Treasure Chest

Treasure Chest

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Three Quotes

"I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true; I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to what light I have."     ~ Abraham Lincoln
"Courage for the great sorrows of life, and patience for the small ones; and then when you have accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace.  God is awake."    ~ Victor Hugo 
 "In a sad hour I have seen, through the window, mounted on a rail back of my house, one of those curious-eyed little sparrows.  And he was a better preacher to me than I am to you.  It was winter, and there was not guaranteed to it one days’ food, nor any protection, from any source in their world.  It was wholly dependent upon its God.  And yet it sang --- sang for its own hearing, and sang for my rebuke, saying to me “Are ye not much more than I?  And God thinks of me, and takes care of me,” How much there is in the voice of nature if we only knew how to interpret it!"    ~ Henry Ward Beecher

Stories and Anecdotes - I Am As Happy As You Are

     Helen Keller, though born deaf, dumb and blind, has astonished the world by acquiring a complete education, despite her handicap.


     My story is now told, and I hope, kind reader, you are convinced how little able I was to write it. I live in my own way the life that you do, and I am as happy as you are. The outward circumstances of our lives are but the shell of things. My life is pervaded by love as a cloud by light. Deafness is a barrier against intrusion, and blindness makes us oblivious to much that is ugly and revolting in the world. In the midst of unpleasant things, I move as one who wears an invisible cap.


     Sometimes, it is true, a sense of isolation infolds me like a cold white mist as I sit alone and wait at Life’s shut gate. Beyond there is light and music and sweet companionship; but I may not enter. Fate, silent, pitiless, inexorable, bars the way. Fain would I question his imperious decree; for my heart is still undisciplined and passionate; but my tongue will not utter the bitter futile words that rise to my lips, and they fall back into my heart like unshed tears. Silence sits immense upon my soul, the come Hope with sweet, and smile and whispers, “There is joy in self-forgetfulness.” So I try to make the light in others’ eyes my sun, the music in others’ ears my symphony, the smile on others’ lips my happiness.

Poems by Sue - How So I Know?

How do I know that He is near?
When storms around me blow?
His loving arms enfold me as
In prayer to Him I go.

How do I know that He is near?
His face I cannot see;
Yet when my way is darkest
His face is clear to me.

“Fear not for I am with thee”
These words to me He has given
And though my footsteps falter,
His hand guides me to heaven.

Stories and Anecdotes - Honor is Better than Honors


     The moment was a tense one.  Rosalie Elliott had made it to the fourth round of a national spelling contest in Washington. The 11-year old from South Carolina had been asked to spell the word avowal.  In her soft southern accent she spelled the word, but the judges were not able to determine if she had used an a or an e as the next to the last letter. They debated among themselves for several minutes as they listened to tape recording playbacks.  The critical letter, however, was to accent-blurred to decipher.  Finally the chief judge put the question to the only person who knew the answer.

     “Was the letter an or was it an e?” he asked Rosalie.  By this time, being surrounded by whispering young speller, Rosalie knew the correct spelling of the word. Still, without hesitation, she replied that she had misspelled the word and she walked from the stage.

     The entire audience stood and applauded, including some fifty newspaper reporters.  The moment was a heartwarming and proud one for her parents.  Even in defeat, she was a victor.  Indeed, more has been written about Rosalie Elliott over the years than about the “unknown” winner of the event!

     Being a person of truth, even when it is against us, will bring great honor.

Poem by Elizabeth F. Guptill - His Offering

‘Twas a common congregation.
            Not many rich or poor,
And they settled back in the places
            When the sermon at length was o’er

‘Twas a missionary sermon,
            And the Pastor tried, indeed,
To touch the hearts of his people
            For India’s great need.

He asked for a large collection
            To send the precious Word,
And He raised the mute petition,’
            “Touch their pocketbook, O Lord”

But “T’was only a begging sermon
            One hears so many no!”
And a lack of saddened patience
            Stole o’er the preacher’s brow.

