EMULATE!
Webster’s definition for this word is to; "to strive to equal or surpass another". Are you an emulator? Do you try to be somebody else? Those who are actor’s are emulators! They have an emulous character. They desire to imitate or rival another, sometimes to selfish ends. Many times we emulate another person because we admire them so much that we inadvertently take on some of their characteristics.
I have watched my children as they were growing take on facial expressions that some of their friends had. This is part of growing up! We all have done this. Children become involved in click’s because of their desire to be accepted within a certain group. This can also be applied to gangs of today. Children who are feeling left out and wanting to belong will get caught up with undesirable behavior because of the desire to emulate and be accepted.
Some children, who feel left out and know it is wrong to run in packs of disobedient behavior, become withdrawn and are considered loners. Personally, I don’t believe that is entirely wrong behavior. I believe that is being considerate of who you are and who you want to be. I have to admit I would be considered one of those if it were not for the church and for the grace of God. Hebrews 6:12 says; "Do not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises".
One of my favorites persons in the scriptures, outside of Jesus Christ, is Paul. His strength of character is what I want. In 1 Corinthians 4:16 Paul encourages us with; "I urge you then, be imitators of me." Paul continues in 1 Corinthians 11:1 with; "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ"! Again in Philippians 3:17 Paul says; "Brethren, join in imitating me, and mark those who so live as you have, an example in us".
It goes like this; Christ lived to show us how to live; Paul became an imitator of Christ to show us that we could live like Christ; We, who imitate Paul are imitator’s of Christ; Those who see Christ in us will be imitator’s of us and so it will continue until Christ comes again.
The characteristics of Paul and Jesus Christ are worth imitating; don’t you think? If we should light just one little candle with the character of Jesus Christ, think how bright our world would be. Jane Ann
Friday, January 9, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
NO HANDLES?
Upon my highschool graduation a salesman visited some of the homes in his territory, of the senior girls who attended my school. He was selling cook ware. Flavor-seal by Cory! It was called the bridal set! The price was reasonable and you could make payments. I began using them when my sister and I moved into an apartment a couple of years later. 50 some years later, I am still using these pots and pans. I have replaced the handles twice and had the cook ware refinished once. I am desperate for new handles, again!
For things like pots and pans, handles are to be grasped with the hand. For a person to have handles, it is being known by their habits, lack of morals and/or character. The scriptures say that we are to be above reproach; having no handles!
As a young woman, I became acquainted with a young man who wanted to date me. I didn’t date much if at all and so I would accompany him with a group where I could be with everyone and not just him. Some place in all of that I discovered he was dating my best friend. When he asked me out again I said no, because of my friend. He began to spread rumors about me! I never heard the rumors but my brother Lloyd did. He went to the pastor to put a stop to it. When Lloyd told me about it, he said that Mr. Ellett said not to worry because anyone who knew me, would know the stories were not true. According to Mr. Ellett, I had no handles! Wow! I may have passed the test that day because according to James 1:12 it says; "Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him". We undergo testing many times in our lives. I pray that I am still passing!
It is not surprising that our character shows up when we are faced with compromising situations. 1 Peter 4:12 says; "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which comes upon you to prove you, as though something strange were happening to you". When we are called ‘Beloved’ it is because the message is directed to those who belong to Christ. Peter begins chapter 4 by saying that it is okay for us to be challenged for the name of Christ, but we are not to suffer as a murderer, thief, wrong-doer or a trouble maker. We should not be ashamed to suffer as a Christian. In Chapter 5:6 it says; "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that in due time he may exalt you". See what I mean? Character does count! Jane Ann
Upon my highschool graduation a salesman visited some of the homes in his territory, of the senior girls who attended my school. He was selling cook ware. Flavor-seal by Cory! It was called the bridal set! The price was reasonable and you could make payments. I began using them when my sister and I moved into an apartment a couple of years later. 50 some years later, I am still using these pots and pans. I have replaced the handles twice and had the cook ware refinished once. I am desperate for new handles, again!
For things like pots and pans, handles are to be grasped with the hand. For a person to have handles, it is being known by their habits, lack of morals and/or character. The scriptures say that we are to be above reproach; having no handles!
