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"Helping Others Communicate"

TIME FOR CHANGE

12/29/2014

 
Several years ago, futurist Joel Barker wrote a book that he titled Paradigms: the Business of Discovering the Future (HarperBusiness, 1993).  His purpose in writing the book was to help explain how to spot what he called paradigm shifts, as well as how they unfold and how to profit from them.

In this book, he shared the story of a major paradigm shift in the watch making industry.  From 1900 to 1967, the Swiss were the leading watchmakers in the world. In 1967, when digital technology was first patented, the Swiss rejected it in favor of the traditional ball bearings, gears, and mainsprings they had been using to make watches for decades.

Unfortunately, however, the world was ready for this advance, and Seiko, a Japanese company, picked up the digital patent and became the leading watch manufacturer in the world almost overnight.

50,000 of the 67,000 Swiss watchmakers went out of business because they refused to embrace this new technology. It was not until years later that the Swiss caught up and regained their position in the marketplace with the creation of digital Swatch watches.

I share this story this week because, like clockwork, New Year’s Day comes around once every year.  And when it does, it serves as a subtle reminder that, whether we like it or not, things change.  In fact, it has well been said that the only thing that truly remains constant is change itself.

Now, in the face of change, we can do one of two things:  we can either dig in our heels and refuse to accept it, or we can embrace the change as inevitable and seek ways to benefit from it.  I challenge you, as the year 2015 unfolds, to be open to change.  See it as something that can benefit you; and as result, find a way to profit from the experience.

I leave you with this thought from the Old Testament Biblical Prophet Isaiah (chapter 43): 

16This is what the Lord says--
he who made a way through the sea,
a path through the mighty waters,

17who drew out the chariots and horses,
the army and reinforcements together,
and they lay there, never to rise again,
extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:

18“Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.

19See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.

SOURCE:  Joel Barker's books are available as most all online booksellers; or purchased directly from his web site at: http://www.joelbarker.com/.

PAYDAY SOMEDAY

12/26/2014

 
Last year (on 01/07/2013), I shared a piece titled “T’was the Time after Christmas”.   A similar bit came my way this week by way of my wife.  I thought it apropos for today’s post; for even though it is written from a woman’s perspective, most men can relate as well.  It is titled:

T’WAS THE MONTH AFTER CHRISTMAS

‘Twas the month after Christmas,
and all through the house,
nothing would fit me,
not even a blouse.

The cookies I’d nibbled,
the fudge I did taste,                            
all the holiday parties
had gone to my waist.

When I got on the scales,
there arose such a number!             
When I walked to the store,
(less a walk than a lumber).

I remembered the marvelous
meals I’d prepared,                     
the gravies and sauces
and beef nicely rare.

The pies and the cakes,
the bread and the cheese,                   
and the way I never said,
"No thank you please."

As I dressed myself
in my husband’s old shirt,                          
and prepared once again
to do battle with dirt.

I said to myself,
as I only can,                                                 
"You can’t spend the winter
disguised as a man!"

So away with the last
of the sour cream dip,                             
get rid of the fruit cake,
every cracker and chip.

Every last bit of food
that I like must be banished,                     
‘till all the additional
ounces have vanished.

I won’t have a cookie,
not even a lick,                                       
I’ll want only to chew
on a long celery stick.

I won’t have hot biscuits,
or corn bread, or pie,                          
I’ll munch on a carrot
and quietly cry.

I’m hungry, I’m lonesome,
and life is a bore,                            
But isn’t that what
January is for?

Unable to giggle,
no longer a riot,                                        
Happy New Year to all
and to all a good diet!


So, have yourself a merry little week after Christmas. For the month after Christmas is coming; and the prospects for cheer don’t look too promising!

SOURCE:  Available widely on the internet.  For example, see  http://www.dezert-rose.com/humor/christmas/diet.html.  

I chose this particular site to show as a source because it includes lots of other clean Christmas humor as well.

“HERE, TAKE MINE!”

12/25/2014

 
Late one Christmas Eve, Nathan thought it would be nice to buy his wife a little gift for the next day.  Always short of money, he thought long and hard about what that present might be'

Unable to decide, Nathan entered Debenhams and in the cosmetics section he asked the girl, 'How about some perfume?'  She showed him a bottle costing $150.