As they gave their dimes and nickels
            With a have-to-do-it air,
Instead of the look of helpful joy,
            God’s people out to wear.

‘Way down in front, on the free seat,
            Sat a shabby little boy,
No mother’s pet or plaything,
            No father’s pride and joy.

Poor child! He had no mother,
            And he was a drunkard’s son,
Known to the congregation
            As “Drunken Lady’s John.”

Of course, he had no offering,
            So the deacon passed him by,
“Let us ask a blessing on it,”
            Said the pastor with a sigh.

“Oh wait,” said the barefoot laddie,
            As he started to his feet,
“And ask one on my offering, too!
            The deacon passed my seat.”

So back went the good old deacon,
            And his face wore a friendly smile,
As he passed the box to the little lad,
            Who was standing all the while.

“I haven’t much to give,” he said,
            “But I’ll give Him all I can,
And I’ll go out to India
            And preach when I’m a man.

And from his ragged pocket
            He drew his treasured pence,
And carefully he counted them---
            Just twenty-seven cents!

“There, that is every bit I have!”
            Said the shabby little lad.
“But I know that God’ll bless it,
            ‘Cause I gave Him all I had!”

“Here, Deacon, pass that box again!”
            Called honest Farmer Dorr
“We haven’t done the best we could,
            We want to give some more!”

And so the contribution box
            Went round the church once more,
And dollars now went dropping in,
Where nickels dropped before.

Men all unused to giving,
            Gave now, and softly smiled,
For now they gave to Jesus,
            Led by a little child.

And the pastor asked a blessing
            On a sum that made him glad.
And because one little boy
            Gave Jesus all he had!

                        Elizabeth F. Guptill.

Story and Anecdotes - School Rules

Harvard Rules for Students 1643

     “Let every student be plainly instructed and earnestly pressed to consider well the main end of his life and studies is to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life (John 17:3).” (The purpose was to lead student to know God the Father and to know His son, Jesus Christ.)
     The rules go on to stipulate that students were required to read and study the Bible at least twice a day. They were to show the utmost respect to God’s ordinances, to memorize the Scriptures and be able to recite these publicly if called upon by their teachers. God’s Holy Name was to be used reverently. No profanity was allowed. Students were to attend their classes and chapel services “without any disturbance by word or gesture.” Furthermore, the rules continue: “None shall under any pretense whatsoever frequent the company and society of such men as lead and unfit and dissolute life.”
The students were expected to know Latin, the language of most theological writings at that time. They were also expected to know Hebrew and Greek in order to translate the Scriptures from their original languages.


Statutes of William and Mary 1727

     “There are three things which the Founders of this College proposed to themselves, to which all its Statutes should be directed.


  1. The first is that the youth of Virginia should be well educated to learning and good morals.
  2. The second is that the churches of America, especially Virginia, should be supplied with good ministers after the doctrine and government of the church of England, and that the college should be a constant seminary for this purpose.
  3. The third is that the Indians of America should be instructed in the Christian religion, and that some of the Indian youth that are well behaved and well inclined, being first well prepared in the Divinity School, may be sent out to preach the gospel to their countrymen in their own tongue, after they have duly been put in orders of deacons and priests.”
Regulations at Yale 1745

     “All scholars shall live religious, godly, and blameless lives according to the rules of God’s Word, diligently reading the Holy Scriptures, the fountain of light and truth, and constantly attend upon all the duties of religion, both in public and secret.”
     Furthermore, there was a penalty imposed for denying the faith. “If any scholar shall deny the Holy Scriptures or any part of them to be the Word of God, or be guilty of heresy or any error directly tending to subvert the fundaments of Christianity, and continuing obstinate therein after the first and second admonition, he shall be expelled.”


Columbia 1754

     “The chief thing that is aimed at in this college is to teach and engage children to know God in Jesus Christ.”

