Our third child, Enoch Wayne Taylor, was born on February 4th. He was 6 lbs. 13 oz. and 17 ½ inches long.
We named him after the prophet Enoch in the Old Testament as a reminder that he should walk with God throughout his life. “And Enoch walked with God.” (Genesis 5:24) And after his grandfathers, Wayne Taylor and Michael Wayne Brackett, as a reminder that the blessings he enjoys today have come as a result of the efforts and sacrifices of those who have gone before him and as a reminder of his goodly heritage. “The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.” (Psalms 16:6)
Enoch had been doing fantastic and was sleeping and eating well until Monday night when he got sick with a fever and pain over his whole body. We took him to the doctor Tuesday morning and he was admitted to the hospital. The initial thought was meningitis but the test of the spinal fluid came back clear. Last night his body began to swell. They have run additional tests and the pediatric infectious disease doctor current diagnosis is a Group B streptococcal (group B strep) infection which will require treatment of two weeks of antibiotics via IV.
WebMD says, “Group B streptococcal (group B strep) infection is a serious bacterial infection that is a leading cause of death and disability in newborns. In the 1970s, about half of newborns with group B strep infection died. Today, due to early recognition and aggressive treatment of the infection, far fewer cases end in death. An infection of the fluid or tissues that surround the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) could occur in the early or late stage. Newborns thought to be infected with group B strep need medical care right away, as the infection can be deadly.”
I am writing to ask for your help. You will please include baby Enoch Taylor is your prayers. Please pray that his pain will be eased and that he will be healed.
“And the prayer of faith shall save the sick . . . and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
(James 5:15-16, KGV)
“All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”
(Matthew 21:22, KGV)
“By prayer and supplication . . . let your requests be made known unto God.”
(Philippians 4:6, KGV)
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
The $1,000,000 Goal
"Of all the things I've done, the most vital is coordinating the talents of those who work for us and pointing them towards a certain goal."
-Walt Disney
There is great power in goals and dreams. "A study was done on Yale University's graduating class. It asked seniors a long list of questions about themselves, and three questions had to do with goals. They were, "Do you set goals?" "Do you write them down?" and "Do you have an action plan to accomplish them?" Only three percent of the class answered yes to those questions. Twenty years later, a follow-up study was done. It turned out that the three percent who had said yes to goals reported that they were more happily married, were more successful in the careers they had chosen, had a more satisfactory family life, and had better health. And listen to this. Ninety-seven percent of the net worth of that graduating class was in the hands of that three percent!" (Lou Tice, Personal Coaching for Results, (Nashville: Nelson, 1997) p. 93)
You have to have dreams and goals to make progress and achieve greatness. "Your progress toward success begins with a fundamental question: Where are you going? Definiteness of purpose is the starting point of all achievement, and its lack is the stumbling block for ninety-eight out of every hundred people simply because they never really define their goals and start toward them. Study every person you think of who has achieved lasting success, and you will find that each one has had a definite purpose. Each had a plan for reaching that goal, and each devoted the greatest part of his or her thoughts and efforts to that end." (Napoleon Hill, Keys to Success, (New York: Penguin, 1994) p. 1)
Many people live life backwards. They take what life gives them. Many people achieve little in life simply because they never decide to achieve something. Mark Victor Hansen wrote, "It grieves me to watch individuals squander their lives because they have neglected the process of writing down their personal goals." "Most of us would like to make a positive impact on the lives of others and on our world. If we do not feel that this is in some way happening, we tend to experience a sense of emptiness, low self-worth, futility, and sometimes even depression." (Herb Miller, Money Is Everything, (Nashville, TN: Discipleship Resources, 1994) p. 19) Football coach Lou Holtz taught, "If you are bored with life, if you don't get up every morning with a burning desire to do things-you don't have enough goals."
Everyone is born with a God-given mission he or she is to perform. We were not sent to earth by God to be born, pay the bills and die. God sent us here for a purpose. You should define your ideal life and then go out and get it. Dreams and goals inspire us to achieve our full potential. Defining your goals and dreams will help you discover and live the purposeful, joyful, abundant life you were meant to enjoy.
The Million Dollar Goal
"If we did all the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves."
-Thomas Edison
At the end of 2000, my first business venture failed, leaving me with thousands of dollars in business debt. I was newly married and I had no income. My wife was working earning $10 per hour but her income was not even enough to cover our $1,800 a month in debt payments. I now joke with her that she married me for my money, but the truth is I had less than nothing because of the burden of debt. I was forced to put my entrepreneurial efforts on hold to look for a job. I graduated with honors from business school and applied for dozens of jobs that were a good match for my skills, experience and degree, but I received rejection letter after rejection letter. I even applied at a call center that seemed to hire nearly everyone for a $6 per hour job and was rejected.
I now joke with people saying, "I had to start a business because I was the only person who would hire me." In 2001, I started a new business and one of our goals was to do $1 million a year in revenue. At the time this seemed like an impossible goal, but I knew that the goal was the starting point. I knew if I did not set a goal to do a $1 million in revenue with the company, then I would never figure out how to do it. I started with the goal and then everyday went to work on moving the company toward this goal. The company grew and developed and in our second year in business, we achieved the goal of doing a million dollars of revenue in one year.
At this point, we set a new goal of doing a million dollars in revenue in one month, and each day I went to work to move the company toward this goal. This was another lofty goal and it took another year of hard work and development for us to reach this goal.
It was now time for a new goal. We discussed what our new goal should be and the idea of doing $1 million in a single day was presented. That one sounded fun and exciting, so we set the goal to do $1 million in a single day. The exciting goal was set and now we had to figure out how to achieve it.
To go from a million dollars a year to a million dollars a month, we were able to expand and leverage what we were currently doing. To achieve the goal of doing $ 1 million in a single day required new approaches and models, as what we were currently doing couldn't be expanded enough to do a million dollars in revenue in a single day.
Our first opportunity to reach $1 million in a single day was in the fall of 2004 in New York City. It appeared that all the pieces were in place to do $1 million that day. The day ended and we weren't even close to our goal. We only did $177,555 in revenue. The day was still profitable and we were pretty happy. We learned a lot and we saw the potential to do a $1 million in a single day with a few adjustments and changes.
The next opportunity to reach our goal was in the spring of 2005 in Los Angeles. Everything was in place to do $1 million that day but would it happen? The day came and went and we again were not even close to our goal, but this time is a very, very good way. We exceeded our goal by $1.7 million-doing $2.7 million in revenue that day.
The size of your question, the size of your goals and dreams, will determine the size of your answer. If we would have never asked the question, "How do we do a $1 million in a single day?" we would have never found the answer. If you never ask the question "How can I build a multimillion dollar business?" "How can I become a best-selling author?" or "How can I earn a certain amount of money each year?" you will never find the answer. The goals you set will determine the type of life you build.
When you are building a house, does the house usually turn out like the blue print? Of course it does. If you design a house to be 1,000 square feet, the house should be 1,000 square feet when you finish. Before building a house, you first ask yourself, "What kind of house would I like?" You then design the house, create a blue print and then build the house. We should use this same process in our lives. "What kind of a life do you want? What do you want to accomplish?" Once you have determined the answers to these questions, create a blue print for your life and follow that blue print until you have built the life that you desire.
Questions to Help You Write Some Goals
"If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts,
liberates your energy, and inspires your hopes."
