Vol. 17 – No. 2315 June 06, 2015

1. Words of Wisdom

"Whether your faith is that there is a God or that there is not a God, if you don't have any doubts you are either kidding yourself or asleep. Doubts are the ants in the pants of faith. They keep it awake and moving." – Frederick Buechner

"Man's extremity is God's opportunity." – John Flavel

"No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn." – Hal Borland

"During my 87 years, I have witnessed a whole succession of technological revolutions. But none of them has done away with the need for character in the individual or the ability to think." – Bernard Baruch

"Colors are the smiles of nature." – Leigh Hunt

"I might have been born in a hovel, but I am determined to travel with the wind and the stars."– Jacqueline Cochran, aviator

Index

2. On the Lighter Side—Winston Churchill's Witty Sayings

Churchill loved paraprosdokians, figures of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is ... surprising or unexpected.

1. Where there's a will, I want to be in it.
   
2. The last thing I want to do is hurt you, but it's still on my list.
3. Since light travels faster than sound, some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
4. If I agreed with you, we'd both be wrong.
5. War does not determine who is right—only who is left.
6. Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
7. They begin the evening news with 'Good Evening,' then proceed to tell you why it isn't.
8. To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is research.
9. I thought I wanted a career. Turns out, I just wanted pay checks.
10. In filling out an application, where it says, 'In case of emergency, notify:' I put "DOCTOR."
11. I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.
12. Women will never be equal to men until they can walk down the street...with a bald head and a beer gut, and still think they are [attractive].
13. Behind every successful man is his woman. Behind the fall of a successful man is usually another woman.
14. A clear conscience is the sign of a fuzzy memory.
15. You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice.
16. Money can't buy happiness, but it sure makes misery easier to live with.
17. There's a fine line between cuddling and ... holding someone down so they can't get away.
18. I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not so sure.
19. You're never too old to learn something stupid.
20. To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and claim that wherever you hit was the target.
21. Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.
22. Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.
23. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.
24. I'm supposed to respect my elders, but now it's getting harder and harder for me to find one.

Index

3. Victory

"It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves."

– Edmund Hillary

Index

4. Clint Eastwood at 83+

My Twilight Years ~ Clint Eastwood

As I enjoy my twilight years, I am often struck by the inevitability that the party must end.

There will be a clear, cold morning when there isn't any "more." No more hugs, no more special moments to celebrate together, no more phone calls just to chat. It seems to me that one of the important things to do before that morning comes, is to let every one of your family and friends know that you care for them by finding simple ways to let them know your heartfelt beliefs and the guiding principles of your life so they can always say, "He was my friend, and I know where he stood."

Index

5. If a Dog Were Your Teacher

If a dog were your teacher, these are some of the lessons you might learn
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.
Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
Take naps and stretch before rising.
Run, romp and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting, when a simple growl will do.
On warm days stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout run right back and make friends.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.
Stop when you have had enough.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent ... sit close by ... and nuzzle them gently.

source: Inspiration Peak at: http://www.inspirationpeak.com/ 

Index

6. KEEP GETTING BETTER – even if you think you're good enough

      By Michael Josephson of CHARACTER COUNTS (12/17/2014)

BE HONEST – even when others aren't and it may cost more than you want to pay.

KEEP YOUR PROMISES – even when it's costly or inconvenient.

TREAT EVERYONE WITH RESPECT – even if they don't deserve it.

FULFILL YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES – even if you could dodge them.

DO WHAT'S RIGHT – even if you have a right to do something less.

BE ACCOUNTABLE – even if you have a good excuse or scapegoat.

BE FAIR – even when you can take more than your share.

BE KIND – even to strangers and people who can't help you.

PLAY BY THE RULES – even when others aren't.

KEEP GETTING BETTER – even if you think you're good enough.

For Commentaries go to: http://whatwillmatter.com/category/commentary/

This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.

© 2014 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. Encouragement

A sample of Daily Encounter by Dick Innes

"Let us encourage one another."¹

One writer observed a mother walking with a small handicapped child whose both legs were in braces. He was having a difficult time but his mother was right there with him encouraging him at every step.

"That's great! You're doing splendidly," she kept repeating.

"I want to run," the boy called.

"Very well, try it," his mother encouraged enthusiastically. As he did, he tripped and almost fell, and would have except his mother was right there beside him and caught him so he wouldn't hurt himself. "You did fine," she said again, "and next time you will do even better."

God, too, knows our limitations. He sees our brokenness and doesn't expect us to be able to make it alone. He knows we can't run with a broken leg. He also knows we can't live the Christian life without help and encouragement. He wants us to know that he is right there beside us to encourage us to keep trying, to keep growing, and to become stronger.

God also knows that we need supporting friends to encourage us, to help keep us on track, and to keep us accountable—as none of us can make it alone.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, help me to be an encouraging and supporting friend to the people You bring into my life. And help me not to be too proud or afraid to ask for help when I need a friend to lean on. And thank You that I can always ask for and receive Your help as needed. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Hebrews 10:25 (NIV).

<:))))><

NOTE: If you would like to accept God's forgiveness for all your sins and His invitation for a full pardon, click on: http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php.

Or if you would like to re-commit your life to Jesus Christ,
please click on http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php to note this.

For more information on Daily Encounter, Click HERE.

To Subscribe Click on: http://www.actsweb.org/subscribe.php.

Index

8. Receive Daily Encounter E-mail ... Without Charge

Daily Encounter, a without charge weekday e-mail inspirational from ACTS International is now going to 373,000+ 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 100 million e-mail Daily, Weekend and Prayer Encounters are delivered to subscribers every year!

	Click HERE for more samples of Daily Encounter
	Click HERE to subscribe

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 ... Without Charge

Click HERE to subscribe

Index

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

Click HERE to Know God and be sure you're a real Christian

Index

11. Prayer Partners Needed

One of ACTS greatest needs is Prayer Partners to stand with us as we seek to share the gospel with millions of people around the world through E-mail and the Internet and to win the lost to Jesus. If you would like to be an ACTS Prayer Partner, please subscribe to the Prayer Encounter list. Approximately one prayer report is e-mailed monthly. Thank you.

Click HERE to subscribe

Index

12. 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 373,000+ subscribers, and every week Weekend Encounter is going to 7,300+ 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—almost 3,000 in the past 12 months!

If you find value in the 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 1-949-940-9050.

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, CDs and Cassettes

Index

14. Services Without Charge

 1. Bible concordance and Bible helps
 2. New Hope Crisis Counseling with trained
     lay/volunteer counselors. www.newhopenow.org
 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 ... Smart answers fast
 7. Send a greeting card without charge 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. ACTS in Action Report and Encounter Archives

	ACTS in Action ... Monthly Report Letter
	ARCHIVES: Daily and Weekend Encounters