Story and Anecdotes - Hancock the Patriot


     During the siege of Boston, General Washington consulted Congress upon the propriety of bombarding the town of Boston.  Mr. Hancock, a distinguished merchant, was the President of Congress. After General Washington’s letter was read, a solemn silence ensued. This was broken by a member making a motion that the House should resolve itself into a committee of the whole, in order that Mr. Hancock might give his opinion upon the important subject, as he was deeply interested, from having all his estate in Boston, which estate was very large and valuable.
     After Mr. Hancock had left the chair, he addressed the chairman of the committee of the whole in the following words: “It is true, sir; nearly all the property I have in the world is in houses and other real estate in the town of Boston; but if the expulsion of the British army from it, and the liberties of the country, require being burnt to ashes---issue the order for the purpose immediately.”

Story and Anecdotes - Washington's Prayer (Age 20)

            Almighty God, and most merciful father . . . . since thou art a God of pure eyes, and wilt be sanctified in all who draw near unto Thee, who dost not regard the sacrifice of fools, not hear sinners who tread in Thy courts pardon, I beseech Thee, my sins; remove them from Thy presence, as far as the east is from the west, and accept me for the merits of Thy Son, Jesus Christ; that when I come into Thy temple and compass Thine altar, my prayer may come before Thee as incense; and as Thou wouldst hear me calling upon Thee in my prayers and give reconciliation, and peace to the saving of my soul and the day of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Grant that I may hear it with reverence, receive it with meekness, mingle it with faith, and that it may accomplish in me, gracious God, the good work for which Thou hast sent it. Bless my family, kindred, friends, and country; be our God and Guide this day and forever, for His sake who lay down in the grace and rose again for us, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Stories and Anecdotes - Gentlemen

     George Washington and General Lafayette were walking together one morning when they were greeted by a slave.  The old man tipped his hat and said, “Good mo’nin, Gen’l Washington.”  Immediately George Washington removed his hat, bowed, and answered, “Good morning to you, and I hope you have a pleasant day.”  General Lafayette was shocked, but when he recovered his composure he exclaimed, “Why did you bow to a slave?”  Washington smiled and replied, “I would not allow him to be a better gentleman than I.”  In our day, we rarely refer to men as being gentle.  But gentleness is a character trait that results from the indwelling Spirit of God in our lives! Consider this approach in thinking of yourself as a gentleman.

G  ---- Gracious and good   
E  ----  Engaging, willing to listen
N  ----  Nice to others, regardless of who they are
T  ----  Taking the time to move at another’s pace
L  ----  Loving
E  ----  Endearing by acts of kindness and goodwill

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Poems by Unknown - Family Financier


“They tell me you work for a dollar a day;
How is it you clothe your six boys on such pay?”

“I know you will think it conceited and queer,
But I do because I’m a good financier.

“There’s Pete, John, Jim and Joe and William and Ned,
Half-dozen boys to be clothed up and fed.

“And I buy for them all good plain victuals to eat,
And clothing --- I only buy clothing for Pete.

“When Pete’s clothes are too small for him to go on,
My wife makes ‘em over and gives them to John.

“When for John, who is ten, they have grown out of date,
She just makes ‘em over for Jim, who is eight.

“When for Jim they become too ragged to fix,
She makes ‘em over for Joe, who is six.

“And when little Joseph can’t wear them no more,
She just makes ‘em over for Bill, who is four.

“And when for young Bill they no longer will do,
She makes ‘em over for Ned, who is two.

“So you seem if I get enough clothing for Pete,
The family is furnished with clothing complete.”

“But when Ned get through with the clothing, and when
He has thrown it aside, what do you do with it then?”

“Why, once more we go around the circle complete,
And begin to use it for patches for Pete.”