-Andrew Carnegie
Things I would like to accomplish?
Today
This Week
This Month
This Year
In the Next 5 Years
In the Next 10 Years
In the Next 20 Years
Before the end of my life
If I had 1 year to live, what would I do?
What problems in my family, community, nation and world most concern me? What can I do to help?
What books will I read to help me renew and grow spiritually, socially, intellectually, and physically?
What would I like said about me at my funeral?
Write down the 3 people you most admire and respect and the 4 attributes you would use to describe them.
Person 1. _______________
Attribute 1. _______________ 2. _______________
3. _______________ 4.________________
Person 2. _______________
Attribute 1. _______________ 2. ______________
3. _______________ 4._______________
Person 3. _______________
Attribute 1. _______________ 2. ______________
3. _______________ 4._______________
What attributes do I desire to possess and exhibit? (i.e. charitable, humble, thrifty, responsible, industrious, honest, virtuous, etc.)
How would I like others to describe me?
Describe my ideal life. Describe specifics. What would I do? What would I have?
What vacations would I like to take with my family?
Whom would I like to help? What causes would I like to contribute to?
What income level would I like to have?
1 Year
2 Year
5 Years
10 Years
20 Years
40 Years
Where would I like to live? Describe my ideal home and surroundings.
Other Goals
-Walt Disney
There is great power in goals and dreams. "A study was done on Yale University's graduating class. It asked seniors a long list of questions about themselves, and three questions had to do with goals. They were, "Do you set goals?" "Do you write them down?" and "Do you have an action plan to accomplish them?" Only three percent of the class answered yes to those questions. Twenty years later, a follow-up study was done. It turned out that the three percent who had said yes to goals reported that they were more happily married, were more successful in the careers they had chosen, had a more satisfactory family life, and had better health. And listen to this. Ninety-seven percent of the net worth of that graduating class was in the hands of that three percent!" (Lou Tice, Personal Coaching for Results, (Nashville: Nelson, 1997) p. 93)
You have to have dreams and goals to make progress and achieve greatness. "Your progress toward success begins with a fundamental question: Where are you going? Definiteness of purpose is the starting point of all achievement, and its lack is the stumbling block for ninety-eight out of every hundred people simply because they never really define their goals and start toward them. Study every person you think of who has achieved lasting success, and you will find that each one has had a definite purpose. Each had a plan for reaching that goal, and each devoted the greatest part of his or her thoughts and efforts to that end." (Napoleon Hill, Keys to Success, (New York: Penguin, 1994) p. 1)
Many people live life backwards. They take what life gives them. Many people achieve little in life simply because they never decide to achieve something. Mark Victor Hansen wrote, "It grieves me to watch individuals squander their lives because they have neglected the process of writing down their personal goals." "Most of us would like to make a positive impact on the lives of others and on our world. If we do not feel that this is in some way happening, we tend to experience a sense of emptiness, low self-worth, futility, and sometimes even depression." (Herb Miller, Money Is Everything, (Nashville, TN: Discipleship Resources, 1994) p. 19) Football coach Lou Holtz taught, "If you are bored with life, if you don't get up every morning with a burning desire to do things-you don't have enough goals."
Everyone is born with a God-given mission he or she is to perform. We were not sent to earth by God to be born, pay the bills and die. God sent us here for a purpose. You should define your ideal life and then go out and get it. Dreams and goals inspire us to achieve our full potential. Defining your goals and dreams will help you discover and live the purposeful, joyful, abundant life you were meant to enjoy.
The Million Dollar Goal
"If we did all the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves."
-Thomas Edison
At the end of 2000, my first business venture failed, leaving me with thousands of dollars in business debt. I was newly married and I had no income. My wife was working earning $10 per hour but her income was not even enough to cover our $1,800 a month in debt payments. I now joke with her that she married me for my money, but the truth is I had less than nothing because of the burden of debt. I was forced to put my entrepreneurial efforts on hold to look for a job. I graduated with honors from business school and applied for dozens of jobs that were a good match for my skills, experience and degree, but I received rejection letter after rejection letter. I even applied at a call center that seemed to hire nearly everyone for a $6 per hour job and was rejected.
I now joke with people saying, "I had to start a business because I was the only person who would hire me." In 2001, I started a new business and one of our goals was to do $1 million a year in revenue. At the time this seemed like an impossible goal, but I knew that the goal was the starting point. I knew if I did not set a goal to do a $1 million in revenue with the company, then I would never figure out how to do it. I started with the goal and then everyday went to work on moving the company toward this goal. The company grew and developed and in our second year in business, we achieved the goal of doing a million dollars of revenue in one year.
At this point, we set a new goal of doing a million dollars in revenue in one month, and each day I went to work to move the company toward this goal. This was another lofty goal and it took another year of hard work and development for us to reach this goal.
It was now time for a new goal. We discussed what our new goal should be and the idea of doing $1 million in a single day was presented. That one sounded fun and exciting, so we set the goal to do $1 million in a single day. The exciting goal was set and now we had to figure out how to achieve it.
To go from a million dollars a year to a million dollars a month, we were able to expand and leverage what we were currently doing. To achieve the goal of doing $ 1 million in a single day required new approaches and models, as what we were currently doing couldn't be expanded enough to do a million dollars in revenue in a single day.
Our first opportunity to reach $1 million in a single day was in the fall of 2004 in New York City. It appeared that all the pieces were in place to do $1 million that day. The day ended and we weren't even close to our goal. We only did $177,555 in revenue. The day was still profitable and we were pretty happy. We learned a lot and we saw the potential to do a $1 million in a single day with a few adjustments and changes.
The next opportunity to reach our goal was in the spring of 2005 in Los Angeles. Everything was in place to do $1 million that day but would it happen? The day came and went and we again were not even close to our goal, but this time is a very, very good way. We exceeded our goal by $1.7 million-doing $2.7 million in revenue that day.
The size of your question, the size of your goals and dreams, will determine the size of your answer. If we would have never asked the question, "How do we do a $1 million in a single day?" we would have never found the answer. If you never ask the question "How can I build a multimillion dollar business?" "How can I become a best-selling author?" or "How can I earn a certain amount of money each year?" you will never find the answer. The goals you set will determine the type of life you build.
When you are building a house, does the house usually turn out like the blue print? Of course it does. If you design a house to be 1,000 square feet, the house should be 1,000 square feet when you finish. Before building a house, you first ask yourself, "What kind of house would I like?" You then design the house, create a blue print and then build the house. We should use this same process in our lives. "What kind of a life do you want? What do you want to accomplish?" Once you have determined the answers to these questions, create a blue print for your life and follow that blue print until you have built the life that you desire.
Questions to Help You Write Some Goals
"If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts,
liberates your energy, and inspires your hopes."
-Andrew Carnegie
Things I would like to accomplish?
Today
This Week
This Month
This Year
In the Next 5 Years
In the Next 10 Years
In the Next 20 Years
Before the end of my life
If I had 1 year to live, what would I do?
What problems in my family, community, nation and world most concern me? What can I do to help?
What books will I read to help me renew and grow spiritually, socially, intellectually, and physically?
What would I like said about me at my funeral?
Write down the 3 people you most admire and respect and the 4 attributes you would use to describe them.
