‘Perseverance’ [v184]

JUNE 2014

‘Perseverance’

Last month I told you about the ‘adventure’ I was going through with the total knee replacement surgery on my right leg—well, it’s becoming a ‘journey’.

A few weeks ago I developed a ‘bump’ just above my knee cap. The doctor has determined it is a “cyclops lesion” that has formed (probably because of the “interior” portion of the quad muscle herniating up into the “outside” portion of the quad). This made a marble-sized ‘ball’ of scar tissue that ‘clicks’ every time I walk—and really ‘clicks’ hard going up and down stairs (with a pain level of about 7/10). So, I’ve ‘regressed’ to going up and down stairs one step at a time, and have eliminated the ‘flexing’ exercises that aggravate it, and no longer can ride my stationary bike. But…I ‘press on’!

[ Surgery is required to remove it, and thankfully it can be done arthroscopically—but they don’t like to do it until 5-6 month post-op (so I’ll probably have it done sometime in late August after “Life Remodeled” and the “Besh Bash”). Video of cyclops lesion surgery:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwqTf-k3fzY ].


Thing is, what else can I do? I could make myself feel better by blaming the doctor, mire in frustration and self-pity, and/or become depressed—but all those would not fix the problem, and would be self-defeating. There’s only one thing to do—to PERSEVERE until it’s totally rehabbed and healed! John Quincy Adams said, “Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman, before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air.”

Now, I’m not saying it’s easy to go through ‘things’—especially if it’s ‘life threatening’. When we do get discouraged we are tempted to quit—to throw in the proverbial ‘towel’, and give up. But it’s been said by many that perseverance and commitment produces “strength of character” and character strengthens our “confidence and hope.”

Motivational speaker, Zig Ziglar said, “It was character that got us out of bed, commitment that moved us into action, and discipline [perseverance] that enabled us to follow through.”


When I get ‘down’, I like to read stories about people who didn’t give up, who stayed with a commitment even though the going got tough. They are a source of great inspiration to me! (Quitters aren’t much of an inspiration).

The value of courage, persistence, and perseverance has rarely been illustrated more convincingly than in the life story of this following man (his age appears before what happened):
22-Failed in business
23-Ran for Legislature and was defeated
24-Again failed in business
25-Elected to Legislature
26-Sweetheart died
27-Had a nervous breakdown
29-Defeated for Speaker
31-Defeated for Elector
34-Defeated for Congress
37-Elected to Congress
39-Defeated for Congress
46-Defeated for Senate
47-Defeated for Vice President
49-Defeated for Senate
51-Elected President of the United States

That’s the ‘record’ of Abraham Lincoln. Wow!…now that’s PERSEVERANCE!


There are many inspiring true stories of men and women throughout time who have accomplished fantastic and impressive things. However, they were not always great athletes, business people military personnel, or Presidents, but sometimes very average people—people who were highly motivated by a cause they deemed greater than their own lives. With perseverance, they were able to achieve astonishing successes, and sometimes stunning victories against seemingly insurmountable odds—with perseverance being the key ‘ingredient’ in every success story!

For most people, getting through a day, or a week or a year is about all the perseverance they can muster—working full-time jobs, raising children, being involved in church activities and/or social clubs, or just ‘normal’ activities filling most of their time. Perseverance is not limited to maneuvering through crises or disasters, but enduring the day-after-day faithfulness to get up and do what is needed, regardless of obstacles. As Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, said, “Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did.”


Although there are many examples of this kind of resolve, there’s one man’s story that has always amazed me in regards to perseverance—that being “King David” mentioned in the Bible.

He was the youngest of eight sons. His father Jesse, thought he was so insignificant, that when the prophet Samuel came looking to ‘anoint’ one of his sons, Jesse did not even think to bring David into the house (Yet David was the one that God had ‘chosen’ to be anointed the new king of Israel).

David had to wait his turn in line because Saul was still King. David got off to a great start by fighting and defeating Goliath the giant when no one else would do it. He was promoted as he led the troops into battle again and again. This boy was on a fast track to success. God was with him in just about everything he did.

