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Darrell

Much to Be Thankful For...

My check engine light came on this morning in my truck. I was extremely irritated, worried, etc…all those feelings that culminate in that knot in your stomach that makes you walk right past the free donuts in the office. (Don’t worry – I have since redeemed my sugary, tasty friend)

 

As I was worrying about how we would pay for repairs with Christmas coming up and bemoaning how unfair the timing is, the Lord struck me with an interesting idea that He has used to humble me and increase my thankfulness for all of His rich blessings. As Thursday approaches, and whether the Cowboys win or lose, whether your turkey is dry, and even if your mashed potatoes are lumpy and cold (horror!), consider these statistics as we enter Thanksgiving.

 

In 2006, the median annual household income according to the US Census Bureau was determined to be $48,201. This means that after 20 years at this level of income, the annual household in America has earned a MILLION DOLLARS. Did you ever think about that? The average WORLD income is close to $8,000 dollars and most studies show that 25% earn 75% of the income. What remains is a world full of very poor and destitute. Even if you never have a million dollars at once, just thinking about the fact that we even have the capability of attaining that amount of wealth is staggering. It should also make us seriously consider the words of Christ when he talks about money – because guess what – “Baby, you’re a rich man.”

 

Regarding religious freedom: (

This year an estimated 160,000 believers will die at the hands of their oppressors and over 200 million will be persecuted, arrested, tortured, beaten or jailed. In many nations it is illegal to own a Bible, share your faith, change your faith or allow children under 18 to attend a religious service.  Nations where Christians are frequently persecuted include…


Afghanistan

Cyprus

Maldives

Sri Lanka

Algeria

Egypt

Mauritania

Sudan

Azerbaijan

Equatorial Guinea

Morocco

Syria

Bangladesh

Ethiopia

Myanmar (Burma)

Tajikistan

Bhutan

India

Nepal

Tibet (China)

Brunei

Indonesia

Nigeria

Tunisia

Chechnya

Iran

North Korea

Turkey

Chiapas

Iraq

Oman

Turkmenistan

China

Kuwait

Pakistan

United Arab Emirates

Colombia

Laos

Qatar

Uzbekistan

Comoro Islands

Libya

Saudi Arabia

Vietnam

Cuba

Malaysia

Somalia

Yemen

 

http://www.prisoneralert.com/vompw_persecution.htm

 

Another sobering site regarding persecution is http://www.christianpersecution.info/

 

I am struck by this fact and the money thing when I remember the feast we had a church on Sunday night. Not only did we have enough turkey to feed an army, it was relatively inexpensive AND we were able to freely congregate to declare our faith and worship without any fear.  There is so much more that could be written about healthcare,

 

 

Nathan Campbell
Systems Administrator
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Schlegel Administrative Suites
2301 Flora Street
Dallas, Texas 75201

214-871-4026 - phone
214-953-1218 - fax
n.campbell@DalSym.com
www.dallassymphony.com






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Fw: Wednesday - Be Encouraged

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Buford, Philip

To: gkendall@kendallsystems.com

Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 5:09 PM

Subject: Wednesday - Be Encouraged

Refined

 

Proverbs 17:3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace is for gold, but the Lord tests hearts.

 

I'm no expert but I know a little about silver and gold.  I know that both substances are mined from the ground.  Both are not easy to find.  Both are precious and costly.  Both have to be in pure form for there to be much value.  As far as the purification process goes, which is what this verse is about, I don't know a lot.  I know that the metals are heated up and the impurities are burned off or removed manually- chemically, mechanically, someway.  

 

It is no accident that the writer of this proverb compares the purification process of the precious metals to our own testing.  This is no startling insight...our goal is to be like Jesus Christ.  Well in order to reach that goal, some things will have to be removed from my life, my thoughts, my habits, my ideas. 

 

That will not be a pleasant process.  Indeed, at times it may feel like I'm in a boiling pot as I struggle to make my will conform to His.  There are times I definitely feel Him turning up the heat to get rid of impurities and then scraping off a top layer of the scum that rises to the surface. 

 

The more I struggle, the more I resist to yield parts of my life to God, the more it is gonna hurt.  Even when I purposely, willfully let go and actively seek God it is difficult. 

 

"the Lord tests hearts"   God wants to find those who are committed to Him.  He seeks them but I don't think He finds many.  It is one thing to give God lip service, to tell Him how we love Him and how committed we are to Him.  It is an entirely different thing to live up to your words and actually follow Him.  God is going to test us- I think for at least three reasons.  To help us grow.  To show us if we are committed.  To show Him who is committed.

 

I pray that God tests me often and I pray that through the testing I grow more Christlike.  

 

Be encouraged when you are tested.

Philip Buford