Person 1. _______________
Attribute 1. _______________ 2. _______________
3. _______________ 4.________________
Person 2. _______________
Attribute 1. _______________ 2. ______________
3. _______________ 4._______________
Person 3. _______________
Attribute 1. _______________ 2. ______________
3. _______________ 4._______________
What attributes do I desire to possess and exhibit? (i.e. charitable, humble, thrifty, responsible, industrious, honest, virtuous, etc.)
How would I like others to describe me?
Describe my ideal life. Describe specifics. What would I do? What would I have?
What vacations would I like to take with my family?
Whom would I like to help? What causes would I like to contribute to?
What income level would I like to have?
1 Year
2 Year
5 Years
10 Years
20 Years
40 Years
Where would I like to live? Describe my ideal home and surroundings.
Other Goals
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Egypt and the Christmas Story
Mathew 2:13 reads, “An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. ‘Get up,’ he said. ‘Take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt.’”
As a part of the lesson, a Sunday school teacher asked each of her students to draw a picture of a story from the Bible. After collecting the drawings, she noticed that one little boy's drawing depicted an airplane with four people abroad. Curious the teacher asked what the picture was. The boy answered, “This is Joseph, Mary and Jesus’ flight to Egypt. The teacher then asked who the fourth person was in the picture. The boy replied, “That’s Pontius the pilot.”
The flight to Egypt is “a small incident in the Christmas story, usually overlooked and seldom portrayed in church pageants; [however, it] looms large in the salvation narrative. Occurring immediately after what often is presented as the climax of the story—the visit of the Magi—Joseph has another nighttime encounter with an angel. This time, God’s messenger tells him to flee with his family to Egypt. They had just entertained Eastern celebrities bearing fabulous gifts for their child-King. Now, abruptly, they are to run for their lives. And the destination—Egypt.
“The phrase ‘out of Egypt’ appears in nearly 150 biblical texts. This ancient enemy symbolized oppression and slavery, and often God’s people would recall that the Lord had freed them and delivered them from that place. Yet God says, ‘Go to Egypt.’ What is Joseph thinking and feeling? His first encounter with an angel announced a ‘virgin’ birth. Then, the baby, born in a stable, was visited by shepherds and kings. And now, this!
“We don’t know Joseph’s thoughts, but we do know his actions. He obeyed. And Jesus escaped Herod’s murderous wrath. And we celebrate Christmas. ‘But,’ we protest ‘we’d obey too if we knew God was talking!’ Really? He speaks to us daily, but do we listen? Unlike Joseph, we have God’s written Word, filled with direction and instruction. May we, with Joseph-like faith, obey and get moving.” (Dave Veerman)
Christmas is a wonderful time of giving and remembering all the wonderful gifts we receive from the Savior of the world. We give gifts to family and friends but what gift can we give to Jesus. All the possessions we have are actually things Christ has already given or loaned to us. While we should give of our possessions to build the Kingdom of God, is it really a gift if we are simply returning to Christ something that is already His? There is one thing we have to offer to the Lord that is not already His—our will. Our obedience is the gift we can truly give to Christ this Christmas. May we give Christ the Christmas gift of obedience and follow His example when he said, “Father . . . not my will, but thine, be done.” (Luke 22:42)
“The submission of one’s will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God’s altar. . . when you and I finally submit ourselves, by letting our individual wills be swallowed up in God’s will, then we are really giving something to Him! It is the only possession which is truly ours to give!” (Neal Maxwell)
As a part of the lesson, a Sunday school teacher asked each of her students to draw a picture of a story from the Bible. After collecting the drawings, she noticed that one little boy's drawing depicted an airplane with four people abroad. Curious the teacher asked what the picture was. The boy answered, “This is Joseph, Mary and Jesus’ flight to Egypt. The teacher then asked who the fourth person was in the picture. The boy replied, “That’s Pontius the pilot.”
The flight to Egypt is “a small incident in the Christmas story, usually overlooked and seldom portrayed in church pageants; [however, it] looms large in the salvation narrative. Occurring immediately after what often is presented as the climax of the story—the visit of the Magi—Joseph has another nighttime encounter with an angel. This time, God’s messenger tells him to flee with his family to Egypt. They had just entertained Eastern celebrities bearing fabulous gifts for their child-King. Now, abruptly, they are to run for their lives. And the destination—Egypt.
“The phrase ‘out of Egypt’ appears in nearly 150 biblical texts. This ancient enemy symbolized oppression and slavery, and often God’s people would recall that the Lord had freed them and delivered them from that place. Yet God says, ‘Go to Egypt.’ What is Joseph thinking and feeling? His first encounter with an angel announced a ‘virgin’ birth. Then, the baby, born in a stable, was visited by shepherds and kings. And now, this!
“We don’t know Joseph’s thoughts, but we do know his actions. He obeyed. And Jesus escaped Herod’s murderous wrath. And we celebrate Christmas. ‘But,’ we protest ‘we’d obey too if we knew God was talking!’ Really? He speaks to us daily, but do we listen? Unlike Joseph, we have God’s written Word, filled with direction and instruction. May we, with Joseph-like faith, obey and get moving.” (Dave Veerman)
Christmas is a wonderful time of giving and remembering all the wonderful gifts we receive from the Savior of the world. We give gifts to family and friends but what gift can we give to Jesus. All the possessions we have are actually things Christ has already given or loaned to us. While we should give of our possessions to build the Kingdom of God, is it really a gift if we are simply returning to Christ something that is already His? There is one thing we have to offer to the Lord that is not already His—our will. Our obedience is the gift we can truly give to Christ this Christmas. May we give Christ the Christmas gift of obedience and follow His example when he said, “Father . . . not my will, but thine, be done.” (Luke 22:42)
“The submission of one’s will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God’s altar. . . when you and I finally submit ourselves, by letting our individual wills be swallowed up in God’s will, then we are really giving something to Him! It is the only possession which is truly ours to give!” (Neal Maxwell)
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Constantly Seek Improvement
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.”
-Ecclesiastes 9:10, New International Version
Satan tries to persuade us to be content with just getting by. The Lord rebukes those who are satisfied with their condition in life, who are content with the way things are, and who don’t seek change and improvement. We are always in need of improvement. If you say “I . . . have need of nothing” (Revelations 3:17, King James Version) and “do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked,” (Revelations 3:17, New International Version) the Lord will see you as being lukewarm (apathetic) and will cast you out as He said in the book of Revelations, “ . . . because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” (Revelations 3:16, English Standard Version) The Lord expects us to continually seek improvement.
The Parable of the Fig Tree
The Savior teaches this principle further in the miracle and parable of the fig tree found in Chapter 11 of Mark. Jesus, walking with His disciples, came to a fig tree that had no figs on it. When Jesus saw that there were no figs upon the fig tree, He cursed the fig tree, and the next day it was withered and dead. This miracle is different from all the other recorded miracles of Jesus that were performed for relief, blessing, and beneficent purposes. This appears to be an act of judgment and destructive execution. A key to understanding this miracle and parable is found in verse 13, which reads, “It was not the season for figs.” (Mark 11:13, New King James Version) The fig tree didn’t have figs on it because figs were not in season. None of the trees had figs on them—why did Jesus destroy this tree? On his tape entitled A Higher Standard of Excellence, Mark Gorman states that at 2 a.m. God told him the meaning of these passages. When the inspiration came, he sat straight up in bed and God spoke to him saying, “If all you are doing is what comes naturally to you, I am not impressed. If you are only producing when everyone else is producing, so what. If you are just keeping up with the crowd, big deal.” To impress the Lord, we must strive for excellence and do more than just what comes naturally. We must not just produce fruit when it is in season—we must produce fruit everyday. We must rise above mediocrity. We must rise above just getting by. We must excel.