Stories and Anecdotes - Earl Weaver


            Earl Weaver, former manager of the Baltimore Orioles, had a rule that no one could steal a base unless he gave the steal sign.  This ruling  upset Reggie Jackson, who felt he knew the pitchers and catchers well enough to judge when he could steal.  One day he decided to steal without a sign,  He got a good jump off the pitcher and easily beat the throw to second base.  As he shook the dirt from his uniform, he smiled with delight, feeling he had vindicated his judgment.
            Weaver later took Jackson aside and explained why he hadn’t given the steal sign.  The next batter was Lee May, a major power hitter.  Because first base was open, the opposing team intentionally walked May.  The batter after May hadn’t been strong against this pitcher, so Weaver had to send in a designated hitter.  That left their team without the bench strength they might have needed later in the game.
            Jackson had seen a stolen base as involving only the relationship between pitcher and catcher.  Weaver was calling signals with the entire game in mind.
            Don’t put your trust in what you see around you.  Trust the One Who sees the ‘big picture” that spans all of time and eternity.

Stories and Anecdotes - An Old Story

      I have heard of poor and sad congregations, but the saddest preacher I ever knew went from Posey county, Indiana, to Pike CountyMissouri, (where John Hay discovered Little Breeches and Jim Bludsoe).  He was starving to death on donations of catfish, ‘possum, and a hundred-dollar salary.  Finally he made up his mind to go away.  With wet eyes, he stood up in the prayer meeting, to bid good-bye to his weeping congregation.

            “Brothers and sisters,” he said, wiping his eyes on his red bandanna handkerchief, “I’ve called you together tonight to say farewell.  The Lord has called me to another place.  I don’t think the Lord loves this people much; for none of you seem to die.  He doesn’t seem to want you. And you don’t seem to love each other; for I’ve never married any of you.  And I don’t think you love me; for you don’t pay me my salary--- and your donations are moldy fruits and wormy apples. ‘By their fruits ye shall know them.’
            “And now, brothers and sisters, I am going to a better place.  I’ve been appointed chaplain to the penitentiary at Joliet. ‘Where I go ye cannot come; but I go to prepare a place for you.’”

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Poems by Sue - Walking by Faith

When Christ, the lovely Son of God,
      The roads in old Judea trod
They said He was as gentle as could be.

They said that people by the score
      Crowded ‘round Him more and more,
As He healed the sick and made the blind to see.

Although I’ve never seen His face
      By His unbounded matchless grace
My Lord performed a miracle in me.

My heart so black He turned to white
      My blinded eyes He gave new sight,
Though chained by sin, in love He set me free.

For Christ, the lovely Son of God,
      Who once in old Judea trod,
Now walks by faith with me.

                        Sue Rothwell

Stories and Anecdotes - Leonard Bernstein


     Leonard Bernstein, the famous composer, pianist and orchestra conductor was once asked by an admirer, “What is the hardest instrument to play?”
     Bernstein responded without hesitation, “Second fiddle.  I can always get plenty of first violinists, but to find one who plays second violin with as much enthusiasm, or second French horn, or second flute, not that’s a problem.  And yet if no one plays second, we have no harmony.”
     Leaders cannot lead without followers, contributors, supports, those willing to help without fanfare.  Without leadership, any institution or organization of any size fails to move forward.  Without those who follow enthusiastically, no institution has strength.  Envy, then, can kill both progress and stability!
     A true friend chooses to rejoice with those who succeed rather than envy them.  This can be difficult at times, but when the glow of the success or blessing grows dim, the friendship remains brighter and more satisfying than ever.

Stories and Anecdotes - Thou Shalt Not Steal


     A young preacher was invited at the last minute to preach a sermon at a church in his city.  On impulse he used as his text one of the Ten Commandments “thou shalt not steal.” The next morning, he stepped on a bus and handed the driver a dollar bill.  The driver handed him back his change and he moved to the rear of the bus.  Glancing down to count the change before he pocketed it, the man noticed that the driver had given him a dime too much.  His first thought was, The bus company will never miss a dime.
     He quickly changed his mind, however, feeling conviction in his conscience that the dime didn’t belong to him and he needed to return it to the driver.  He made it to the front and said, “You gave me too much change and handed the man the dime”.
     To his surprise the driver said, “Yes, I gave you a dime too much.  I did it purposely.  I heard your sermon yesterday and I was watching you in my mirror as you counted your change.”
     The young preacher passed the test set up for him by the driver . . and gave a witness to his faith in the process.  May all of our deeds so match our words!