'Too expensive,' muttered Nathan.

The young lady returned with a smaller bottle for $100.  'Oh dear,' Nathan groused, 'still far too much.'

Growing rather annoyed at Nathan's meanness, the sales girl brought out a tiny $20 bottle and offered it to him. Nathan became really agitated, 'What I mean', he whined, 'is I'd like to see something really cheap.'

So the sales girl handed him a mirror!*

This story hit home with me in a particular way a few weeks ago.  I had been looking everywhere online for my wife’s present.  When no major supplier seemed to have one, I went to the web site of the manufacturer and discovered that it was only available at a certain retailer.

So I drove to the specified store.  Once inside, I did indeed find what I was looking for.  At the checkout, however, I had a disconcerting experience.  To begin with, I was the only man in the store, let alone the checkout.  Second, every woman in line was checking out and using the same 20% off card from a mail out. 

When I stepped up to the counter, I had already done the math! 20% off was more than $50!  When I inquired as to how I could get a card, I was told that I had to be a “member” of something! But, as a non- member, I could join today by…  Well, in short order, I had checked out… not of the store, but of the conversation, I mean.  I certainly wasn’t going to through any such rigmarole just to save a few dollars.  That would have been way too much trouble.

As if to make matters worse, the more thought about it, I suddenly realized that I had seen one of those circulars before. The truth is:  one had come to our house in the mail just a few days earlier.  I now remembered that, too busy at the time to fully appreciate it, and thinking I would never need something like that, I had simply thrown it away.  All too late, I realized that the very thing I needed for my discount had already been offered; but I had arrogantly discarded it!

Still, I audibly bemoaned my circumstance.  Let’s face it:  $50 is $50 any way you slice it!  About this time, a lady in the adjacent line must have heard enough.  She leaned over and said, “Here, take mine.  I have an extra one!” - handing me a 20% off card from her own account as she did.  I made a puppy dog face at the cashier, as if to say, “Can I use this?”  And she agreed that I could.  Needless to say, I profusely thanked the lady next to me!  I had my discount and she was the only reason for it!

As I left the store, I was ecstatic.  I rewarded myself on my big savings by a trip to the local KFC for lunch.  After all, I now had a whole $50 to spend!

Seriously, I knew in my heart that I had only gotten the discount that I did because of the generosity of another person!  You see:  without her pity, I would have paid the full price!

And that, my friend, is the essence of Christmas!  Only by God’s grace have we been given the gift of eternal life.  Without His intervention, we would have paid the full price for our sin against God!  And that price is a terrible one to pay; for it is the price of eternal death. 

As the Apostle Paul says in the New Testament Book of Romans (6:23):  “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  By God’s grace alone, we have been given what we need to have eternal life! 

And that gift, more than any possible other gift, is worth celebrating!  Be sure, therefore, that you have not flippantly discarded God’s greatest gift.   Be sure you have embraced His Son, Jesus Christ.  And then you will surely have a Merry Christmas! 

*SOURCE: This and several other funny Christmas stories can be found online at:  http://www.guy-sports.com/jokes/christmas_jokes.htm.

MAYDAY!  MAYDAY!  MAYDAY!

12/22/2014

 
Almost everyone is at least somewhat familiar with  the standard international distress call:  “Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!” According to Wikipedia…

Mayday is an emergency procedure word used internationally as a distress signal in voice procedure radio communications.  It is used to signal a life-threatening emergency primarily by mariners and aviators, but in some countries local organizations such as police forces, firefighters, and transportation organizations also use the term.

The call is always given three times in a row ("Mayday Mayday Mayday") to prevent mistaking it for some similar-sounding phrase under noisy conditions, and to distinguish an actual Mayday call from a message about a Mayday call.


For my own part, I’ve never found myself in a position to cry “Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!”, at least not in its authentic context.  I am not a pilot and I don’t have boat!   And even if I do one day take up either flying or boating, I hope I never have to utilize it! 

But I am a Pastor who knows what it is like to have a calendar chock full of events in December.  I am also a human being who knows that, if we are not careful, we can be so overwhelmed by all the activities leading up to Christmas that we almost lose sight of the purpose for which it exists, which is to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.


