We should agree by now that the quote we learned as kids: “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” are false. Actually, sometimes we would be fortunate to have broken a bone than bruised the soul or psyche.
In the final installment of “ROCKY BALBOA” we find Stallone shooting the breeze at a bar that he rarely frequented in his hometown of Philly. It was always ironic to me that the “City of Brotherly Love” produced so many fighters! While minding his own business a young teenager approaches him and begins to berate him for no reason. Over the years, I have learned that sometimes your success can scare the daylights out of others. Your gift may bring the best out of you but sometimes it extracts the worse from others. After her hurtful remarks to Rocky when she leaves; ironically his head is still ringing as if he endured another avalanche of assaults from Apollo Creed. When Balboa gets his bearings back he realized that the lady behind the counter is an acquaintance from years gone by.
Rocky says: “Yo, do I know you?” She doesn’t remember him at first but he then replies: “You’re little Marie.” Rocky in the original film walked her home one night because streets are no place for a kid. Rocky remembers a negative word that she (when she was much younger) said to him. She was blown away that he would remember her much less the words she said some three decades earlier.
Rocky, went on to say: “Insults last a long time.” The fact is there is great power in the spoken word. The accuser never lost a wink of sleep over what she carelessly said to the soon to be champion of the free world but truth be told I bet not a day went by that either her words or the negative remarks of another rung Rocky’s bell like no opponent in the ring before or since.
Perhaps that is why the Bible notes: “We will have to give an account for EVERY idle word spoken out of our mouth.” I was taught as a child, if you don’t have anything nice to say - “DON’T SAY ANYTHING.” Just being real, I must admit that I have failed a few times but the older I get I am trying to do my best to take the high road (especially with my remarks). The Bible also says: “To let our words be few.” Maybe my next post will be less than 500 words 
A milkman in the early 1970’s, would say “hello” to a five year old girl with big blue eyes and beautiful blonde hair. When he walked by on his weekly route he would tap her on the head as she played in the yard while dropping milk off on her front porch. He always said the same words: “Hello, Miss America.” She would smile with a grin the size of Georgia and continue to play and jump rope with her friends. Day after day, week after week when the milkman came by he said the same thing: “Hello, Miss America.”
Years, went by and the milkman’s job unfortunately became obsolete with his deliveries but those words danced in her head like a teen on a trampaline. In the early 1990’s that young little girl matured into a southern belle and was crowned Miss America from the Peach State. Most likely, that milkman didn’t see the future with her waving to the world with a sash across her shoulder as she beamed with beauty talking about “world peace” - or did he? We don’t know but the fact is those positive words sown in her life as an adolescent reaped a harvest for her as an adult.
Recently, Evangelist Perry Stone showed a scientific experiment on world-wide television where a scientist had two containers of rice. The scientist had a label placed on the outside of both bottles and after 81 days he revealed his findings. Both containers had the same amount of rice in the cup and after the time alloted he displayed that one bottle had the rice in tact with very little deformation. However, the second cup was filled with fungus that made the stomach turn to look at. He then turned the containers to face the television viewing audience and on the cup that still had the rice looking fresh after 81 days the label had words scribbled from a child: “I LOVE YOU LITTLE RICE. I HOPE YOU HAVE A NICE LIFE and LIVE LONG.” The one filled with fungus had a note that read: “I HOPE YOU DIE!” The lesson speaks for itself.
The Bible notes: “We find life and death in the power of our tongue.” It also notes: “Our mouth speaks both blessings and cursings.” This should not be. Jesus said: “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Friends, some of us need a CHECK UP from the NECK UP and our words should be seasoned with honey not spoiled with hypocrisy.
It has been said: “If one yells at a tree long enough that it will die.” I have not yelled long enough to test that hypothesis but I do know that if words can cripple a soul-less and heart-less grain of rice imagine what our words do to humans in our presence. In case you MISSED the MEMO: Life is a fight but we don’t have to battle everyone in our path. Today, we have the milkman in one corner who was a winner with words and built folks UP or we can resemble the reckless rehetoric of a negative wannabee who tore others down. Why be a chump when you can be a champ! WORDS are WONDERFUL until you use them to hurt others. Don’t delay - BLESS someone today!
The Houston Athletic Dormitory has a sign that reads: “I used to complain that I had no shoes until I met the man who had no feet.” Proper perspective is powerful (especially as we enter Thanksgiving).