As a young woman, I became acquainted with a young man who wanted to date me. I didn’t date much if at all and so I would accompany him with a group where I could be with everyone and not just him. Some place in all of that I discovered he was dating my best friend. When he asked me out again I said no, because of my friend. He began to spread rumors about me! I never heard the rumors but my brother Lloyd did. He went to the pastor to put a stop to it. When Lloyd told me about it, he said that Mr. Ellett said not to worry because anyone who knew me, would know the stories were not true. According to Mr. Ellett, I had no handles! Wow! I may have passed the test that day because according to James 1:12 it says; "Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him". We undergo testing many times in our lives. I pray that I am still passing!
It is not surprising that our character shows up when we are faced with compromising situations. 1 Peter 4:12 says; "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which comes upon you to prove you, as though something strange were happening to you". When we are called ‘Beloved’ it is because the message is directed to those who belong to Christ. Peter begins chapter 4 by saying that it is okay for us to be challenged for the name of Christ, but we are not to suffer as a murderer, thief, wrong-doer or a trouble maker. We should not be ashamed to suffer as a Christian. In Chapter 5:6 it says; "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that in due time he may exalt you". See what I mean? Character does count! Jane Ann
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
WHAT PRODUCES CHARACTER?
Seven or eight months ago we switched from Direct TV to Charter so we could bundle our TV, telephone and get high speed internet. With Direct TV we were able to get many programs that we enjoyed, even though we complained about all the trash. But we wanted to get rid of ‘dial up’ and liked the sounds of the convenience of the offer. Since we have had cable there is very little that we can watch and often suggest we get a new TV because this one has nothing good on it. Needless to say that we have broken the habit that we acquired upon retiring. Watching TV from morning to night! Cable must be a gift from God!
As a young woman I enjoyed reading romance novel’s! Especially, the gothic’s! I had so many of them that when I realized I could save money by checking them out of the library, I became a regular. I then discovered the library would take my old paperbacks. I kept the hardbacks because I truly love books and just felt I couldn’t give them up.
Now that I am an old woman I know that even though I read good books with good morals and good conclusions, it still is a lot of garbage in. I discovered that reading some of those stories did not help in building my character. Even though the hero and heroine were of good report, it couldn’t hold a candle to the training I have received by living my life as a Christian, receiving my instructions from God’s word. Endeavoring to be humble in the sight of the Lord.
Don’t get me wrong; that doesn’t mean I have a perfect character, nor am I a perfect Christian. It means that the road I am on is leading me day by day, to become the person that God has created me to be. I am on the right track. His word corrects me and admonishes me. I do my best to pay attention and take everything personally. How about you?
I have a calendar by my computer that I received from "My Mechanic Auto Repair". For January it says; "The measure of success is not how high you climb, but how high you bounce once you hit bottom".
In Romans 5 Paul is talking about being justified by faith through Jesus Christ. In verses 3-4 Paul says; "More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance and endurance produces character, and character produces hope". Reading about life does not produce character. Character is not produced by lesson’s in a class room. Character comes from being nurtured by good parents, enduring all that life hands you through trials, love, obedience and perseverance. A good character comes with no handles. Jane Ann
Seven or eight months ago we switched from Direct TV to Charter so we could bundle our TV, telephone and get high speed internet. With Direct TV we were able to get many programs that we enjoyed, even though we complained about all the trash. But we wanted to get rid of ‘dial up’ and liked the sounds of the convenience of the offer. Since we have had cable there is very little that we can watch and often suggest we get a new TV because this one has nothing good on it. Needless to say that we have broken the habit that we acquired upon retiring. Watching TV from morning to night! Cable must be a gift from God!
As a young woman I enjoyed reading romance novel’s! Especially, the gothic’s! I had so many of them that when I realized I could save money by checking them out of the library, I became a regular. I then discovered the library would take my old paperbacks. I kept the hardbacks because I truly love books and just felt I couldn’t give them up.
Now that I am an old woman I know that even though I read good books with good morals and good conclusions, it still is a lot of garbage in. I discovered that reading some of those stories did not help in building my character. Even though the hero and heroine were of good report, it couldn’t hold a candle to the training I have received by living my life as a Christian, receiving my instructions from God’s word. Endeavoring to be humble in the sight of the Lord.
Don’t get me wrong; that doesn’t mean I have a perfect character, nor am I a perfect Christian. It means that the road I am on is leading me day by day, to become the person that God has created me to be. I am on the right track. His word corrects me and admonishes me. I do my best to pay attention and take everything personally. How about you?