David had been as faithful to King Saul as he could be. One day coming home from battle, the ladies danced in the streets and sang a song that “King Saul has slain his thousands, but David his ten’s of thousands”—that made King Saul really jealous. He started hating David from that moment on, and decided to remove the ‘competition’. David escapes several assassination attempts by Saul, and runs into the wilderness to hide.

David really felt that he was serving God to the best of his ability, but the picture being painted of David by King Saul was quite different. In the kingdom, David was being described as a thug, a terrorist, and an outlaw.

David spent many years living in caves, waiting for God to ‘come through’. But you know something, many of the victories that come into our lives are short lived. We can get so excited over something, and then watch it fall through the ‘cracks’. The child we thought had turned around, was really still doing things in secret behind our backs. The job we thought we had after that great interview turned into a rejection notice.

It was at this point that David felt like banging his head against the wall crying out, “God what is going on. I try to do the right thing, and I’m in a worse mess than I was before.”

So, David pours out his heart to God in prayer called the “Psalms” in the Bible (they show us how we are to be real about our feelings in our prayers to God). When we are frustrated with God, it’s okay to tell Him so. When we’re angry, it’s okay to say that, too. Here’s what David wrote:

“How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide Your face from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?
Look on me and answer, LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
But I trust in Your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation.
I will sing the LORD’s praise, for He has been good to me.”
[Psalm 13].

Definitely distraught!


We have all asked the question, “How long am I going to have to put up with this?” But do we ever get around to asking, “God, what is it that you want me to take out of this situation?” God tells us that nothing in our lives will be ‘wasted’—for in all circumstances we can do something to ‘glorify’ Him. In the Bible, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” God gives us choices right where we are. (I’m not saying this is ‘easy’ to do, but what we are ‘supposed’ to do).

We can go into deep depression over an illness or disease in our bodies, or we can make the determination, “God I don’t know how much time I have left, but I’m going to enjoy it and serve you to the utmost throughout it all. It will not keep me from being your faithful servant. I will continue to pray until something happens.”

I’m thinking that’s what David was feeling, when he kept asking God, “How long. When is it going to be my turn.” Part of our ‘problem’ is that the focus of our joy is not on God, but on the things that He ‘provides’. How often have we heard Jesus misquoted with the verse, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you.” The verse actually says, seek ye first the kingdom of God AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Are we eagerly seeking the righteousness of God in our situation, or have we simply sought a moment with God in order for Him to give us whatever we desire? To “seek the kingdom” means both to submit to God’s plan for our lives right now—whether we are happy with them or not—and to say, “Yes Lord, I will persevere for as long as you call me to persevere.” This is what David did, and finally, at the ‘right’ time, became the King of Israel!


When we are discouraged, let us remember God is treating us as His own, for even His Son, Jesus Christ, learned obedience through the things He suffered. In the Book of Hebrews it says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” [Hebrews 12:1-3].

You’re not the only person going through what you’re going through. God has already been there with others, and God will be there with you! So, get to ‘know’ God at this time through this situation. God might be ‘prompting’ you to a time of perseverance—and with Jesus on your ‘side’, you can do it!

After David had been King for a while, God made it a point to mention that David had always been “a man after His own heart”—and that’s exactly why God appointed David to be the ruler of the people.

In Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount,” He talked about the virtue of perseverance—especially in its relevance to prayer, and in our service to God. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” [Matthew 7:7-8].

Literally, Jesus is presenting sort of a ‘progression’ of the terms: “asking” is the first ‘level’ of inquiry; “seeking” suggests an ‘action’, as one goes about to find what they ask; and “knocking” is another step up, as one ‘persists’ in finding that which they seek. [ Other examples of Jesus teaching this ‘concept’ of persistence are in Luke 11:5-8 (“The Persistent Friend”) and Luke 18:1-8 (“The Persistent Widow”) ].


Let me encourage you that there is a ‘purpose’ for our trials, and perseverance will ‘rewarded’ by God—with increased ‘endurance’, ‘wisdom’, and a ‘crown’ when you get to Heaven! [James 1:1-18].

Basically, the difficulties of life are intended by God to ‘refine’ our faith—just like refining process of silver, where the ‘pure silver’ is separated from the ‘dross’—so that you may become pure, valuable, and more like His Son, Jesus.