“I say to you, Search the Scriptures! If ever you tire of them in seeking a rule of faith and a standard of morals, search them as records of history. The Bible contains the only authentic introduction to the history of the world. It is a book which neither the most ignorant and weakest, nor the most learned and intelligent mind can read without improvement.”
-John Quincy Adams, sixth President of the United States
-Ecclesiastes 9:10, New International Version
Satan tries to persuade us to be content with just getting by. The Lord rebukes those who are satisfied with their condition in life, who are content with the way things are, and who don’t seek change and improvement. We are always in need of improvement. If you say “I . . . have need of nothing” (Revelations 3:17, King James Version) and “do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked,” (Revelations 3:17, New International Version) the Lord will see you as being lukewarm (apathetic) and will cast you out as He said in the book of Revelations, “ . . . because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” (Revelations 3:16, English Standard Version) The Lord expects us to continually seek improvement.
The Parable of the Fig Tree
The Savior teaches this principle further in the miracle and parable of the fig tree found in Chapter 11 of Mark. Jesus, walking with His disciples, came to a fig tree that had no figs on it. When Jesus saw that there were no figs upon the fig tree, He cursed the fig tree, and the next day it was withered and dead. This miracle is different from all the other recorded miracles of Jesus that were performed for relief, blessing, and beneficent purposes. This appears to be an act of judgment and destructive execution. A key to understanding this miracle and parable is found in verse 13, which reads, “It was not the season for figs.” (Mark 11:13, New King James Version) The fig tree didn’t have figs on it because figs were not in season. None of the trees had figs on them—why did Jesus destroy this tree? On his tape entitled A Higher Standard of Excellence, Mark Gorman states that at 2 a.m. God told him the meaning of these passages. When the inspiration came, he sat straight up in bed and God spoke to him saying, “If all you are doing is what comes naturally to you, I am not impressed. If you are only producing when everyone else is producing, so what. If you are just keeping up with the crowd, big deal.” To impress the Lord, we must strive for excellence and do more than just what comes naturally. We must not just produce fruit when it is in season—we must produce fruit everyday. We must rise above mediocrity. We must rise above just getting by. We must excel.
“I say to you, Search the Scriptures! If ever you tire of them in seeking a rule of faith and a standard of morals, search them as records of history. The Bible contains the only authentic introduction to the history of the world. It is a book which neither the most ignorant and weakest, nor the most learned and intelligent mind can read without improvement.”
-John Quincy Adams, sixth President of the United States
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
“The Price Paid for Your Liberties”
On this Veteran’s Day may we each remember in our prayers to thank the Lord for the valiant men and women who have served and sacrificed for our Nation.
“Between 1775 and 1783, some 200,000 Americans took up arms against the British Crown. About 25,000 became prisoners of war, most of them confined in New York City under conditions so atrocious that they perished by the thousands. Evidence suggests that at least 17,500 Americans [70% of those imprisoned] died in these prisons.” (Edwin Burrows, Forgotten Patriots: The Untold Story of American Prisoners During the Revolutionary War, Basic Books: 2008)
“From September 15, 1776 to November 25, 1783, nearly the entire period of the revolutionary war, New York remained in the hands of the British, and was made the head-quarters of the foulest tyranny over helpless prisoners ever known in the darkest ages of the world. The [prisons] of Europe never furnished such a picture. Jerusalem within, besieged by the Romans without, never felt the horrors of the New York prisons . . . American officers, and the most eminent Whigs, who fell into the hands of the British were confined [in a prison run by provost marshal William Cunningham]. Here was the theatre of Cunningham’s brutal conduct toward the victims of his spite. The prisoners were formally introduced to him and their names, age, size and rank, were recorded. They were then confined in the gloomy cells, or to the equally loathsome upper chamber, where the highest officials in captivity were so closely crowded together, that when at night, they laid down to sleep on the hard plank floor, they could change position only by all turning over at once, at the words, right—left. Their food was scanty and of the poorest kind . . . Little delicacies, brought by friends of the captives seldom reached them; and the brutal Cunningham would sometimes devour or destroy such offerings of affection in the presence of his victims, to gratify his cruel propensities.
“Thus for many months gentlemen of fortune and education who had lived in the enjoyment of the luxuries and refined pleasures of elegant social life, were doomed to a miserable existence.
“[Many of the American prisoners of war were kept in prison ships by the British.] The name and character of each prisoner were registered when he first came on board. He was then placed in a hold, frequently with a thousand others, a large portion of them covered with filthy rags, often swarming with vermin. . . they were allowed to remain above till sunset, when they were ordered down with imprecations, and the savage cry, ‘Down, rebels, down!’ The hatches were then closed, and in serried [compacted] ranks they lay down to sleep, if possible, in the putrid air and stifling heat, amid the sighs of the acutely distressed and the groans of the dying. Each morning the harsh order came below, ‘Rebels, turn out your dead.’ The dead were selected from the living . . . and thus conveyed in a boat to the shore by his companions, under guard, and hastily buried.
“So shallow were the graves of the dead on the shores of the Wallabout [a small body of water in Upper New York Bay along the northwest shore of the New York City borough of Brooklyn], that while the ships were yet sending forth their victims, the action of the waves and the drifting of the loose sand often exposed the bones of those previously buried. Year and year this revolting exhibition might be seen.” (W.T.R. Saffell, Records of the Revolutionary War, (Baltimore: Charles C. Saffell, 1894, p. 304-306)
One of the prisoners “Captain Bridsall asked Cunningham for a pen and paper to write his family only to have the provost marshall call him ‘a damned rebel’ and run him through the shoulder with his sword. Another prominent Queens County patriot, blind old Elias Baylis of Jamaica, who had been severely beaten by his British guards while imprisoned in the New Utrecht church, was then hauled to New York and turned over to Cunningham, who had him beaten some more. He languished there for two months, consoling himself, it was said, by singing the 142nd Psalm: ‘Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name.’” (Edwin Burrows, Forgotten Patriots: The Untold Story of American Prisoners During the Revolutionary War, Basic Books: 2008, p. 22) After months of much suffering he died and was taken to his heavenly home.
Cunningham viewed the prisoners as traitors who had committed treason against the Crown which was punishable by hanging. “The most outrageous of all the crimes committed by Cunningham was the hanging of 275 American prisoners of war without trial and in utter repudiation of all existing articles of war. The ignominious and undercover hanging of war prisoners was a blot on the British military government. All of these Patriots could have betrayed the cause of liberty and independence in exchange for their lives, but preferred death. All they had to do was to sign a document of allegiance to the Crown and receive a free pardon by enlisting in His Majesty's Army or Navy.” (Retrieved November 7, 2008 from http://www.longislandgenealogy.com/prison.html) Not one of these prisoners betrayed the cause of liberty and independence to save their life.
