March 27 2018 – Click here to listen
I had dinner with some dear friends last night and one of them told me that they have all but given up on our culture and our government in particular. I am always saddened to hear hopelessness expressed, because I don’t think like that. God saved me when no person ever thought it might be possible, (especially me), and realizing this, and how radically God changed my life, makes me understand that nothing is impossible.
I received one of the nicest letters, (hand-written), I’ve ever received yesterday from a retired orthopedic surgeon who had just read my book, Miracle on Luckie Street. He stated:
“Your story reminds us that to be a success and at peace we have to be right, think right, act right, do right, as the Bible and Jesus Christ teach us.”
Ugh . . . I immediately thought of the many times I fail and don’t do the above, but he followed up with this remark:
“Your life has reinforced the importance of persistence. Three of my favorite quotes are:
- “The real glory is to be knocked to your knees and then coming back. That’s the real glory. That’s the essence of it.’” Vince Lombardi
- “Nothing replaces persistence; talent will not; genius will not; education will not. Persistence and determination are powerful.” Calvin Coolidge
- “The real excitement and nobility of the human experience: perseverance, persistence, and determination.” Anonymous
I pass on his remarks because I know that many are disheartened by the sinful corruption that we see worldwide and are ready to give up. But the Bible clearly tells us to persist, to battle on.
I end this post today with one of my favorite poems. After reading it, my hope dream is that those of you who have lost hope will renew it. Remember “Nothing is impossible for God.” I have read it many times when I was down, and it always inspired me to keep fighting. It is entitled:
Don’t you quit!
When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit –
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.
When you’re worried and full of doubt,
just remember that Success is failure turned inside out—
So, stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit,
It’s when things seem worst that you mustn’t quit.
Anonymous
Rom. 5:3
. . . Glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;
and perseverance, character; and character, hope.