January 13, 2009

Number 2

VIEWPOINT

A nurse on the pediatric ward, before listening to the little ones’ chests, would plug the stethoscope into their ears and let them listen to their own hearts.  Their eyes would always light up with awe, but she never got a response equal to that of one four year old's comment.

Gently she tucked the stethoscope into his ears and placed the disk over his heart.  “Listen, she said. . . . What do you suppose that is?”

He drew his eyebrows together in a puzzled line and looked up as if lost in the mystery of the strange tap-tap-tapping deep in his chest.  Then his face broke out in a wondrous grin and he asked, “Is that Jesus knocking?”

We would do well to imitate that unguarded, sincere response to the Lord.  Remember Jesus’ own words:  “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me” (Rev. 3:20).

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I don’t find a lot with which I agree in the AJC, but I did enjoy Jim Wooten’s column January 2.  Here’s his comment on the state lottery: 

“A $150,000 bonus check to a public employee whose job is to tempt people to gamble their way through a bad economy may sound like paying bonuses to weathermen for delivering the rain. But our gamblers held steadier to their weakness than did gamblers in lots of states.  Ticket sales were down nearly 10 percent in California and 4 percent in Texas recently, reports The Wall Street Journal. So Georgia   Lottery   CEO   Margaret DeFrancisco can argue that the $150,000 bonus atop her $286,000 salary was deserved.  Me, I don’t believe government should entice people into undesirable behaviors.”

And one other comment from Wooten:  “If you started 2009 without hog jowls, black-eyed peas and greens, you’re not prepared for the sour economy.  Don’t blame others for your own poor judgment.”

I look forward to seeing you Sunday this year with a Bible, a smile and a positive word.   RA

Today

1. TODAY I WILL NOT STRIKE BACK:  If someone is rude, if someone is impatient, if someone is unkind  . . . I will not respond in a like manner.

2. TODAY I WILL ASK GOD TO BLESS MY "ENEMY":   If I come across someone who treats me harshly or unfairly, I will quietly ask GOD to bless that individual.  I understand the "enemy" could be a family member, neighbor, co-worker or stranger.

3. TODAY I WILL BE CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT I SAY:  I will carefully choose and guard my words being certain that I do not spread gossip.

4. TODAY I WILL GO THE EXTRA MILE:  I will find ways to help share the burden of another person.

5. TODAY I WILL FORGIVE:  I will forgive any hurts or injuries that come my way.

6. TODAY I WILL DO SOMETHING NICE FOR SOMEONE, BUT I WILL DO IT
SECRETLY:  I will reach out anonymously and bless the life of another.

7. TODAY I WILL TREAT OTHERS THE WAY I WISH TO BE TREATED:  I will practice the golden rule – do unto others as I would have them do
unto you-with everyone I encounter.

8. TODAY I WILL RAISE THE SPIRITS OF SOMEONE WHO IS DISCOURAGED:  My smile, my words, my expression of support, can make the difference to someone who is wrestling with life.

9. TODAY I WILL NURTURE MY BODY:  I will eat less; I will eat only healthy foods. I will thank GOD for my body.

10. TODAY I WILL GROW SPIRITUALLY:  I will spend a little more time in prayer today: I will begin reading something spiritual or inspirational today; I will find a quiet place (at some point during this day) and listen to GOD's voice.