“The imprisoned and dying patriots, in the dark hours of 1780, when nearly all hope of independence had fled forever, and when the deserter and traitor stalked over the land in fearful combination, reached forth their skeleton hands, wrote, and bequeathed this task to their countrymen in their dying hours: ‘If you are victorious , and our country emerges free and independent from the contest in which she is now engaged, but the end of which were are not permitted to see, bury us in her soil, and engrave our names on the monument you shall erect over our bones, as victims who willingly surrendered their lives as a portion of the price paid for your liberties, and our departed spirits will never murmur, or regret the sacrifice we made to obtain for you the blessings you enjoy.’ . . . If there is any class of patriots more deserving of the gratitude of a nation than another, it is these captives, who dwelt in the dungeons for their country’s sake.” (W.T.R. Saffell, Records of the Revolutionary War, (Baltimore: Charles C. Saffell, 1894, p. 307, 323)
Today we have to choose liberty and independence or bondage to government. Today some Americans are betraying the cause of liberty and independence by seeking and accepting Government handouts. We must resist and fight against the idea that the government should provide the necessities of life. As responsibility is shifted from the people to the government, freedom is eroded. Today some Americans are choosing bondage and the illusion of government security over liberty and freedom. Today some Americans are willing to sell their freedom for government bailouts and other government assistance. Today some Americans are willing to sell their freedom for government-provided health care. Today America is facing economic challenges but we must resist and fight the temptation to accept Government assistance. It is during times of trial and crisis that many will sell freedom for government support. This may provide temporary relief but in the long run government intervention will only make the situation worse. Any society that gives up liberty in hope of security will find they lose both. Slavery is the result of seeking the illusion of government-supported security. Freedom and security are only to be found in our own liberty, industry, and production.
A classic example of people selling themselves into bondage for government support is found in the Old Testament. Instead of saving for a future time of need, the Egyptians relied upon the government to support them in the event of a disaster. When the disaster of famine hit, they were unprepared. As a result, they were compelled to exchange their money, livestock, land, and their lives (selling themselves into slavery) for government support. (See Genesis 41:54–56; Genesis 47:13–26)
Today, we need modern patriots to resist and fight against the unconstitutional and tyrannical efforts of the American government. The God of heaven sent some of the wisest, noblest, and bravest men and women to lay the foundation of a free America and God has again sent many wise, noble, and brave men and women to help preserve it. We, the blessed beneficiaries of the suffering and sacrifices made by our revolutionary ancestors, face difficult days in America. If the current trends of increasing government are not reversed, America will no longer be the land of the free and home of the brave, but the land of the slaves and home of the dependants. Action must be taken to once again establish a government which follows the inspired Constitution. May God bless each of us to be modern patriots full of the faith, courage, and determination needed to preserve and restore freedom. May we honor by our actions and always remember the revolutionary patriots who pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to secure our freedom.
Special Christmas Offer
“A book is a gift you can open again and again.” -Garrison Keillor
Education is essential to the preservation of freedom against the politicians who would have us ignorantly vote ourselves into bondage. To help spread the principles of freedom, I am offering a special Christmas discount on case orders of the book Does Your Bag Have Holes? 24 Truths That Lead to Financial and Spiritual Freedom. You can order a case of 22 books (each book comes with the abridged audio book on CD) for only $99 with free shipping. That is only $4.50 per book – 75% off the retail price. I believe this book will make a wonderful Christmas present for many on your Christmas shopping list. To order simply go to http://www.doesyourbaghaveholes.org/ and add a case(s) of 22 books to your cart. Then redeem the coupon "Christmas" and the price of the case will be reduced to $99 per case or you can mail a check for $99 for each case with “Christmas” written in the memo box to:
Today we have to choose liberty and independence or bondage to government. Today some Americans are betraying the cause of liberty and independence by seeking and accepting Government handouts. We must resist and fight against the idea that the government should provide the necessities of life. As responsibility is shifted from the people to the government, freedom is eroded. Today some Americans are choosing bondage and the illusion of government security over liberty and freedom. Today some Americans are willing to sell their freedom for government bailouts and other government assistance. Today some Americans are willing to sell their freedom for government-provided health care. Today America is facing economic challenges but we must resist and fight the temptation to accept Government assistance. It is during times of trial and crisis that many will sell freedom for government support. This may provide temporary relief but in the long run government intervention will only make the situation worse. Any society that gives up liberty in hope of security will find they lose both. Slavery is the result of seeking the illusion of government-supported security. Freedom and security are only to be found in our own liberty, industry, and production.
A classic example of people selling themselves into bondage for government support is found in the Old Testament. Instead of saving for a future time of need, the Egyptians relied upon the government to support them in the event of a disaster. When the disaster of famine hit, they were unprepared. As a result, they were compelled to exchange their money, livestock, land, and their lives (selling themselves into slavery) for government support. (See Genesis 41:54–56; Genesis 47:13–26)
Today, we need modern patriots to resist and fight against the unconstitutional and tyrannical efforts of the American government. The God of heaven sent some of the wisest, noblest, and bravest men and women to lay the foundation of a free America and God has again sent many wise, noble, and brave men and women to help preserve it. We, the blessed beneficiaries of the suffering and sacrifices made by our revolutionary ancestors, face difficult days in America. If the current trends of increasing government are not reversed, America will no longer be the land of the free and home of the brave, but the land of the slaves and home of the dependants. Action must be taken to once again establish a government which follows the inspired Constitution. May God bless each of us to be modern patriots full of the faith, courage, and determination needed to preserve and restore freedom. May we honor by our actions and always remember the revolutionary patriots who pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to secure our freedom.
Special Christmas Offer
“A book is a gift you can open again and again.” -Garrison Keillor
Education is essential to the preservation of freedom against the politicians who would have us ignorantly vote ourselves into bondage. To help spread the principles of freedom, I am offering a special Christmas discount on case orders of the book Does Your Bag Have Holes? 24 Truths That Lead to Financial and Spiritual Freedom. You can order a case of 22 books (each book comes with the abridged audio book on CD) for only $99 with free shipping. That is only $4.50 per book – 75% off the retail price. I believe this book will make a wonderful Christmas present for many on your Christmas shopping list. To order simply go to http://www.doesyourbaghaveholes.org/ and add a case(s) of 22 books to your cart. Then redeem the coupon "Christmas" and the price of the case will be reduced to $99 per case or you can mail a check for $99 for each case with “Christmas” written in the memo box to:
Does Your Bag Have Holes? Foundation
428 E. Thunderbird Road #504
Phoenix, AZ 85022
This is a limited time offer so please order today. All proceeds from the book are used by our non-profit Foundation to further our educational mission to inspire the world to learn and live the principles of freedom. Thank you for your order and helping us share these powerful truths will others.
“Do give books - religious or otherwise - for Christmas. They're never
fattening, seldom sinful, and permanently personal.” -Lenore Hershey
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
QUIET STRENGTH
As the head coach, Tony Dungy led the Indianapolis Colts to Super Bowl Victory on February 4, 2007. Dungy has been involved in a wide variety of charitable organizations. He and his wife, Lauren, are the parents of six children. The following are insights and principles from the life of Tony Dungy which he shares in his book Quiet Strength.
Parenting
“My parents talked regularly about . . . their visions of what we could do. . . More than anything, my mom and dad focused on exercising our brains, building both knowledge and character. My mom and dad wouldn’t tell us, ‘Here are the steps: A, B, C, D.’ Instead they allowed us to figure things out for ourselves and to explore and grow. . . [My] parents encouraged us to follow our dreams and told us that if we wanted to do something, we could do it. And they said, if we did it the Lord’s way, for the right reasons, we would be successful. Not that we would win every game or be wealthy, but that we would be successful in God’s eyes if we did the things that glorify Him.”
