August 28, 2007

Number 35

VIEWPOINT

Jim Rohn said, “We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret.  Discipline weighs ounces — regret weighs tons.”

Do have any regrets?  I have a few; I guess we all do.  Rohn’s quote resonates with me, because most of my regrets stem from lack of discipline. If only I had been more diligent.  If only I had been more consistent. If only I had been more persistent.  If only I had been more determined.  And on and on.

Regret weighs tons, but it’s foolish to bear this burden longer than necessary.  Know how to get out from under it?  It’s in the first half of Rohn’s corollary:  Take another swing at the habit of discipline.

Ask yourself: “What good thing . . . what necessary thing . . . must I start doing today — and every day — if I feel like it or not?”  Whether it’s a walk around the block or more time in the Word or canceling a golf game to spend the afternoon with your kids, the short-lived pang of making a decision that doesn’t come easily is nothing compared to the relief it brings from the dread of regret — in fact, these tough decisions result in immeasurable joy.

There’s a verse in Hebrews that refers to discipline. The writer is speaking here about the discipline (correction) that God sometimes works in us, but these words also apply to the    discipline we have the power to exact on ourselves.

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.   Later  on,  however,  it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:15).

Here’s to good training.   Steve May in Monday Memo))

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Think about these notes on teamwork:

Leonard Bernstein was once asked which instrument was the most difficult to play. His answer was, “Second fiddle.  I can get plenty of first violinists, but to find someone who can play the second fiddle with enthusiasm — that's a problem. And if we have no second fiddle, we have no harmony.”

It is better to have one person working with you than having three people working for you (Dwight. D. Eisenhower).

A group becomes a team when each member is sure enough of himself and his contribution to praise the skills of the others. (Norman G. Shiddle).

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others (Philippians 2:3-4).

I look forward to seeing you Sunday with a Bible, a smile and a positive word!                                                                                     RA

Attitude Axioms

Our attitude determines our approach to life.

Our attitude determines our relationships with people.

Our attitude is often the only difference between success and failure.

Our attitude at the beginning of a task will affect its outcome more than anything else.

Our attitude can turn problems into blessings.

Our attitude can give us an uncommonly positive perspective.

Our attitude is not automatically good just because we belong to God.

Fall Spiritual Emphasis

September 14-16, 2007

War of the Worlds:

The Story of Two Kingdoms

To Hear or Not to Hear:

The Story of Two Audiences

What Matters Most to You?

The Story of Two Treasures

Where Will You Be When You Get There?

The Story of Two Destinies

Friday, Sept. 14 – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 15– 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 Sunday, Sept. 16 – 9:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.