening, I am responsible for my attitude toward the inevitable misfortunes that darken life. Bad things do happen; how I respond to them defines my character and the quality of my life. I can choose to sit in perpetual sadness, immobilized by the gravity of my loss, or I can choose to rise from the pain and treasure the most precious gift I have—life itself." – Walter Anderson
"Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue, that you may live and possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you."1
This week a local leader in our area who was on the board of a Christian retirement home resigned his position. Why? Because he was the only one out of 13 board members who took a stand on a moral issue the home was facing. This reminds me of what an English bishop said, "Everywhere Paul went there was either a revival or a revolution. Everywhere I go they serve tea!"
True leaders are not afraid to swim against the tide. Their goal is not prestige, power, or popularity ... or to be served tea. They stand for justice and righteousness. And whether it is in the United States or the United Nations, in local churches or on school boards, on judiciary benches or in the local council, what the world desperately needs today are statesmen and women (not merely politicians); leaders who lead; judges who love justice; and Christian leaders who love, practice, and make a stand for righteousness.
Sad to say, far too many politicians and so-called leaders have no moral compass. They raise their finger to the wind to see which way it is blowing and follow the in-crowd in order, not to promote justice or righteousness, but to gain votes, votes, and more votes. This makes them followers—not leaders. They allow themselves to be controlled by vocal minorities without regard to moral guidelines and, in so doing, often disregard the will of the people.
So for all citizens who have the privilege of voting and choosing their leaders, we are to choose men and women who stand for justice and have a strong moral compass to clearly show the way they are to lead their people.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help us as a people and as individuals to make a stand for justice and righteousness, and vote for and choose leaders who have a strong moral compass. Help us always to put our trust in you and earnestly seek to follow your leading. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
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