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 Dick Innes


Weekend Encounter

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

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Vol. 8 – No. 3416  August 20, 2016

 
Thought for the week: "Work is the least important thing, and family is the most important." – Jerry Seinfeld
 
    INDEX
1.   Words of Wisdom
2.   On the Lighter Side
3.   Vision vs Failure
4.   Lighthouses and Fog
5.   Lessons I've Learned
6.   Building Your Life
7.   Believing One's Own Lies
8.   Receive Daily Encounter Devotional  Without Charge
9.   Weekend Encounter E-mail Edition  Without Charge
10.   Know God ... Without Having to Be Religious
11.   Seven Pillars of Character
12.   Please Help Support Weekend Encounter
13.   Helpful Books and Cassette Messages
14.   Free Services
15.   ACTS in Action Report; Archives for Daily and Weekend Encounter
 

1. Words of Wisdom

"People are in greater need of your praise when they try and fail, than when they try and succeed." – Bob Moawad

"Why is it that our children can't read a Bible in school, but they can in prison?" – Unknown

"Why do I have to swear on the Bible in court, when the Ten Commandments cannot be displayed in a federal building?" – Unknown

"Assumptions are the termites of relationships." – Henry Winkler

"A skeptic won't take KNOW for an answer." – Unknown

"Anonymity is the truest expression of altruism." – Eric Gibson in The Wall Street Journal

"He who has not forgiven an enemy has not yet tasted one of the most sublime enjoyments of life." – Johann K. Lavater (eighteenth century)

Today's "Words of Wisdom" are from parabLes, etc., July 2005

Index

2. On the Lighter Side

Steve phoned his dentist when he received a huge bill. "I'm shocked!" he complained. "This is three times what you normally charge."

"Yes, I know," said the dentist. "But you yelled so loud, you scared away two other patients."

– Cited on www.mikeysFunnies.com

Index

3. Vision vs Failure

Edward Steichen, who eventually became one of the world's most renowned photographers, almost gave up on the day he shot his first pictures. At 16, young Steichen bought a camera and took 50 photos. Only one turned out—a portrait of his sister at the piano. Edward's father thought that was a poor showing. But his mother insisted that the photograph of his sister was so beautiful that it more than compensated for 49 failures.

Her encouragement convinced the youngster to stick with his new hobby. He stayed with it for the rest of his life, but it had been a close call. What tipped the scales? The vision to spot excellence in the midst of a lot of failure.

Bits & Pieces, February 4, 1993

Index

4. Lighthouses and Fog

Some time ago two Native Americans were observing the construction of a lighthouse. One particular day they again walked over to watch the construction. The lighthouse was all set up with the lights, the bell, and the horn. But the day the lighthouse was to open, the worst of all fogs came in.

One of the Native Americans said to the other, "Lights shine, bell rings, horn blows, but fog comes in just the same."

We've never had more lights shining, bells ringing, and horns blowing in the church than we have today ... and ... we've never had more fog."

– Vance Havner. Cited in parabLes, etc. July 2005.

Index

5. Lessons I've Learned

"I learned about the strength you can get from a close family life. I learned to keep going, even in bad times. I learned not to despair, even when my world was falling apart. I learned that there are no free lunches. And I learned the value of hard work."

– Lee Iacocca, executive

Index

6. Building Your Life

By Michael Josephson of Character Counts (435.1)

After 30 years of building houses for Ben, a prominent land developer, Sam announced that he wanted to retire, buy some land of his own, and build a small home for himself and his wife. Sam had hoped for a large bonus for all his years of service, but instead Ben asked Sam if he would just build one more house. He gave Sam plans for a lovely home located on a choice piece of land with a magnificent view. It was for a very important person, Ben said, and he urged Sam to do his best work.

Because Sam was resentful, his heart was not in the project and his work was shoddy. He ignored architectural details and he even substituted inferior materials so he could pocket the difference.