I have a calendar by my computer that I received from "My Mechanic Auto Repair". For January it says; "The measure of success is not how high you climb, but how high you bounce once you hit bottom".
In Romans 5 Paul is talking about being justified by faith through Jesus Christ. In verses 3-4 Paul says; "More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance and endurance produces character, and character produces hope". Reading about life does not produce character. Character is not produced by lesson’s in a class room. Character comes from being nurtured by good parents, enduring all that life hands you through trials, love, obedience and perseverance. A good character comes with no handles. Jane Ann
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
WHAT IS YOUR CHARACTER?
Webster’s Dictionary says that ‘character’ is; a mark on an object that can give identification of ownership, origin and/or brand; symbols as letters or figures; one’s moral strength; a description of a person’s qualities; and a person in a story or as a character in a play.
Many times I would choose to be around a person because of their good character. Not necessarily because of their good behavior because many times we act impulsively which is not in character of our moral behavior. Conversely, I also may choose to not associate with those of bad character, even though they may have moments of good and or sound judgement. I have always been circumspect when it came to relationships. I suppose I have missed out on a lot!
My problem is that some biblical teachings would jump out at me and I would take them to the next level. For instance; ‘You are known by the company you keep’. I am an addictive person and therefore I don’t want to get myself in a position that would cause me to fall into a trap of self destruction. Because I am obsessive, I would be up at all hours wanting Jim to teach me how to play chess. Because my brain is slow in processing instructions, written or verbal, I was obsessed with understanding his moves. It was the same when I learned how to play solitaire! I was even obsessed with doing crossword puzzles. I knew if I drank anything harder than a soda pop I would become an alcoholic. I tried smoking and even though I didn’t do it right, it was hard to quit.
I have learned to be honest with my dealings financially, personally and with my relationships. It is hard for me to do things in secret, although there was a time that secret was an avenue I often took. When I realized that God see’s also in secret, my secret places disappeared. In Numbers 32:23b it says; "your sins will find you out"! Live with no handles!
Now that you know about me and my obsessive behavior which helps to define my character, what about you. What is your character like? Jane Ann
Webster’s Dictionary says that ‘character’ is; a mark on an object that can give identification of ownership, origin and/or brand; symbols as letters or figures; one’s moral strength; a description of a person’s qualities; and a person in a story or as a character in a play.
Many times I would choose to be around a person because of their good character. Not necessarily because of their good behavior because many times we act impulsively which is not in character of our moral behavior. Conversely, I also may choose to not associate with those of bad character, even though they may have moments of good and or sound judgement. I have always been circumspect when it came to relationships. I suppose I have missed out on a lot!
My problem is that some biblical teachings would jump out at me and I would take them to the next level. For instance; ‘You are known by the company you keep’. I am an addictive person and therefore I don’t want to get myself in a position that would cause me to fall into a trap of self destruction. Because I am obsessive, I would be up at all hours wanting Jim to teach me how to play chess. Because my brain is slow in processing instructions, written or verbal, I was obsessed with understanding his moves. It was the same when I learned how to play solitaire! I was even obsessed with doing crossword puzzles. I knew if I drank anything harder than a soda pop I would become an alcoholic. I tried smoking and even though I didn’t do it right, it was hard to quit.
I have learned to be honest with my dealings financially, personally and with my relationships. It is hard for me to do things in secret, although there was a time that secret was an avenue I often took. When I realized that God see’s also in secret, my secret places disappeared. In Numbers 32:23b it says; "your sins will find you out"! Live with no handles!
Now that you know about me and my obsessive behavior which helps to define my character, what about you. What is your character like? Jane Ann
Monday, January 5, 2009
I DON'T KNOW AND I DON'T WANT TO FIND OUT! 1/5/09
As we teach our children about life, it is hard to know if they are really paying attention. Oh, I know we send them off to school in hopes that the teachers really do know more and can get across to our children the importance of learning and therefore they learn. We watch them stumble as they learn to walk. Their words are precious until they begin to say them properly.
We want them to be confident and yet we hold them back from making to many decisions at an early age. When it is time for self confidence and real decision making we are apprehensive as to whether they are truly capable of doing it. We wonder what kind of character our sons and daughters have formed and how they will display it in life.