Poems by Sue - Untitled 1

How do I know that He is near?
      When storms around me blow?
His loving arms enfold me as
      In prayer to Him I go.

How do I know that He is near?
      His face I cannot see;
Yet when my way is darkest
      His face is clear to me.

“Fear not for I am with thee”
      These words to me He has given
And though my footsteps falter,
      His hand guides me to heaven.

                        Sue Rothwell

Stories and Anecdotes - A Wonderful Way to Explain Death


     A sick man turned to his doctor, as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, “Doctor, I am afraid to die.  Tell me what lies on the other side.”

     Very quietly, the doctor said, “I don’t know.”

     "You don’t know?  You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?”

     The doctor was holding the handle of the door; on the other side of which came a sound of scratching and whining.  As he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.  Turning to the patient, the doctor said “did you notice my dog? He has never been in this room before.  He didn’t know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear. 

     I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing…I know my Master is there and that is enough.”

Stories and Anecdotes - Linda


     A woman named Linda once was traveling from Alberta to the Yukon.  The highway was rutted and rugged, but Linda naively set out on her trip in a small rundown car.  The first night on the toad, she found a room at a motel near a summit.  When she responded to her 5 A.M. wake-up call, she saw the mountaintops were shrouded in early-morning fog.  At breakfast, two truck drivers invited Linda to join them, and since the breakfast room was very small, she did.

     One of the truckers asked, “Where are you headed?” When she said “Whitehorse,” the other driver said, “In that little car? In this fog? No way!”

     “I’m going to try,” Linda said bravely. “Then we’ll have to hug you,” one trucker said.  Linda drew back, “There’s no way I’m going to let you touch me!” The truckers chuckled. “Not like that,” one of them said. “We’ll put one truck in front of you and the other behind you. We’ll get you through the mountains.”

     All morning, Linda followed the two red dots which were the taillights of the truck in front of her, with the reassurance of a big escort behind her.  She made the trek through the treacherous passage safely.

     Friends are those who are there to “hug” and help others as they go through tough times.

     A true friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be going down.

Poems by Sue - Shoes

When I’ve completed daily tasks
      An easy chair for me I ask;
A footstool for my feet
      No shoes now do I want on me
For shoes are made for walking.

At night when I am in repose
      I like to stretch and wiggle toes
No shoes for me when I’m in bed
      For shoes are made for walking.

But when I rise to greet the day,
      And clothe myself in work array
I reach for shoes to clad my feet
      For shoes are made for working.

God gives us spiritual shoes to wear
      Each day prepared to go
Clad in the armor of His Word
      Ready to fight the foe.

Let’s not forget our spiritual shoes
      But bind them tightly, knowing
That we have work to do for Him
And shoes are made for going.
                       
                        Sue Rothwell

Poem - "When Father Prays"


When Father prays he doesn’t use
            The words the preacher does;
There’s different things for different days,
            But mostly it’s for us.

When father prays the house is still,
            His voice is slow and deep,
We shut our eyes, the clock ticks loud,
            So quite we must keep.

He prays that we may be good boys,
            And later on good men;
And soon we squirm, and think we won’t
            Have any quarrels again.

You’d never think, to look at Dad,
            He once had tempers, too
I guess if father needs to pray,
            We youngsters surely do.

Sometimes the prayer gets very long
            And hard to understand.
And then I wiggle up quite close,
            And let him hold my hand.

