Editor: Richard (Dick) Innes
Published by: ACTS International
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Vol. 15 No. 0113 January 05, 2013
Thought for the week: "Attitude determines altitude." – Unknown
"Being a lover of freedom, when the revolution came in Germany, I looked to the universities to defend it, knowing that they had always boasted of their devotion to the cause of truth; but, no, the universities immediately were silenced. Then I looked to the great editors of the newspapers whose flaming editorials in days gone by had proclaimed their love of freedom; but they, like the universities, were silenced in a few short weeks... Only the Church stood squarely across the path of Hitler's campaign for suppressing truth. I never had any special interest in the Church before, but now I feel a great affection and admiration because the Church alone has had the courage and persistence to stand for intellectual truth and moral freedom. I am forced thus to confess that what I once despised I now praise unreservedly."1
May we, the members of Jesus Christ's Church, have the same moral courage and fortitude today.
Somebody said that it couldn't be done,
But, he with a chuckle replied
That "maybe it couldn't," but he would be one
Who wouldn't say so till he'd tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn't be done, and he did it.
Beautifully printed copy
available.
See below for details.
Rise and pray every day: "Again today, dear God, I commit and trust my life and way to you. I'm available. Please use me to be as Jesus to every life I touch."
Don't sweat the small stuff.
Remember these simple sentences: "I was wrong." "I am sorry." "Please forgive me." "Thank you." Say them
whenever needed and say "I love you" often—whether needed or not.
Come apart and rest a while before you come apart—stress
is a killer.
Remember, "Nothing changes if nothing changes."
Don't nurse grudges: "Failing to forgive is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die."
Carpe diem. Seize the day. "Opportunity comes to pass—not to pause."
Quit the blame-game: "It's choice, not chance, that
determines destiny."
Control your thinking or your thinking will control you. "What
the mind dwells on the body acts on."
Invest your life in a worthwhile cause by having a noble purpose for which to live—one that is bigger than yourself—one that will help make your world a better place in which
to live.
Be a positive realist. You will always see what you are looking for: "Two men look out the same prison bars. One sees mud,
the other stars."
The greatest abilities are availability, depend-ability and
responsibility."
"There is no pillow as soft as a clear conscience."
"Smooth seas never make skillful sailors."
When God is silent: "I believe in the sun even when it isn't shining. I believe in love even when I am alone. I believe
in God even when he is silent."
Cry when needed. "Every unshed tear is a prism through
which all of life's hurts are distorted."
Laugh a lot. It's still the best medicine.
Remember, "The bumps are what we climb on."
Fear not. At least 95 percent of the things we fear never happen. Trust God for the other five percent.
Have faith and put God first with your time, talents and tithe.
"Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun" (Psalm 37:3-6, NIV).
A beautifully presented printed copy of "Tips for Better Living" is available and can be purchased on the ACTS online store at: http://tinyurl.com/tips4living
Not everyone likes sports. Many think it's a waste of time or, at best, the toy department of life. Yet, regardless of your personal views, it's unwise to underestimate the influence sports have on the quality and character of the American culture. The values of millions of participants and spectators, including their views on what is permissible and proper in the competitive pursuit of all sorts of personal goals, are shaped by the values conveyed in sports.
This was part of my message to more than 100 league presidents of the American Softball Association of Southern California, serving tens of thousands of young girls who learn about themselves and life playing softball.
I know volunteer administrators have great responsibility and opportunity but limited authority and meager resources. Yet all youth sports programs can have a greater positive impact if they have the courage and integrity to pursue a child-centered mission: give kids a safe environment in which they have fun, build character, learn to practice sportsmanship and develop skills and traits that help them become responsible citizens and live happy, healthy lives.
Striving to win is an important aspect of competition but youth sports is not primarily about winning; it's about learning through effort and improvement. You see, kids like to win; but it's the adults who distort the experience because of their need to win. The fact is, with positive coaching, all the values of sport, including enjoyment and a sense of accomplishment, can be derived from the passionate pursuit of victory, regardless of the outcome.
This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.
"Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin."1
Before Ansel Adams became famous as a landscape photographer, he studied piano and showed some talent. At one of his first recitals he played Chopin's "Nocturne in F Major." "In some strange way," he said, "my right hand started off in F-sharp major while my left hand behaved well in F major. I could not bring them together. I went through the entire nocturne with the hands separated by a half-step. The next day, someone walked up to him and jokingly commented, "You never missed a wrong note."2
I can identify with Adams in that in much younger days I used to play trumpet on a gospel team and one of the first times I played a solo, I was so nervous I was thinking one song and playing another! You can imagine the effect. It was very embarrassing to say the least.
Such mistakes are easily overcome. But some mistakes we make in life can have long-lasting serious consequences. With these mistakes, however, the good news is that God's mercy is always available to all who confess their sins and failures and ask for his forgiveness.
Have you experienced God's forgiveness? If not, why not do that today. For further help be sure to read the article: "How to Know God and Be Sure You're a Real Christian." It's in the "Know God" link in No.10 below.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you that 'You are a God of forgiveness, Gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness,'3 and that you forgive all my sins and trespasses when I genuinely confess them to you. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
1. Psalm 51:1-2 (NIV).
2. David Roper. Cited in KneEmail. To subscribe send a blank message to: kneemail-subscribe@welovegod.org
3. Nehemiah 9:17, (NIV).
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"Because the world is hungry,
go with bread.
Because the world is filled with strife,
go with peace.
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go with truth.
Because the world would die without,
go with the love of God."