No doubt most everyone is busy getting ready for this big day. Its hard to believe that Christmas arrives on Thursday of this very week!  Indeed, some, perhaps, are already gathering to celebrate in light of this coming day!  My family and I certainly are doing all of the above throughout this entire week!  And because of this, we know what it means to get a little stressed.

So, if you, like us, find yourself occasionally feeling a bit overwhelmed in this busy season, then why not stop periodically and call out to Heaven for help in staying focused and not losing site of what Christmas is all about.  Ever so often, just have yourself a short “Mayday” moment.  By that, I mean…

* May you let the Christmas GIFTS remind you of God’s greatest gift, His only Son.

* May you let the Christmas CANDLES remind you of Him who is the "Light of the world."

* May you let the Christmas TREES remind you of another tree upon which he died.

* May you let the Christmas CHEER remind you of Him who said, "Be of good cheer."

* May you let the Christmas FEAST remind you of Him who is "the Bread of Life."

* May you let the Christmas BELLS remind you of the glorious proclamation of His birth.

* May you let the Christmas CAROLS remind you of the son the angels sang, "Glory to God in the Highest!"

* May you let the Christmas SEASON remind you in every way of Jesus Christ our King!


Please be advised, however.  Undertaking any of these steps is almost certain to refocus your thoughts and also to refresh your spirit!  You might even find yourself experiencing a little joy amidst the hectic pace of activity the next few days so often imposes! 

And now, until Christmas, I leave you with the following from the Apostle Paul (in 2 Corinthians 13:14):  “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” 

Amen.


SOURCE:  My own copy of this little  piece comes from a clipping in my files that was taken from an old church newsletter.  A standard Google search will produce many such examples.  See for example:

http://s3.amazonaws.com/dfc_attachments/public/documents/3185157/
newsletter.pdf
.

The Wikipedia article is located at: 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayday.

UNDERSTANDING CHRISTMAS

12/19/2014

 
Last year around Easter (in my post dated March 30, 2013), I shared a story about a country pastor who bought back some caged song birds and then set them free.  The story came from famed radio commentator Paul Harvey. 

On his web site, Tony Cooke relates yet another Paul Harvey story having to do with birds.  This time, the story centers, not on the message of Easter, but of Christmas.  He writes…

IF I COULD ONLY BECOME A BIRD

Paul Harvey tells the story about a family on Christmas Eve. This family had a tradition where the Mother and children would go to the Christmas Eve service, and the Father would stay home and read the paper. When the family returns home from church, they would all gather to open up their presents.

The Father was not an evil man, but he just couldn't believe in the childhood stories anymore of God coming as a baby in a manger. As the family left for church, he opened up the evening paper and began to read by the fireplace.

Suddenly, he heard tapping on the window. It was a bird flying against the glass of his window trying to get out of the snow into the warmth of his home. The man had compassion on the bird, and he went outside, hoping to bring it in.

As he approached the bird, the bird just flew against the window even harder. Pretty soon, the bird flew into the bushes below the window, half frozen, yet too afraid to be caught by this huge man. The more the man tried to reach for the bird, the more the bird flew frantically into the snow and thorns of the bushes.

After a few minutes in the cold and seeing the bird continue to injure itself, the man yelled out in frustration, "Stupid bird, can't you understand that I'm trying to help?" The man paused and thought, "If only you understood you wouldn't fly away ... if only ... if only I could become a bird, and get you to understand."

Just then, the church bells rang, as they always have on the hour. But when the man heard the bells this time, he fell to his knees and began to cry, saying, "Oh, God, I didn't understand. Oh, God, I didn't understand."


Rev. Cooke concludes with these words:  “God's Son came in human form that we might understand from where we have come, for what reason we were separated, and how we could be restored to God.” 

How right he is.  The Apostle Paul, in his New Testament letter to the Philippians (2:6-11), tells us of Christ Jesus - that it was He…

6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a cross! 9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

And that is the meaning of Christmas:  the God of the universe became a man in Jesus Christ:  to give Himself as a sacrifice for our sins!  The Babe in the manger grew up to become the Savior on the cross!  And for this reason, Christians today very often sing this little song:

Lord I lift Your name on high!  Lord I love to sing Your praises!
I'm so glad You’re in my life!  I'm so glad You came to save us!

