0 v e r ^ \ .
6 i ÿ
0 /
I WAS SINGING in Fresno, Califor nia for a Bible conference. As usual, I had just arrived, but was already wondering how Dick was and what the children were doing. So, I found myself putting in a long distance phone call to them before the evening service. Laurie’s happy little voice said, “Oh hi, Mother!” Then, without a pause for breath, she raced out the words, “ I’ve put the dishes away, I’ve practiced piano (these were all on a list I left) and I’ve cleaned my room (not on the list). You might say, EV E R Y TH IN G ’ S UNDER CONTROL!” Even over the phone I knew her spirits were simply soaring, soaring because she knew she had responsi bilities and she had carried them out. Perhaps the reason we don’t have a joyousness about our lives as Christians is due to our failure to fulfill our duties. We have failed to discipline ourselves to our daily reading of God’s Word and prayer. Very often I say to a troubled wo man, “ How long has it been since you had a regular, daily prayer time?” The answer will be right at the beginning time of her trouble! We have failed too, in loving the un lovely. (I find I’m quite good at lov ing the lovable, but what of the ugly, unattractive people I know?) We have failed in the discipline of tith ing our time as well as our money. So with all of these failures our hearts are kept in a cold prison of defeat. When we speak, it is with the whine of self-pity. When we work it is with great heaviness of spirit. Perhaps the most important, when we reach out to find God, He seems to have vanished. As I study God’s plan for my life, and His promise, I find I have cer tain responsibilities, duties and ob ligations that I must do. Then, and only then, He does the rest. In a time when we hear so much about “ violation of rights” and “ per sonal freedom,” it seems we have forgotten the old-fashioned idea of “ just doing our duty.” Joyous free dom, freedom in its truest sense, comes only after we have met our obligations (like washing the floor, doing the laundry or keeping devo tions). Then we can say with Laurie, “ EVERYTHING’S UNDER CON TROL!” , and we experience the free dom of being a Christian who not only has peace in God but peace with God.
G o f f e e
by Joyce Landorf
friend, Eleanor Moore, invented this marvelous punch. Served at the re ception it was the hit of the day and I never heard of one simpler to make. Simply make as much lemonade (fresh or frozen) as you need and add scoops of Creme de Menthe sher- bert to it in the punch bowl or glasses.
Give yourself the immense satisfaction of sticking to principles and completing a goal — even though you think you'd rather not. This is marching down the path to matur ity! Believe me, there will be hundreds of times when you won't particularly want to go to work. If you leave school now to earn $75 a week, you may be binding yourself to a permanent $75 level. Later when you begin to re-evaluate your limitations, it may be too late to pick up the pieces. Statistics show that by 1970 there will be thousands of unfilled jobs for college and high school graduates— and no gradu ates to fill them. In like proportion, thou sands of men and women will be search ing for unskilled jobs that don't exist. Sure, it's a struggle sometimes, but maybe you've never thought of it this way: God has a plan and purpose for your life, and He can even create the motivation that isn't there. Take an inventory of your tal ents and aptitudes. Seek the guidance of a trusted teacher who can help you discover your real potential. Make an honest list of the reasons for staying in school. Let me know your conclusions. I'll be looking for a graduation announcement next year! Young people are invited to send in questions to Mrs. Ruth Calkins. Jenny kiss’d me when we met, Jumping from the chair she sat in; Time, you thief, who love to get Sweets into your list, put that in ! Say I’m weary, say I’m sad, Say that health and wealth have miss’d me, Say I’m growing old, but add, Jenny kiss’d me. —Leigh Hunt 1784-1859 THE KIN G 'S BUSINESS
KANDY KAYE SAYS,
VERSE FOR TODAY I know the Lord has given me A daily job to do; And in my work I ought not shirk For God is working, too. Seest thou a man diligent in his busi ness? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. Proverbs 22:29 My grades are average, but I’m bored with school. In fact, I can’t stand it. I want to drop out and earn some money, but my folks won’t let me. Why should I be forced to stay in school? (Signed, B. W.) Dear B. W.: Your parents are right! To drop out of school in your Junior year would be a foolish and damaging decision.
SUMMER WEDDING OR PICNIC PUNCH
While looking for a pale yellow and pale green punch to go with her daughter's wedding colors, my
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker