October 27, 2008

"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works." Hebrews 10:24

One of my favorite people who lived "love" to me when I was growing up was Ruth Greene. Mrs. Greene was always encouraging (provoking?) me to do better, especially with my spelling. (She taught 6^{th grade at Baton Elementary for decades) She was always gentle and soft spoken. But one trait she had always baffled me. No matter what happened, who did it or how it turned out; Mrs. Green would apologize for it. She always wanted to fix it or make things right, no matter who did it. She was a "Fixer." A "fixer' is someone who sees someone unhappy and always tries to change them. Someone that tries to do God's work: Save someone from a mistake, from a sin, from a terrible decision. A "fixer" is usually a compassionate person (good), who personally wants people to change for the better (good), but subconsciously assumes the blame when not everyone is happy or changes (very bad!). By always trying to make things better, a "fixer" often interferes with the work of God, for it is often through tough times that God develops someone's spiritual character. We should allow God to use us in other's lives; we should not assume that we, by ourselves, can alleviate all their problems and mistakes. That is God's job. If you tend to be a "fixer" by nature, meditate on this familiar prayer:}

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." St. Francis of Assisi

Thought for the week: No husband has ever been shot while doing the dishes

Funny for the week: A magazine recently ran a "Dilbert Quotes" contest. They were looking for people to submit quotes from their real-life Dilbert-type managers. These were voted the top quotes in corporate America :

"As of tomorrow, employees will only be able to access the building using individual security cards. Pictures will be taken next Wednesday, and employees will receive their cards in two weeks."

(This was the winning quote from Fred Dales, Microsoft Corp. in Redmond WA )

"What I need is an exact list of specific unknown problems we might encounter."

( Lykes Lines Shipping)

"E-mail is not to be used to pass on information or data. It should be used only for company business."

(Accounting manager, Electric Boat Company)

"This project is so important we can't let things that are more important interfere with it."

(Advertising/Marketing manager, United Parcel Service)

"Doing it right is no excuse for not meeting the schedule."

(Plant Manager, Delco Corporation)

"No one will believe you solved this problem in one day! We've been working on it for months. Now go act busy for a few weeks and I'll let you know when it's time to tell them."

(R&D supervisor, Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing/3M Corp.)

Quote from the Boss: "Teamwork is a lot of people doing what I say."

(Marketing executive, Citrix Corporation)

My sister passed away and her funeral was scheduled for Monday. When I told my Boss, he said she died on purpose so that I would have to miss work on the busiest day of the year. He then asked if we could change her burial to Friday. He said, "That would be better for me."

(Shipping executive, FTD Florists)

"We know that communication is a problem, but the company is not going to discuss it with the employees."

(Switching supervisor, AT&T Long Lines Division)

Kinda takes the wonder out of what makes companies go under…..Chaplain Barnes

Last week’s answer: What was Daniel’s Babylonian name? Belteshazzar (Dan 1:4)

This week’s question: Which book in the Bible has the longest word in it?

"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works." Hebrews 10:24

October 20, 2008

"You are all sons of God in Christ Jesus,...There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:26:28

Someone (and I honestly do not remember who) once said, "All men are created equal, and most remain that way." How opposite that statement is to the verse above. Isn't it amazing how being in Christ changes things. One of the oldest tricks of the enemy is to fracture and divide a united group, especially the church. Families splinter and dissolve (especially over inheritance) into clans of loyalty. Ethnic groups are stand-offish to other ethnic groups. Churches arrogantly proclaim their superiority over other churches. But it was never meant to be that way. Once we receive the grace of God, we are equal. Equally blessed by God, equally undeserving of being blessed. I am sure there will always be a fractured society until the Lord Jesus returns. Satan will make sure of that. But that doesn't mean that we have to be part of it. If you ever find yourself feeling a little bit superior to someone else, re-read the verse above and remember God's perspective on each of us.

Thought for the week: Eat well, stay fit, die anyway

Funny for the week: Coy wife

As the crowded elevator descended, Mrs. Shapiro became increasingly furious with her husband, who was delighted to be pressed against a gorgeous blond.

As the elevator stopped at the main floor, the blonde suddenly whirled, slapped Mr. Shapiro, and said, "That will teach you to pinch!"

Bewildered, Mr. Shapiro was halfway to the parking lot with his wife when he choked, "I...I...didn't pinch that girl."

"Of course you didn't" said his wife, consolingly. "I did."

Bet he stands on his pillow and crows……………. Chaplain Barnes

Last week’s answer: Who walked naked and barefoot for three years as a prophetic sign that the same would happen to Egyptians taken prisoner by Assyria? Isaiah (Isaiah 20:2-3)

This week’s question: What was Daniel’s Babylonian name?

October 6, 2008

"When you pass through the waters I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you." Isaiah 43:2

I was setting on the dock fishing at Lake Lure. My daughter who was in the fourth grade was riding her bicycle around the campground. Suddenly out of the corner of my eye I caught the blur of a pink and purple streak going by, followed immediately by a huge splash. She had ridden her bike right off the dock and into the lake. Being the good father I am, I sat there, holding my rod and did nothing. Her head popped up out of the water and as she thrashed the water her face was covered with terror. Without moving, I looked straight at her and said, "SWIM!" Instantly her face broke into a smile as she began to tread water, and then she started swimming to the dock. I reached down and pulled her out of the water, wrapped my arms around her and said, "Stephanie, THAT is why we took you to swimming lessons every summer since you can remember. You do not have to fear water, you know how to swim." Today you may be shook up big time. You may feel that you are drowning in a sea of trouble, a sea of fears, a sea of responsibilities that you can not meet. Your face may be covered with terror. I promise you, Jesus will NEVER let you drown. He is right beside you, stretching out His hand to lift you up, wrap His arms around you and help you stand again. Read the verse above again. Notice it says, "when", not "if." What a comfort to know he is already there, waiting to save us. (Oh, yes, I got the bike out, good father that I am.)

Thought for the week: There are two ways of meeting difficulties: You alter the difficulties, or you alter yourself to meet them. Phyllis Bottome (1884-1963)

Funny for the week: How to get an apartment…

Ira and Esther Goldberg had a large family of seven healthy children. They moved to America from Europe and were having a difficult time finding an apartment to live in. Many apartments were large enough, but the landlords objected to such a large family.

After several days of unsuccessful searching, Ira asked Esther to take the four younger children to visit the cemetery, while he took the older three to find an apartment. After they had looked most of the morning, they found a place that was just right.

The landlord asked the usual question: "How many children do you have?"

Ira answered with a deep sigh, "Seven...but four are with their dear mother in the cemetery."

He got the apartment!

Creativity or deception???? Chaplain Barnes

Last week’s answer: In the Beatitudes, who does Jesus say will be satisfied (or filled)? Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness (Matt 5:6)

This week’s question: What musical instrument did David play?