[Chorus:]

You came from heaven to earth…  to show the way!
from the earth to the cross…  my debt to pay!
from the cross to the grave…  from the grave to the sky…
Lord I lift Your name on high!**


Can you sing this song?  Indeed, you can!  If you will but embrace the Christ of Christmas, this can be your testimony as well!

SOURCES: 

*
http://www.tonycooke.org/free_resources/holiday_resources/christmas_illus
trations.html
.

NOTE:  This story is verifiably traceable to Paul Harvey.  Several different audio versions of him personally reciting this story have been posted to
www.YouTube.com, some dating back to as early as 1965.

Cf.:  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jM_zr_bj5w.

And also
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddai8rkXWRs. 

Scripture source:  http://biblehub.com/niv/philippians/2.htm.


** This song was written by Rick Founds in 1989, and first recorded by the Maranatha Singers.  It has since been covered by numerous other recording artists.  Cf.: 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord,_I_Lift_Your_Name_on_High.

WHAT MY TRUE LOVE REALLY GAVE TO ME

12/15/2014

 
As those who visit my blog regularly will know, I like to include a little humor on occasion.  So,  with that being said, it’s now time for a little “Holiday Humor”.  Enjoy this short piece titled…

WHAT MY TRUE LOVE REALLY GAVE TO ME...

Dearest Dave,

I went to the door today, and the postman delivered a partridge in a pear tree. This was a delightful gift! I couldn't have been more surprised or pleased darling!

With truly the deepest love,
Agnes

December 15, 2014

Dearest Dave,

Today the postman brought me yet another of your sweet gifts. The two turtle doves that arrived today are adorable; and I'm delighted by your thoughtful and generous ways.

With all of my love,
Your Agnes

December 16, 2014

Dearest Dave,

You've truly been too kind! I must protest; I don't deserve such generosity. The thought of getting three French hens amazes me. Yet, I am not surprised - what more should I expect from such a nice person.

Love,
Agnes

December 17, 2014

Dear Dave,

Four calling birds arrived in the mail today. They are truly nice; but don't you think that enough is enough? You are being too romantic.

Affectionately,
Agnes

December 18, 2014

Dearest Darling Dave,

It was a surprise to get five golden rings! I now have one for every finger. You truly are impossible darling; yet oh how I love it! Quite frankly, all of those squawking birds from the previous days were starting to get on my nerves. Yet, you managed to come through with a beautiful and valuable gift!

All my love,
Agnes

December 19, 2014

Dear Dave,

When I opened my door, there were actually six geese-a-laying on my front steps. So you're back to the birds again, huh? Those geese are dear, but where will I keep them? The neighbors are complaining; and I am unable to sleep with all of the racket.  Please stop dear.

Cordially,
Agnes

December 20, 2014

Dave,

What is it with you and those stupid birds!?  Seven swans-a-swimming!!  What kind of sick joke is this!!??  There are bird droppings everywhere!  They never shut up; and I don't get any sleep!!!  I'm a nervous wreck!  It's not funny, you weirdo; so stop with the birds!

Sincerely,
Agnes

December 21, 2014

O.K. Wise Guy,

The birds were bad enough. Now what do you expect me to do with eight maids-a-milking?  If that's not bad enough, they had to bring their cows!!  The front lawn was completely ruined by them; and I can't move in my own house!  Just lay off me or you'll be sorry!

Agnes

December 22, 2014

Hey Loser,

What are you?  You must be some kind of sadist!!  Now there are nine pipers piping; and they certainly do play! They haven't stopped chasing those maids since they got here!  The cows are getting upset; and they're stepping all over those screeching birds. The neighbors are getting up a petition to evict me; and I'm going out of my mind!

You'll get yours!
Agnes

December 23, 2014

You Rotten Scum!!!

There are now ten ladies dancing! There is only one problem with that! They're dancing twenty-four hours a day all around me with the pipers upsetting the cows and the maids.  The cows can't sleep; and they are going to the bathroom everywhere! The building commissioner has subpoenaed me to give cause as to why the house shouldn't be condemned!  I can't even think of a reason!  You creep!  I'm sicking the police on you!

