Marc Estes

In the mid-1800s, Dr. Russell Conwell dedicated his life to the formation of a college for poor but deserving young people. Almost single-handedly he raised several million dollars, with which he established Temple University. In each of his more than six thousand fundraising lectures throughout the country, he told a true story that deeply affected his listeners. It was called “Acres of Diamonds.” The plot starts with an African farmer who had heard tales of others making millions by discovering diamond mines. He was so excited about the possibilities which lay ahead that he sold his farm and used the money to traipse across the African continent in search of the valuable gems. Unfortunately for him, he never found his fortune and died a despondent and dejected man. Meanwhile, the man who purchased the farm from this wealth-seeking African discovered a beautiful rock while crossing one of the streams on his newly-acquired property. He placed it upon the fireplace mantel because of its curious beauty. Several weeks later a visitor noticed the rock and nearly fainted. The farmer thought it was just an impressive clump of crystal. As it turned out, it was one of the largest diamonds ever discovered and it came from a creek full of many more large and precious stones. Dr. Conwell concluded his story by stating that the farm turned out to be one of the most productive diamond mines on the entire African continent. We need not waste our lives looking elsewhere for “better opportunities.” We already own the most valuable resources available, in that the Creator of diamonds has said he is polishing us into the image of Christ. (See Romans 8:29 and Philippians 1:6.)

Mother Teresa was an icon of servanthood. On one occasion she was brought face to face with a man who had a rare and horrendous case of terminal cancer. One of the workers had vomited from the stench and could no longer continue. Mother Teresa then stepped in and kindly took over. The patient was mystified. “How can you stand the smell?” asked the patient. Mother Teresa replied, “It’s nothing compared to the pain you must feel.”

Servanthood begins when we move beyond our own comfort to relief the discomfort of another. Too often, we are focused on what we can get out of our acts of service versus what we might deposit in the lives of others. The world measures success by what you gain, causing a never-ending pressure upon our desire to live a Christ-like life. Christ measures success by what you lose for the sake of another. Love will never became true love into you give it away. Life isn’t about what you get, but what you give. Give yourself away today, you just might enjoy it.

Attitude is a powerful tool that either catapults you towards your God-intended destiny or paralyzes you in the pit of despair. One should be mindful of just how they approach every circumstance of life. Here are some attitude adjusters to help you keep your attitude focused in the right direction:

“Don’t let your worries get the best of you. Remember, Moses started out as a basket case.”

Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited – until you try to sit in their pews.

Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisers.

It is easier to preach ten sermons then it is to live one.

The Lord didn’t create anything without a purpose, but mosquitos and gnats come close.

When you get to your wit’s end, you’ll find that God lives there.

People are funny; they want the front of the bus, the middle of the road,and the back of the church.

Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever.

Quit griping about your church; if it was perfect, you couldn’t belong.

If the church wants a better pastor, it only needs to pray for the one it has.

God himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you?

Some minds are like concrete, thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.

Peace starts with a smile.

I don’t know why some people change churches; what difference does it make which one you stay home from?

A lot of church members who are singing “Standing on the Promises” are just sitting on the premises.

We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges.

Be ye fishers of men. You catch them – He’ll clean them.

Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.

Don’t put a question mark where God put a period.

Don’t wait for 6 strong men to take you to church.

Forbidden fruits create many jams.

God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

God grades on the cross, not the curve.

God loves everyone, but he probably prefers “fruits of the spirit” over “religious nuts!”

God promises safe landing, not calm passage.

He, who angers you, controls you!

If God is your co-pilot – swap seats!

Prayer: Don’t give God instructions — just report for duty!

The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.

The Will of god will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.

We don’t change the message, the message changes us.

You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to……..Discourage him.

The best mathematical equation I have ever seen: 1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given.

A typical concert piano has over 240 strings that, when tuned and tightened, create a pull of 40,000 pounds on the frame. Without the tension, there would be no beautiful music. Yet, too much exerted pressure can cause the piano to crack and will destroy its sound. The piano models a good strategy for stress. (Especially since Americans consume 20,000 pounds of aspirin a year). Balance in work, exercise, diet, recreation, worship, and relationships keeps us in harmony. Over-commitments can knock us out of tune and rob the music from our lives.

The Day America Told the Truth came out in 1991. In this work, research showed 91 percent of Americans lie routinely, while 36 percent confess to dark, important lies. Eighty-six percent lie regularly to parents, 75 percent lie to friends, 73 percent to siblings, 69 percent to spouses, 81 percent lie about feelings, 43 percent concerning income, and 40 percent about sex. Psychologist Michael Lewis of Rutgers University says there are three types of lies: (1) Lies to protect feelings, such as saying a gift is nice when you actually hate it; (2) Lies to avoid punishment; and (3) Lies of self-deception. Our behavior repulses others, but we lie to ourselves and blame the rejection on something or someone else. A woman gives herself a breast exam and notices an unusual lump but tells herself everything is fine. A guy knows that he has an issue with lust but keeps his hidden secret to himself for so long that he actually has decieved himself to think everything is alright. Lewis feels these lies of self-deception may be the most frequent lies. That could explain why so many people reject the gospel. They’ve lied to themselves about their need for forgiveness and God’s requirement of commitment to Christ. In this age of obsessive lying, remember who is the “father of lies” (John 8:44), and who promised to give the “truth that shall make you free” (John 8:32). C. S. Lewis noted, “We often err either by ascribing too much or too little power to the father of lies.”

Honesty is, and will always be the best policy. Half truth is no truth at all. What this world needs is to get back to facing the facts and telling the truth so that we all might free from the delusions and secrets that bind us.

On a more humorous note, here is a funny story regarding honesty. It may not spell out the real message of today’s blog, but it sure gets you thinking!

A young boy asked his dad, “What does ‘ethics’ mean?” The father was a rather prosperous businessman and valued his son’s question, so he gave it considerable thought. After contemplation he said, “Well, you know your uncle Billy and I are in business together. Suppose a customer comes in and buys something worth $10 but mistakenly gives me a $20 bill and leaves without his change. It’s ethics if I split the extra $10 with Uncle Billy.”