My dad used to tell a story about a guy who went into the ministry, but his preaching wasn't very good and his ministry wasn't very successful. He finally was called on the carpet to examine the "fruits of his ministry" (as John Wesley would have called it).
A successful beauty product company asked the people in a large city to send pictures along with brief letters about the most beautiful women they knew. Within a few weeks thousands of letters were delivered to the company.
During the 1970's when the San Diego Chargers had Dan Fouts as quarterback, in 1 particular game, both Fouts and the team were having a bad day. With 2 minutes remaining in the game, San Diego was down 14-0. Frustrations were high so the coach pulled the star Fouts and put in the backup quarterback, Bobby Douglas. As Douglas strapped on his helmet with anticipation, he bolted onto the field, heading for the huddle. Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks, turned to the coach and yelled, "Coach, do you want me to win the game, or just tie it?" What a great statement! Do we have that kind of confidence in Jesus Christ? Do we trust Him to just get by or to heal totally?
A bride was very nervous. It was right before the service. She wasn't sure she could even walk down aisle. Her mother gave her some words of calming wisdom.
A vision is the dominant factor that governs your life. It determines all the choices you are making.
Spending an evening at a shelter for homeless women was not my idea, but when a friend asked, I was perfectly willing to tag along. Although the winter was still young, the cold was harsh. I nearly ran from the comfort of our car to the warmth of the church annex that had, for years, opened its doors as a refuge from the night.
In her book, The Hiding Place, Corrie ten Boom tells about an incident that taught her the principle of giving thanks in all things. It was during World War II. Corrie and her sister, Betsy, had been harboring Jewish people in their home, so they were arrested and imprisoned at Ravensbruck Camp.
