Editor: Richard (Dick) Innes
Published by: ACTS International
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Vol. 12 – No. 4610 November 13, 2010
Thought for the week: "Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing." – Albert Schweitzer
While driving in Pennsylvania, a family caught up to an Amish carriage. The owner of the carriage obviously had a sense of humor, because attached to the back of the carriage was a hand printed sign: "Energy efficient vehicle: Runs on oats and grass. Caution: Do not step in exhaust."
Seems like we all get some really great thoughts at night while in bed. We dream, we wake up with ideas, but we don't remember a thing come morning—or, they just don't seem so good in the daylight. Keep a pad by the bed and write it down. Read and reread for a few days. You just might have something there! I stopped using the pad as I have to turn on the light and my wife is a light sleeper. I get out of bed and go to my office and jot those ideas down. I learned long ago that some of my best answers and ideas came at night.
Ray Lammie's Thought for Today. To subscribe send a blank email to belbarbara@aol.com with Subscribe Thought for Today in the Subject line.
When asked what she does for a living, one lady told her pastor, "I'm a disciple of Jesus Christ, cleverly disguised as a machine operator." All of us have been divinely placed by God into areas of influence for one primary purpose: to take the people around us to heaven! What is your clever disguise?
An angry woman once approached me after a speech to tell me off. "It's easy for you to talk about my responsibility to speak out or object to waste or wrongdoing," she said, "but I'm a single mother and my highest duty is to keep my job. If that means occasionally looking the other way, so be it. You have no business trying to make me feel guilty for putting my family first."
As the father of five, her criticism hit hard, and it took me a while to sort it through. I think we have to be careful about using our families as an excuse for choices that diminish our integrity. Financial security is surely important, but so is the moral example we set for our children and the foundation we give them to build their lives on.
Suppose you're faced with a difficult choice at work where you think you may be fired if you do what's right. Which is the better gift to your family: 1) to compromise your principles and send the message that you can't always afford to be ethical, or 2) to show that you can always afford ethics, that whatever happens you can make it, and that in this family, character matters and no job is worth dishonor?
Sometimes the dues we pay to maintain integrity are high, but the ultimate cost of moral compromise is much higher. In fact, the more an act of honor costs, the more it's worth. Every example of moral courage contributes to a lasting legacy that our children can and will be proud of all their lives. Don't give that up for the short-term benefits of security.
This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.
"And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies."1
Throughout the entire Bible, whenever God had a job to do, he called a person—usually just one person. When he wanted to form a nation, the nation of Israel to be his own people, he chose and called Abraham. When he wanted to deliver the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, he chose and called Moses. When he wanted a leader to take the children of Israel into the Promised Land, he chose and called Joshua. When he needed an earthly mother for the Christ child, he chose and called Mary.
From Genesis to Revelation, God's methods are people—calling one at a time. You, too, can be one that God uses. As the unknown poet wrote:
One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream.
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.
One smile begins a friendship,
One handclasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal.
One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room.
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.
One step must start each journey,
One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.
One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what's true.
One life can make the difference,
You see it's up to YOU!
As Edward Everett Hale said, "I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something I can do."
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you that you use individual people through whom you do your work on earth. I am available. Please use me to be one person to make a difference in the world in which I live—for time and eternity. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
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