ACTS International
Home Page of ACTS International
Home Page of ACTS InternationalHow to Find and Know God without having to be religiousLife Help Articles dealing with faith, family, and practical helps for purposeful livingDaily and Weekend Encounters with more than a third-of-a-million worldwide subscribersSupport the Work of ACTS International a not-for-profit organization. Donations are tax deductible for U.S. donorsCurrent report on the ministries and services of ACTS InternationalOnline Store of ACTS ... ACTS CommunicationsAbout ACTS International
ACTS International Home Page Click here for the current issue of  Daily Encounter
         
     
   
Tell a Friend Site Map Share and/or Bookmark
   
         
   
 Dick Innes


Weekend Encounter

Editor: Richard (Dick) Innes          
Published by: ACTS International

To receive the email edition of Weekend Encounter (without charge) click on the Subscribe button.

Privacy policy: We do not sell or rent subscriber's e-mail
addresses to anyone. We value your privacy.

 
Global Communications Outreach:
Learn how to be a missionary right from your own home and have a vital part in worldwide gospel outreach by becoming an ACTS People Power for Jesus Partner. Click HERE There is no charge.

Vol.18 – No. 5216  December 24, 2016

Wishing all our readers a very Merry and God blessed Christmas, and many thanks for the opportunity to share with you in this way every week. From Dick and Joy Innes.
...
Thought for the week: "Forgiveness: Never does the human soul appear so strong and noble as when it forgoes revenge and dares to forgive an injury." – E. H. Chapin
 
    INDEX
1.   Words of Wisdom
2.   On the Lighter Side
3.   I Wrote Your Name
4.   The Cold Within
5.   The Test
6.   How Much Are You Willing to Pay for Money?
7.   The Power of Vision
8.   Receive Daily Encounter Devotional  Without Charge
9.   Weekend Encounter E-mail Edition  Without Charge
10.   Know God ... Without Having to Be Religious
11.   Christmas: A Call to Remember
12.   Please Help Support Weekend Encounter
13.   Helpful Books
14.   Services Without Charge
15.   Foot Notes
Find and know God without having to be religious.

1. Words of Wisdom

"The world is moving so fast these days that the man who says it can't be done is generally interrupted by someone doing it." – Harry Emerson Fosdick

"With vision, every person, organization and country can flourish. The Bible says, 'Without vision we perish.'" – Mark Victor Hansen

"If you deliberately plan to be less than you are capable of being, then I warn you that you will be deeply unhappy for the rest of your life." – Abraham Maslow

"A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it, bearing within him the image of a cathedral." – Antoine de Saint-Exupery

"If at first you do succeed, try something harder." – Ann Landers

"To be conscious that you are ignorant of the facts is a great step in knowledge." – Benjamin Disraeli

"To make no mistakes is not in the power of man; but from their errors and mistakes the wise and good learn wisdom for the future." – Plutarch

"One person with courage makes a majority." – Andrew Jackson

"Conviction is worthless unless it is converted into conduct." – Thomas Carlyle

Index

2. On the Lighter Side

Actual Classified Newspaper Ads ... so they say: 

  • Free Yorkshire Terrier: Eight years old. Hateful little dog.
  • Free puppies: Half Cocker Spaniel, half sneaky neighbor's dog.
  • Free puppies: Part German Shepherd, part stupid dog.
  • Found: Dirty white dog. Looks like a rat...been out awhile ...better be a reward.
  • Snow-blower for sale. Only used on snowy days.
  • Tickle-me Elmo (still in box). Comes with its own 1988 Mustang, 5L, auto, excellent condition $6,800.
  • Nordic track $300. Hardly used. Call Chubby.
  • Hummels—largest selection ever. "If it's in stock, we have it!"
  • Georgia peaches: California grown—89 cents/lb.
  • Nice parachute: never opened—used once.
  • Tired of working for only $9.75 per hour? We offer profit sharing and flexible hours. Starting pay: $7 - $9 per hour.
  • Body shapers toning salon—free coffee and donuts.
– As seen on andychaps_the-
   funnies
 Andychap@aol.com

3. I Wrote Your Name

I wrote your name on a piece of paper, but by accident I threw it away. I wrote your name on my hand, but it washed away. I wrote your name in the sand, but the waves whispered it away. I wrote your name in my heart, and forever it will stay.

    – Submitted by Ellen Schultz

Index

4. The Cold Within

by Douglas C. Corlett

Six humans trapped by happenstance
In dark and bitter cold
Each one possessed a stick of wood,
Or so the story's told.

Their dying fire in need of logs,
The first woman held hers back.
For on the faces around the fire,
She noticed one was black.

The next man looking cross the way,
Saw one not of his church,
And couldn't bring himself to give
The fire his stick of birch.

The third one sat in tattered clothes,
He gave his coat a hitch.
Why should his log be put to use,
To warm the idle rich?