One who means it!

December 24, 2014

Listen, you evil, sadistic, maniac!

What's with the eleven lords-a-leaping?!?  They are leaping across the rooms breaking everything and even injuring some of the maids!  The place smells, is an absolute mad house, and is about to be condemned!  At least the birds are quiet; they were trampled to death by the cows.  I hope you are satisfied - you rotten vicious worthless piece of garbage!

Your sworn enemy,
Agnes

December 25, 2014

The Law Offices of
Badger, Rees, and Yorker
20 Knave Street
Chicago, Illinois

Dear sir,

This is to acknowledge your latest gift of twelve fiddlers fiddling, which you have seen fit to inflict on our client, one Agnes McHolstein.  The destruction of course was total.  If you attempt to reach Ms. McHolstein at Happy Daze Sanitarium, the attendants have instructions to shoot you on site.

Please direct all correspondence to this office in the future. With this letter, please find attached a warrant for your arrest.

Cordially,
Badger, Rees, and Yorker

(NOTE:  This entire document was written by Agnes McHolstein.)

SOURCE: 
http://www.ahajokes.com/12days.html (with certain modifications).

THE BIGGEST NEWS OF ALL

12/11/2014

 
In his book titled Growing Deep in the Christian Life (Portland, Oregon: Multnomah Press, 1986, pp. 121 ff.), Charles Swindoll relates the following concerning the year 1809:

The international scene was tumultuous. Napoleon was sweeping through Austria; blood was flowing freely. Nobody then cared about babies. But the world was overlooking some terribly significant births.

For example, William Gladstone was born that year. He was destined to become one of England's finest statesmen. That same year, Alfred Tennyson was born to an obscure minister and his wife. The child would one day greatly affect the literary world in a marked manner.

On the American continent, Oliver Wendell Holmes was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. And not far away in Boston, Edgar Allan Poe began his eventful, albeit tragic, life.

It was also in that same year that a physician named Darwin and his wife named their child Charles Robert. And that same year produced the cries of a newborn infant in a rugged log cabin in Hardin County, Kentucky. The baby's name?  Abraham Lincoln.

If there had been news broadcasts at that time, I'm certain these words would have been heard: "The destiny of the world is being shaped on an Austrian battlefield today." But history was actually being shaped in the cradles of England and America.

Similarly, everyone thought taxation was the big news - when Jesus was born. But a young Jewish woman cradled the biggest news of all:  the birth of the Savior. 

This Christmas season, the headlines are as full as ever.  And, as always, most of the news is distressing enough.  Racial strife is igniting in our cities; immigration crises are unfolding at our borders; terrorism, disease, and warfare are all exploding throughout our world, etc…   

But praise God that is not the only news.  There is also good news!  And that good news is that God has clothed himself in human form and come into this world in the person of His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, in order that He might give Himself as an atoning sacrifice on behalf of the men and women whom He has created in his image, but who have chosen to sin and turn against Him.

The Apostle John put it like this in the first few verses of the opening chapter of his New Testament Gospel: 

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it…

9The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - 13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Later, in the third chapter, in a passage containing what is perhaps the most well-known of all Bible verses (v,v. 16-21), John then summarizes the significance of all of this:

16For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

19This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.


Little wonder then that the birth of Jesus Christ is the single most significant occurrence in all of human history.  For, as the Apostle Paul tells us (in the fifth chapter of his Second New Testament Letter to the Corinthians):

17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Don’t miss these great truths amidst the cacophony of voices and headlines competing for your attention this time of the year. For, my friends, the news about Jesus’ birth is not just good news.  It is the best news ever given!

DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE?

12/8/2014

 
Rarely do I receive as much feedback over a single story told from the pulpit as I have about one from this past Sunday morning’s message.  My closing illustration was about an old hound dog named Blue seeing the rabbit!

While I have done my share of rabbit hunting, being a southerner, I have done a whole lot more (ra)coon hunting.  My father in law owned numerous coon hounds, including more than one named Ol' Blue.  I also grew up listening to Jerry Clower and his tales about the Ledbetters and their various hound dogs and coon hunting exploits. 

