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WITandWISDOM(tm) - August 2, 2007 ISSN 1538-8794 ~~~~~~~ THOUGHTS: "When it comes to change, there are three seasons of timing: People change when they hurt enough that they have to, when they learn enough that they want to, and when they receive enough that they are able to." - John Maxwell Source: Preaching Now, http://www.preaching.com/newsletter/preachingnow/ ~~~~~~~ SPECIAL THOUGHTS: In a recent edition of his Friday Evenings newsletter, Tom Barnard wrote: When Victor Frankl was arrested by the Nazis during World War II, he was stripped of everything of value he owned. His only possession when he arrived at Auschwitz was a manuscript of a book he had been working on for a very long time. To preserve it from confiscation, Frankl had sewn it into the lining of his coat. When he was searched, his manuscript was found and was taken from him. Later he wrote, “I found myself confronted with the question of whether under such circumstances my life was ultimately void of any meaning.” Apparently in an effort to keep prisoners from accumulating anything worthwhile, the Germans routinely forced prisoners to give up their clothing and in return they were issued clothing taken from other prisoners on their way to the gas chambers. In the garment of the old clothing re-issued to Frankl was a torn piece of paper—a portion of a page from a Hebrew prayer book. On it was part of the Jewish prayer—Shema Yisrael—“Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one God.” Later Frankl wrote, “How should I have interpreted such a ‘coincidence’ other than as a challenge to live my thoughts instead of merely putting them on paper?” From that experience Frankl concluded, “He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.” Why did God allow Frankl to be robbed of his precious manuscript? Why did God send to Frankl a prayer that been concealed by a prisoner on his way to the gas chamber? I believe God knew that what Frankl needed at that moment was prayer—not a manuscript. Are you frustrated because an opportunity you believe God was opening to you suddenly was jerked out of your hands and replaced by something less significant and meaningful? Maybe God wants you to turn away from your personal goals and let him set the agenda for you. Source: Preaching Now, http://www.preaching.com/newsletter/preachingnow/ ~~~~~~~ THIS & THAT: Doctor!" said the woman as she loudly bounced into the room, "I want you to tell me very frankly what's wrong with me." He surveyed her from head to foot. "Madam," he said at length, "I've just three things to tell you." "First, you need to lose at least twenty pounds. Second, you should use about one tenth as much rouge and lipstick. And third, I'm an artist - the doctor's office is on the next floor." Source: Chapnotes, mailto:xanmansa@chapnotes.org?Subject=Subscribe ~~~~~~~ KEEP SMILING: To our shock and horror, my sister-in-law and I realized we had each been married nearly 50 years. "That's a long time," I observed. "A long, long time," she agreed. Then she smiled. "Something just occurred to me." "What's that?" "If I had killed your brother the first time I felt like it, I'd be out of jail by now." Contributed to "Life in These United States" by Barbara Mason Source: DailyInBox Presents, http://www.beliefnet.com/nlsubscriptions/Subscriptions.aspx ~~~~~~~ TRIVIA: Are you interested in reducing your risk of having a heart attack or stroke? Then routinely check your blood pressure at home with equipment easily purchased at most pharmacies. If your blood pressure is above 120/80, begin a program to lower it immediately. You double your chance of having a heart attack or stroke with each increase of 20/10. Controlling your high blood pressure may mean lifestyle changes such as reaching and maintaining a healthy weight, paying attention to the foods you eat, lowering your sodium intake levels, exercising regularly, and reducing stress through relaxation. See your doctor for guidelines. Source: Harvard Heart Letter