By Joe Widick
In the year 2000, Hong Kong city officials made an effort to improve their cities image. The officials decided to blanket the city with posters showing a single drop of water splashing into a pool. On each poster were the words “Hong Kong Against Corruption.” The message was very clear. The city officials understood that integrity or dishonesty permeates a city one person at a time. It is not just a matter of all of a sudden everyone does bad or good. It is a process that involves individuals. We all count.
As I thought about this campaign, it became clearer and clearer that it is easy to compromise in little things because they seem to make no difference in society at large. Sometimes our thinking goes to the point “Why shouldn’t I alter the truth, who is going to care.” Other times we may be guilty of thinking it will be OK to pad my expense reports, after all the company owes me for all I have done for them. Maybe we think it all right to use company time to handle personal projects, after all everyone does this. Do we think of these incidents as being merely one drop in the bucket? You see that is exactly what we think! And every drop in the bucket helps determine the contents of that bucket
Long ago the psalmist asked this penetrating question; “Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle?” The answer to this question is seen in verses 2-5 of Psalms 15. It describes a person of honor who enjoys intimate fellowship with God. Notice how the person of principle walks, works, and speaks—it is uprightly, righteously, truthfully. It is also equally important to realize how the individual that is filled with integrity refuses to backbite or take bribes. All of these are qualities that make a difference, not only in family and church, but also within our community. As you look at the life of an individual like this, you see one whose life has stability. The psalmist said “He who does these things shall never be moved”
What would Hong Kong be like if people honored these principles and if the people realized that every drop does count? Would Hong Kong be a better place to live? You see it becomes a matter of integrity. Integrity is described as being Christ like character in work clothes.
What would it mean to our precious families, our neighborhoods our cities if you and I lived with integrity according to God’s guidelines? Could we not determine within ourselves that we are going to do it! It is time that we understand that every drop does count.
Prayer Thought: Help me see my value as an individual.
By Joe Widick
How many copies of God’s word do you own? Do you have copies on bookshelves at home, one in your place of work, one that you carry with you to worship? Most of us have several copies and among those copies are different versions. Some may even have copies of this ancient book in the original languages of Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic. It is an ancient book that has traveled through history to the present, hopefully making a positive influence on mankind. And although it has been abused many times, it is still described by scholars as being the most influential book in history.
There are all types of surveys. I ran across one recently that said of the people that were surveyed 79.8 percent said that the Bible was the most influential book. In second place on this survey, and may I add a distant second was Dr. Spock’s baby book which received only 4.7 percent of the vote. In third place was Charles Darwin’s The Origin of the Species with 4.1 percent and then came George Orwell’s 1984 with 2.4 percent. It does take a professor in statistics to determine that the Bible was the overwhelming winner among the most influential books published.
Now the most important question: Is this highly influential book making a difference? Is your life a more godly life because of the influence of this divine book. I wonder of the 79.8 percent who claimed it was the most influential book have actually spent time, like many of you and have actually read the book. And if we read this book inspired by God, do we do so on a regular basis? Do we read a passage here and there, or do we follow some system that will make us familiar with the whole Bible? Do we really have a strong desire to know God’s word? Can we say with the psalmist; “They (the ordinances of God) are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than hone, than honey from the comb.” Do you and I plus that 79.8 percent believe and practice what we read? Is this book decisively influencing our lives? Is our relationship to the Bible one of obedience? If we answer yes to these questions, there is another question that must be asked. Are we encouraging others to come and worship with us? Are we spending time teaching others? Are we influencing our children in a positive way? Are we practicing what we learn in our classes? Are we hungering and thirsting after righteousness? We need to realize that this book that is so influential is immeasurably more than a collection of human writings. It is God’s authoritative Word.
Prayer Thought: Encourage me to not only read Your word, but also put it into practice daily
By Joe Widick
What a joy it has been this week at Maple Hill. It has truly been an adventure of a lifetime. It is hard to come up with the right words to express gratitude to all those who worked so hard to make VBS a success. I guess the most appropriate words are simply “Thank you.” I thought about listing names of those who helped, but that presented two problems. One, I would probably leave someone out. Two the entire column would be a list of names. Each who helped knows that whatever work they did was a labor of love, and the impact of the VBS will last for a long time. As I watched the singing, the classes, the crafts, the outside activities and snacks, I marveled at the attention that was given. The kids were great, they observed, they listened and they learned.
I recently read a story of an irate customer who stormed into a bookstore and loudly demanded a refund. When the man couldn’t get what he wanted, he began swearing at the clerk. He continued the tirade for several minutes as a little girl about the age of 7 or 8 stood passively at his side. Eventually he stomped out of the store, cursing as he went. The little girl followed close behind. Ask yourself, what did that little girl learn that afternoon? As I read that story, I couldn’t help but think of all the children who came to VBS this week, and even though many were small, what did they learn by observing. Did they see godly examples before them leading the singing? What about in the classes, were the characters and helpers setting the right type of example? Maybe, it was someone who helped with crafts or the snacks or the outside activities, did they leave a lasting impression? You see we are all being watched and observed.