Thus, my story was adapted from one titled “Have You Seen the Rabbit?” as posted on the website of  Duane Savaya at: 
http://www.godswork.org/emailmessage539.htm.  His story reads as follows:

One day, a young disciple of Christ desirous of wanting to become all that God had for him visited the home of an elderly Christian.  He had heard that this old man had never lost his first love for Christ in all the years he had known Him.

The old Christian was sitting on the porch with his dog stretched out before him taking in a beautiful sunset. The young man posed this question: 

“Why is it, brother, that most Christians zealously chase after God during the first year or two after their conversion, but then fall into a complacent ritual of church twice a week and end up not looking any different than their neighbors who aren't even Christians?  I have heard you are not like that. I've been told that you have fervently sought after God throughout your years as a Christian. People see something in you that they don't see in most people who became Christians. What makes you different?”

The old man smiled and replied, “Let me tell you a story.  One day I was sitting here quietly in the sun with my dog. Suddenly a large white rabbit ran across in front of us. Well, my dog jumped up, and took off after that big rabbit. He chased the rabbit over the hills with a passion.

Soon, other dogs joined him, attracted by his barking.  What a sight it was, as the pack of dogs ran barking across the creeks, up stony embankments and through thickets and thorns!

Gradually, however, one by one, the other dogs dropped out of the pursuit, discouraged by the course and frustrated by the chase.  Only my dog continued to hotly pursue the white rabbit.”

“In that story, young man, is the answer to your question.”

The young man sat in confused silence.  Finally, he said, “Brother, I don't understand. What is the connection between the rabbit chase and the quest for God?”

“You fail to understand,” answered the well-seasoned old man, “because you failed to ask the obvious question.  Why didn't the other dogs continue on the chase?

And the answer to that question is that they had not seen the rabbit!!!  Unless you see the prey, the chase is just too difficult.  You will lack the passion and determination necessary to keep up the chase.”


Have you “seen the rabbit”!  By this I mean have you truly caught a glimpse of Jesus Christ?  If you ever do, it will change your life forever!  Saul of Tarsus did while he was on the road to Damascus to persecute Christians.  And it radically changed his life!   Forever!   In the ninth chapter of the New Testament book of The Acts of the Apostles, we read:

1Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

5“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6“Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

7The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

10In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

11The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

13“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

15But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

17Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.


This Christmas, if you are looking for a gift that will truly last, why not ask God to give you a fresh glimpse of Jesus Christ? Remember this one thing, though…  When He does (and He surely will), be prepared to have your world turned upside down!

Scripture source: http://biblehub.com/niv/acts/9.htm.

WELL SAID VS. WELL DONE

12/4/2014

 
In the Bible, in his New Testament letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul admonishes Christians to make the best use of their time.  He states (in 5:15-16), “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.” 

The word for evil in the original Koine Greek language is “ponéros”, which is a word with various meanings, depending upon the context.  These include “evil, bad, wicked, malicious, slothful, painful, and decaying”.  Thus, a valid interpretation of this verse is to make the most of our time because it is quickly passing us by.  This is certainly an appropriate admonition for daily living.

Each day, as soon as I get out of bed, I make a “to do” list.  In fact, I often make one for the next day before I even go to bed. Moreover, I am so compulsive about this that if I get up and accomplish two or three things before I get my list jotted down, I will actually write down the things I have already done and then mark them off as completed.

I owe a lot to this simple daily method.  I learned to operate this way out of necessity.  Back when I was in seminary, I would get all of my various syllabi on the first day of a given semester.  As I sat staring at all the term papers and other assignments facing me, feeling somewhat overwhelmed, I soon realized that I needed a plan to manage these assorted.  

As this was all before the advent of Day-Timer’s and other such time management tools, I was operating on my own, so to speak.  But I soon decided to sit down with a ruler and draw out a huge four month calendar, consisting of four 8.5 X 10 sheets of paper taped together and hung on the wall in my studying corner of our little apartment. 

On that calendar were written in all my assignments on the date when they were due.   By the second and third iterations of this simple homemade scheduling system, I had learned to color code each activity as a way of ascertaining which was a large and which was a small assignment, etc…  This allowed me to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and effectively.

