News Bulletin

An opinion poll was taken recently among citizens in local high-rise retirement condos. The questions were direct and simple. The poll produced few surprises. The questions and answers follow…

What’s the most important right guaranteed us by the Constitution?
The senior citizen discount.What is the greatest invention of the century?
The plastic in my new knees, hips, and heart valve.

What is the surest sign society is in decline?
Those neighbors carousing after 8 PM.What is your favorite dinner entree?
Early birds.

Do you have trouble eating steak or corn on the cob?
Only when I misplace my teeth.What’s the cheapest way to lower winter heating bills?
Hot flashes.

What are your most bothersome medical problems?
Those not covered by Medicare.What’s the best substitute for a hard drug trip?
Bending down, then standing up real fast.

What are the hardest-to-find fashion accessories?
White shoes and belts.Seen in “The Good, Clean, Funnies List”

Please see the following article for information which may affect your daily commute.

http://www.nwherald.com/2012/04/27/detour-work-on-north-south-routes-under-way/a9lqbtf/

Daily Deeds of Kindness

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16

In the final days of Jesus’ life, he shared a meal with his friends Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. Within the week he would feel the sting of the Roman whip, the point of the thorny crown, and the iron of the executioner’s nail. But on this evening, he felt the love of three friends.

For Mary, however, giving the dinner was not enough. “Mary came in with a jar of very expensive aromatic oils, anointed and massaged Jesus’ feet, and then wiped them with her hair. The fragrance of the oils filled the house” (John 12:3)… .

Judas criticized the deed as wasteful. Not Jesus. He received the gesture as an extravagant demonstration of love, a friend surrendering her most treasured gift. As Jesus hung on the cross, we wonder, Did he detect the fragrance on his skin?

Follow Mary’s example.

There is an elderly man in your community who just lost his wife. An hour of your time would mean the world to him.

Some kids in your city have no dad. No father takes them to movies or baseball games. Maybe you can. They can’t pay you back. They can’t even afford the popcorn or sodas. But they’ll smile like a cantaloupe slice at your kindness.

Or how about this one? Down the hall from your bedroom is a person who shares your last name. Shock that person with kindness. Something outlandish. Your homework done with no complaints. Coffee served before he awakens. A love letter written to her for no special reason. Alabaster poured, just because.

Daily do a deed for which you cannot be repaid.
—from Great Day Every Day

Precious Savior, we pass people every day who need a demonstration of your love. May we search for ways to show extravagant gestures of gracious love, and outlandish acts of kindness. Make us people who set a goal of doing daily deeds for which we cannot be repaid. Set our hearts on fire for people who do not know you. Consume us with compassion for the desperate and downtrodden. Let us pour our lives out in love … just because, amen.

Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart…
I Peter 1:22

From From Live Loved: Experiencing God’s Presence in Everyday Life
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 2011) Max Lucado

There is a big difference between the books that men make and the Book that makes men.

Be careful how you live! You may be the only Bible some people ever read.

Let the Bible be your guide and success will be your future. When you reject the Word of God, you reject the God of the Word.

Bible verses will save you from spiritual reverses. Don’t criticize the Bible, but rather let the Bible criticize you.

Men do not usually reject the Bible because it contradicts itself, but because it contradicts them.

Son Reflectors

What does the moon do? She generates no light. Contrary to the lyrics of the song, this harvest moon cannot shine on. Apart from the sun, the moon is nothing more than a pitch-black, pockmarked rock. But properly positioned, the moon beams. Let her do what she was made to do, and a clod of dirt becomes a source of inspiration, yea, verily, romance. The moon reflects the greater light.

And she’s happy to do so! You never hear the moon complaining. She makes no waves about making waves. Let the cow jump over her or astronauts step on her; she never objects. Even though sunning is accepted while mooning is the butt of bad jokes, you won’t hear ol’ Cheeseface grumble. The moon is at peace in her place. And because she is, soft light touches a dark earth.
What would happen if we accepted our place as Son reflectors?

Such a shift comes so stubbornly, however. We’ve been demanding our way and stamping our feet since infancy. Aren’t we all born with a default drive set on selfishness? I want a spouse who makes me happy and coworkers who always ask my opinion. I want weather that suits me and traffic that helps me and a government that serves me. It is all about me… .

How can we be bumped off self-center? … We move from me-focus to God-focus by pondering him. Witnessing him. Following the counsel of the apostle Paul: “Beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, [we] are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor. 3:18 KJV).

Beholding him changes us.
—originally from It’s Not About Me

O Lord, change our focus from a me-focus to a God-focus. Work your will in our lives that we might be instruments to do your work and to tell others of your great love. Let our lives reflect your holiness through thick and thin. Help us live in pursuit of what you want rather than what we want. May we keep a firm grip on our faith no matter what hard times come our way. In all we do, may we honor you, amen.

 
Sing praise to the Lord, … and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.
Psalm 30:4

From From Live Loved: Experiencing God’s Presence in Everyday Life
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 2011) Max Lucado