Uncommon Talent
Tony Dungy’s coach while he was at the University of Minnesota taught him, “Success is uncommon and not to be enjoyed by the common man. I’m looking for uncommon people because we want to be successful, not average.” Dungy wrote of this teaching saying, “Listening to Coach Stoll, I knew I had a greater chance of becoming uncommon by my efforts than I did by my natural gifts. Some players are uncommon because of their God-given natural abilities . . . Others have to work to become uncommon. Steve Kerr of the Chicago Bulls shot five hundred free throws a day to make himself uncommon. The truth is that most people have a better chance to be uncommon by effort than by natural gifts. Anyone could give that effort in his or her chosen endeavor, but the typical person doesn’t, choosing to do only enough to get by.” Chuck Noll taught, “Champions are champions not because they do anything extraordinary but because they do the ordinary things better than anyone else.”
Power from God
In 1977, Tony Dungy signed as a player with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tony wrote of this team, “In addition to many great players, that team included some really solid Christians. Because of our physical and rough style of play, we weren’t necessarily seen as a group of believers. But even head coach Chuck Noll, who was a devout Catholic, often used Bible verses to inspire us. . . Larry Brown, Jon Kolb, Donnie Shell, and John Stallworth all really worked hard to put God first in everything they did, everyday. . . those Steelers invited me into their Bible study . . . There I was exposed to guys I respected who were constantly in God’s word—always praying and reading their Bibles together. These professional players were not the weak . . . they were some of the biggest, toughest guys I had ever met. And yet they were drawing their strength and purpose from God.”
Life Balance
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Chuck Noll often preached the importance of time away from the office, and we knew it wasn’t just lip service. Chuck lived out his message. . . His philosophy was “Get the work done so you can enjoy the other parts of your life.” While coaching at Kansas City, Dungy sometimes found himself on the job at 3 a.m. with the head coach watching film. Dungy wrote, “After those crazy hours, however, I vowed that if I ever had the chance to make the schedule myself, I wouldn’t spend or allow my assistants to spend that much time in the office. With Chuck Noll, I had seen firsthand that it was possible to work fewer hours and still be successful.”
Success
“God’s definition of success is really one of significance—the significant difference our lives can make in the lives of others. This significance doesn’t show up in win-loss records, long resumes, or the trophies gathering dust on our mantels. It’s found in the hearts and lives of those we’ve come across who are in some way better because of the way we lived.”
Delegation
“I knew from watching Coach Noll and Denny Green how I wanted to do things as a head coach. I hired top-notch people, trusted them to do their jobs, and then came to grips with the fact that I wouldn’t be coaching as much. I missed that; coaching was what I had always done, and now I had to fight the urge to coach everyone. If I wasn’t careful, I would end up coaching through or around some very good assistants, which would lessen their credibility with their players. I knew I had to make sure I didn’t inadvertently devalue the coaches in the players’ eyes by not letting them do their jobs.”
Benefits of Pain
Dungy’s son Jordan was diagnosed with congenital insensitivity to pain. “Jordan is missing a gene, it turns out, and therefore doesn’t feel pain the way other people do. Some experts think he might not feel any pain at all. For example, like most kids, Jordan loves cookies. . . Jordan would reach right in [the oven] to pull out the piping hot cookie sheet with his bare hands. Then he would begin to eat the cookies without even realizing he was burning his hands and mouth in the process. Even a trip to the emergency room didn’t help him understand he was injuring himself. . . I think at one time or another every one of our children has gone running through the house at full tilt. Looking backward at a sibling in hot pursuit or waiting for a pass, they inevitably slam into a wall with the side of their head. They’ve all done it—once—and then, because of the pain, they’re careful not to let it happen again. Jordan, on the other hand, does this kind of thing repeatedly and gets up smiling. Without the painful consequences, how is he to learn? . . . Before we had Jordan, I hadn’t thought much about the way God uses pain to protect us from further negative consequences down the road. With Jordan, this has become obvious. Pain prompts us to change behavior that is destructive to ourselves or to others. Pain can be a highly effective instructor.”
Personally Releases Players
“I have never liked cut days during training camp. Those are the days when we have to reduce our roster from eighty players down to sixty-five, and then finally to fifty-three. . . I actually make it worse on myself because I bring each player in to talk with me personally . . . it’s awkward and painful every time. I used to think that all head coaches did that, until I received a call from an agent who wanted to thank me for the way I had released his client. It was the player’s third time being cut, he told me, but the first time that a coach has ever spoken to him personally. That surprised me, but it also reinforced my resolve to continue doing it that way no matter how tough it was.”
Parenting
“My parents talked regularly about . . . their visions of what we could do. . . More than anything, my mom and dad focused on exercising our brains, building both knowledge and character. My mom and dad wouldn’t tell us, ‘Here are the steps: A, B, C, D.’ Instead they allowed us to figure things out for ourselves and to explore and grow. . . [My] parents encouraged us to follow our dreams and told us that if we wanted to do something, we could do it. And they said, if we did it the Lord’s way, for the right reasons, we would be successful. Not that we would win every game or be wealthy, but that we would be successful in God’s eyes if we did the things that glorify Him.”
Uncommon Talent
Tony Dungy’s coach while he was at the University of Minnesota taught him, “Success is uncommon and not to be enjoyed by the common man. I’m looking for uncommon people because we want to be successful, not average.” Dungy wrote of this teaching saying, “Listening to Coach Stoll, I knew I had a greater chance of becoming uncommon by my efforts than I did by my natural gifts. Some players are uncommon because of their God-given natural abilities . . . Others have to work to become uncommon. Steve Kerr of the Chicago Bulls shot five hundred free throws a day to make himself uncommon. The truth is that most people have a better chance to be uncommon by effort than by natural gifts. Anyone could give that effort in his or her chosen endeavor, but the typical person doesn’t, choosing to do only enough to get by.” Chuck Noll taught, “Champions are champions not because they do anything extraordinary but because they do the ordinary things better than anyone else.”
Power from God
In 1977, Tony Dungy signed as a player with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tony wrote of this team, “In addition to many great players, that team included some really solid Christians. Because of our physical and rough style of play, we weren’t necessarily seen as a group of believers. But even head coach Chuck Noll, who was a devout Catholic, often used Bible verses to inspire us. . . Larry Brown, Jon Kolb, Donnie Shell, and John Stallworth all really worked hard to put God first in everything they did, everyday. . . those Steelers invited me into their Bible study . . . There I was exposed to guys I respected who were constantly in God’s word—always praying and reading their Bibles together. These professional players were not the weak . . . they were some of the biggest, toughest guys I had ever met. And yet they were drawing their strength and purpose from God.”
Life Balance
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Chuck Noll often preached the importance of time away from the office, and we knew it wasn’t just lip service. Chuck lived out his message. . . His philosophy was “Get the work done so you can enjoy the other parts of your life.” While coaching at Kansas City, Dungy sometimes found himself on the job at 3 a.m. with the head coach watching film. Dungy wrote, “After those crazy hours, however, I vowed that if I ever had the chance to make the schedule myself, I wouldn’t spend or allow my assistants to spend that much time in the office. With Chuck Noll, I had seen firsthand that it was possible to work fewer hours and still be successful.”
Success
“God’s definition of success is really one of significance—the significant difference our lives can make in the lives of others. This significance doesn’t show up in win-loss records, long resumes, or the trophies gathering dust on our mantels. It’s found in the hearts and lives of those we’ve come across who are in some way better because of the way we lived.”