My friend, Joni Lamb (co-founder of DAYSTAR TV) told me that her interview with Nick Vujicic was her favorite interview of all time. After watching his life story in the video above I can see why. What an inspiration! Not just because he has no limbs but lives a life with NO limits. Even better is the fact that this guy is GRATEFUL!
Make no mistake, I am not the sharpest tool in the shed but I am convinced if “desperation” is the worse cologne than I would guess that wearing “GRATEFUL” is the sweetest fragrance known to man. When we have the ATTITUDE of GRATITUDE we are both appreciative and attractive! Society loves to be around winners but not whiners (complainers).
MARK THIS DOWN - someone always has it worse than you. The grass is NOT greener on the other side and until we can have be THANKful for what we have we will continue to exist but never really live. You cannot cherish Thanksgiving if you 1) don’t give thanks and 2) fail to give to others. THANKSgiving reminds me why we celebrate. To give THANKS to God for what He has done in our lives. Not just material things (certainly thank Him for that) but relationships, health, hope and the list is endless.
TAKE OUT A NOTEPAD and jot a list of the blessings in your life. Satan, the slick serpent in the Garden of Eden told Adam & Eve to stare at the one thing they felt like they didn’t have. They had a million and one blessings free of charge, provided by the Hand of God but Satan had them stare at what they didn’t have that they neglected all they had. They went from having it all to losing it all! It wasn’t the “apple” in the tree that messed everything up but the PAIR on the ground. They were un-grateful, they became greedy and forgot God in the process.
ATTN: Singles - If you are single and “waiting on the Lord” for that someone special don’t let that one area distract you or destroy you from being appreciative for all God has done in your midst. Remember, you don’t need someone else to complete you. When your identity and security is found in Jesus you are COMPLETE in Christ. Plus, we need to learn to become Mr or Ms. Right so when the “right” person comes you will be ready for them! Thanks Chip Ingram
PAUSE AND PRAY and thank God for the provisions in your life. Be thankful for family who love you, friends who support you and a faith that forgives in Christ. We have freedom when we walk and talk with God. No longer should you look down but gaze UP and remember all the things God has done for you and be THANKful.
In closing, I heard a story years ago about a homeless boy who knocked on a door. It was cold outside, ice on the window and snow began to fall. A woman answered the door and saw this eight year old boy shivering in the cold. She invited him and made him homemade soup and hot cocoa.
As he raced down the warm food to his frozen stomach he finally spoke: “Lady, are you rich?” She humbly replied with a laugh: “Heaven’s no! Why would you say that?” The boy replied: “Ma’am, I noticed the saucer matched the coffee cup. Your curtains matched the colors of your kitchen and your two kids are playing with your husband.”
Tears began to stream down her face. She grabbed her purse and handed him $20 as the boy was heading to leave. He didn’t say: “thanks” but he didn’t have to because he reminded me in a most special way of just how “rich” I really am. May we take an inventory of what we have and not dwell on what Satan, society and self tells us we don’t.
Thank you Jesus and Happy THANKSgiving!
Evangelist Charles H. Spurgeon
I have more stories than “Mother Goose” and feel free to check back weekly because on occasion I will be posting illustrations that I have heard and shared for over two decades. Jesus’ favorite teaching method was the parable and its mine too. One of my favorite stories and sermon illustrations deals with an American years ago who was sent overseas on business. His Christian friends heard that he would be within an hour of the late, great Dr Charles Spurgeon’s home church. His friends said: “You absolutely must hear Spurgeon preach.”
He was there for two weeks and on the first Sunday he wasn’t aware that it was mandatory to get a ticket to get inside the massive tabernacle. The tickets were free but needed one none the less to enter because it only seated 5,000 people. Discouraged to come so far and be so close but not allowed to enter he thought no worries I will come back earlier next week to hear the famed British evangelist and preacher of the 19th Century.
The tourist got to the tabernacle the following Sunday extra early and was three people from the door when the head usher said to the crowd: “I am sorry - we are at full capacity - no more seats.” The tourist was crushed. Now he was 0-2 and with a pending boat ride back to America in the morning how could he face his friends and share that he didn’t get to hear Spurgeon preaching while in town. With his head down and spirit sore a deacon saw the stress on his face and asked: “What is wrong?” The American replied: “My friends told me I absolutely had to hear Spurgeon preach and yet I waited in line not once but twice and struck out both times. I return home tomorrow and I will never have the privilege to hear whom many call the “Prince of Preacher’s preach.”
