Editor: Richard (Dick) Innes
Published by: ACTS International
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Vol. 8 – No. 2106 May 27, 2006
Thought for the week: "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter." – Martin Luther King
"Most battles are won [or lost] before they are ever fought." – George Patton, US Army general
"The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything. The just make the best of everything they have." – Unknown
"Football: A game where a whole group of big, strong players run around like crazy for two hours while millions of people who really need the exercise sit and watch." – Unknown
"We always have time for the things we put first." – Paul Johnson
"The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us." – Unknown
"It is not what you do to live, but what you live to do." – Unknown
"If you don't take a chance you don't have a chance." – Unknown
"Our doubts are traitors / And make us lose the good we oft might win / By fearing to attempt." – William Shakespeare
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away." – Unknown
Tony Campolo tells a story about being in a church in Oregon where he was asked to pray for a man who had cancer. Campolo prayed boldly for the man's healing. That next week he got a telephone call from the man's wife. She said, "You prayed for my husband. He had cancer."
Campolo thought when he heard her use the past tense verb that his cancer had been eradicated! But before he could think much about it she said, "He died."
Campolo felt terrible.
But she continued, "Don't feel bad. When he came into that church that Sunday he was filled with anger. He knew he was going to be dead in a short period of time, and he hated God. He was 58 years old, and he wanted to see his children and grandchildren grow up. He was angry that this all-powerful God didn't take away his sickness and heal him. He would lie in bed and curse God. The more his anger grew towards God, the more miserable he was to everybody around him. It was an awful thing to be in his presence.
But the lady told Campolo, "After you prayed for him, a peace had come over him and a joy had come into him. Tony, the last three days have been the best days of our lives. We've sung. We've laughed. We've read Scripture. We prayed. Oh, they've been wonderful days. And I called to thank you for laying your hands on him and praying for healing."
And then she said something incredibly profound. She said, "He wasn't cured, but he was healed."
At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.
A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.
Every night, someone thinks about you before they go to sleep.
You mean the world to someone.
If not for you, someone may not be living.
You are special and unique.
When you think you have no chance of getting what you want, you probably won't get it, but if you trust God to do what's best and wait on His time, sooner or later you will get it or something better.
When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good can still come from it.
When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look: you most likely turned your back on the world.
Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.
Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.
Always tell someone how you feel about them; you will feel much better when they know and you'll both be happy.
If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great.
I do not believe that sheer suffering teaches. If suffering alone taught, all the world would be wise, since everyone suffers. To suffering must be added mourning, understanding, patience, love, openness, and a willingness to remain vulnerable.
– Anne Morrow Lindbergh, 1906-2001
American Author and Pioneer Aviator
It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.
Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday."
Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.
"Jack, did you hear me?"
"Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said.
"Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him.
"I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.
"You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said
"He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important...Mom, I'll be there for the funeral," Jack said.
As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.
The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time.
Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time. The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture....Jack stopped suddenly.
"What's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked.
"The box is gone," he said
"What box?" Mom asked.
"There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell me was 'the thing I value most,'" Jack said.
It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.
"Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom."
It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died. Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days," the note read.
Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. "Mr. Harold Belser" it read. Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside.
"Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch.
Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words engraved:
"Jack, Thanks for your time! – Harold Belser."
"The thing he valued most ... was ... my time."
Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. "Why?" Janet, his assistant asked.
"According to your faith will it be done to you" (Matthew 9:29, NIV).
"A few years ago John Hopkins University did an experiment with mice. The first group of mice was held tightly in the experimenters' hands so that they could not move. The mice struggled but were immobilized without being injured. Then after a set period of time, they were placed in a tub of water. They immediately sank, having learned that fighting was hopeless.
"A second group of mice was held in the lab technicians' hands less tightly. The creatures were given some hope of escaping the grip of the lab technician but without being actually free. After the same length of time, they were also dropped into a tub of water. These mice immediately swam to safety."1
Life for all of us is filled with struggles and challenges. If, when faced with seemingly overwhelming challenges, we believe that we are unable to cope and thus without hope—we will be overcome. If, on the other hand, when faced with the same challenges, we believe that with endurance, stick-ability, and God's help—and thus have hope—we will overcome.
In the words of Robert H. Schuller:
"When faced with a mountain, I will not quit!
I will keep on striving until I climb over,
find a pass through, tunnel underneath,
or simply stay...and turn the mountain
into a miracle, with God's help!"2
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you that when I put my trust in you, no matter what curves life might throw at me, I have hope. And that with your help I will overcome and as become a better, healthier, wiser, and stronger person. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
1. Maxine Dunham, "Perceptions:Observations on Everyday Life." Cited in Encounter magazine (ACTS Australia), Oct/Nov, 2005, p. 19.
2. Robert H. Schuller, Powerlines, www.hourofpower.org/powerlines
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