RISK TAKERS!
In Hollywood there was a news article some months back, about a very popular starlet who had plastic surgery done by a popular Doctor who did the procedure in his or her living room. The work he performed on her, was very disastrous and the risk she took was irreversible. The pictures I saw were terrible! My heart ached for her and what she once looked like. However, there are many risk takers out there, just like her. The major risk in this story, was that this Plastic Surgeon was no surgeon/Doctor at all.

Today, when you have an obvious problem your Doctor will usually refer you to a specialist in the field. I remember once I brought to my Doctor's attention, some spots on my face that were brought about from too much sun as a child. He referred me to a Dermatologist. Since then I have developed small worts on my face and hair line. I mentioned this to my Doctor, thinking he would refer me again to a Dematologist. Our local Dematologist was killed in an airplane crash and so on two occasions my Doctor whipped out his can of Liquid Nitrogen. The second time, he began to rapidly fire his trusty can of spray, attacking my face with such ferocity, that I found myself fighting him off. I felt I was at risk ! I wanted a dermatologist!

Can you think of a time when you took a risk and it turned out bad? Can you remember thinking that it sounds good and later saying; "It was too good to be true!" Now don't get me wrong. There are many things worth taking a risk for. When I married Jim, I was taking a risk!
My mother encouraged me with; "You never know them until you are married to them." My first pregnancy ended up in miscarriage, but it was well worth the risk becoming pregnant two more times. Having a heart attack and the Doctor saying you need a bi-pass or perhaps a stint, is well worth the risk. Many things are worth taking risks for. There are things in our lives that if we do not take the risk, we suffer the consequences.

"Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools" Romans 1:22 I believe those who refuse Jesus Christ, are taking huge risks which would classify them as fools. A popular preacher in Oregon during the 50's - 80's was Willie White. He had a sermon he called; "The Four Biggest Fools in Town!" One says there is no God; One says he can get along without God; One says he has no time for God; And the last one fails to prepare for God's coming again. Where do you stand among the four fools?

Willie would tell a story about a poor, half-witted boy, who lived in Pennsylvania. All the other kids made fun of him. They would laugh and say; "He doesn't have all his marbles." This mentally retarded boy began to attend an evangelistic meeting and he understood that Jesus had died for him and that he should become a Christian. So one night during the meeting he went forward to confess his faith in Jesus and was baptized. The next day a fellow came up to him and began to ridicule him. Taunting him with; "So you got religion last night!" "Don't you know only fools join the church?" "There is no God; no devil; no heaven; no hell. So you have just made a fool of yourself!" This new Christian, thought for a moment and then said; "If you are right and the preacher is wrong; There is no God or devil or heaven or hell, then I am no worse off than I was. But if you are wrong and the preacher is right and there is a God; a devil; a heaven; a hell; then I go to heaven, you go to hell. Isn't that two chances to one?" The new Christian took a sure fire risk and is no fool. "A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself." Proverbs 18:2 Let me ask this; "Where do you stand among the risk takers?" Are you one that stands at the station as the train pulls away or are you sitting in the observation car and on your way to glory? Come on board! Jane Ann