The deacon with a HUGE smile said: “Sir, no problem. It is my high honor to hear Dr. Spurgeon preach every week. He is my pastor and my favorite! I will give you my ticket on one condition. I want you to go inside, enjoy the service and after hearing him all I ask is that you come back out and find me and tell me what you thought of my pastor.” The tourist was thrilled at the generosity of the man to grant him access by sharing his ticket. The service had already started and the massive choir was concluding the last chorus when he finally found a seat in the back of the balcony filled to capacity.
The service started, Spurgeon preached and the service was over. The man following the service came out and true to his word found the deacon to both thank him for the ticket and report what his feelings were on the preaching of Charles Spurgeon. The deacon just as excited now as the tourist was when he entered said with baited breath: “Tell me what did you think of my pastor?” The tourist said this powerful point: “Honestly, when he came out I was not impressed and when he began to speak he said things I already heard. But something happened during the middle of his remarks. Charles Spurgeon disappeared and for the rest of the service all I could see and hear was Jesus!”
The morale of the story is twofold: First, Charles Spurgeon became great because He knew God was greater and he exalted the Lord in public and private. Secondly, he knew that the Lord would not or should not share His stage with anyone. As ministers and musicians in ministry more than ever we need to learn like Houdini to do those “dissapearing acts” so the Lord can have full reign of His service. When we dissapear in the flesh is when the Lord appears by faith to do what only He can do.
Today, tonight and all our tomorrow’s may we learn to fade out so our Lord can get glory front and center because when the Lord shows up He also shows off to bring hope to the hurting, peace to those in pain, and by God’s great grace redeem people far from faith to a personal relationship to Himself. Sometimes we as Christians and clergy get in the way from bringing folks to Christ. In absolute love, if your ministry is lacking power in the pulpit perhaps its because of too much flesh and no faith. Perhaps, too much world and not enough Word. Worse, too much “us” and not enough God. I don’t know about you but I am trying to be more like a Christian Copperfield and “disappear” more than ever. Here today and gone tomorrow. Come Lord Jesus!
Evangelist Billy Graham praying for souls at invitation
After wonderful things were said about him, Dr. Graham stepped to the rostrum, looked at the crowd, and said, “I’m reminded today of Albert Einstein, the great physicist who this month has been honored by Time magazine as the Man of the Century. Einstein was once traveling from Princeton on a train when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of every passenger. When he came to Einstein, the famed scientist reached in his vest pocket. He couldn’t find his ticket, so he reached in his trouser pockets. It wasn’t there, so he looked in his briefcase but couldn’t find it. Then he looked in the seat beside him. He still couldn’t find it.
The conductor said, “Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. We all know who you are! I’m sure you bought a ticket. Don’t worry about it.” Einstein nodded appreciatively. The conductor continued down the aisle punching tickets. As he was ready to move to the next car, he turned around and saw the great physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his seat for his ticket.
The conductor rushed back and said, “Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein, don’t worry, I know who you are. No problem. You don’t need a ticket. I’m sure you bought one.” Einstein looked at him and said, “Young man, I too, know who I am. What I don’t know is where I’m going??’”
Having said that Billy Graham continued, “See the suit I’m wearing? It’s a brand new suit. My wife, my children, and my grandchildren are telling me I’ve gotten a little slovenly in my old age. I used to be a bit more fastidious. So I went out and bought a new suit for this luncheon and one more occasion.
You know what that occasion is? In his deep baritone, southern drawl he said: “This is the suit in which I’ll be buried. But when you hear I’m dead, I don’t want you to immediately remember the suit I’m wearing. I want you to remember this: “I not only know who I am…….I also know where I’m going!”
Friends, one day you will read in the local paper that “Billy Graham is dead.” Don’t believe it for one second because I will be more alive then than anytime in my life when I stand before Jesus.” Friend, do you know where your going when you die? Ask the Lord to forgive you of your sins and click below to learn more about how to accept Christ as your Lord and Savior http://frankshelton.com/christian.html
First, I would like to introduce to you the “GAME BREAKER”. Perhaps you know of one that comes to mind or you may have been one in your younger years on the playground of your youth. Regardless, if it was Michael Jordan jumping over Craig Ehlo and the rest of the Cleveland Cavaliers and hitting the game winning jumper at the buzzer with the whole world watching or San Francisco 49er great, Joe Montana finding Dwight Clark with “THE CATCH” in the back of the end-zone against the Dallas Cowboys at Candlestick Park en route to winning the Super Bowl or a “dark horse” coming out of nowhere to win the Kentucky Derby - all of these are attributes of “game breakers.” Just when you thought the game was over, the crowd could head home and the betters in Vegas were already mentally counting their cash; the “gamers” stepped up and the game turned on a dime and faster than a Ferrari with no brakes the game was completely changed right before your very eyes. Some fans elated and others absolutely crushed.
