WITandWISDOM(tm) - January 20, 1998
~~~~~~~ THOUGHTS:
"What is the formula for success?" a newspaper reporter is supposed to have asked Einstein once.
"If A equals success," the great scientist replied, "then the formula is A = x + y + z. X stands for work and y for play."
"And what about z?" the interviewer prodded. "What does it stand for?"
"For keeping your mouth shut!" - By T. R. Torkelson, Signs of the Times, July 1974
Dale Galusha http://www.pacificpress.com/signs
~~~~~~~ SPECIAL THOUGHTS:
A minister of Christ going to visit a very, very poor man, gives this account. He says, "I found him alone, his wife having gone out to ask help of some neighbor. I was startled by the sight of the pale emaciated man, the living image of death, fastened upright in his chair by a rude mechanism of cords and belts hanging from the ceiling, totally unable to move had or foot, having been for more than four years entirely deprived of the use of his limbs, and suffering extreme pain from swellings in all his joints. I approached him full of pity, and I said, "Are you left alone, my friend, in this deplorable situation?" He answered with a gentle voice - his lips were the only parts of his body which he appeared to have power to move. "No sir, I am not alone, because the Father is with me." I began to talk with him, and I soon observed what was the source of his consolation, for just in front of him lay the Bible upon a pillow, his wife having left it open at some choice Psalm of David so that he might read while she was gone, as he had no power to turn over the leaves. I asked him what he had to live upon, and found that it was a miserable pittance, scarcely enough to keep body and soul together, "But," said he, "I never want anything, for the Lord has said, ‘Your bread shall be given you, and your water shall be sure,' and I trust in Him and I shall never want while God is faithful to His promise." "I asked, him," says this minister "Whether he did not often complain on account of suffering so acutely for so many years. "Sir," said he, "I did complain at first, but not for the last three years, blessed be God for it, for I know who I have believed, and though I feel my own weakness and unworthiness more and more, yet I am persuaded that He will never leave me nor forsake me; and so graciously does He comfort me that when my lips are closed with lock-jaw and I cannot speak a word for hours together, He enables me to sing his praises most sweetly in my heart." - Charles H. Spurgeon, "12 Sermons on Hope"
~~~~~~~ THIS & THAT:
THE APPLICATION
One of the toughest tasks a church faces is choosing a good minister. A member of an official board undergoing this painful process finally lost patience. He'd just witnessed the Pastoral Relations Committee reject applicant after applicant for some minor fault - real or imagined. It was time for a bit of soul-searching on the part of the committee. So he stood up and read this letter purporting to be from another applicant.
Gentlemen:
Understanding your pulpit is vacant, I should like to apply for the position. I have many qualifications. I've been a preacher with much success and also had some success as a writer. Some say I'm a good organizer. I've been a leader most places I've been.
I'm over 50 years of age and have never preached in one place for more than three years. In some places, I have left town after my work caused riots and disturbances. I must admit I have been in jail three or four times, but not because of any real wrongdoing.
My health is not too good, though I still accomplish a great deal. The churches I have preached in have been small, though located in several large cities.
I've not gotten along well with religious leaders in the towns where I have preached. In fact, some have threatened me, and even attacked me physically. I am not too good at keeping records. I have been known to forget whom I have baptized. However, if you can use me, I promise to do my best for you.
The board member turned to the committee and said, "Well, what do you think? Shall we call him?" The good church folks were appalled! Consider a sickly, trouble-making, absent-minded ex-jailbird? Was the board member crazy? Who signed the application? Who had such colossal nerve?
The board member eyed them all keenly before he replied, "It's signed, 'The Apostle Paul.'" - Author Unknown
Shared by Burt
~~~~~~~ KEEP SMILING:
There was this Christian lady that had to do a lot of traveling for her business so she did a lot of flying. But flying made her nervous so she always took her Bible along with her to read and it helped relax her. One time she was sitting next to a man. When he saw her pull out her Bible he gave a little chuckle and went back to what he was doing.
After awhile he turned to her and asked "You don't really believe all that stuff in there do you?" The lady replied "Of course I do. It is the Bible." He said "Well what about that guy that was swallowed by that whale? She replied "Oh, Jonah. Yes I believe that, it is in the Bible. He asked "Well, how do you suppose he survived all that time inside the whale?" The lady said "Well I don't really know. I guess when I get to heaven I will ask him." "What if he isn't in heaven?" the man asked sarcastically. "Then you can ask him." replied the lady.
Shared by Kitty's Daily Mews http://www.katscratch.com/mews.html
~~~~~~~ TRIVIA:
In 1900 it is estimated that there were 50 black bears in New Hampshire, USA. Today the estimated number is 2,500. - Harper's Index via Sunday Oregonian, August 31, 1997
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