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
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.
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.
"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."
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.
"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."
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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
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...
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