I can’t remember all of it,
            I’m little yet, you see;
But one thing I cannot forget,
            My father prays for me!
Unknown

Just for Fun - A Preacher's Prayer


Dear Lord, fill my mind
            With worth-while stuff---
And nudge me hard
            When I’ve said enough.
Unknown

Stories and Anecdotes - "God Lives Under the Bed"

     I envy Kevin. My brother Kevin  thinks God lives under his bed. At least that's what I heard him say one  night. He was praying out loud in his  dark bedroom, and I stopped to listen, 'Are you there, God?' he said.  'Where are you? Oh, I see. Under the bed...'

      I giggled softly and tiptoed off  to my own room. Kevin's unique perspectives are often a source of  amusement. But that night something else lingered long after the humor. I  realized for the first time the very different world Kevin lives  in.  

      He was born 30 years ago, mentally disabled as a result of difficulties during labor. Apart from his size  (he's 6-foot-2), there are few ways in which he is an adult.   He reasons and communicates with  the capabilities of a 7-year-old, and he always will. He will probably  always believe that God lives under his bed, that Santa Claus is the one  who fills the space under our tree every Christmas and that airplanes stay  up in the sky because angels carry them.

      I remember wondering if Kevin realizes he is different. Is he ever dissatisfied with his monotonous life?  Up before dawn each day, off to  work at a workshop for the disabled, home to walk our cocker spaniel,  return to eat his favorite macaroni-and-cheese for dinner, and later to  bed.   The only variation in the entire  scheme is laundry, when he hovers excitedly over the washing machine like  a mother with her newborn child.  He does not seem dissatisfied.  
 
     He lopes out to the bus every  morning at 7:05, eager for a day of simple work.
He wrings his hands excitedly  while the water boils on the stove before dinner, and he stays up late twice a week to gather our dirty laundry for his next day's laundry  chores.  And Saturdays-oh, the bliss of  Saturdays! That's the day my Dad takes Kevin to the airport to have a soft  drink, watch the planes land, and speculate loudly on the destination of  each passenger inside. 'That one's goin' to Chi-car-go!' Kevin shouts as  he claps his hands.  His anticipation is so great he can hardly sleep on Friday nights.
 
     And so goes his world of daily rituals and weekend field trips.  He doesn't know what it means to  be discontent.  His life is simple.   He will never know the  entanglements of wealth of power, and he does not care what brand of  clothing he wears or what kind of food he eats. His needs have always been  met, and he never worries that one day they may not be.

      His hands are diligent. Kevin is never so happy as when he is working. When he unloads the dishwasher or  vacuums the carpet, his heart is completely in it.  He does not shrink from a job when  it is begun, and he does not leave a job until it is finished. But when  his tasks are done, Kevin knows how to relax.  He is not obsessed with his work  or the work of others. His heart is pure.  He still believes everyone tells  the truth, promises must be kept, and when you are wrong, you apologize  instead of argue.

     Free from pride and unconcerned  with appearances, Kevin is not afraid to cry when he is hurt, angry or  sorry. He is always transparent, always sincere. And he trusts God.  Not confined by intellectual  reasoning, when he comes to Christ, he comes as a child. Kevin seems to  know God - to really be friends with Him in a way that is difficult for an  'educated' person to grasp. God seems like hi s closest companion.  

     In my moments of doubt and  frustrations with my Christianity I envy the security Kevin has in his simple faith.  It is then that I am most willing  to admit that he has some divine knowledge that rises above my mortal  questions.  It is then I realize that perhaps  he is not the one with the handicap . I am. My obligations, my fear, my  pride, my circumstances - they all become disabilities when I do not trust  them to God's care

     Who knows if Kevin comprehends  things I can never learn? After all, he has spent his whole life in that  kind of innocence, praying after dark and soaking up the goodness and love  of God. And one day, when the mysteries of  heaven are opened, and we are all amazed at how close God really is to our  hearts, I'll realize that God heard the simple prayers of a boy who  believed that God lived under his bed.
     Kevin won't be surprised at all!