Editor: Richard (Dick) Innes
Published by: ACTS International
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Vol. 16 – No. 4014 October 04, 2014
Thought for the week: "Blessed is the man who knows how to make stepping-stones out of stumbling stones." – Unknown
How do you decide on whom to marry? (Written by Kids)
"You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming." – Alan, age 10
"No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with." – Kristen, age 10
I was walking in the mall, pondering a couple of discouraging encounters earlier in the day. A young boy suddenly was blocking my path and I slowed to step around him. He greeted me with a warm smile and a wave of his hand. I couldn't help but smile back—and suddenly I realized my mood had lifted! I also noticed that the youth was a youngster with Downs Syndrome. He had healed me of my blue feelings with his smile.
We all carry a smile! Too many are unused, or too rarely used. Smiles are instant inoculations of loving-kindness. Everyone needs them constantly. Each of us walks through life carrying this powerful medicine, and we have the opportunity to lift spirits and heal discouraged souls everywhere we go. Not only does it elevate the sagging spirits of others and makes their body healthier, the smilers themselves also receive an infusion of spiritual medicine that makes them healthier.
• Believe your smile can heal another person.
• Decide to give your smile to people you meet—clerks, mechanics, and strangers.
• Trust that they, and you yourself, will feel brightened by your kind act.
• Install this new agenda for everyday living—every day—everywhere.
I discovered the truth of these statements that day in the mall. My somber mood was lifted by the warmth expressed by a young boy.
"Have you ever heard anyone speak of the Late Jesus Christ—even by those who don't even believe that He is the Son of God? I don't think we ever will."
When Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came on Easter Sunday to visit Jesus' tomb, they were addressed by an angel who said to them, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you" (Matthew 28:5-7, NKJV).
A 10-year-old Edmond, Oklahoma boy's handwritten letter to a TV station has captured people's hearts, not only in this country but worldwide. Tobias Bass' letter didn't ask for money. He just wanted to borrow a jogging stroller so he could push his older brother, Titus, in a 5K race.
Titus, who is a year older, has cerebral palsy. Tobias, who wants to be an Army pastor when he grows up, is determined his brother will get outside and have fun. In his letter to Channel 9 news, Tobias said, "My brother is 11 and has cerebral palsy and is deaf and lost his stomach last year. He cries when he sees kids playing outside and wants to go too.
"So I decided I would start by pushing him in a 5k and we would work our way up to an Ironman contest someday. So our first 5k where I push him is Friday night at John Marshall High School on September 27 at 6:00 p.m. Here's the part I need help with. My mom is a teacher and can't afford one of those fancy running pushing joggers and all I have to use is a baby pushing stroller. I don't think it will fit Titus, my brother. Can you go on the news and not ask Oklahomans to give me anything, but can someone loan me a jogger pusher so I can push Titus in the 5k?"
In his letter to the news station, Tobias added, "If someone can loan me a pusher, I will volunteer myself out to any other parents who want me to run their disabled children in a 5k. I can be the legs for more than one kid."
Tobias told the newscasters he was physically ready because "he plays sports and practices jujitsu at school." He added that he is spiritually ready after being mentored by his local pastor, whom he said told him, "We have to be God's hands and feet."
In his penned letter, Tobias added, "But I'm going to be his legs, too."
Tobias celebrates being able to push his brother, Titus, after the generous donation of a jogging stroller.
With the help of the TV station, Tobias received his jogging stroller. It wasn't a loaner though. The Oklahoma Able Tech, contacted by Channel 9 news, gave Tobias a brand new one so he could push his brother in the race. Though he had only practiced using an empty infant stroller before the race, Tobias ran the 3.2 miles pushing his older brother to the finish line.
In Acts 20, Paul leaves the Ephesian elders with this encouragement: "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace."
At 10, Tobias is already the hands and feet of Jesus. How will you finish your race?
From A Matter of Faith, Carol Round's self-syndicated column which is currently running in 12 Oklahoma newspapers. Two collections of her columns are also available in book form and are available through her blog at: www.carolaround.com.
According to an article in Today in the Word, "In the spring of 1981, a young man was flown into desolate northern Alaska to photograph the natural beauty and mysteries of the tundra. He took along 500 rolls of film, several firearms, and 1,400 pounds of provisions.
"As the months passed, the words in his diary changed from wonder and fascination into a nightmare. In August he wrote, 'I think I should have used more foresight about arranging my departure. I'll soon find out.' In November he died in a nameless valley, by a nameless lake, 225 miles northeast of Fairbanks. An investigation revealed that though he had carefully planned his trip, he had made no provision to be flown out."1
Difficult to imagine isn't it? How could anyone be so foolish or even forgetful? He made every provision for his journey except how to get home!
"How tragic," we say. And yet, how many of us make every provision for life here on earth, but no preparation for our departure? God has warned us in his Word, the Bible, that there is life after death ... after which is God's judgment. And as He warned the nation of Israel to prepare to meet God,2 He warns us to do the same. We need to do this today. After death it is too late. As God's Word also says, "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment."3
And how do we prepare to meet God? By confessing our sins to God and accepting his Son, Jesus, as our personal Lord and Savior. Doing this is getting our "passport to Eternity in Heaven." Whatever you do, don't leave earth without it! To help you do this click on the God's Invitation link at: http://tinyurl.com/6k49w.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to make certain that I don't leave this life without making preparation for life beyond death. Help me to accept Your provision. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
Time ...
We enter it at birth,
We pass through it in life,
We exit it at death.
It is our preparation ...
for eternity.
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