Just remember, Jesus persevered through many trials, temptations, and abandonment throughout His life. Most importantly, He ‘endured’ the crucifixion on a cross to give us a ‘way’ to be forgiven and have a ‘relationship’ with God The Father—and eternal life in Heaven!


Since this Sunday is Father’s Day, let me end with a wonderful true story about a ‘loving’ father. It’s about Derek Redmond.

Derek Redmond is not a name that conjures up memories of Olympic gold medals. Derek arrived at the 1992 Olympic Summer Games in Barcelona determined to win a medal in the 400. The color of the medal was meaningless, he just wanted to win one—just one.

He’d been forced to withdraw from the 400 at the 1988 Games in Seoul, only 10 minutes before the race, because of an Achilles tendon injury. He underwent five surgeries over the next year. This was the same runner who’d shattered the British 400-meter record at age 19. When the 1992 Games arrived, it was his time, his moment, his stage, to show the world how good he was and who he was.

Derek’s father, Jim, had accompanied him to Barcelona, just as he did for all world competitions. They were as close as a father and son could be. Inseparable, really. The best of friends. When Derek ran, it was as if his father were running right next to him. 
The day of the race arrived. Father and son reminisce about what it took for Derek to get to this point. They talk about ignoring past heartbreaks, past failures. They agree that if anything bad happens, no matter what it is, Derek has to finish the race, period.

The Olympic stadium is packed with 65,000 fans, bracing themselves for one of sport’s greatest and most exciting spectacles. The race begins and Derek breaks from the pack, quickly seizing the lead. “Keep it up, keep it up,” Jim says to himself. Down the backstretch, just 175 meters away from finishing, Redmond is a shoo-in to make the finals. Suddenly, he hears a pop. It’s his right hamstring. He pulls up lame, as if he had been shot.
”Oh, no,” Jim says to himself. His face pales. His leg quivering, Redmond begins hopping on one leg, then slows down and falls to the track. As he lays on the track, clutching his right hamstring, a medical personnel unit runs toward him. At the same time, Jim Redmond, seeing his son in trouble, races down from the top row of the stands, sidestepping people, bumping into others. He has no credential to be on the track but all he can think about is getting to his son, to help him up. “I wasn’t going to be stopped by anyone,” he later said.

Out on the track, Derek Redmond realizes his dream of an Olympic medal is gone. Tears run down his face, “All I could think was, ‘I’m out of the Olympics…again!'” As the medical crew arrives with a stretcher, Derek tells them, “No, there’s no way I’m getting on that stretcher. I’m going to finish my race.” Then, in a moment that will live forever in the minds of millions, Redmond lifts himself to his feet, ever so slowly, and starts hobbling down the track. The other runners have finished the race, with Steve Lewis of the United States winning the contest. But suddenly, everyone realizes that Redmond isn’t dropping out of the race by hobbling off to the side of the track. No, he’s actually continuing on one leg. He’s going to attempt to hobble his way to the finish line…all by himself. He’s going to persevere no matter what.

Slowly, the crowd, in total disbelief, rises and begins to roar. The roar gets louder and louder. Through the searing pain, Redmond hears the cheers, but “I wasn’t doing it for the crowd,” he would later say. “I was doing it for me. Whether people thought I was an idiot or a hero, I wanted to finish the race. I’m the one who has to live with it.”

One painful step at a time, each one a little slower and more painful than the one before, his face twisted with pain and tears, Derek Redmond limps onward, and the crowd, many in tears, cheer him on. Suddenly, his father, Jim Redmond finally gets to the bottom of the stands, leaps over the railing, avoids a security guard, and runs out to his son, with two security people chasing after him. “That’s my son out there,” he yells back to security, “and I’m going to help him.”

Finally, with Derek refusing to surrender and painfully limping along the track, Jim reaches his son at the final curve, about 120 meters from the finish, and wraps his arm around his waist. “I’m here, son,” Jim says softly, hugging his boy. “We’ll finish together.” 
Derek puts his arms around his father’s shoulders and sobs. And together, arm in arm, father and son, with 65,000 fans cheering, clapping and crying, father and son finish the race, just as they vowed that they would. Just a couple steps from the finish line and with the crowd in an absolute frenzy, Jim releases the grip he has on his son, so Derek could cross the finish line by himself. Then, he throws his arms around Derek again, both crying, along with everyone in the stands and many in the TV audience worldwide!

