I Can, If I WantTo

For several years now if you catch me watching TV I’ll most likely be enjoying a documentary about something. I’m there because I’m tired of having my intelligence insulted with what’s on the network channels. In hopes of not contradicting myself, I enjoyed two documentaries recently. One about a magician, David Blaine, who works on the streets of the world, without props, pomp or circumstance. He is unbelievably good and is even able to levitate about six inches off the ground, on camera. &Do-do-do-do& Mind over matter? No! Mind over mind. It’s only a trick, but a real good one. Then there’s Kim Peek, the real “Rain Man”. It was his life that was portrayed by Dustin Hoffman in the movie “Rain Man”. Kim is recognized world wide as a “super savant”. A “savant” is a person with extensive knowledge in a certain discipline. Most savants are severely mentally handicapped. Kim is such a person. He is fifty-four years old and his father of eighty tends to his every need, because Kim is unable to function in the world alone. And yet his knowledge memory excels in many fields. Testing shows no bridge between the right and left side of his brain. He actually reads a book two pages at a time, the right eye on the right page and the left on the left, with an average of 98% retention. Yet with all his knowledge, he’s unable to put any of it to intelligent use. At eight months old in 1952, his parents were told to institutionalize him and forget he ever existed for he would never walk, talk or be worth anything to anyone. What say you?
A dog walks into a butcher shop carrying a coin purse in his mouth. He puts the purse down and sits in front of the meat case. “What is it boy?” the butcher asks. “Want to buy some meat?” “Woof!” barks the dog. “Hmmm,” says the butcher. “What kind? Liver, bacon, steak…” “Woof!” interrupts the dog. “And how much steak? Half a pound, one pound…” “Woof!” The amazed butcher wraps up the meat and finds enough money in the dog’s coin purse. As the dog leaves, he decides to follow. The dog enters an apartment house, climbs the stairs to the third floor and begins to scratch at a door. With that the door swings open and an angry man starts shouting at the dog. “Stop!!” yells the butcher. “He’s the most intelligent animal I’ve ever seen!” “Intelligent?” says the man. “This is the third time this week he’s forgotten his key!”
[John 20: 30-31] If I wanted to, I could help make the church the most wide awake and working church in the world. If I wanted to, I could visit members who are sick or homebound and find ways of helping them. If I wanted to, I could attend Bible classes regularly and encourage others to do the same. If I wanted to, I could show more devotion in worship and receive much more good from the services myself. If I wanted to, I could profit more from the sermon by not resenting the truth when it reveals some of my weaknesses. If I wanted to, I could tell others about Christ and His church, and lead them to Him. Of course, this all depends on what I want to do. I have the ability – If I really want to. What Jesus did while on this earth, He did because He wanted to. Jesus brought about such a great change in the thinking of man that time was re-started. How do you use your knowledge of Jesus’ life and of the existence of God? How often do you allow the world to insult your intelligence concerning God’s will for mankind? Jesus is returning for those who are using their knowledge. Do you want to go with Him?

Only One Sale

I went to a sales seminar this past week. I went because there were several speakers I wanted to hear and to hopefully gain some new insight to dealing with people. It helped a lot and it’s always good to hear from other people now and again, especially if what they have to say reinforces what other teachers are saying. Each speaker spent much time talking about the proper strong spirit that one must maintain to become successful in life. It’s not a “dog eat dog” world. Truth, honesty, integrity, commitment, love and a strong spiritual well-being is still the best formula for success in whatever you do in this life. Think on this. Wealth is not always a sign of happiness or success.
A young country Texan moved to the “big city” in hopes of starting his career in sales. He went to a huge department store where the manager asked, “Do you have any sales experience?” The young man explained he had worked two summers behind the sales counter of the tractor supply business back home. Well, the boss liked the kid so he gave him a job. “You start tomorrow.” His first day on the job was rough but the young man got through it. After the last customer was gone and the doors were locked the boss came by. “How many sales did you make today” he inquired? The kid said, “One.” “Just one?”, the boss said. “Our sales people average 20 sales a day. How much was the sale for?” The kid says, $101,237.64” The boss says in astonishment, “$101,237.64? What did you sell him?” The young man says, “First I sold him a small fish hook. Then I sold him a medium fish hook. Then I sold him a larger fish hook. Then I sold him a fishing rod. Then I asked him where he was going fishing, he said down at the coast, so I told him he was going to need a boat, so I took him to the boat department and sold him a twin engine Chris Craft. Then he said he didn’t think his Honda Civic would pull it, so I took him to the truck department and sold him a 4x4 Blazer.” The boss says, “A man comes in for a fish hook and you sold him a boat and a truck?” The kid says, “Not exactly. He came in for some cold and flu medicine for his wife and I said, ‘Well, since it looks like your weekend with your wife is shot, you might as well go fishing.”
[Proverbs 10-24] I can hear it now, “Tom! Are you crazy? You expect me to read 15 chapters of the Bible in one sitting?” Yea, it’s going to take you a little while to read it, but make this observation as you read. The theme Solomon is putting forth is one of conduct and hope. With thoughts of righteousness one man does this, and his life is good. In folly or selfishness another man does that, and it always returns to aggravate or destroy his life. As I read it seems there’s an almost natural law coming from God. “Do this and this will happen.” “Do that and that will happen.” “Righteousness gets rewarded and unrighteousness gets punished.” A man once told me he thought Jesus was nothing but a great salesman and had suckered billions with his pitch. Well, DUH!! Jesus came from his Father with a message of hope for you and I. The message is that we can be forgiven of our sins against God and live a righteous life. Jesus pitched hope, love, truth, honesty, integrity, ethics, compassion and the list goes on. When I here the message I have a choice to make. I can buy into it, for free, lose my guilt, gain happiness and stability or reject it and continue my life in misery and uncertainty. Trust me! It’s a great deal! I’ve already won a trip to heaven! To be in the presence of God’s love forever - PRICELESS