When the house was finished, there was a big celebration and Ben gave Sam an envelope as a parting gift. At last! The bonus, Sam thought.

But there was no check in the envelope. Instead, it included a key, and a note: "For everything you've done, the house is yours."

Sam was ashamed and embarrassed. He not only misjudged Ben; he betrayed his professionalism by building an inferior home, a home that turned out to be his own.

Through our daily actions we all build the houses we will ultimately live in. Careless decisions and neglected relationships, lies and insincerity are the shoddy workmanship and inferior materials of life-building. Whenever we take shortcuts to get us through the days, we shortchange ourselves for years. Whenever we put in less than our best and ignore our potential for excellence, we create a future full of creaky floors, leaky roofs and crumbling foundations.

This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.

© 2006 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. Believing One's Own Lies

Sample of Daily Encounter by Dick Innes

"Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen" (1 Peter 3:17-18, NIV).

Politicians, promoters, and radicals all know that if you keep repeating the "product or line" you are wanting to promote—even when it is blatantly false—if you say it often enough, loud enough, intense enough, and for long enough, not only do you end up believing your own lies but lots of gullible people believe them too. It becomes a case of "Don't confuse me with the facts. My mind is made up!"

The bottom line is that many people see what they want to see, hear what they want to hear, and believe what they want to believe—what is the most convenient for them—and with some fancy "footwork" manufacture a story in a vain attempt to justify their stance. And the more defensive they become when challenged, the more evident it becomes that they are promoting or believing a lie. Shakespeare said it well: "Me thinks he doth protest too much."

Just think how we've been sold a bill of goods on free sex (which is never free), accepting homosexuality as a norm (which is opposed to the norm), gay marriage (an oxymoron if ever there was one), abortion on demand ... line upon line, little by little, all of these issues have been accepted by vast numbers because they have been promoted over and over and over ad infinitum.

Let us remember that repetition does not guarantee reality. And the greatest defense we have against lies is to know what the Bible teaches and be grounded therein—and to always be honest with ourselves and with others.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please give me a genuine love for and appreciation of Your Word so that it becomes a solid foundation for my life to guard me against all the lies that we are being bombarded with daily from advertisers, high-pressure salesmen, politicians, Hollywood, radicals from both the extreme left and extreme right, and all who promote anything that is opposed to Your Word. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

Index

8. Receive Daily Encounter E-mail

Daily Encounter, a free weekday e-mail inspirational from ACTS International is now going to 362,000+ subscribers. Scores of letters from around the world have come from readers saying how much they are being helped by this brief, practical devotional. It comes without any charge.

Over 94 million e-mail Daily, Weekend and Prayer Encounters are delivered to subscribers every year!

Click HERE for more samples of Daily Encounter

 

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Index

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

 

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: How to Be Sure You're a Real Christian -- without having to be religious. Know God

Index

11. Seven Pillars of Character

The first of these six pillars of character are from Michael Josephson of Character counts to which I have added a seventh:

  • Trustworthiness
  • Respect
  • Responsibility
  • Fairness
  • Caring
  • Citizenship
  • Personal Honesty

Index

12. 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 two prayer reports are emailed monthly. Thank you.

 

Index

13. 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 362,000+ subscribers, and every week Weekend Encounter is going to 6,700+ 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 1-949-940-9050.

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
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Index

14. Helpful Books and Cassette Messages

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: http://www.actscom.com/store

CDs and Cassettes:

  Healing, Wholeness & Happiness by Dick Innes
  Loving & Understanding People by Dick Innes
  I Hate Witnessing by Dick Innes
  God's Formula for Success by Dick Innes
  Damaged Emotions by David Seamands
  Healing of the Memories by David Seamands...

  On SALE at:
http://actscom.com/store/

More books, tapes and poems by D. Innes & others are also available at: http://www.actscom.com/store

Index

15. Free Services

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

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

Index

16. ACTS in Action Report and Encounter Archives

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.

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