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~~DONKEY TRACKS" ~~
from: The White Donkey Society
December 1, 2004
~TRAILS OF LIVING~
Joy is a choice.
Joy is a choice. If you donât believe that, take a look at Tim Hanselâs life. An avid rock climber and mountaineer, Tim had been ice climbing in the fall of 1974, when -- every climberâs worst nightmare -- his foot slipped and he fell. Landing on his back on the ice and rocks far below, Hansel could easily have been killed by the fall. But he and his friends were astonished when he came to, stood up, and walked back to the base camp, carrying all his gear and wondering at the miracle. But soon Hansel realized the consequences of that fall â chronic, intense pain, pain that would sap his energy and, many would say, rob him of any reason to have joy. But Hansel observes, âI know some people who spend their entire lives practicing being unhappy, diligently pursuing joylessness. They get more mileage from having people feel sorry for them than from choosing to live out their lives in the context of joyâ (55). Hansel would choose joy. A simple choice, he says, but not an easy one. It entails choosing âan attitude of gratitude, a posture of grace, a commitment to joyâ (55). No easy task in the midst of lifeâs many hurts, but possible ... just ask Tim Hansel.After more than 25 years of pain, he is still an active outdoorsman: He is the founder of Summit Adventure, a wilderness survival school for people desiring a deeper experience with themselves, others, and God. (Check out their website www.summitadventure.com.) He is also the author of several books, including When I Relax I Feel Guilty and What Kids Need Most in a Dad.Hansel does not underestimate the deep suffering involved with pain. He declares, âThis book is in no way meant to diminish the awfulness of pain, tragedy, and affliction. I donât want to âcelebrate pain,â but more deeply understand the dignity of what can happen in it, through it, and because of itâ (16). Gleaning from the insights and quotes of countless theologians, writers, and thinkers, Hansel explores exactly that, learning the depth of the command found in Nehemiah 8:10,âDo not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.â âYou have changed my sadness into a joyful dance,â
Psalm 30:11.
~TRAILS of LIFE~
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Visions of cheeseburgers The New York Times this week gives us all we need for this morning's essay, and then some. For starters: year-end bonuses for professional employees on Wall Street are expected to rise 10 percent to 15 percent this year. More good economic news: liquid crystal display flat-panel televisions are dropping in price, perhaps as much as 30 percent by the end of next year. Such electronics helped fuel a Thanksgiving weekend shopping binge of $22.8 billion, according to the National Retail Federation. And that's before Pedro Martinez signs his next contract. The Boston Red Sox player is being pursued by both New York teams: the hated Yankees and the almost last-place Mets. It will apparently take $13 million a year to sign the eccentric pitcher. But the economic news is not all rosy: Chicago's commissioner of cultural affairs is planning an eBay auction to offset a $220 million city budget deficit and cuts in civic arts financing. >Hold those gigantic economic thoughts for a moment, and consider Michael Holman. A week ago, Mr. Holman landed his airplane on a deserted part of the Alaskan shoreline to do a little beachcombing. When the rising tide destroyed his plane, he salvaged some food, a tent, and a gun. But he forgot his emergency locator beacon. After six days of searching, rescuers finally spotted his campfire on Saturday. Bad weather delayed their helicopter landing until yesterday. Among his first words to reporters was this profound declaration: "I've got visions of cheeseburgers." >Webster defines a "need" as a "lack of something required; poverty or distress." A "want," on the other hand, is something we "wish for" or "desire." A society which can afford to pay $13 million a year to a man who throws a ball every fifth day has a hard time telling the two apart. We don't want a flat-panel television-we need one. We don't want a new iPod or coat or car-we need one. Unless we find ourselves in one of those rare times when life reduces to essentials. And then we'll take a cheeseburger.
Jesus came at Christmas to meet our deepest need: reconciliation with our Father. We are each the prodigal in the story, wanting/needing what is "ours" and then taking it to the far country where we can spend it as we like. At least I am. Every day the serpent whispers in my ear, "you will be like God, knowing good and evil" (Genesis 3:5). And far too often, I believe him. Far too often, I break my relationship with my Maker over something I think I need. If Jesus had not come to die for me, to cancel the debt I owe, my deepest need could never be met and I would be lost. So would you.The only Christmas gift you really need is already yours. Have you opened it yet today? Copyright  2004. Park Cities Baptist Church. All rights reserved.
~TRAILS of SCRIPTURE~
"Cling tightly to your faith in Christ, and always keep your
conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated
their consciences; as a result, their faith has been
shipwrecked" (1 Timothy 1:19, nlt).
"Some years ago a headline told of three hundred whales
that suddenly died. The whales were pursuing sardines and
found themselves marooned in a bay. Frederick Harris
commented, 'The small fish lured the sea giants to their
death. They came to their violent demise by chasing small
ends, by prostituting vast powers for insignificant
goals.'"1
Over the years I've asked numerous people in many groups
how many of them believe that God has a purpose for their
life. Almost all hands are raised in agreement. But when I
ask what their God-given life purpose is, very few have an
answer. I get lots of vague generalities but very few have
a clearly defined life-purpose.
If we don't know specifically where we are headed in life,
instead of making life happen, we allow life as it happens
to make us. That is, instead of directing our life we are
directed by the circumstances of life like a rudderless
ship with no real sense of direction, wasting our God-given
potential on pursuing happiness, riches, or insignificant
goals. Unless we know where we are headed there is a danger
that we, like the whales, may make shipwreck of our faith or
even of our life.
~TRAILS of PRAYER~
Dear Lord Fill me with the fruits of your Spirit, Lord.
Fill me with love, so that I seek to understand and appreciate the rich variety and diversity of life that surrounds me.
Fill me with joy, so that I celebrate your presence in each and every moment I am on this earth.
Fill me with peace, so that I know how to ease those angry and sometimes violent urges that well up inside of me.
Fill me with patience, so that I stop rushing long enough to witness your miraculous work taking place all around me (and within me!)
Fill me with kindness, so that I take the extra time to help the one in need, even when it isn't convenient for me.
Fill me with faithfulness, so that I place my mind, heart and all that I do in the service of your Gospel.
Fill me with gentleness, so that others know that I believe in a God who loves and cares for all people.
Fill me with self-control, so that I act not on my impulses and urges, but rather on my beliefs and values, which are rooted in you.
Fill me with these fruits of your spirit, Lord! --Amen.
~TRAILS of a RIDER of GRACE~
I continue to want you to know how much I appreciate your prayers and support. I went to the heart doctor yesterday and he said my heart was doing OK. Problems now far urinary infection , and high sugar level. Will probably be seeing two more doctors this week. It seems like a continual battle We have so much to be thankful for. Continue to pray for our soldiers and our President. God bless you all, and Thank you again. http://www.youens.com/mccoy/
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