The rich man just sat back and thought
Of the wealth he had in store.
And how to keep what he had earned
From the lazy, shiftless poor ....

The last man of this forlorn group
Did naught except for gain
Giving only to those who gave
Was how he played the game.

The logs held tight in death's still hands
Was proof of human sin.
They didn't die from the cold without,
They died from—The Cold Within.

"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again" (Luke 6:38).

– Douglas C. Corlett © 1987. Cited on
   Sherry's Inspirational List
   
sherrysinspirationallist@hotmail.com

Index

5. The Test

A young nurse was assisting a surgeon for the first time.

As he was completing the operation, she told him he had used 12 sponges, but she could account for only 11. The doctor curtly replied that he had removed them all from inside the patient. The nurse insisted that one was missing, but the doctor declared he would proceed with sewing up in the incision. The nurse, her eyes blazing, said, "You can't do that! Think of the patient!" The doctor smiled and, lifting his foot, showed the nurse the twelfth sponge, which he had deliberately dropped on the floor. "You'll do fine!" he said.  He had been testing her.

Daniel's three friends faced a different kind of test (see Daniel 3), but they too wouldn't budge. They knew their refusal to worship the image might result in their death, yet they never wavered. They proved they were true to God by standing firm.

Thought: The Lord still permits trials and temptations to enter the lives of His children. The challenge may come as an opportunity to gratify the lusts of the flesh, or as a series of disheartening circumstances.  Whatever form it takes, we must not yield. Rather, we must stand for what is right and trust God to supply the grace we need.  (HVL)

"Let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up" (Daniel 3:18).

– Cited on KneEmail.
    http://associate.com/groups/kneemail/

Index

6. How Much Are You Willing to Pay for Money?

By Michael Josephson, Character Counts (422.2) 

Disdain for money is a common theme among moralists and philosophers. But money's not the problem. It's what people do to get it and what they do with it when they get it.

In "Fiddler on the Roof," a poor man sings of his daydreams of the wonderful life he'd have if he were a rich man. And surely it would be better. As Mae West said, "I've been poor and I've been rich. Rich is better."

Yet the Biblical warning that "love of money is the root of all evil" reminds us to be aware of the difference between need and greed.

It's one thing to make money a central goal to escape poverty and provide for truly basic necessities. It's quite another when money becomes our primary motivation and measure of success, or when we equate happiness or worthiness with wealth.

The love of money can have a powerful narcotic effect on our values. It can push us toward or keep us in unhealthy relationships and unsatisfying careers. It can lead us to undervalue the importance of relationships and work. The desire for money can make us into workaholics who neglect family and friends. And it can spawn dishonorable conduct that pollutes our souls and makes us unworthy despite our net worth.

According to an old Hasidic saying, "One who thinks money can do everything is likely to do anything to get it."

Perhaps the French philosopher Rousseau said it best: "The money you have can give you freedom, but the money you pursue enslaves you."

The challenge is to put the value of money in perspective. In the end, the question is: How much are we willing to pay to have money?

This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.

© 2005 Josephson Institute of Ethics; reprinted with permission. Michael Josephson, one of the nation's leading ethicists, is the founder of the Josephson Institute of Ethics and the premier youth character education program, CHARACTER COUNTS! For further information visit www.charactercounts.org

Index

7. The Power of Vision

Sample of Daily Encounter by Dick Innes

"Where there is no vision, the people perish" (Proverbs 29:18).

Author Marabel Morgan told how for three long months prior to the birth of her second daughter she was flat on her back in the hospital with no visitors allowed. She was bored out of her mind and longed to have something constructive to do but was too drugged to even read, let alone write. Eventually her baby was born and she returned home. Her life now was filled with things to do, taking care, not only of the new baby, but another daughter as well, her husband, household chores, and innumerable other responsibilities—not the time to write a book. But she did!

She said, "Once you set your goal, then picture it done. Without this finished picture in your mind, you'll give up halfway. With it, there's no limit to what you might accomplish."

Somebody else said, "Faith is visualizing what God wants you to do." Good point. Once we see what that is, it is so much easier to start doing it!

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please give me a vision of what you are doing in the world today, the world in which I live, and show me how I can be a part of that. Let your vision for me be my vision for you. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

Index

8. Receive Daily Encounter E-mail ... Free

Daily Encounter, a free weekday e-mail inspirational from ACTS International is now going to 400,000+ subscribers. Scores of letters from around the world have come from readers saying how much they are being helped by this brief, practical devotional.

Over 17.5 million e-mail Daily, Weekend and Prayer Encounters are delivered to subscribers every year!

Click HERE for more samples of Daily Encounter

Subscribe to Daily Encounter

NOTE: Some ISPs (especially AOL) now use e-mail filtering software that allows you to add e-mail addresses to your 'buddy', 'safe', or 'approved' list. Please be sure to add acts@actsweb.org to yours so you won't miss any issue of Daily Encounter.