This concept soon spilled over into other areas of my life.  And even though my methods have changed, evolving over the years from homemade wall calendars to three ring notebooks to a Palm personal digital assistant to Microsoft Outlook to Android and iPad calendars, the concept has served me well until this very day.  To be productive: first, make a list; next, prioritize the items on it; and then get busy accomplishing them!

Years later, I heard a story on an old Cassette tape borrowed from a friend.  (To the best of my memory, it was part of a series called “The Masters of Success”).  It helped me to realize that I was not the only one who had learned the importance of mastering one’s time.    The story goes that…

In 1912, an efficiency expert named Ivy Lee met with a prospective client, Charles Schwab, who was President of Bethlehem Steel, and outlined how his organization could benefit the company. Lee ended his presentation by saying: "With our service, you'll know how to manage better." Schwab then stated:

"We don't need more 'knowing' but need more 'doing.' If you can give us something to help us do the things we already know we ought to do, I'll gladly pay you anything within reason you ask."

"I can give you something in twenty minutes that will step up your doing at least fifty percent," Lee answered.  "Okay", Schwab said, "show me."  Lee then handed Schwab a blank sheet of paper and said:

"Write down the six most important tasks you have to do tomorrow in order of their importance. The first thing tomorrow morning look as item one and start working on it until it is finished."

"Then tackle item two in the same way; and so on. Do this until quitting time. Don't be concerned if you have only finished one or two. Take care of emergencies, but then get back to working on the most important items. The others can wait."

"Make this a habit every working day. Pass it on to those under you. Try it as long as you like, then send me your check for what you think it's worth."

In a few weeks, Schwab sent Lee a check for $25,000 with a letter stating that he learned a profitable lesson.  After five years this plan was largely responsible for turning the unknown Bethlehem Steel Company into the biggest independent steel producer. Schwab purportedly made a hundred million dollars and became the best known steel man in the world.

Now, I must admit that my practice of writing down things to do, prioritizing them, and then checking them off the list has not made me a hundred million dollars.  But it has served me well, both in my life and in my profession.  And it has also helped me to appreciate Benjamin Franklin’s notion that “well done is better than well said” most any day of the week!

You may already be a list maker.  If not, why not give it a try? You might be surprised at just how much more productive you become by doing so!  And along the way, you will find yourself fulfilling the Biblical admonition to redeem your time! 

I leave you with this quote from Benjamin Franklin:  “Dost thou love life?  Then do not squander time; for that is the stuff life is made of!” 

NOTES: 

This story can be found numerous places online.  One such example is the May 31, 2014 blog entry for 52 Best Stories titled “Make This a Habit”.  Cf.: http://www.52best.com/idea5.asp?utm_source=52Best+06%2F01%2F14%3A+++*+The+%2425%2C000+Idea+*+&utm_campaign=Sandy+Test1&utm_
medium=email
.


Also, Wikipedia’s article on Ivy Lee is found at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivy_Lee.  It sources this story with three notes as follows:

Mackenzie, Alec (1997) [1972]. The Time Trap (3rd ed.). AMACOM - A Division of American Management Association. pp. 41–42.

LeBoeuf, Michael (1979). Working Smart. Warner Books. pp. 52–54.

Nightingale, Earl (1960), "Session 11. Today’s Greatest Adventure", Lead the Field (unabridged audio program), Nightingale-Conant . Related references: Radio and television broadcaster Earl Nightingale (1921-1989) popularized in  1960 this often told Ivy Lee's priority task list story, often attributed to Nightingale's friend and mentor Napoleon Hill (1883-1970) who, according to Hill's book How To Sell Your Way Through Life, knew both Charles M. Schwab (1862-1939) and Ivy Lee (1877-1934). Earl Nightingale appears in the book A Lifetime of Riches: The Biography of Napoleon Hill, by Michael J. Ritt, Jr. and Kirk Landers, because of Nightingale's relationship with Napoleon Hill.

    Cleo E. Jackson, III

    Occasionally I will add
    a few thoughts to my blog. If you find them inspirational, I will be
    honored.

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