My son and daughter have always shown Jim and me that they were made of the right stuff. I know that was primarily because they were raised in the church, knowing Jesus Christ. Even thought Jim and I tried to be Godly parents, we were not perfect and neither were we always right about everything. But as Jim always said; "God made it easy with Dan and Jennifer". These two kids came with all the makings for great possibilities that outweighed any possible side effects. In other words, everyone makes mistakes! Most patterns need to be reworked in order to make them fit. Conditions can make for road blocks but when you have the right stuff and it comes down to the wire, you can make it through, even if it is a little bumpy.
When Danny was 17 and a senior in High School, he was an accomplished vocalist and pianist. He and his musical friends in the choir and jazz groups were having a talent show. Miss Rogue Valley was a member of this elite group. Her talent for the pageant was piano but for this occasion she wanted to sing. The instructor saw it differently! A group of kids made a plan so Julie could sing and still play the piano. In between one of the performances Danny would go to the piano and start playing Julie’s song. She would walk out on stage and sing. By then, the music instructor couldn’t do anything about it. He told me this plan and I listened. Wished them all well and went to my seat next to Jim. I told Jim the plan! He was somewhat disappointed and normally he wouldn’t do or say anything. This plan bothered him!
He went back stage and found Danny. He said; "Your Mom just told me about the plan to help Julie sing on stage"! Danny repeated what they were planning to do. His Dad said; "Well, I would rather you didn’t, but you do what you think best!" The talent show was very good but Julie never sang. When the show was over and we were able to talk with Danny, I asked what happened with Julie’s song. Danny said; "Well, I just told the kids that my Dad didn’t like the idea so I wasn’t going to do it". I asked; "what did they say about that?" They said; "What could your Dad do about it"? "So, I just told them, I didn’t know and I didn’t want to find out ". If buttons really could pop, our buttons would have exploded. His response told us about his character! It told us of his care and concern for others. It showed us his respect for his father and his obedience was evident. I suppose I could go on and on and on!
Without even going into the scriptures, you know that Christ talks about the kind of person we should be. He asks us to be obedient to His word and to care about each other. In 2 Timothy 2:15 it says; "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth". Another scripture found in Colossians 3:16 says; "Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him, to God the father". Obtaining perfection is our goal, through Jesus Christ, for Matthew 5:48 says; "we are to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect". Character does count! Character speaks volumes. What are you saying? By Jane Ann Crenshaw 2/1/08
We want them to be confident and yet we hold them back from making to many decisions at an early age. When it is time for self confidence and real decision making we are apprehensive as to whether they are truly capable of doing it. We wonder what kind of character our sons and daughters have formed and how they will display it in life.
My son and daughter have always shown Jim and me that they were made of the right stuff. I know that was primarily because they were raised in the church, knowing Jesus Christ. Even thought Jim and I tried to be Godly parents, we were not perfect and neither were we always right about everything. But as Jim always said; "God made it easy with Dan and Jennifer". These two kids came with all the makings for great possibilities that outweighed any possible side effects. In other words, everyone makes mistakes! Most patterns need to be reworked in order to make them fit. Conditions can make for road blocks but when you have the right stuff and it comes down to the wire, you can make it through, even if it is a little bumpy.
When Danny was 17 and a senior in High School, he was an accomplished vocalist and pianist. He and his musical friends in the choir and jazz groups were having a talent show. Miss Rogue Valley was a member of this elite group. Her talent for the pageant was piano but for this occasion she wanted to sing. The instructor saw it differently! A group of kids made a plan so Julie could sing and still play the piano. In between one of the performances Danny would go to the piano and start playing Julie’s song. She would walk out on stage and sing. By then, the music instructor couldn’t do anything about it. He told me this plan and I listened. Wished them all well and went to my seat next to Jim. I told Jim the plan! He was somewhat disappointed and normally he wouldn’t do or say anything. This plan bothered him!
He went back stage and found Danny. He said; "Your Mom just told me about the plan to help Julie sing on stage"! Danny repeated what they were planning to do. His Dad said; "Well, I would rather you didn’t, but you do what you think best!" The talent show was very good but Julie never sang. When the show was over and we were able to talk with Danny, I asked what happened with Julie’s song. Danny said; "Well, I just told the kids that my Dad didn’t like the idea so I wasn’t going to do it". I asked; "what did they say about that?" They said; "What could your Dad do about it"? "So, I just told them, I didn’t know and I didn’t want to find out ". If buttons really could pop, our buttons would have exploded. His response told us about his character! It told us of his care and concern for others. It showed us his respect for his father and his obedience was evident. I suppose I could go on and on and on!
