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A Gift From Cardboard

6/22/2018

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A PRICELESS GIFT FROM SCRAPS
 
Charles Darrow was broke and frequently unemployed during the Depression, yet he kept a positive attitude. After standing in the unemployment line all day he would return home and cheer up his pregnant wife with funny stories. Despite their meager existence, Charles was determined to make his wife happy. He even developed a “game” in order to lift her spirits.
 
During his younger years Darrow had enjoyed family vacations in Atlantic City, and he later drew on those memories to help him develop his game. Taking a square piece of cardboard, he carefully drew a series of "properties" around the edges, named after the streets and familiar places he had visited as a child. To make the game more interesting he carved tiny houses and hotels out of wood to be used on the game board. As he and his young wife began playing the game they pretended to be rich, buying and selling property and "building" homes and hotels. Before long, their tiny apartment was filled with the sound of laughter virtually every night.
 
You have likely guessed where this story is going. This humble gift to his wife ultimately made Charles Darrow fabulously wealthy. His game was eventually called "Monopoly", and Parker Brothers subsequently marketed it around the world. 80-plus years later, millions of these games (or its variations) are sold annually. They have brought joy to countless millions, including your truly.
 
And it all began when a man determined to bring joy to someone for whom he deeply cared. Can anything match the JOY to be found in JESUS CHRIST and ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN? If we determine to share Jesus Christ with others we will be providing a gift that will bring JOY WITHOUT END!
 
“To me…this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the UNSEARCHABLE RICHES OF CHRIST…” (Eph. 3:8)
 
Jesus, always Jesus!

Dennis
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Build Me A Son, Lord

6/20/2018

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LORD, BUILD ME A SONRevised and adapted, by General Douglas A. MacArthur 
Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak and brave enough to admit when he is afraid. One who will be proud in defeat, and humble in victory.
 
Build me a son whose wishes will not take the place of deeds; a son who will know that YOU are the foundation of all knowledge.
 
Build me a son whose heart will be clean and whose goal will be high. One who will reach toward the future, yet learn from the past.
 
Give him humility, so that he may remember that service leads to greatness, an open mind  to wisdom, and meekness to strength.
 
Then I, his father, will dare to whisper, “I have not lived in vain’.”
 
*****************************************************************
 
A FATHER’S DAY PLEA 
On this Father’s Day, 2018 I cannot call, send a card to, visit or hug my father, as he passed from this world 33 years ago.
 
But for those fortunate enough to still have their father around, make certain to call and let him know how much you love and need him. If he lives close by, go and give him a big hug, reminding him of how important he still is to you.
 
Life is a fragile — we don’t know if this day or hour or minute will be our last on earth. So take advantage of every opportunity to tell your father, “Thank you for being my dad. I love you!” And don’t forget to remind him that seeing him in heaven will make eternity even more meaningful!
 
And finally, do your best to live a life that will make both your earthly and heavenly fathers proud. By so doing, God will richly bless you and your earthly father!
 
“A wise son makes a glad father…” (Prov. 10:1)
 
Jesus, always Jesus!
 
Dennis
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Too Late

6/10/2018

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TOO LATE!
 
Robert Woods was a 27 year-old Dallas police officer. In November of 1976 Woods pulled over a vehicle because the driver was not using his headlights. As officer Woods approached the car, the driver - without warning - shot him five times with a .22 pistol. Woods died on November 28, 1976.
 
The ironic thing is that officer Wood’s death was probably avoidable. A bulletproof vest, capable of stopping .22 slugs, was available for his use. Why wasn’t he wearing it that night? Although his wife purchased it for him days before, she had hidden it in order to give it to him for Christmas. Following the incident police officials indicated that, had Woods been wearing the vest, he likely would have survived with nothing more than painful bruises. TOO LATE!
 
***************************************************************************************
 
Gifts are wonderful, as are words of encouragement, letters or cards to loved ones. This is especially true concerning those whose salvation is in question. Have you ever thought, “I should ask _________ to return to the Lord, obey the gospel or attend services, but this may not be the right time.” Although we cannot force others to do the right thing, it rarely hurts to tell them of our concern and what they need to do.
 
“Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city…whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away…Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” (James 4:13-17)
 
Are you putting off something vital? An overdue visit, call or a letter? Making sure of your salvation? Repenting of a certain sin? Don’t let the words “Too late” apply to you!
 
Jesus, always Jesus!
 
Dennis
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Form Dad to Daughter

6/3/2018

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A FATHER’S LETTER TO HIS DAUGHTER AT GRADUATION
 
My darling daughter,
 
First, congratulations on finishing high school. Over the past 4 years you have never failed to impress me. You are graduating with honors, despite having participated in soccer, basketball, softball and being active in various clubs. Moreover, you've been FAITHFUL TO THE LORD and His church! You've missed practices and left several games early in order to attend worship and Bible study. Your decision to put Jesus first has meant more to me than all the awards you've received in school.
 
As you prepare to embark on the next stage of your life, never lose sight of your goals, and never compromise what is right in order to achieve them. Trust in the Lord ALWAYS and commit your way to Him, and He will bring it to pass – Psa. 37:5.
 
Never allow money to be the primary motivator for what you do. Success is not measured by your title, income or the car you drive. REAL success means living according to the highest possible standard, such as loving God with all your heart, loving others as yourself, honesty and personal purity.
 
Here are some additional suggestions:
  • Choose your friends carefully, as they WILL influence your thinking and direction. (1 Cor. 15:33)
  • It is NEVER right to do wrong, no matter what anyone tells you. (Jam. 4:17)
  • Don't dwell on past mistakes or failures. Keep you eyes on where you are going, not on where you’ve been. (Phil 3:13)
  • Thank God for your blessings, EVERYDAY. (1 Thess. 5:18)
  • Stay healthy — don't put things in your body or do things that are potentially harmful. (1 Cor. 3:16-17)
 
No matter what happens from this point on you can ALWAYS count on two things:
1)     God’s love and presence (Rom 8:39, Heb. 13:5).
2)     The love, support and prayers of your mom and me.
 
May the Lord always bless and keep you, my darling daughter,
 
Dad

​
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