What PERSEVERANCE! What LOVING KINDNESS!


So, even though we’re ‘limping’ or ‘hobbling’, if we PERSEVERE, God the Father ‘walks’ with us through all of our trials here on earth, ‘guiding us through Heaven’s ‘gate’, and right across the ‘finish line’!

Friend, Jesus didn’t quit, and following Him means knowing how to persevere—and while He did it alone, you don’t have to! He is always there, and His grace and loving kindness truly is sufficient for you!


[ Excerpts from: Get Busy Living; Pete Miller; Chris Hodges; Rick Gillespie-Mobley; Scott Carson ]


RESOURCES:

“A Long Faithfulness: The Case for Christian Perseverance”
Can we choose and un-choose God? Or does he choose and un-choose us? In The Long Faithfulness: The Case for Christian Perseverance, theologian Scot McKnight examines what the Bible says about human salvation. Inspired in part by a resurgent Calvinist movement and its particular emphasis on God’s meticulous sovereignty, McKnight invites us to a clear and captivating discussion about securing the way to eternal life–the role God plays, the role we play, and the key Bible passages that illuminate the mystery of salvation…
[Scot McKnight]

http://www.amazon.com/Long-Faithfulness-Case-Christian-Perseverance-ebook/dp/B00CSXWUAU

——–
“Perseverance: A Long Obedience in the Same Direction”
When the going gets tough, what does a Christian do?
The world around you is, more often than not, unjust and unmerciful. But God has given you resources to see you through tough times.

As you grow in hope, patience, repentance and joy, you also grow in your ability to persevere. Six studies, based on Eugene Peterson’s classic on Christian commitment, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, will encourage you to continue in the path Christ has set before you.
[Eugene H. Peterson]

http://www.amazon.com/Perseverance-Obedience-Direction-Christian-Studies/dp/0830820108

——–
“The Faith to Persevere”
[Oswald Chambers – My Utmost For His Highest]

http://utmost.org/the-faith-to-persevere/

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Perseverance Quotes and Posters:
http://www.google.com/search?q=perseverance&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=dYybU-3ZA4emyASN-ILIBQ&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1100&bih=772

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[P.S.: If you would like to investigate what the Bible says about growing closer to God in the here and now, and allowing Him to help us ‘persevere’, visit the following link:
http://www.4vis.com/sfm/sfm_pres/sp_q12_d2_1of10.html




LIFE’S DEEP THOUGHTS (v184) for JUNE 2014
If you have a ‘neat’ story or some thoughts about an issue or current event that you would like me to try to respond to, I would be glad to give it a try…so, send them to me at: mbesh@comcast.net


FATHER’S DAY REMEMBRANCE: This is the second anniversary of my father’s passing, and I still miss him! But, I know that he is in the ‘grip’ of Jesus right now, and that I will see him again in Heaven, when I get there!

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DETERMINATION
Imagine that you are a world-class concert pianist at the peak of your career, someone who has spent years studying and practicing to develop your art. Your fingers respond instantly to your mental commands, flitting along the keyboard with grace and speed. Then one day you feel a stiffness that wasn’t there before. You go to a doctor, tests are done, and the diagnosis comes back: arthritis. Your fingers are destined to become wooden and crippled. From the heights of success and acclaim you will plunge to oblivion.

It happened to Byron Janis. Within a short time this concert pianist saw arthritis quickly spread to all his fingers, and the joints of nine of them fused. Some people would have never recovered from such a blow, but Janis decided to fight back. He kept his ailment a secret from all but his wife and two close friends. He worked long hours to change his technique. He learned how to use what strengths he had instead of concentrating on his weaknesses. He also used a regimen of medications, acupuncture, ultrasound, and even hypnosis to deal with the pain. His wife learned how to give him therapeutic massages to loosen his stiff joints.