Without even going into the scriptures, you know that Christ talks about the kind of person we should be. He asks us to be obedient to His word and to care about each other. In 2 Timothy 2:15 it says; "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth". Another scripture found in Colossians 3:16 says; "Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him, to God the father". Obtaining perfection is our goal, through Jesus Christ, for Matthew 5:48 says; "we are to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect". Character does count! Character speaks volumes. What are you saying? By Jane Ann Crenshaw 2/1/08
Friday, January 2, 2009
RESOLUTIONS
January 2009! Resolutions are being formulated in the minds of many who have decided
to make some changes and/or to resolve to do better. The beginning of every year I resolve to lose weight and then I make that same resolution many times throughout the year. Especially the day after an eating frenzy! Another resolution is to read through the Bible! You know; cover to cover! I have followed many ‘read through the Bible’ programs and accomplished my goal at least once. I always seemed to get bogged down when it comes to the twelve books of Prophecy. However, I have read the New Testament many, many times!
In our little church in White City we would have a read through the Bible program and we had several who would read the Bible year after year. One little lady had read it almost 20 times. Another had read it 17 times. My Jim has read it least 10 times! Each time you read, something new catches your attention. It is too much to catch everything, so it is important that we take the time to read His word often. I have heard it said, "It is important to be in His word so that His word will be in you"!
What are some of the things you always start again at the beginning of a new year? Let me help you! How about cleaning the garage; The attic?; Closets; straightening kitchen cupboards and dresser drawers; Maybe it’s the pantry or the freezer; some probably need to throw away left overs from last year, that are still holding a spot in the refrigerator. For some, it could be some of these things. For others, life just keeps moving on because they have the ability to always have a place for everything and everything is in it’s place. Oh to be one of those!
Remember the proverbial junk drawer? I used to have that and junk room. It was suppose to be a bedroom but since it wasn’t being used as one, it was easy to just fill it with odds and ends that I wasn’t sure what to do with. That would be one of my favorite resolutions year after year. To clean the junk room! It would get rearranged and dusted but I had a problem with throwing anything away.
In Matthew 12, Jesus gives us a warning against seeking signs. At one point Jesus says in verse 39b; "But no sign shall be given, except the sign of the prophet Jonah". What was the sign of Jonah? It was that he would be in the belly of the whale three days and three nights; And so shall the Son of man be"! Then Jesus explains in verses 43-45 that the unclean spirits that inhabited our bodies will leave when we accept Jesus as our Savior. But this spirit has no place to go so it decides to return to it’s original abode. Upon returning he find’s it empty, swept clean, and all in order. This is nice, he says; and so he goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than himself and they enter and begin setting up housekeeping once again. This poor fellow finds his state is now worse than it was before. Unless we fill our bodies and our minds with the Holy Spirit and recognize that He is within us by using our whole being in the service of the King, we will be among those within this perverse generation.
Making resolutions are okay! Making decisions to improve is good! We don’t have to wait for a new year to begin again with Jesus. Today, is the day of Salvation! "Jesus is so special that once you let Him enter your life, it becomes richer and fuller and more wonderful than you ever thought it could be". Have you any room for Jesus? Jane Ann
January 2009! Resolutions are being formulated in the minds of many who have decided
to make some changes and/or to resolve to do better. The beginning of every year I resolve to lose weight and then I make that same resolution many times throughout the year. Especially the day after an eating frenzy! Another resolution is to read through the Bible! You know; cover to cover! I have followed many ‘read through the Bible’ programs and accomplished my goal at least once. I always seemed to get bogged down when it comes to the twelve books of Prophecy. However, I have read the New Testament many, many times!
In our little church in White City we would have a read through the Bible program and we had several who would read the Bible year after year. One little lady had read it almost 20 times. Another had read it 17 times. My Jim has read it least 10 times! Each time you read, something new catches your attention. It is too much to catch everything, so it is important that we take the time to read His word often. I have heard it said, "It is important to be in His word so that His word will be in you"!