No written word nor spoken plea
Can teach young hearts what they should be,
Nor all the books upon the shelves
But what the teachers are themselves
Then I need to bring matters a little closer to home. What about me personally. As a parent do I provoke my children to wrath? Do I find myself bringing them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord? I believe the passage from Ephesians 6:4 speaks to me of my own relationship with Christ and the example I live before my children. Only as I submit to God’s training and instruction can I bring up my children in this way.
There were children watching all through VBS, they also watch us everyday, to see what we will say and how we will respond. I trust and pray that each of us will remember the old adage, “Actions speak louder than words.”
Prayer Thought: Help me to be the right example for others
By Joe Widick
I love holidays. They are times to relax and enjoy a special time with friends or family. Elaine and I plan to spend (this was written on Wednesday) our 4th of July at Watts Bar Lake in east Tennessee. We enjoy setting out at night and watching our neighbors shoot off fireworks over the water. It is a spectacular sight to watch the fireworks explode in the sky and see the reflection in the water.
Do we ever spend time on this special day to reflect back on what the early colonist endured as they went about fighting for freedom and then setting up a government that has evolved into the most powerful government in the world? When member of the US Second Continental congress approved the remarkable document known as the Declaration of Independence, they plainly declared their belief in God. The drafters of this noble proclamation knew that the sweeping freedoms they were proposing could work well only in a society where the Creator is acknowledged. They affirmed that God has “endowed” all people with the right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” because He values each of us. Some time later, Thomas Jefferson, who would become the third president of the new nation, was distressed by the sin he saw. He penned some interesting thoughts including; “I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just.” If that is an accurate description of how Thomas Jefferson felt in the early 1800’s, I wonder if he might not have a violent seizure now! I don’t mean to be disillusioned by the direction of our country nor do I want to paint a pessimistic picture of things. I do however grow more and more concerned with the moral values of our country and the seemingly disrespect for our God. The founding fathers of the US loved the concept of individual freedom, but they did not have in mind a permissive lifestyle that allows us to do anything we please. I believe that true freedom can never be enjoyed by people who refuse to fear God. Wouldn’t it be grand if we could get people to understand and take seriously the passage found in Psalm 100:3; “Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves.” What this means is that we are responsible to God, because He has created us n his love and in his image. May each of us commit and or recommit ourselves to living as one of God’s people. That is truly the only way to enjoy true freedom.
July 4, 2008 has come and gone. May we remember: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 33:12).
Prayer Thought: Thank you Lord for blessing me with the opportunity to live in this great country.
By Joe Widick
I have looked forward to writing this journey for some time. Since it was first known that Mario was going to have to have a kidney transplant I knew that the family at Maple Hill would rally to his needs to help this servant. Truly you have done this. As of today Wednesday June 25, there has been $22,883.44 given for the surgery. I look forward to hearing from Mario and sharing his response for your generosity. I felt it would be important to share a few stories with you about the journey that has led to this wonderful gift of love. They are things that I learned and that have helped my faith to grow.
For some time, my prayer was that the diagnosis in El Salvador was wrong. I had hoped that Mario would be made to feel better by medication and that it wasn’t too serious. That was not to be the case. My prayers then turned to getting the surgery done in the states, where I felt the success rate would be much better. The answer to that prayer was no. God in his infinite wisdom saw that it would be best for him to have the surgery in El Salvador. My prayer then turned to getting the funds for the surgery. The answer to that prayer as you know was answered last Sunday.
I felt we would be successful in the collection of the funds when after my announcement on Sunday a week ago; one of our teenagers came up to me and gave me one dollar. I turned and there was one of our adults and he told me that he would not be here when the collections was taken up for Mario but he and his wife had talked, and whatever was lacking they would make up the difference. With a spirit like that I knew that God was going to bless this effort. On Wednesday night of the past week, another gentleman came up to me and handed a check and said he too would not be present the day of the collection. Then he said if we were short in the amount collected, he would dig a little deeper. The day of the collection some of the children’s classes took up money. The 2-3 year old class collected fifty dollars. What a valuable lesson they are learning. The first grade class also did the same thing. Some parents came to me and said that they were teaching their son about giving and he wanted to give me some money from his allowance. This eight year old came to me with his billfold open and emptied it completely. He had been saving for some time!
I hope one day that Mario will be able to travel to the states and get to stand before the congregation and tell you of the work he has done since the transplant. Your impact in Latin America will be seen in the life of this young evangelist. Maybe we can all begin to understand that God is good all the time!
Prayer Thought: Thank you for generous caring hearts
