MY IDEAS
These ideas aren't
really mine, they are just ones which I have picked up along the road of
life. Because I have learned that they are of fundamental importance,
I wanted to share them with you.
IDEA NUMBER 1
This idea or belief is first because it is by far the most important of
them all. I want to tell a story which will help you share this vital idea
with me.
As I walked down the road of life, I came to a old country store, and the
sign said very simply "Brown's Christian Market". I went in and
was greeted by a lot of friendly people who urged me to take a basket and
shop to my hearts content. I protested because I didn't have any money,
but they said "don't worry about that, just shop to your heart's content".
I shopped eagerly and soon had my basket filled to the brim, then went to
the cashier. I told him that I had shopped at the urging of the others,
but that I had no money. The cashier said "don't worry, son" it's
all paid for already. I asked with disbelief, it's all paid for? The clerk
said, yes my son, Jesus paid for it all".
I KNOW NOW BEYOND ALL DOUBT THAT JESUS DID "PAY IT ALL" FOR ME
AND FOR YOU!
IDEA NUMBER 2
I believe that in spite of the fact that people seek power, riches, fame,
and a lot of other "holy grails", that the most precious treasure
in life, after MY Lord Jesus Christ, is relationships. Relationships enrich
our lives more than any silver or gold, or power, or prestigue can ever
do. Relationships are a commodity which isn't for sale, and can only be
earned. We have to earn them by being worthy of them, and in so doing we
seek nobler and higher goals for ourselves.
IDEA NUMBER 3
I believe in a life of service to my fellow man. It is one of the riches
which I possess that is more precious than all the gold in Fort Knox. The
richest experiences for me have been those where the person concerned was
powerless to deal with a situation, and where I was or might have been able
to lift them up and help them set their lives aright again. There were little
victories and then there were some big victories along the way, but they
mattered because I was offered the opportunity to do something for someone
that they were unable to do for themselves. A life of service to others
really counts as one looks back across his life and asks the fundamental
question,
"did my life matter?".
For years, I have carried in my wallet a little card on which is inscribed
a prayer written by Saint Francis of Assisi more than 650 years ago. Saint
Francis was a man who gave up a life of luxury and position to serve his
God and his fellow men. An excerpt from that prayer is offered for your
edification and growth:
"O Divine Master, grant that I
may not so much seek
To be consoled......as to console
To be understood......as to understand
To be loved.......as to love,
FOR
It is in giving.......that we receive,
It is in pardoning....... that we are pardoned,
It is in dying.......that we are born to eternal life"
