Editor: Richard (Dick) Innes
Published by: ACTS International
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Vol. 7 – No. 2705 July 02, 2005
Thought for the week: "The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone." – Harriet Beecher Stowe
"We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give." – Winston Churchill
"Those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music." – Friedrich Nietzsche
"They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel." – Carl W. Buechner
"You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say." – Martin Luther, Priest, Scholar, Reformer
The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it." – Michelangelo Buonarroti
"To dare is to lose one's footing momentarily. To not dare is to lose oneself." – Soren Kierkegaard
"Reading is a means of thinking with another person's mind; it forces you to stretch your own." – Charles Scribner Jr., Publisher
"It is not genius, nor glory, nor love that reflects the greatness of the human soul; it is kindness." – Henri-Dominique Lacordaire
"There's a big difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do." — Potter Stewart
"Yet, in the end, the purpose of our work is not just to make a living, but to make a life. And, when it's all over, we will be judged not by what we have, but by what we have become." – Michael Josephson
Mahatma Ghandi was once approached by an atheist to promote a certain anti-God society. His comment to that person was, "It amazes me to find an intelligent person who fights against something which he does not believe exists."
A woman called a local hospital, "Hello. Could you connect me to the person who gives information about patients. I'd like to find out if a patient is getting better, doing as expected, or getting worse." The voice on the other end said, "What is the patient's name and room number?"
"Sarah Finkel, room 302."
"I'll connect you with the nursing station."
"Third floor Nursing Station. How can I help you?"
"I'd like to know the condition of Sarah Finkel in room 302."
"Just a moment. Let me look at her records. Mrs. Finkel is doing very well. In fact, she's had two full meals, her blood pressure is fine, to be taken off the heart monitor in a couple of hours and, if she continues this improvement, Dr. Cohen is going to send her home Tuesday at noon."
The woman said, "What a relief! Oh, that's fantastic ... that's wonderful news!"
The nurse said, "From your enthusiasm, I take it you are a close family member or a very close friend!"
"Neither! I'm Sarah Finkel in 302! Nobody here tells me anything."
The Gift of Listening:
But you must really listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response. Just listening.
The Gift of Affection:
Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.
The Gift of Laughter:
Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you."
The Gift of a Written Note:
It can be a simple "Thanks for the help" note or a full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life.
The Gift of a Compliment:
A simple and sincere, "You look great in red," "You did a super job" or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.
The Gift of a Favor:
Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.
The Gift of Solitude:
There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.
The Gift of a Cheerful Disposition:
The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone. Really it's not that hard to say, "Hello" or "Thank You."
I grew up in much simpler times. Television was in its infancy and the idea of a hero was exemplified in the white-hatted cowboy. There was a clarity and simplicity to the moral code of these heroes that left no doubt that there is a right and wrong.
As I became more sophisticated, it was easy to ridicule these simplistic approaches to ethics and living. Yet the more I learn, the more I've come to think that there's as much danger in complexifying our choices into endless shades of gray.
Sure, there are extenuating factors and exceptions that challenge the validity of every ethical principle, but on balance we need clear prescriptive guidelines of virtue. Such guidelines are provided in the quaintly old-fashioned Cowboy Code promoted by the late Gene Autry:
1. The cowboy must never shoot first, hit a smaller man
or take unfair advantage.
2. He must never go back on his word or a trust confided
in him.
3. He must always tell the truth.
4. He must be gentle with children, the elderly and
animals.
5. He must not advocate or possess racially or religiously
intolerant ideas.
6. He must help people in distress.
7. He must be a good worker.
8. He must keep himself clean in thought, speech, action
and personal habits.
9. He must respect women, parents and his nation's laws.
10. The cowboy is a patriot.
With a little updating, this code still works.
This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.
According to an article in Today in the Word, soon after Queen Victoria's marriage to Prince Albert, the couple had a quarrel, whereupon Prince Albert locked himself in his private apartment. Queen Victoria knocked furiously on his door.
"Who's there?" asked Albert.
"The Queen of England, and she demands to be admitted."
There was no response and the door remained locked. The queen knocked furiously again.
"Who's there?" asked Albert again. The queen's response was the same ... as was Albert's. After more furious knocking and no response came a quiet pause—and then a gentle tap.
"Who's there?" asked Albert once more.
"Your wife, Albert," the queen replied. Immediately the door was opened.
As the writer of this article pointed out, "Love opens doors."
Need I say more?
Suggested Prayer: "Dear God, help me always to be a door opener and not a door closer! Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."
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