Through hard work and sheer determination, Janis was able to continue his career. He maintained a full concert schedule for 12 years without anyone suspecting. Finally, he told the world at a White House concert in 1985. These days, he is active in fund-raising for the Arthritis Foundation and still plays the piano. He credits faith, and hope, and will for his success and says, “I have arthritis, but it doesn’t have me.”
[ Bits and Pieces, August, 1989 ]

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PEOPLE WHO FOUND SUCCESS DESPITE FAILURES
Colonel Sanders: The founder of KFC. He started his dream at 65 years old! He got a social security check for only $105 and was mad. Instead of complaining he did something about it. He thought restaurant owners would love his fried chicken recipe, use it, sales would increase, and he’d get a percentage of it. He drove around the country knocking on doors, sleeping in his car, wearing his white suit. Do you know how many times people said no till he got one yes? 1,009 times!

Walt Disney: The man who gave us Disney World and Mickey Mouse. His first animation company went banktrupt. He was fired by a news editor cause he lacked imagination. Legend has it he was turned down 302 times before he got financing for creating Disney World.

Albert Eistein: He didn’t speak till he was four and didn’t read till seven. His parents and teachers thought he was mentally handicapped. He only turned out to win a Nobel prize and be the face of modern physics.

Richard Branson: He’s a billionaire mogul of Virgin but has had his share of failures. Remember Virgin Cola or Virgin credit cards? Probably not. He’s lost hundreds of millions of dollars, but has not let failure stop him. When you’re rich like him you can rent his private island for $53,000 a night.

Mark Cuban: The billionaire owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks got rich when he sold his company to Yahoo for $5.9 billion in stock. He admitted he was terrible at his early jobs. His parents wanted him to have a normal job. So he tried carpentry, but hated it. He was a short order cook, but a terrible one. He waited tables, but couldn’t open a bottle of wine. He says of his failures, “I’ve learned that it doesn’t matter how many times you failed. You only have to be right once.”

Vincent Van Gogh: He only sold one painting in his lifetime!  Just one to a friend. Despite that he kept painting and finished over 800 pieces. Now everyone wants to buy them and his most expensive painting is valued at $142.7 million.

Theodor Seuss Giesel (Dr. Seuss): He gave us “Cat in the Hat” and “Green Eggs and Ham.” Books every child reads. At first, many didn’t think he would succeed. There were 27 different publishers that rejected Dr. Seuss’s first book “To Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street.”

John Grisham: The American author first was a lawyer who loved to write. His first book “A Time to Kill” took three years to write. The book was rejected 28 times until he got one yes for a 5,000 copy print. He’s sold over 250 million total copies of his books.

Steven Spielberg: He applied and was denied two times to the prestigious University of Southern California film school. Instead he went to Cal State University in Long Beach.
He went on to direct some of the biggest movie blockbusters in history. Now he’s worth $2.7 billion, and in 1994 got an honorary degree from the film school that rejected him twice.

Stephen King: His first book Carrie was rejected 30 times and he threw it in the trash. His wife retrieved it out of the trash and encouraged him to resubmit it. The rest is history. He has sold more than 350 million copies of his books. (He’s also made many adults fear clowns too.)

Stephenie Meyer: The author of the crazy “Twilight” series said the inspiration from the book came from a dream. She finished it in three months, but never intended to publish it until a friend suggested she should. She wrote 15 letters to literary agencies. Five didn’t reply. Nine rejected. One gave her a chance. Then eight publishers auctioned for the right to publish “Twilight.” She got a three book deal worth $750,000. In 2010, Forbes reported she earned $40 million.

Tim Ferris: The man behind the “4-Hour Workweek,” who changed how many people view work and life, was rejected by 26 publishers before one gave him a chance. It’s been on the bestseller’s list for years, sold all over the world, and last year published “The 4-Hour Body” that went to #1 on the New York Times bestsellers list.

The Beatles: They were rejected by many record labels. In a famous rejection, the label said, “guitar groups are on the way out” and “the Beatles have no future in show business.” After that, the Beatles signed with EMI, brought Beatlemania to the United States, and became the greatest band in history.

Michael Jordan: He’s famous for being cut from his high school basketball team. He turned out to be the greatest basketball player, but never let failure deter him. I love this quote of his: “I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot, and I missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

Thomas Edison: No list of success from failures would be complete without the man who gave us many inventions including the light bulb. He knew failure wouldn’t stop him. He said, “If I find 10,000 ways something won’t work, I haven’t failed. I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward.”