Contestant number two enters in and we have the “ROOM CHANGER”. Perhaps you have been at a party or event when one of them walk or waltz into the room and literally it feels that the air changes, the music fades and all eyes in the room are now fixed on someone at the other end of the room. Perhaps it is a powerful politician, a beauty queen, Hollywood icon or rock star equipped with electricity and/or an entourage that would make the late James Brown proud. You’ve seen it - the papparazi start chasing, flash bulbs begin popping, women begin screaming and the room seems hopping over to that individual. It is something to behold if you have never experienced it first hand.
Behind door number three we find the “IDENTITY TAKER”. These bandits are not restricted to race, religion or reality. They strike in various venues and a variety of wicked ways. Some strike senior citizens whom are easy prey while others hit at random. Some steal credit cards and forge someone’s signature and enjoy exotic vacations, lavish lifestyles at another’s expense and begin to jet set, live large and hurt many in the process while they wine and dine on someone else’s dime. These folks resemble leaches because they cling on to others and suck the lifeblood out of others. Instead of being laborious they are lazy and like a drug addict desire and demand a “quick fix” now opposed to working for it later. They are thieves and thugs and are a major menace to society. If you have ever had anyone steal your wallet, purse or credit cards it can be a nightmare not only to try to recoup the damages in dollars but cleaning up your credit is usually more of a problem and can take much longer to restore. Personally, these folks resemble people whom would buy another’s trophy at a yard sale and prominently display it on their top shelf as if they earned it. How you can really appreciate a win if you didn’t work for it, deserve it or achieve it while playing by the rules.
In closing, despite these three contestants, champions and cons we can only point to One Person Who is a “CALENDAR SNAPPER”. When Jordan, Joe Montana, Ali, Angela Jolie, Brad Pitt, Elvis Presley, Britney Spears, Tiger Woods, Hannah Montana, Ghandi, Mother Teresa, Oprah or Usher was “ushered” into this world - NONE of them snapped the calendar in half. When Jesus was born it went from B.C. (Before Christ) to A.D. (After Death). That is just one reason alone, why I am a Christian because Christ is the centerpiece of civilization. He was born to die for our sins. Clear and simple - end of story. Not any more complicated than that. We do a disservice when we add more to the Gospel.
Yes, I loved Jordan as much as anyone. For years, I wanted to “be like Mike.” Growing up, I played countless hours of hoops in rain, sleet and snow. Traveled all over to shoot ball in driveways, gymnasiums and arenas while daydreaming day and night about playing ball. Yes, it was great fun to watch Michael at the top of his game and you knew you had a chance with M.J. on your team despite how much the Bulls were down by and what little time may be remaining on the clock; but it’s a fact that Jordan missed just many jumpers at the buzzer than he made them! Yes, I love him because he wanted the ball even when the entire arena knew it was going to him but the truth is he was not perfect.
Arguably, no one could change the climate of a room like Elvis Presley at the zenith of his popularity but even the most handsome and gorgeous humans are made of flesh and that fades eventually. As immature, insecure and insensitive as those whom steal the identity of another the truth is you cannot ever find freedom or experience true peace and purpose unless you meet first hand, Jesus Christ , the Son of the Living God. The Carpenter from Galilee and the Messiah of the Universe. The answers in life are not found in the “stars” of Hollywood but the Son of Heaven.
Silver Dollar
What Are You Worth?
My hero, mentor & friend -Evangelist Tim Lee shared a story that I heard over 15 years ago and it is as applicable today as it was then. In May 2009, I had the pleasure to preach chapel at Southern Maryland Christian Academy in White Plains, MD. For every year (since 1996), I have spoken twice per year (Fall & Spring) to their school and last year had the high honor to give their graduation speech. Honestly, after a group has heard over 30 of your messages even “Mother Goose” can run low on stories.
The night before my message, God reminded me of something Dr Tim Lee said and I tweaked it and talked about “value” and Honoring Christ with our life and lips. In each pocket, I had two coins. Without games or gimmicks, I grabbed them both out of pockets in unison during my remarks and lifted them high into the air and asked without hesitation to the student body: “Friends, this is not rocket science - What do I have in my hands?” The entire school screamed: “TWO QUARTERS!”
