Editor: Richard (Dick) Innes
Published by: ACTS International
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Vol. 13 – No. 0111 January 01, 2011
Thought for the week: "When people cease to believe in God, they do not believe in nothing. They believe in anything." – William Temple
"The highest reward for man's toil is not what he gets for it, but what he becomes by it." – John Ruskin
"Good works do not make a good man, but a good man
does good works; evil works do not make a wicked man, but a wicked man does evil works." – Martin Luther"
As water cannot rise higher than its source, so the moral quality in an act can never be higher than the motive that inspires it." – A.W. Tozer
"Blessed be he who aimeth at nothing for he shall surely
hit it." – Unknown
"If we don't stand for something, we may fall for anything." – Unknown
"Commitment without reflection is fanaticism in action. Reflection without commitment is the paralysis of all action." – John Mackay
A young pastor was invited to speak at a conference in which there were multiple speakers. He was honored at the opportunity to speak and felt that this would be his first real break for recognition outside the confines of his own congregation.
At the beginning of the conference the auditorium was packed. During the course of the event, the crowds dwindled, and when it was his turn to speak, there was only one man left. Nonetheless, the preacher had come to preach, and preach he did. At the conclusion of his sermon, he walked down and thanked the man for coming to listen to his sermon.
"Oh," said the man, "I didn't come to hear you speak; I'm the final speaker."
I am your opportunity to practice what you have learned about life during the last twelve months.
All that you sought and didn't find is hidden in me, waiting for you to search it out with more determination.
All the good that you tried for and didn't achieve is mine to grant when you have fewer conflicting desires.
All that you dreamed but didn't dare to do, all that you hoped but did not will, all the faith that you claimed but did not have—these slumber lightly, waiting to be awakened by the touch of a strong purpose.
I am your opportunity to renew your allegiance to Him who said, "Behold, I make all things new."
Attitude, as it has been said, is much more important than aptitude. Aptitude says that we can do things, but attitude will determine how well we do them. Aptitude will determine how well we can think, but attitude will determine how well we feel about what we think. Aptitude will help us see things that perhaps others don't see, but attitude will help how we interpret what we see. A person with a healthy, positive attitude can achieve much more with his average aptitude than a person with a highly skilled aptitude but who has a negative and self-defeating attitude.
People with a positive attitude will see the glass half-full and be thankful, while those with a negative attitude will see the glass half-empty and complain about it. Both are correct, of course, but it's attitude that makes the difference in how they see things. In life we see things not the way they are but the way we are. And if we don't have an honest attitude, we will distort the most obvious facts to make them match our prejudiced attitude.
Then there are those who will argue that the glass is twice as big as it needs to be. You can't win with these people because no matter what you say, they will disagree with you because they have a disagreeable attitude.
It's attitude that makes the difference. Aptitude is a gift. Attitude is a choice.
I like what Michael Josephson of Character Counts said, "So, at least for today, I'm not going to worry that roses have thorns; I'll rejoice that thorns have roses." Now that's a positive and healthy attitude, and a healthy, dynamic way to live.
"Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 5:20, NIV).
If I wanted to check your credit worthiness, I'd look at your balance sheet—what you have and what you owe—and I'd want to know about your history of paying your debts.
If I wanted to know your values, I'd look at your calendar and checkbook.
How come? Well, the term "values" refers to core beliefs and convictions that drive decisions.
Our values are revealed not by what we say but by what we do.
The simple fact is, time and money are limited resources that can materially affect the quality of our lives, so how we spend them reveals what's really important to us.
We tend to think of our values in the grand context of our deepest moral convictions, but most of us have strong desires that have nothing to do with right and wrong. We value pleasure, comfort, companionship, adventure, and though we hate to admit it, certain possessions and luxuries.
There's nothing wrong with having and pursuing these non-moral values so long as ethical values aren't sacrificed in the process. Ultimately, though, it's how we prioritize competing values that defines us.
Our character is determined by our dominant values.
So if you knew that your character would be judged by the choices reflected in your calendar and checkbook, would you spend either your time or money differently?
Are you spending enough time with your children, your parents, your friends? Are you devoting enough time helping others, reflecting, learning, and growing?
Do you put your money where your mouth is? Do you give an adequate amount of your income to charity? Are you making the choice to help the causes you really believe in?
The good news: it's never too late to change your priorities.
This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.
Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God."1
Writing in The Age, a Melbourne, Australia newspaper, John Weldon states that "the custom of making New Year's resolutions "has been observed since ancient Babylonian times—when most of the resolutions recorded concerned, not surprisingly considering that culture's fascination with all things agricultural, the returning of borrowed gardening tools."2
That's a great idea for a practical New Year's resolution—returning things we've borrowed!
Because New Year's Day is the oldest special day of the "Big Five: Mother's Day, birthdays, Christmas and Easter," Weldon is amazed that some marketer hasn't commercialized this day as it has the other four for squeezing another buck out of unsuspecting customers.
Fortunately, New Year's day hasn't been commercialized (yet) and while most New Year's resolutions don't last longer than a day's journey to the next temptation, I still think it is a good idea to make at least one that you (with God's help) vigorously intend to keep and then do something about making it happen—providing it is a resolution of value.
My New Year's resolution is in the form a prayer:
"Dear Lord, Please give me ... A few friends who know me and love me still, a thankful heart to give you praise always and in everything, a trusting mind to keep on believing in you no matter what the future holds, a humble, pleasing personality, a teachable disposition, a thoughtful, kind, and caring touch, a forgiving and understanding spirit, a loving and accepting attitude to communicate your love to every life I touch, a worthwhile work into which I can put my best efforts and thereby help make my world a better place in which to live, and a life that will make a difference not only in my world, but in my street and, most of all, in my home.... Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
1. Matthew 5:6-9 (NIV). 2. John Weldon, "There's Gold in Those New Year's Resolutions," The Age, Melbourne, Australia, December 29, 2004.http://www.theage.com.au/
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