Month: January 2011

Sunday

:“I’ve tried everything and nothing helps.

I’m at the end of my rope.

Is there no one who can do anything for me?

The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does”

~Romans 7:24-25 MSG~

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KneEmail

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10

Mike Benson, Editor

I READ OF a TV program aired on PBS on the most staid of subjects—a library…

This, however, was the Library of Congress, and the PBS’s former chairman, Sir Hue Weldon, was standing in a forest of card index files.  The program had all of makings of a slow-moving, dull documentary until…about halfway through, Dr. Daniel Boorstin, the Librarian of Congress, bought out a little blue box from a small closet that once held the library’s rarities.  The label on the box read, “Contents of the President’s Pockets on the Night of April 14, 1865.”

Since that was the fateful night Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, every viewer’s attention was seized.  Boorstin then proceeded to remove the items in the small container and display them on camera.  There were five things in the box:  a handkerchief, embroidered “A. Lincoln”, a country boy’s pen knife, a spectacles case repaired with string, a purse containing a $5 Confederate bill, and some old worn newspaper clippings.  “The clippings,” said Boorstin, “were concerned with the great deeds of Abraham Lincoln.  And one of them actually reports a speech by John Bright which says that Abraham Lincoln is “one of the greatest men of all times.”

Today, that’s common knowledge. The world now knows that British statesman John Bright was right in his assessment of Lincoln, but in 1865 millions shared quite a contrary opinion.  The President’s critics were fierce and many.  His was a lonely agony that reflected the suffering and turmoil ripped to shreds by hatred and a cruel, costly war.

Everybody needs encouragement . . .

“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly,

comfort the fainthearted,

uphold the weak,

be patient with all.”

~1 Thessalonians 5:14~

Have a great Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

1-1-11

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered,

“you are worried and upset about many things,

but only one thing is needed.

Mary has chosen what is better,

and it will not be taken away from her.”

~Luke 10:41-42 (NIV)~

From Mary Prescott

Please add a friend of ours to the Prayer Link.  His name is Austin Fath.  He was involved in an accident last night and he has a severe brain injury.  He is in University hospital in ICU.  Please lift him and his family up in prayer during this very difficult time.  Thank you so much.  Mary

Be careful in this bad weather!

Thought For The Day: What Do You Hear?

A Native American and his friend were in downtown New York City, walking near Times Square in Manhattan. It was during the noon lunch hour and the streets were filled with people. Cars were honking their horns, taxicabs were squealing around corners, sirens were wailing, and the sounds of the city were almost deafening. Suddenly, the Native American said, “I hear a cricket.”

His friend said, “What? You must be crazy. You couldn’t possibly hear a cricket in all of this noise!”

“No, I’m sure of it,” the Native American said, “I heard a cricket.”

“That’s crazy,” said the friend.

The Native American listened carefully for a moment, and then walked across the street to a big cement planter where some shrubs were growing. He looked into the bushes, beneath the branches, and sure enough, he located a small cricket. His friend was utterly amazed.

“That’s incredible,” said his friend. “You must have super-human ears!”

“No,” said the Native American. “My ears are no different from yours. It all depends on what you’re listening for.”

“But that can’t be!” said the friend. “I could never hear a cricket in this noise.”

“Yes, it’s true,” came the reply. “It depends on what is really important to you. Here, let me show you.”

He reached into his pocket, pulled out a few coins, and discreetly dropped them on the sidewalk. And then, with the noise of the crowded street still blaring in their ears, they noticed every head within twenty feet turn and look to see if the money that tinkled on the pavement was theirs.

“See what I mean?” asked the Native American. “It all depends on what’s important to you.”

What’s important to you? What do you listen for? Are there times that you fail to listen to God or see what God is doing in your life because you are focused on other things that are more important to you?

Jesus said, “For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear.” (Matt. 13:15-16)

Father, we pray at the beginning of this new year — amidst all the distractions of the world all around us, may our ears always be open to your voice, and our eyes open to your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.

–Alan Smith

Please feel free to share requests, updates, and praise reports.

Anna Lee