What are some of the things you always start again at the beginning of a new year? Let me help you! How about cleaning the garage; The attic?; Closets; straightening kitchen cupboards and dresser drawers; Maybe it’s the pantry or the freezer; some probably need to throw away left overs from last year, that are still holding a spot in the refrigerator. For some, it could be some of these things. For others, life just keeps moving on because they have the ability to always have a place for everything and everything is in it’s place. Oh to be one of those!
Remember the proverbial junk drawer? I used to have that and junk room. It was suppose to be a bedroom but since it wasn’t being used as one, it was easy to just fill it with odds and ends that I wasn’t sure what to do with. That would be one of my favorite resolutions year after year. To clean the junk room! It would get rearranged and dusted but I had a problem with throwing anything away.
In Matthew 12, Jesus gives us a warning against seeking signs. At one point Jesus says in verse 39b; "But no sign shall be given, except the sign of the prophet Jonah". What was the sign of Jonah? It was that he would be in the belly of the whale three days and three nights; And so shall the Son of man be"! Then Jesus explains in verses 43-45 that the unclean spirits that inhabited our bodies will leave when we accept Jesus as our Savior. But this spirit has no place to go so it decides to return to it’s original abode. Upon returning he find’s it empty, swept clean, and all in order. This is nice, he says; and so he goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than himself and they enter and begin setting up housekeeping once again. This poor fellow finds his state is now worse than it was before. Unless we fill our bodies and our minds with the Holy Spirit and recognize that He is within us by using our whole being in the service of the King, we will be among those within this perverse generation.
Making resolutions are okay! Making decisions to improve is good! We don’t have to wait for a new year to begin again with Jesus. Today, is the day of Salvation! "Jesus is so special that once you let Him enter your life, it becomes richer and fuller and more wonderful than you ever thought it could be". Have you any room for Jesus? Jane Ann
Thursday, January 1, 2009
WHAT IS YOUR BEGINNING? 1/1/09
This morning is the first day of a new year. 2009! I remember when the world was facing 2000 and the Y2K crisis! The computers were going to crash because they wouldn't know if it was 1900 or 2000. However, the computers carried on into the millenium without a hitch. A lot has happened in these past years! Our shores have been attacked; we are engaged in wars; we are in an economic slump, world wide and some would say that the sky is falling. But I choose to look at the bright side and say; "God is in control"! Hallelujah!
Everything has a past! Good or bad, there is a past! Lots of times we refer to history to help us to remember the past. For instance lets take a look at the 7/11 Store. Many of you may already know these things but I find some trivia interesting. The 7/11 Store began sometime during the depression which was in the 30s and it’s beginning was as an "ICE HOUSE". This means they only sold blocks of ice to be used in "ice boxes" which were used to keep food cold. We now have refrigerators and only a few ice boxes are still being used. The name of 7/11 was to advertise the hours of the store. They were open from 7:00 am until 11:00 pm. Hence, 7/11! Through the years they thought of changing it to 24/7 but decided it was best to just leave it alone. When folks would come for their ice, they would ask why they didn’t also sell, milk.....Soooo, they sold ice and milk. Then they were asked about eggs....Sooooo, they sold ice, milk and eggs. Bread was the next selection. Before you knew it, they started adding many items that were regularly requested and today they stock well over 4000 different items to satisfy their customers. In 1957 they began to serve "slurpies" and they became an instant success. That is a little bit of the trivial past of how the 7/11 store began. What about you? What past do you have? Does your past keep you from moving on.......or does it hold you back?
My past began in a Ice House! Although I hadn’t even made it on the scene yet. My Mom and Dad ran a Ice House! However, their success was not in the Ice House but in raising a family of fourteen children. I guess success depends upon your perspective. My beginning was very humble. With so many children, you would think the competition for attention would have been fierce. Perhaps it was but I don’t remember. I never felt unloved but sometimes I felt the need to be heard, so I talked a lot. Sometimes I felt I wouldn’t get enough to eat so I ate a lot. Sometimes I wanted more but learned to be satisfied. To this day I love hand me downs or second hand clothes. Used furniture is the first must see, and new is the last option.
After we held Jean’s 80th birthday celebration, she said; " I think this day will last me forever"! Sometimes as we get older these sort of celebrations cause us to look at how far we have come. Yet, when we were 6 or 7 we could hardly wait to put our young past behind us and get on with getting older. Everything has a past! Good or bad, there is a past!
