Last week I had a doctor’s appointment at a Fort Wayne hospital. I had to wait in one of the examining rooms while a nurse went to get something. While sitting alone in the room I noticed one of those round, wheeled chairs in the corner. Above it was a sign that read: “Wheeled chairs are for Physician use only”.
With nothing better to do, my mind wandered off to why that sign was necessary. I could see in my mind some kids wheeling themselves all over the room, and perhaps even down the hall. Maybe there was a race of some sort. The more I thought the funnier it all seemed to me.
Finally, my nurse returned and I said, “I was amused by your sign about the wheeled chairs, and was thinking about why you needed that sign.” She kind of threw cold water on my humor when she replied, “Someone fell off one those and broke their wrist. No one wants to have pay for that.”
What may be funny to one person, might actually be a tragedy for someone else. Think before you laugh.
Tags: humor
This weekend we invited Jameson Titus to speak to us on behalf of Christ for India. New Hope has been supporting Christ for India for many years. We tried to use some different techniques to keep missions awareness before our church this weekend. What was your opinion of the children’s song, [Name Withheld for Security]‘s video, the worship, Jameson’s message? In essence, how did we do at making you think about the church’s mission to the world? And how could we do it better in the future?
In America, General Motors marketed a new auto model under the name “Nova”. That name reflected the ultra scientific and space-age technology that had been designed into the car. The name seemed to be an asset in marketing that model in a modern world.
That worked well until GM tried to sell Chevy Nova’s south of the border. You see, in Spanish, the no va means “does not go”. Not the kind of image you want to hang on a multi-million dollar car launch.
What image do you, as a Christian, broadcast to others of your faith? Are you portraying the bright side of new life in Christ, or the dark side of a system of laws that take all the fun and excitement out of life?
I remember, as a young unchristian man, being spoken to by Christians who were trying to straighten out my behavior without straightening out my heart. Their witnessing techniques turned me off at the time. They were speaking in concepts attractive to themselves, but it was like no va to me.
What has been your past experience with poor Christian salesmanship?
Tags: witness
It was snowing and the wind was piling up that snow in drifts. I had just arrived at the office for my work day when I received a phone call from a pastor friend of mine near South Bend, Indiana. A family in his church had just received news that their son had been killed in a tragic car accident in that area. He asked if I would drive to a factory near Garrett and give the bad news to the deceased’s sister. They thought she would receive the news better from a minister than a police officer.
So I called the factory and spoke with the plant manager. When I arrived I had to trudge through deep drifts to get to the front entrance. I was escorted to a private room and soon the employee was escorted in. Its never easy to give such bad news to a person, but it is extremely difficult when you don’t have a relationship with them. In this case, the young lady was very emotional and distraught, and I was at a loss to comfort her. We helped her get through to her parents on the telephone and the boss sent her home.
Sometimes we all find ourselves in a tough spot, not knowing how to help. But its an encouragement to know the Spirit of God within us makes divine connections possible, even when we are functioning blindly. Trust God to help you with that difficult situation today.
Tags: guidance, trouble
On May 6, 1954, Roger Bannister became the first man in history to run a mile in less than 4 minutes. Within two months, John Landy eclipsed the record by 1.4 seconds. On August 7, 1954, the two met together for a historic race. As they moved into the last lap, Landy held the lead. It looked as if he would win, but as he neared the finish he was haunted by the question, “Where is Bannister?” As he turned to look, Bannister took the lead. Landy later told a Time magazine reporter, “If I hadn’t looked back, I would have won!”
Jesus told his disciples, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
Your past life is in the past. Don’t look back. You have started the race, now finish it!
Tags: race
If your pastor (not me, of course), needs to be ousted from the church, here are some ideas on how to get rid of him:
- Look your pastor straight in the eye while he is preaching and say amen once in a while. He’ll preach himself to death.
- Pat him on the back and tell him his good points. Before you know it, he’ll work himself to death.
- Rededicate your own life to Christ and ask your minister for a job to do. He’ll die of heart failure.
- Get the church to unite in prayer for him. Soon he’ll become so effective that a larger church will take him off your hands.
I know some lazy pastors who didn’t start out that way. They became lazy in ministry because the church people and leadership were lazy. Everyone wanted to coast and the pastor became weary and gave up.
Paul wrote to a young minister, “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor” (1 Timothy 5:17).
Tags: pastors
Someone’s got to be in charge. Umpires and Referees are important in any competition to make sure rules are abided by on both sides. Once when Babe Pinelli, the renowned baseball umpire, called Babe Ruth, the even more renowned baseball slugger, out on strikes, Ruth objected, “There’s 40,000 people here who know that last one was a ball, tomato head.”
Pinelli replied with measured stateliness, “Maybe so, but mine is the only opinion that counts.” And, in baseball, he was right.
That’s true in real life, as well. Paul said, “There is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day” (2 Timothy 4:8). Only God’s opinion counts in the end. Do you have such confidence?
Tags: Babe Ruth, judgment, umpire