Mother's And God

Happy Mother’s Day!! I’m always at a loss for words on this holiday because I have to admit, I know nothing about being a mother and obviously will never know by first hand the experience of being a mother. So I’m going to use a little essay my sister sent to our mother a few years ago to maybe help all the other guys out there come closer to understanding what it means to be a mother.
Before I was a Mom I made and ate hot meals. I had unstained clothing and enjoyed quiet conversations on the telephone. Before I was a Mom I slept as long as I wanted and never worried how late I got to bed the night before. I brushed my hair and teeth every day. Before I was a Mom I cleaned my house each day. I never tripped over toys or forgot words to “Lullaby”. Before I was a Mom I didn’t worry whether or not my plants were poisonous, and never thought about immunizations. Before I was a Mom I had never been puked on, pooped on, spit on, chewed on or peed on. I had complete control of my mind and thoughts. I slept all night. Before I was a Mom I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never stayed up late at night watching a baby sleep. Before I was a Mom I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn’t want to put it down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn’t stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom. Before I was a Mom I didn’t know the feeling of having my heart outside my body. I didn’t know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn’t know that bond between a mother and her child. I didn’t know that something so small could make me feel so important. Before I was a Mom I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every ten minutes to make sure everything was okay. I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn’t know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.
A four and a six-year-old presented their Mom with a houseplant. They had used their own money and she was thrilled. The older of them said with a sad face, “There was a bouquet at the flower shop that we wanted to give you. It was real pretty, but it was too expensive. It had a ribbon on it that said ‘REST IN PEACE’ and we thought it would be just perfect since you are always asking for a little peace so you can rest.”
[John 19: 25-27] Search the Word of God for mother and you won’t find much on the subject. There is much to be said of a wife (i.e. Proverbs 31: 10-31) and parenting, but I don’t think you’ll find instructions for motherhood. To me it’s one of those secrets of God. It’s one of those things of natural life we enter into, frightened and unsure of ourselves as to what to do. But with faith and courage, the instincts that God has planted within us bloom and come forth with tender guidance bringing us into a new realm of life. Still, mothers and God have a special thing going that we men will probably never understand. It’s like that thing between mothers and daughters we don’t get. If we could see through the eyes of Jesus, as He saw to it that His mother was to be cared for, we might just see how special our mothers are in the eyes of God. Eternal love for a child.

What Are You Waiting For?

Even if you’re a “go-getter” it seems like we’re always waiting on something. I know when I was in business I was always waiting on a customer to show up or some ordered parts to arrive and of course I was always waiting on money owed for services rendered. Obviously, my patience was tested multiple times, I also failed multiple times, while waiting for things to go my way and I never thought that would ever change. Amazingly, the difference in my work today verses a few years ago, it just doesn’t seem to matter how quickly things get done anymore and it doesn’t have to always be done my way. No, I’m not getting lazy; I’m just taking life at a smoother pace and a steadier stride. I was having a meeting with a man the other day; we were discussing some new ideas and strategies, when another asked if I take high blood pressure medicine. I was confused at first as to his query and then it hit me. One thing that has not changed, hard as I work at it, as my passion level rises, so does my audio level and my expression of urgency about a subject. Needless to say, I frighten people while talking about things that really concern me. Hey, don’t give up on me. God’s not done with me yet.
Things I’m learning in my Christian walk: The most destructive habit…Worry; The ugliest personality trait…Selfishness; The greatest joy…Giving; The greatest loss…Self-respect; The most satisfying work…Helping others; The most endangered species…Our youth; The greatest “shot in the arm”…Encouragement; The greatest problem to overcome…Fear; The most effective sleeping pill…Peace of mind; The most crippling disease…Excuses; The most powerful force in life…Love; The most dangerous force in life…Gossip; The deadliest weapon…The tongue; The two most power-filled words…”I can”; The worst thing to be without…Hope; The greatest asset…Faith; The most worthless emotion…Self pity; The most beautiful attire…A smile; The most prized possession…Integrity; The most contagious spirit…Enthusiasm; The most powerful channel of communication…Prayer.
[2 Peter, Chapter 3] Life today is fast paced, as has been the thoughts of every generation, but the pace of God has never changed. The screenplay for life was written even before creation. The existence of mankind (made in God’s own image), the disobedience of man toward his Creator (sin), the reconciliation of man to his Creator (the sacrifice of Christ) and the destruction of all creation is in play right now and when the final curtain will fall nobody knows, except the Creator. The finale will come for each of us either through death or the return of Jesus. In our “hurry up and wait” world we tend to frustrate ourselves, testing our own patience, not using what little time we have in a manner favorable unto salvation. It is said that in a lifetime we will spend six months at stoplights, eight months opening junk mail, a year and a half looking for lost stuff and five years standing in line or sitting in a waiting room. What are you doing with that time? Peter reminds us in verse 9, “But the Lord is not slow in His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” We want to get our salvation the old fashion way, “Earn it!” You can’t!! God wants to give it to you and His patience is much greater than yours. God waits on you. Use your “waiting time” to seek God’s loving grace, through prayer.