BECAUSE . . .

Setting: China where full-time Bible distributors held covert church meetings.

"Knowing that in China's communist system those who didn't work went to prison, I asked them why they did not have to work a regular job.

"'Because on the job we witness,' they replied.

"'Then why don't they put you into prison?'
"'Because in prison we witness, too.'"

Brother Andrew with Verne Becker
The Calling: The Challenge To Walk The Narrow Road
Fleming Revell   1996
p. 139

I love this!! And I wish it were me.

Room to Grow,
Lonnie

TOUCH DEPRIVATION

"Ashley Montagu says that the use of touch and physical closeness may be the most important way to communicate to ill and aged persons that they are still important as human beings. Touch deprivation (emphasis mine) is a largely ignored yet major cause of depression among the elderly in our society, whether they live independently, in a retirement community, in an assisted living complex or skilled nursing facility."

Dawn Nelson
From The Heart Through The Hands
Findhorn Press  2001
p. 27


I am so grateful for a single friend who told me how important hugs are for single women. I'm afraid it's something we married folks, or even dating couples take for granted. We all need touch. 

Once in a while my daughter uses lotion to give me a foot or hand massage. My husband strokes my hair. Both make me feel comforted, relaxed, and loved.

Our grandchildren walk in the door and give us hugs. Let the potatoes burn! I want my hugs! 

My husband, Ray, tells others how our son hugged us--in public, even though he seemed to be in rebellion. Treasured memories for both of us.

I remember when hugging became a part of my life. It was odd--uncomfortable. I was a counselor at a summer camp. Every Saturday boasted of good-bye hugs--dozens of them. No one went home, hugless. From that time, I began hugging friends and family members. At first, the guys resisted, but . . . I'd hate to lose any of them without having ever hugged them.

There are many ministries or expressions of love that you may not feel qualified for, but here's one I think we can all participate in: hugs, touching a hand or a shoulder, kiss on the cheek . . . 

Any other ideas? What touches are precious to you?

Loved and Growing,
Lonnie 

BLAMING LESS

"Let's say I interviewed ten people asking each the same question--'Do you trust God?'--and each answered, 'Yes, I trust God,' but nine out of ten actually did not trust Him. How would I find out which one of the ragamuffins was telling the truth?

I would video tape each of the ten lives for a month and then, after watching the videos, pass judgment using this criterion: the person with an abiding spirit of gratitude is the one who trusts God."

Brennan Manning
Ruthless Trust
HarperSanFranciso   2006
p.24

I'm not that one person, yet; but I'm getting closer. I'm not thanking God in ALL things, as Paul tells us to do. I'm not rejoicing in all kinds of trials, as James encourages. But . . . I think I'm blaming God less. Isn't that a little closer to trusting? 

EverGrowing,
Lonnie

IMITATION

"Through imitation, the juveniles [jackdaws] learn basic survival skills, such as how to travel safely through their home range. To his surprise, Lorenz discovered that the birds follow traditional routes that are passed from one generation to the next. Thus, when he set a hatch of hand-raised chicks together with an experienced adult, the young jackdaws quickly adopted the flight ways of their mentor. Indeed, they took the older bird's pathways so exactly that they continued to avoid parts of the garden where the family cat liked to hunt. Yet, the cat had died long before these youngsters hatched."

Candace Savage
Bird Brains: The Intelligence of Crows, Ravens, Magpies, and Jays
Sierra Club Books  1995
p. 56

If someone were to so "exactly" follow our pathways, where they might end up?

Just Thinking,
Lonnie

LEGENDARY HONESTY

"Sometimes he [Harry S. Truman] lost his temper and didn't think much about what he was saying. But he was never mean or dishonest.

"In fact, his honesty was legendary. When he wrote letters home to his mother and sister, as he did almost every day, he paid for the stamps himself. The franking privelege--which allows senators and presidents to send their mail free--was meant for government business, he said. He never used it for his personal letters.

. . . .

When a Republican who was a political rival left his briefcase at the White House, some of Truman's Democratic aides wanted to go through it and see what it held. President Truman was horrified."

Joy Hakim
All The People 1945-2001
Oxford University Press   2003
p. 14-15

Having barely passed history in highschool, sometime in my adult life I became facinated with men and women of past decades--particularly with their character. They weren't perfect role models, as this anecdote attests to. But they certainly set standards worth reaching toward.

Legendary honesty. Really? That's quite a reputation. I can't help but think of Jesus' words recorded in Luke 16:10 NIV: "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will be dishonest with much."

We crave this honesty in our government officials--and spend a fair amount of time complaining about its absence. But . . . I, for one, need to check my mirror.

Guilty and Forgiven,
Lonnie

Joy Hakim wrote a series of history books for children. Rather than cover to cover boredom, they were fun and an inspiration to me.

CACKLING IN THE CORNER

"Even though the place of meditation might be secret, some hypocrites handle the matter in such a way that all the world knows. A hen may retreat to a quiet corner to lay her egg but her cackling tells the whole house where she is and what she is doing."

William Gurnall
The Christian in Complete Armour
World Challenge in association with Banner of Truth Trust  1655, 1658, 1662, revised 1864
p. 79

I suppose "humor" might be an odd place to file this notecard, but . . . it's absolutely so true and the image makes me smile. Humor, sometimes, seals a truth to our heart, don't you think?

EverGrowing,
Lonnie

TRUTH SOFTENED WITH HUMOR

"The Bible could be no clearer. God does ask his children of every nation and walk of life to suffer. Only 2 places on this planet are exempt--a few acres in southern California, and a few in Florida, both run by a friendly talking mouse who wears suspenders."

Joni Earekson Tada
When God Weeps
Zondervan   1997
p. 65