never give in // Monday E-Devotion

Psalm 56:11 (NLT) --- I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?

You have been there, and so have I. It is the time when we wanted to throw in the towel and sick the last song. Maybe it comes from being tired, from fighting too long or from being depressed. Yet we have to learn lessons about when to give up.

Winston Churchill in his now famous 1941 speech at Harrow School shocked the crowd by giving a short challenge. Here is what the gifted leader said: "Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, give in. Never give in. Never give in. Never give in." With those words, he sat down. What a powerful word!

Whether we want to give in to other's demands or give up what we are doing, it is time we hear some truth that God would have us to hear and take it to heart.

This past week I learned a huge lesson from one of my children about giving up. For three weeks we had gone toe to toe over her memorizing her verses for AWANA. Her mom and I had to serious about helping her learn. She tried to fight us, but she finally gave in and began to learn her verses (and they were long ones). She studied for three days and had them ready to share. She did great. That Wednesday evening I got in from church to find a note on the refrigerator from my precious oldest child. Here is what it said: "Daddy from Rebecca (on the outside). I said all my verses, but next week's is longer and harder. But I am going to try my heart out. Love Rebecca." The note is still on my dressor (I looked at again this morning). This child of mine taught me some huge lessons about never giving in and never giving up.

When we think we have lost, keep on. When we think we cannot win or cannot learn, do some more.

Romans 16:25 (NLT) --- Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong, just as my Good News says...

In my e-mail inbox this morning I found this quote that I close with (and praise God for reminders to 'never give in'):

"When the pain gets so bad that you're ready to quit you've set yourself up as someone with nothing to lose. And someone with nothing to lose has quite a bit of power. You can go for broke. Challenge authority. Attempt unattempted alternatives. Lean into the problem; lean so far that you might just lean right through it." Seth Godin, author of The Dip (May 2007, Portfolio) as quoted on the Idea Sandbox (February 15, 2007) and copied from Tony Morgan.

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you ...

wash feet, sharing hope

John 13:4-5,14 NLT So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him… 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. Jesus set the example we follow. He served. He valued and gave value to others. That is why we choose to serve. For 18 years our church has shared an outreach called back2school, and for 16 of those years we have chosen to give students brand new shoes and socks as well as washing their feet. It is one of the most important parts of this event. Washing feet is a humbling experience where both the give and the receiver learn how to share some moments that might change their lives. Jesus said we should do this. See the verse above. Follow His example, do what He did, and give far more than you will ever know....

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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