I shared with them to their surprise: “Wrong.” In my left hand was a quarter but in my right hand I held a Silver Dollar. From there, faster than a Ferrari with no brakes I shared with them that in 1978, President Jimmy Carter issued the Department of Treasury & U.S. Mint to come out with a Silver Dollar honoring the first woman to be on a coin. Susan B. Anthony became a household name and she appeared on count-less coins.
Less than three years in circulation, the government ceased making those same coins. Why? It was “worth a dollar” but it resembled, felt like and acted like it was worth only a quarter. Even as a teen, I recall putting a Silver Dollar in the Coca-Cola machine (when they were 50 cents) and expected to get two quarters in change. However, the vending machine acted like I needed to add another quarter. Why? Because despite its dollar value it read it as worth only a quarter.
Friends, for those that have bowed the knee, confessed your sins and accepted Christ as your Savior, Sacrifice and Substitute on Calvary’s cruel cross - we are blood bought, heirs of Heaven and kids of the King. No question. However, the problem is when we laugh at off color comments, fudge on our finances, slander our friends in the back, sleep around to climb the corporate ladder, look out for Number One opposed to Jesus - the only One worthy of our worship; we are worth Christ but act like the world.
As a teen, I thought the difference between a quarter and Silver Dollar was only 75 cents. Today, it is much greater. “Life and Death” hangs in the balance and Lord knows, I have failed many times but am trying to emulate and imitate Christ with my life like never before. My prayer is that you will join me because we bear “His” Name as Christians’ and are held at a higher standard. Never again, would I want to lead someone astray by not aligning my life with the Lord’s. People are watching and we better be walking right or friends can be “LEFT” behind.
The fact is that a “lost” and dying world (like cashiers and Coca-Cola machines) often cannot tell the difference by the way we walk and talk. How tragic - how true. May this simple but powerful illustration remind us all that we are Amabassadors of the Almighty broadcasting as born-again billboards to those on our block that Jesus is the “Way” to live. The “Truth” that commands an honorable conduct and the only “Life” worth following. Child of God - “you have been bought with a price and go glorify God.”
In closing, live in such a way that mankind makes no mistake of Who’s you are and where you are going. God bless you and go with God.
Stranded Starfish
On the beach, a retired senior citizen every day in the summer can be found collecting stranded starfish along the shoreline. For years, his routine consists of picking up the starfish and tossing them back into the sea. Day after day, month after month, year after year. A teenager on vacation with his parents one week watched four consecutive days as this man with nothing better to do was found tossing them in the ocean. On his last day of vacation, the teen took off his headset from his iPod and finally got the nerve and approached the senior with this question: “Mister, what are you doing? I have watched you the past week throw countless starfish into the ocean, what is your story?”
The senior replied: “Son, if I don’t throw these starfish back into the ocean by noon, the intense rays of the summer Sun will bake them on the beach and they will die.” The teen paused and opposed to being compassionate said: “Old man, there must be over a billion stranded starfish around the World and hundreds if not thousands of beaches around the Globe. Do you really think you are making a difference?”
With tears in his eyes, the senior picked up another stranded starfish and walked toward the teenager. He said: “Young man, you are absolutely correct. They’re millions of stranded starfish around the World and hundreds and hundreds of beaches around the Globe and no I cannot reach them all.” At that very moment the senior tossed the starfish as far as he could back into the sea and as it was twirling in mid air in a perfect spiral right before it hit the water he replied: “No, I cannot reach them all but to that stranded starfish I can assure you it will make ALL the difference!”
Friends, we cannot reach everyone with the match-less message of God’s Gospel but we can ALL reach someone and the ones that we reach will make ALL the difference! You will reach people I will never be able to reach. One preacher preached a great message called: “God needs your personality!” Your life and lips will touch people and can make a eternal difference when we tell them of Jesus’ love and forgiveness. The world needs Jesus! Each one of us can reach one for God’s Kingdom! If McDonald’s boasts that over 99 million burgers have been sold; too bad we as Christians and the Body of Christ don’t attempt to reach more souls for Heaven’s sake. It has been said: “Whatever we do for self will pass. What we did for Christ will last.”
Today, millions of stranded starfish souls are stuck in society’s sin-sick shore waiting for a caring Christian to pick them up, dust them off and toss them into our Savior’s saving sea. Will you care enough for their eternal fate to point them to Jesus?
Friend, do you know where your going when you die? Ask the Lord to forgive you of your sins and click below to learn more about how to accept Christ as your Lord and Savior http://www.frankshelton.com/mnjesus.htm