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Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins
A "Rotten World" ?
The young man was obviously upset by something, and my ears picked up this phrase, “What a rotten world this is,” as I stood at the counter of a business establishment waiting to pay my bill. He spoke to a young woman, and that’s all I remember about what was said, but his words stayed with me all that morning. I don’t know what put him in that mood, but I have found myself in that mindset at times, and it can be hard to recover from it.
Two hours later, on the way home, I found that my wallet was gone. I quickly pulled over and looked for it all over my truck. I looked in the pocket of my coat, under the seat—everywhere—but it was gone. I thought of that young man’s words about a “rotten world,” thinking someone had picked my pocket.
All the way home all I could think of was the loss of my credit cards, identification items and all the trouble that lay before me. Anger at myself for not paying attention to my surroundings, anger at that person who had taken my wallet—all this went through my mind. I went back to those places where I might have left it, but no one had seen it. Yes, I decided, we do live in a “rotten world.”
Arriving at home, I hated to reveal what had happened, but I knew I would have to do so, and I was embarrassed to admit my careless ways. But, to my surprise, on the table was a note saying a lady in Austin had called. She had found my wallet and left her phone number so I could call and go pick it up. What a relief I felt, and how different my attitude toward this world in which I live became.
All my money, my cards, my credentials were there, and all of the trouble I had anticipated was avoided by this woman’s honesty. I gave her a “reward,” which she tried to refuse, but how grateful I was that she had saved me from so much grief.
No doubt, there are some pretty “rotten” people who live in our world. Thieves, robbers, rapists, liars, terrorists—yes they’re here in our world. But this gentle woman changed my outlook on the goodness of some of my neighbors on this planet. I felt a bit like Elijah must have felt when Jehovah said to him,
“What are you doing here, Elijah?…Yet I have reserved me seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him,” 1 Kings 19:13-18. (NKJV)
It’s easy to become pessimistic about yourself and your neighbors. It is easier to pigeonhole people to the extent that you become negative about every part of our world. Yet, as Elijah, we need to remember there are still plenty of good people out there, people with good and honest hearts who are in need of something you and I can give them through the gospel—the hope of “eternal life,” Mark 10:30.
Have you found yourself overwhelmed by negative thoughts? Would you like to possess a more positive attitude? May I suggest some ways by which we may improve our attitude in this area?
- First, we must remember that all of us make mistakes. Any and all of us can do things that hurt others, often without even knowing it. In other words, look for the “beam” in your own eye before you decide that everyone in the neighborhood is “rotten” but you, Matthew 7:1-5. Also read 2 Corinthians 13:5.
- Give others the benefit of the doubt if possible. Some do things without intending harm to others. Do all in your power to be at peace with others, Romans 12:16-21.
- Have you ever had an experience like mine—someone exhibiting qualities of honesty, thoughtfulness, goodness? Tell your children about it. Tell others about it. Remind others that good people are out there. Set a positive example for others, putting suspicion where it belongs. A positive attitude will be good for you and for all of us.
- Look for good in others. It’s there, just waiting to be brought out for all to see. Expect to be treated right. You may be surprised how much “good” you find around you.
Naive? No. Gullible? Of course not! Being alert and being suspicious are not the same at all. Yes, there are “rotten” people in our world, but we don’t have to become “rotten” ourselves in order to live among them. Remember Luke 6:31 and Leviticus 19:18.
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“It is better sometimes to be cheated than not to trust.”
“A wise man will keep his suspicions muzzled, but he will keep them awake.”
“There are two kinds of fools: those who suspect nothing and those who suspect everything.”
“Suspicion often creates what it expects.”
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"I WANT TO GO TO HEAVEN WHEN I DIE"
by Fred Nowell
(Note: Today you and I have the opportunity to cheer and encourage the elderly and the ill by our presence and participation at the Hill Country Care Devotional. It's something good we can do. We are thankful to Fred for this thought-provoking article.)
If one were to ask you, "When you die, do you want to go to heaven?" what would your answer be? Perhaps it would be: "I don't believe in heaven, but if there were such a place, I guess that's where I want to go." Maybe your answer would be: "I believe there is a heaven, at least I hope there is…so yes, I want to go to heaven when I die." How sure are you of heaven?
Jesus told His disciples, "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also," John 14:2-3. Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people! Heaven is the inheritance of the faithful (I Peter 1:4). The apostle Paul desired to be with the Lord so much that he said, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain…I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you," Philippians 1:21-25.
Though some who read this article may doubt the reality of heaven, the majority who read it do believe. Though most believe in heaven and want to go there when this life is over, how many of us have continually on our tongue (confessing, teaching and preaching) and on our hearts (as did Paul), "I want to go to heaven when I die"?
This past Lord's day was one that brought great joy to this writer personally. Not only did we have the opportunity to gather and to worship our great and glorious God together, but we were also afforded the opportunity to uplift and encourage those who are in the last stretch of their lives, as well as those who care for them. Brethren, this is not a plea for any to change their thoughts about singing and encouraging those who (because of medical reasons) cannot obey the gospel, or a ploy to get more to come sing at the nursing homes. This short article is to tell of a simple song that was sung by a resident at the home with such compassion and sincerity.
Sitting in the middle of the semi-circle was a frail old woman who did not look familiar. She wanted to sing a song at the beginning of our song service, but we brushed it off (partly because of not understanding her request0. After the song service was completed, she was still asking to sing. A couple of members took an interest in her and asked what song she wanted to sing, and she began to sing, "I want to go to heaven when I die." I'm not sure if this is the correct title or not, but it is the message of the song. Brother Winland began to sing along with her (being the only other one that knew the song), and this sweet lady was as though she was on Broadway with Steve. She touched his face and said, "God bless you, God bless you." Seeing this joy and the sincerity of her heart brings tears to my eyes as I write this, praying that she was right with God prior to her present condition, knowing that any preparation (because of her medical condition) would not be possible.
Brethren and friends, there are many things we do that will touch the lives of many. For some, we can only comfort and love until they leave this life. Others, we can teach, encourage, love and help in their quest to know the truth and maybe rejoice in their new birth. "I Want to Go to Heaven When I Die" will stay in my memory as a continual reminder that in order to succeed to enter heaven's gate, I must make the proper preparation here and now while there is time….and while I can. You must also
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