SUCCESS

Robert Fulghum is a popular author. In one of his bestsellers he listed nine rules for being handy around the house. Rule #8 caught my attention. “If at first you don’t succeed, redefine success.” As one who is not very handy, I can identify with that. But there is also more than a little truth in that statement. The world, you see, has made defining success into an art form. Man has come up with countless formulas for success. But none of man’s formulas work, because they all leave God out of the conversation.

Joshua 1:8 tells us, “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it…then you will have success.”

I have a suggestion. Since none of man’s ideas work, let’s try God’s idea.

Maybe (Maybe Not): Second thoughts From A Secret Life, Robert Fulghum, 1993, p.83)

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HELP SOMEONE ELSE

I don’t have to tell you that we are living in tough times. There are a lot of folks out there still losing their jobs due to the downturned economy. There are a lot of hurting families who have lost their homes. A lot of people go to work every day wondering if they will still have a job when they come home. But I am reminded of a story told years ago by author James Agee. Deep in Appalachia, he said, he struck up a conversation with an impoverished elderly woman. She lived in a tiny shack with dirt floors, no heat, and no plumbing. During the course of their visit Agee asked, “What would you do if someone came along and gave you some money to help you out?” The old woman thought for a moment and then replied, “I guess I’d give it to the poor.”

Almost everybody in our country today has a floor to walk on, heated living space, and plumbing. Almost everybody in our country today has a cell phone and a television. And almost everybody has something to eat, and access to some kind of transportation.

So what’s the point? Allow me to take you back to the elderly woman in Appalachia. She didn’t consider herself too poor to help someone else. You see, true generosity doesn’t require wealth. You may be one of those out there who is hurting financially. But let me make you a promise. If you help someone else, God will help you.

“. . . he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he.” (Proverbs 14:21)

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FRIENDS

The longer I live the more I treasure true friends.  A person is blessed if he or she has even a few really close friends.  That is one of the really great things about church life.  Church is a place where we can develop friendships with people who share our love for God and with whom we have much in common.

I am reminded of a funny story about three guys stranded on a deserted island.  One day a bottle washed up on the shore.  When they popped the cork, out came a genie.  Each man was granted one wish for freeing the genie.  The first man asked to return to his family in Phoenix and he was gone in a flash.  The second man saw his friend disappear and shouted, “Well I’m from New York and I want to go home, too.”  He, too, immediately disappeared.  The third man stood all alone on the beach and moaned about having no place to go.  The genie insisted that he make a wish, otherwise he would be confined to the bottle again and wouldn’t gain his freedom.  The guy thought for a few moments and then said, “Oh, all right.  I wish those two guys were back here again.”

Jesus said, “No longer do I call you servants…but I have called you friends…” (John 15:15)  The difference between Jesus and the last guy left on the island is that Jesus loves us and does what is best for us, not Himself.  I hope you are friends with Jesus.  He will never let you down.

(Reminisce Extra, August 1994, p.60)

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“MARRIAGES CAN GET BETTER”

Here we are on Valentine’s Day. It is a happy day in many ways. Husbands and wives typically share gifts affirming their devotion and commitment to one another. But even on Valentine’s Day, there are many unhappy people out there…many whose marriages are experiencing difficulty. I am reminded of the story of one Christian couple. Prior to their marriage the husband was known to be somewhat harsh and tactless. That probably explains him firmly telling his bride-to-be, “I’ll do the leading and you do the following.” Right after they were married, the wife got sick and required hospitalization. Instead of canceling his speaking engagements to care for her, he simply got her admitted and then left on his trip. She also soon learned that he didn’t want to hear her opinion about things. He once told her, “I have never taken your advice, and I don’t intend to begin now.” On another occasion, the husband and some of his bachelor friends decided to take a trip to Chicago. When she learned of his plans, she ran to get her coat so she could go with them. Her husband firmly responded, “No, we guys just want to be alone. No women today.” As he was driving off, the wife prayed, “God, if you will forgive me for marrying him, I’ll never do it again.”

But over time, they marriage relationship did grow, and they had a wonderful life together. The point is that even though your marriage may be going through difficulty right now, God can turn it around. So don’t give up. Your marriage can indeed get better!

Oh, yeah, the woman who prayed that prayer… was Mrs. Billy (Ruth) Graham.

(God’s Hall of Fame, Ellyn Sanna, 1996, p.40)

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“IT’S A GAME”

On January 4, 2006 University of Texas football coach Mack Brown won the biggest game of his three-decade coaching career. On that day his team rallied to overcome a 12-point deficit against the University of Southern California to win the Rose Bowl and the National Championship. Prior to this, he was known as a coach who couldn’t win the big game. After the game, Brown gave what many believe was the greatest speech ever given by a coach to his players when he said,

“Don’t let this be the best thing that ever happens in your life. Maybe it will be the best sports event, but don’t let this be the best thing. Make sure you are a better father than this today. Make sure you are a better husband than this today, because this goes away. It’s a game.”

“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above…” (Colossians 3:1)

(Associated Press, “Mack Brown Can Relax.” 1/11/6)

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ETERNITY

Question…   How gripped are you by the eternal destiny of your unsaved friends and loved ones? Too many times we become almost comfortable with the lost condition of people we know. Maybe they don’t seem interested in spiritual things or maybe they have rejected our attempts to share the Gospel with them and so we back off – sometimes thinking we don’t want to offend them. I am reminded of the story of the great preacher Phillip Brooks (1835-1893). When he was seriously ill, he refused to see any visitors, even his closest friends. However when the agnostic Robert Ingersoll called, Brooks saw him. Ingersoll , conscious of the privilege, was curious as to why the old preacher had agreed to see him. Brooks explained, “I feel confident of seeing my friends in the next world, but this may be my last chance to see you.”

“These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord… “     (2 Thessalonians 1:9)

May we never become complacent about the spiritual condition of those around us.

(Clifton Fadiman, ed. The Little Brown book of Anecdotes. Boston, Brown and Company, 1985, pp.79-80)

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“YOU CAN COME HOME”

A young girl named Christina became resentful of having to live under her family’s household rules and announced her intentions to leave home. Soon she headed for the glitter and glamour of the big city. There was no doubt in her mother’s mind that her little girl would support herself through prostitution. So her mother bought a bus ticket and went to the inner city where she hoped to find Christina. With her last remaining funds, she had photographs taken of herself and plastered them all over the area. On each picture was this inscription, “Dear Christina, whatever you have done and wherever you are, you can come home. I love you.”

Christina stumbled down a dark stairwell one morning and looked straight into the face of her mother. God did the rest. As believers, we too are to take the message of His forgiveness to those stumbling in the darkness of this world. And as with Christina, God will do the rest.

“For you, Lord, are good and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all who call upon you.” (Psalm 86:5)

(Great Stories, July-September 1998, p.6)

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