No matter who we become, who we were somehow keeps rearing it’s head. A good past we are willing to keep with us forever but a bad past we want to forget. Have you ever wondered "How do we forget the past?" One of the reasons we can’t totally forget is because we are still hanging onto the guilt of past failures. It could be a refusal to go to a person we have hurt and seek forgiveness. It could be a secret thing that we are afraid to reveal even to ourselves and lastly, unresolved anger. Some are huge problems that hold us back.
In Philippians 3:7-17 Paul tells us he wanted to forget his past and he wanted to press forward. Paul had a great deal to forget; He persecuted the Christians! He had them imprisoned and even put to death. How does that compare to what you must leave behind? What was Paul pressing towards? He called it, "the prize of the upward calling". Eternal life! Paul says that he was not perfect! He was not complete or yet finished here on earth! Paul was saying he had no righteousness of his own but that only found in Christ through faith. Paul knew that as a man he still had areas that needed God’s workmanship. It was necessary for Paul to forget what was behind so that he could press forward to what was ahead. God has promised to forgive and forget! With Christ, we are made new to begin again! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 5/9/08
Everything has a past! Good or bad, there is a past! Lots of times we refer to history to help us to remember the past. For instance lets take a look at the 7/11 Store. Many of you may already know these things but I find some trivia interesting. The 7/11 Store began sometime during the depression which was in the 30s and it’s beginning was as an "ICE HOUSE". This means they only sold blocks of ice to be used in "ice boxes" which were used to keep food cold. We now have refrigerators and only a few ice boxes are still being used. The name of 7/11 was to advertise the hours of the store. They were open from 7:00 am until 11:00 pm. Hence, 7/11! Through the years they thought of changing it to 24/7 but decided it was best to just leave it alone. When folks would come for their ice, they would ask why they didn’t also sell, milk.....Soooo, they sold ice and milk. Then they were asked about eggs....Sooooo, they sold ice, milk and eggs. Bread was the next selection. Before you knew it, they started adding many items that were regularly requested and today they stock well over 4000 different items to satisfy their customers. In 1957 they began to serve "slurpies" and they became an instant success. That is a little bit of the trivial past of how the 7/11 store began. What about you? What past do you have? Does your past keep you from moving on.......or does it hold you back?
My past began in a Ice House! Although I hadn’t even made it on the scene yet. My Mom and Dad ran a Ice House! However, their success was not in the Ice House but in raising a family of fourteen children. I guess success depends upon your perspective. My beginning was very humble. With so many children, you would think the competition for attention would have been fierce. Perhaps it was but I don’t remember. I never felt unloved but sometimes I felt the need to be heard, so I talked a lot. Sometimes I felt I wouldn’t get enough to eat so I ate a lot. Sometimes I wanted more but learned to be satisfied. To this day I love hand me downs or second hand clothes. Used furniture is the first must see, and new is the last option.
After we held Jean’s 80th birthday celebration, she said; " I think this day will last me forever"! Sometimes as we get older these sort of celebrations cause us to look at how far we have come. Yet, when we were 6 or 7 we could hardly wait to put our young past behind us and get on with getting older. Everything has a past! Good or bad, there is a past!
No matter who we become, who we were somehow keeps rearing it’s head. A good past we are willing to keep with us forever but a bad past we want to forget. Have you ever wondered "How do we forget the past?" One of the reasons we can’t totally forget is because we are still hanging onto the guilt of past failures. It could be a refusal to go to a person we have hurt and seek forgiveness. It could be a secret thing that we are afraid to reveal even to ourselves and lastly, unresolved anger. Some are huge problems that hold us back.
In Philippians 3:7-17 Paul tells us he wanted to forget his past and he wanted to press forward. Paul had a great deal to forget; He persecuted the Christians! He had them imprisoned and even put to death. How does that compare to what you must leave behind? What was Paul pressing towards? He called it, "the prize of the upward calling". Eternal life! Paul says that he was not perfect! He was not complete or yet finished here on earth! Paul was saying he had no righteousness of his own but that only found in Christ through faith. Paul knew that as a man he still had areas that needed God’s workmanship. It was necessary for Paul to forget what was behind so that he could press forward to what was ahead. God has promised to forgive and forget! With Christ, we are made new to begin again! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 5/9/08
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