Food for thought

BENEFIT FROM CRITICISM

Whoever learns from correction is wise.Proverbs 15:5 NLTThere are two kinds of criticism:(1) Unjustified criticism. One day Henry Ward Beecher went to his church topreach. As the great orator placed his Bible on the pulpit he noticed a blanksheet of paper with the word "fool" written on it. Beecher 's keensense of humour seized the moment. He lifted the paper for all to see, then hisbooming voice filled the church as he announced, "Generally I receiveletters from people who write and forget to sign their name. This letter isdifferent. The person has signed his name but forgotten to write theletter." Jesus said, "Offences will come" (Luke 17:1). So expectthem. And remember, attack is a sign of respect. You're getting noticed. You'remaking a difference. So when you are criticised unjustly, forget it and moveon. Jesus did!(2) Justified criticism. Criticism that's justified has a measure of truth init. An old Arab proverb states, "If one person calls you a donkey, forgetit. But if five people call you a donkey, buy a saddle." Dr. James G.Kerr, a management psychologist, points out that a major deterrent to gaininginformation about ourselves lies in our natural reluctance to discover anythingabout ourselves that isn't flattering. When we erect defences against our owninadequacies and try to hide our faults from ourselves and others, we close thedoor to a vital source of self-knowledge and therefore deny ourselves the joyof Spiritual growth. Stop hiding from the truth. Every one of us can improvewhat we're doing and the way in which it's being done. As they say, "Thelargest room in the world - is room for improvement!"

DIVINE PROTECTION

I will protect those who trust in My name.Psalm 91:14 NLTOn a chilly March afternoon before going home for dinner, Pastor Walter Klempelfired up the church furnace in preparation for choir practice. When it was timeto return to church with his family they were delayed because his daughterchanged clothes. At the same time student Ladona Vadergrift was struggling witha geometry problem and stayed home to work on it. Sisters Royena and SadieEstes' car wouldn't start. Herbert Kipf lingered over a letter he'd put offwriting. Joyce Black was feeling "plain lazy" and stayed home tillthe last minute. Pianist Marilyn Paul fell asleep after dinner and her mum, thechoir director, had trouble waking her. Pals Lucille Jones and Dorothy Woodwere late because of a radio broadcast. Every single choir member was late;something that's never happened before nor since. Was it just a fluke? No! At7:30 that night the West Side Church was flattened by an explosion from a gasleak ignited by the furnace… directly below the empty choir loft!God's looking out for you when you don't even know you're in danger! As Hischild you "live within the shadow of the Almighty, sheltered by… God…He rescues you from every trap… He will shield you with His wings… His…promises are your armour… He orders His angels to protect you wherever yougo" (Psalm 91:1-11 TLB). The Bible says: "The Angel of the Lordguards and rescues all who reverence Him" (Psalm 34:7 TLB); "To trustin God means safety" (Proverbs 29:25 TLB). You can call it coincidence,chance, fate, or you can call it what it really is - divine protection!