MORE PEOPLE’S STORIES:
50 Famous People Who Failed at Their First Attempt at Career Success:
http://myventurepad.com/budbilanich/34399/50-famous-people-who-failed-their-first-attempt-career-success

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DON’T QUIT!
Ignace Jan Paderewski, the famous Polish composer-pianist, was once scheduled to perform at a great American concert hall for a high-society extravaganza. In the audience was a mother with her fidgety nine-year-old son. Weary of waiting, the boy slipped away from her side, strangely drawn to the Steinway on the stage.

Without much notice from the audience, he sat down at the stool and began playing “chopsticks.” The roar of the crowd turned to shouts as hundreds yelled, “Get that boy away from there!” When Paderewski heard the uproar backstage, he grabbed his coat and rushed over behind the boy. Reaching around him from behind, the master began to improvise a countermelody to “Chopsticks.” As the two of them played together, Paderewski kept whispering in the boy’s ear, “Keep going. Don’t quit, son…don’t stop…don’t stop.”
[ Today in the Word, Moody Bible Institute, Jan., 1992 ]

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DON’T GIVE IN
Two frogs fell into a deep cream bowl;
The one was wise, and a cheery soul.
The other one took a gloomy view
and bade his friend a sad adieu.

Said the other frog with a merry grin,
“I can’t get out, but I won’t give in;
I’ll swim around till my strength is spent,
Then I will die the more content.”

And as he swam, though ever it seemed,
His struggling began to churn the cream until,
on top of pure butter he stopped,
and out of the bowl he quickly hopped.

The moral, you ask? Oh, it’s easily found! If you can’t get out, keep swimming around.
[ Our Daily Bread, November 29 ]

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WHEN THINGS GO WRONG
When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
So don’t give up, though the pace seems slow;
For you may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than
it seems to a fain and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor’s cup.
And he learned too late when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure, turned inside out,
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt.
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit,
It’s when things seem worst that you mustn’t quit.
[ Anonymous ]

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BOULEVARD OF BOTH EXTREMES
[Parody of “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” by Green Day]

I walk Galilee road – I know no one and I am an unknown
I’m Samaritan, though – got a known disease but I got no home
I’ve got this leprosy – all the folks who are approaching scream
Where’s their sympathy? They run and show me none, but I’m not alone
I’m not alone, I’m not alone, I’m not alone, I’m not a

My fellow homeless ones, they walk beside me
We share those marks that go with skin diseases
There’s nine Jewish among us — they don’t mind me
With them, I’m not alone

We’re all from Palestine – race divides us but their skin’s like mine
And like Frankenstein – ugly, wretched, scarred like Al Capone
We see Jesus Christ – let’s walk up to Him He seems all right
Yet in Bible times, we know it’s not allowed, we must walk alone
But I’m not alone, I’m not alone, I’m not alone, I’m not a-

My fellow homeless ones who walk beside me
They shout “Have mercy on us, please Lord Jesus!”
Then Christ says we should turn from there and find priests
To them I’ve got to go
I’m not alone, I’m not a-

My God just set me free from a cruel, bizarre, awful disease
Went to see the priests and on the road the Lord was my doctor
My fellow homeless ones were healed just like me
I shall embark to go give thanks to Jesus
The nine all wish me luck but stay behind me
And then I walk alone.
[ ApologetiX – “WordPlay” album ]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zR99DpcaFcc

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DEEP THOUGHT(s):
“When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.”
[Franklin D. Roosevelt]

“Genius is 2% inspiration and 98 % perspiration”
[Thomas Edison]

“Press on! Nothing in the world can take the place of perseverance. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.”
[Calvin Coolidge]

“Fall down seven times, get up eight.”
[Japanese proverb]

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Hope you enjoyed some of these insights—share them with your friends and colleagues—so we can have a larger ‘pool’ to receive from, and more to share with! Also, remember to include your name as the “source,” if some of this wisdom is of your doing—I would like to give credit where credit is due!

“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.”
[Hebrews 12:1-2]

Mark

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Disclaimer: All the above jokes & inspirations are obtained from various sources and copyright are used when known. Other than our name and headers, we do not own the copyright to any of the materials sent to this list. We just want to spread the ministry of God’s love and cheerfulness throughout the world.

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