Delegation
“I knew from watching Coach Noll and Denny Green how I wanted to do things as a head coach. I hired top-notch people, trusted them to do their jobs, and then came to grips with the fact that I wouldn’t be coaching as much. I missed that; coaching was what I had always done, and now I had to fight the urge to coach everyone. If I wasn’t careful, I would end up coaching through or around some very good assistants, which would lessen their credibility with their players. I knew I had to make sure I didn’t inadvertently devalue the coaches in the players’ eyes by not letting them do their jobs.”
Benefits of Pain
Dungy’s son Jordan was diagnosed with congenital insensitivity to pain. “Jordan is missing a gene, it turns out, and therefore doesn’t feel pain the way other people do. Some experts think he might not feel any pain at all. For example, like most kids, Jordan loves cookies. . . Jordan would reach right in [the oven] to pull out the piping hot cookie sheet with his bare hands. Then he would begin to eat the cookies without even realizing he was burning his hands and mouth in the process. Even a trip to the emergency room didn’t help him understand he was injuring himself. . . I think at one time or another every one of our children has gone running through the house at full tilt. Looking backward at a sibling in hot pursuit or waiting for a pass, they inevitably slam into a wall with the side of their head. They’ve all done it—once—and then, because of the pain, they’re careful not to let it happen again. Jordan, on the other hand, does this kind of thing repeatedly and gets up smiling. Without the painful consequences, how is he to learn? . . . Before we had Jordan, I hadn’t thought much about the way God uses pain to protect us from further negative consequences down the road. With Jordan, this has become obvious. Pain prompts us to change behavior that is destructive to ourselves or to others. Pain can be a highly effective instructor.”
Personally Releases Players
“I have never liked cut days during training camp. Those are the days when we have to reduce our roster from eighty players down to sixty-five, and then finally to fifty-three. . . I actually make it worse on myself because I bring each player in to talk with me personally . . . it’s awkward and painful every time. I used to think that all head coaches did that, until I received a call from an agent who wanted to thank me for the way I had released his client. It was the player’s third time being cut, he told me, but the first time that a coach has ever spoken to him personally. That surprised me, but it also reinforced my resolve to continue doing it that way no matter how tough it was.”
Sunday, September 21, 2008
The Miracle of Forgiving Others
“Obsessing on grudges keeps them alive; forgiveness forces them to die. Moving on gets you back to business.” –Jon Huntsman, Sr., Billionaire and Philanthropist
One of my mentors shared the following story about a group of teenagers who went for a picnic in the desert outside of Phoenix. While they were playing, a rattlesnake bit one of the girls on the ankle. The girl and her friends pursued the snake and after about 20 minutes were able to find the snake and kill it. Once the snake was destroyed, they headed to the emergency room. A couple days later her foot and leg had swollen almost beyond recognition. The tissues in her limb had been destroyed by the poison, and a few days later it was found her leg would have to be amputated below the knee. It was a senseless sacrifice, the price of revenge. How much better it would have been if after the young women had been bitten, there had been an extraction of the venom. (H. Burke Peterson, “Removing the Poison of an Unforgiving Spirit,” Ensign, Nov. 1983, p. 59)
It is difficult for us to forgive those who have injured us. Dwelling on the evil done to us becomes an erosive and destructive poison. Nelson Mandela wrote, “Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.” Holding a grudge has the power to pull us to the depths of hell while forgiveness exalts us to the heights of heaven. The Lord directs us to forgive those who injure us but that does not mean that feelings of resentment, anger, and injustice are ignored or eliminated. We must learn to respond to the feelings of resentment, anger, and injustice with forgiveness, and guard against the natural tendency to respond with the sins of bitterness, hate, and revenge.
In reference to the sermon “Upon Resentment” given in 1726 by the English Bishop Joseph Butler, Jeffrie Murphy writes, “In that sermon, Butler started to make a case for the legitimacy of resentment and other vindictive passions—arguing that a just and loving God would not have universally implanted these passions within his creatures unless the passions served some valuable purpose. The danger of resentment, Butler argued, lies not in having it, but rather in being dominated and consumed by it to such a degree that one can never overcome it and acts irresponsibly on the basis of it. As the initial response to being wrong, however, the passion stands in defense of important values—values that might be compromised by immediate and uncritical forgiveness of wrongs.” (Jeffrie G. Murphy, Getting Even: Forgiveness and Its Limits, (New York: Oxford University Press, 2003) p. 18–19)
Although we forgive our neighbors of their wrongs against us we still work to prevent the injury from being repeated. People who are abused should forgive their abuser, but also work to hold the abuser accountable for their actions and prevent further abuse. A person who was the victim of a dishonest businessperson should not seek revenge or hate the offender but could take action to remedy the wrong. We must fight against sin but not allow bitterness, hatred, and revenge to control our thoughts and actions. As the apostle Paul taught, “Be ye angry, and sin not.” (Ephesians 4:26, King James Version)
From Bitterness to Love
The abuse of children, whether sexual, physical, or emotional, is one of the most serious problems society faces. The emotional, spiritual, mental, and physical damage of abuse is very real. I know this first-hand because when I was a little boy, I was sexually abused over many years by a close relative. I pray that no child will ever have to experience the hell I have gone through as a boy and as an adult as I have overcome and conquered the harmful effects of abuse. Initially, my reaction to the abuse were feelings of anger, hatred, bitterness, and vindictiveness. I prayed for help in dealing with these emotions and felt directed to forgive and let go. As I forgave my offender, the Spirit filled my heart and soul. The feelings I had of hate and revenge were replaced by feelings of love and concern. It is hard to describe the emotions that resulted from forgiving. Initially, I felt there was no way I could love someone who was guilty of such horrendous crimes against me, but through the power of Christ and forgiveness it was made possible. That is one of the miracles of forgiveness—it not only removes hate, bitterness, and vindictiveness, but it also replaces it with love, peace, and concern.
In January 2001, I was talking to my mom on the phone, and we began talking about the abuse of my childhood. My mom asked, “Have you forgiven him?” I said, “Yes, I have. I forgave him years ago.” Tears came to my eyes and pain filled my heart as my mom described the pain and struggles she experienced as a result of her son being abused by someone she trusted—someone she loved. My mom then said, “I can’t forgive him.” Although she is one of the kindest, most caring Christians in the world, she could not forgive him for hurting her son.
In the fall 2005, I got a call from my mom to tell me she had forgiven the relative responsible for the abuse. She related the experience to me over the phone, and I asked that she write it down and send it to me. Below is my wonderful mother’s experience with forgiveness:
I had known for a long time that I needed to forgive Henry [name has been changed] for sexually abusing my son. I kept postponing it because I felt that if I forgave him, then I would be condoning it somehow. One morning I felt prompted that I needed to go through the process of forgiving him and letting go of all the hurt and anger.
I felt prompted to go the cemetery where he was buried and prayed for the help of the Lord to take away this burden that I had carried with me for so many years. I began to share my feelings and told the Lord that I was really ready to let it all go. I knew that holding onto it was keeping me from progressing spiritually.