Index

9. Receive E-mail Edition of Weekend Encounter ... Free

Subscribe to Weekend Encounter

NOTE: Some ISPs (especially AOL) now use e-mail filtering software that allows you to add e-mail addresses to your 'buddy', 'safe', or 'approved' list. Please be sure to add acts@actsweb.org to yours so you won't miss any issue of Weekend Encounter.

Index

10. Know God ... Without having to be religious

Click on: Know God

Index

11. Christmas: A Call to Remember

Click on: Christmas

Index

12. Please Help Support Weekend Encounter

    "Changing the World . . . One Person at a Time" 

Weekend Encounter and Daily Encounter are just two of the ways the nonprofit organization, ACTS International, is working to improve the spiritual and emotional life of many thousands of people around the world.

Every weekday Daily Encounter is going to 400,000+ subscribers, and every week Weekend Encounter is going to 6,000+ subscribers worldwide—many of whom are in places where it is forbidden to spread the Christian gospel and message. Plus we reach several hundred thousand more every week through our advertising. As a result every day we are seeing an average of 5-6 salvation responses from around the world—over 2100 in the past 15 months!

If you find value in the free Weekend Encounter and/or Daily Encounter, we hope you will be comfortable donating at least $26. That's only 50 cents a week for an entire year (tax-deductible in the U.S.). You can donate in one of the following ways:

Donate Online: You can donate online at ACTS secure web site. Click HERE on ACTS support donations.

Donate Through PayPal:You can donate securely through PAYPAL. Click HERE on PayPal. Where it says Payment For: type in Donation.

Donate by Telephone: ACTS accepts credit card donations by phone by calling 1-949-481-4262.

Donate Through Postal Mail: If you prefer to write a check or money order, please send it and make it payable to:

     ACTS International
     P.O. Box 73545
     San Clemente, California 92673-0119
     U.S.A.

Index

13. Helpful Books

Oprah Winfrey: "Books were my pass to personal freedom. I learned to read at age three, and soon discovered there was a whole world to conquer that went beyond our farm in Mississippi." – Oprah Winfrey

Books:

Books by Dick Innes, Editor of Weekend Encounter
   You Can't Fly With a Broken Wing
   How to Mend a Broken Heart
   I Hate Witnessing—A Handbook for Effective Christian
      Communications

   On Sale at: https://actscom.com/books_sale_5-14.php

Index

14. Services Without Charge

 1. To donate FREE (to you) food for the hungry
 2. For FREE Bible concordance and Bible helps
 3. E-Word Today for a daily Bible reading
 4. To find your ZIP+4 Area Code in the U.S.A.
 5. How to find and write to your U.S. Representative
 6. ASK Jeeves ... your questions answered fast
 7. Send a FREE greeting card for all occasions
 8. To check the weather in your area
 9. Hoax Web Sites
10. Plus many more sources of helpful information

GO TO:
http://www.actsweb.org/links.php

Index

15. Foot Notes... includes links to past Daily and Weekend Encounters

ARCHIVES: Daily and Weekend Encounters





"The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace."


Know God

ACTS International
PO Box 73545
San Clemente, CA 92673-0119
U.S.A.

To receive the email edition of Weekend Encounter
without charge click on the Subscribe button.

Privacy policy: We do not sell or rent subscriber's e-mail
addresses to anyone. We value your privacy.

 
   
         
   
Site Map   Top
   
     
         
Find Peace With God footer
 
  ARTICLES
About God
About Faith
Relationships
Success/Failure
Solutions
Recovery
Ask the Teacher
Better Living Tips
Friendship
Words of Love
Words of Inspiration
People Power for Jesus
Simple and Effective Witnessing for Christ

SITE TRANSLATIONS
Spanish Espanol
French Francois

  DEVOTIONS
Devotionals
Daily Encounter
Weekend Encounter
Encuentros Diarios
Archives
Subscribe
When God Is Silent
Prayer Partners
  Needed

Special Needs

BIBLE HELPS
Helps and Studies
Today's Reading
Annual Reading

  QUOTES AND TESTS
Today's Quotes
Happiness Test
Stress Test

ACTS IN ACTION

ACTS Websites
ACTS in Action Report

COMMUNICATIONS

Syndicate ACTS Articles
"I Hate Witnessing"
   Audio—No Charge

Opening Closed Minds
Effective Communications
Jesus, the Communicator
Punching Holes in
   the Darkness

  REPORTS
About ACTS
Be an ACTS Friend

MISC.
People Power Invite
Links
Weather
Privacy Policy
Snail-Mail List
Contact Us/Feedback

ACTS BOOKSTORE
Online Bookstore


Site Map
Report problems to ACTS International
All pages in this site © Copyright 2005-2024 by ACTS International
P.O. Box 73545, San Clemente, CA 92673 U.S.A.
 
HOME   Daily Encounter  Find Peace With God