I went to the cemetery where Henry was buried. After spending some time at Henry’s grave site, I felt prompted to go and run around the track at the high school. I thought that was strange because I am definitely not a runner. I usually walk for exercise but cannot run very far. As I was thinking about this, the story of the leper Naaman who went to Elisha to be healed came to my mind. Elisha told Naaman, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean.” (II Kings 5:10, New King James Version) But Naaman rejected the counsel for he expected a mighty miracle. “Naaman became furious . . . and went away in a rage.” (II Kings 5:11-12, New King James Version) Naaman’s servant then spoke to him saying, “If the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” (II Kings 5:13, New King James Version) Naaman then went and washed seven times in the Jordon and was healed.
I figured I better follow the prompting, so I went to the track and thought maybe I could run around one time. As I began to run and my heart began to beat faster, I felt a burden being lifted off of me. My heart felt good, and I knew that the Lord was blessing me with the ability to forgive. I then felt a great remorse for being unforgiving for so long. I asked the Lord for forgiveness for not acting upon this sooner. I felt a peace come over me that was so wonderful and I actually felt changed physically and spiritually. I walked around the track another lap and said a prayer of gratitude to Heavenly Father for His great love for me and expressed appreciation for the power of the atonement of Jesus Christ, which heals what we cannot heal on our own. Just as Naaman’s leprosy was healed by washing in the Jordon, my hurt and anger were healed by forgiving.
One of my mentors shared the following story about a group of teenagers who went for a picnic in the desert outside of Phoenix. While they were playing, a rattlesnake bit one of the girls on the ankle. The girl and her friends pursued the snake and after about 20 minutes were able to find the snake and kill it. Once the snake was destroyed, they headed to the emergency room. A couple days later her foot and leg had swollen almost beyond recognition. The tissues in her limb had been destroyed by the poison, and a few days later it was found her leg would have to be amputated below the knee. It was a senseless sacrifice, the price of revenge. How much better it would have been if after the young women had been bitten, there had been an extraction of the venom. (H. Burke Peterson, “Removing the Poison of an Unforgiving Spirit,” Ensign, Nov. 1983, p. 59)
It is difficult for us to forgive those who have injured us. Dwelling on the evil done to us becomes an erosive and destructive poison. Nelson Mandela wrote, “Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.” Holding a grudge has the power to pull us to the depths of hell while forgiveness exalts us to the heights of heaven. The Lord directs us to forgive those who injure us but that does not mean that feelings of resentment, anger, and injustice are ignored or eliminated. We must learn to respond to the feelings of resentment, anger, and injustice with forgiveness, and guard against the natural tendency to respond with the sins of bitterness, hate, and revenge.
In reference to the sermon “Upon Resentment” given in 1726 by the English Bishop Joseph Butler, Jeffrie Murphy writes, “In that sermon, Butler started to make a case for the legitimacy of resentment and other vindictive passions—arguing that a just and loving God would not have universally implanted these passions within his creatures unless the passions served some valuable purpose. The danger of resentment, Butler argued, lies not in having it, but rather in being dominated and consumed by it to such a degree that one can never overcome it and acts irresponsibly on the basis of it. As the initial response to being wrong, however, the passion stands in defense of important values—values that might be compromised by immediate and uncritical forgiveness of wrongs.” (Jeffrie G. Murphy, Getting Even: Forgiveness and Its Limits, (New York: Oxford University Press, 2003) p. 18–19)
Although we forgive our neighbors of their wrongs against us we still work to prevent the injury from being repeated. People who are abused should forgive their abuser, but also work to hold the abuser accountable for their actions and prevent further abuse. A person who was the victim of a dishonest businessperson should not seek revenge or hate the offender but could take action to remedy the wrong. We must fight against sin but not allow bitterness, hatred, and revenge to control our thoughts and actions. As the apostle Paul taught, “Be ye angry, and sin not.” (Ephesians 4:26, King James Version)
From Bitterness to Love
The abuse of children, whether sexual, physical, or emotional, is one of the most serious problems society faces. The emotional, spiritual, mental, and physical damage of abuse is very real. I know this first-hand because when I was a little boy, I was sexually abused over many years by a close relative. I pray that no child will ever have to experience the hell I have gone through as a boy and as an adult as I have overcome and conquered the harmful effects of abuse. Initially, my reaction to the abuse were feelings of anger, hatred, bitterness, and vindictiveness. I prayed for help in dealing with these emotions and felt directed to forgive and let go. As I forgave my offender, the Spirit filled my heart and soul. The feelings I had of hate and revenge were replaced by feelings of love and concern. It is hard to describe the emotions that resulted from forgiving. Initially, I felt there was no way I could love someone who was guilty of such horrendous crimes against me, but through the power of Christ and forgiveness it was made possible. That is one of the miracles of forgiveness—it not only removes hate, bitterness, and vindictiveness, but it also replaces it with love, peace, and concern.
In January 2001, I was talking to my mom on the phone, and we began talking about the abuse of my childhood. My mom asked, “Have you forgiven him?” I said, “Yes, I have. I forgave him years ago.” Tears came to my eyes and pain filled my heart as my mom described the pain and struggles she experienced as a result of her son being abused by someone she trusted—someone she loved. My mom then said, “I can’t forgive him.” Although she is one of the kindest, most caring Christians in the world, she could not forgive him for hurting her son.
In the fall 2005, I got a call from my mom to tell me she had forgiven the relative responsible for the abuse. She related the experience to me over the phone, and I asked that she write it down and send it to me. Below is my wonderful mother’s experience with forgiveness:
I had known for a long time that I needed to forgive Henry [name has been changed] for sexually abusing my son. I kept postponing it because I felt that if I forgave him, then I would be condoning it somehow. One morning I felt prompted that I needed to go through the process of forgiving him and letting go of all the hurt and anger.
I felt prompted to go the cemetery where he was buried and prayed for the help of the Lord to take away this burden that I had carried with me for so many years. I began to share my feelings and told the Lord that I was really ready to let it all go. I knew that holding onto it was keeping me from progressing spiritually.
I went to the cemetery where Henry was buried. After spending some time at Henry’s grave site, I felt prompted to go and run around the track at the high school. I thought that was strange because I am definitely not a runner. I usually walk for exercise but cannot run very far. As I was thinking about this, the story of the leper Naaman who went to Elisha to be healed came to my mind. Elisha told Naaman, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean.” (II Kings 5:10, New King James Version) But Naaman rejected the counsel for he expected a mighty miracle. “Naaman became furious . . . and went away in a rage.” (II Kings 5:11-12, New King James Version) Naaman’s servant then spoke to him saying, “If the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” (II Kings 5:13, New King James Version) Naaman then went and washed seven times in the Jordon and was healed.
I figured I better follow the prompting, so I went to the track and thought maybe I could run around one time. As I began to run and my heart began to beat faster, I felt a burden being lifted off of me. My heart felt good, and I knew that the Lord was blessing me with the ability to forgive. I then felt a great remorse for being unforgiving for so long. I asked the Lord for forgiveness for not acting upon this sooner. I felt a peace come over me that was so wonderful and I actually felt changed physically and spiritually. I walked around the track another lap and said a prayer of gratitude to Heavenly Father for His great love for me and expressed appreciation for the power of the atonement of Jesus Christ, which heals what we cannot heal on our own. Just as Naaman’s leprosy was healed by washing in the Jordon, my hurt and anger were healed by forgiving.
Conclusion
Blame and grudges keep wounds open and allow the wrongs of others to control our lives. Forgiveness is not easy, but it is the balm that heals our wounds and frees us to choose our destiny.
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