BABE RUTH: "When he struck out it was not failure--it was was effort! (8/24/1980)

Each week, this page is designed, hopefully, to help someone who has experienced a setback, or who feels lower than a snake's belly from guilt or fear or sorrow. This week's story is from a champion who struck out 1330 times and had 851 homeruns. That's a a failure rate of 479 more failures than 'successes.", yet we remember him as a champion. Why?
         One day he had been mercilessly booed as he struck out twice successively on three balls thrown. But, "each time," said Frank Bettger, who was observing him closely, he went over and doffed his cap and smiled at the crowd. Late in the game he came up to bat again. ON second strike he flailed so hard he fell to the ground. But he got up! Dusted off and knocked the third pitch out of the ballpark and over some houses! One of the longest hits ever. Bettger, remembering the drama of that great moment in baseball, said: "He went over and doffed his hat again, smiled that same little smile, and the expression on his face was exactly like the one he wore on the first two occasions." Someone asked this man who struck out more times than anybody else, "What do you do when you get in a batting slump?" "I just keep goin' up there and swinging at 'em. I know the law of averages will hold good for me the same as anybody else."

         'Brother Gilbert' who discovered him, said: He looked better striking out than he did hitting home runs!" What a statement to be made about someone! In the homeruns, the talent showed. In the strikeouts, the man showed.
         Any of us can look good in success, but it is in adversity that we can show ourselves the be the tower of strength we are. For some, that testing comes in aweful sorrow. For others, its tolerating grevious sickness. Still others find their character showing in financial adversity. Or dreams crushed in the ground.

         Christianity is that way. It shows most beautifully when undergoing tribulation, when almost casually giving up rights or privileges for peace and principle.
                                                                     BL

WHERE WOULD YOU BE WITHOUT PAUL? (2/26/1972?)

         Let's pretend for a moment.
         We are members of the Lord's church in Antioch. We are showing some signs of growth in godliness and in numbers. We have some excellent teachers among us, we need them--here at home. But the Holy Spirit says, "Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them." "We can't afford it" some one cries, "We need them at home," comes the cry. "I know those Europeans, they'll sell their soul for Hershey bar. The whole mess of em are not worth one man." But Barnabas and Paul had the blessing of the majority--God--and they went.
         Here are two questions: Did that missionary journey help or hurt Antioch? Their name, was it helped or hurt? Outside of Jerusalem (which was also a missionary church) who can you name that was more blessed of God? Is the name "Antioch" a blessing after 2000 years? Antioch had the rare and unparalleled privilege of being the host and backer of three missionary journeys. The other question I want to ask is simply this, don't run away from it--face it, WHERE WOULD I BE TODAY IF PAUL AND BARNABAS AND SILAS AND OTHERS HAD NOT BEEN SENT TO THE GENTILE? The plain fact is this, brother, you would be an idol worshipper! You would be in the shape of the Hindu today. To accept the grace of God, to accept the gospel of God with the attitude "I was worth it all, but the Hindu is worth none of it" is to be sub-Christian. Beware, if you are against missionary enterprizes, you have become as the dead sea, taking in the fresh, life-giving water, and keeping it, turning it to brine, and dying in the process. The missionary has to die before he goes. He has to settle that ahead of time. Do not be surprised, then, at what other prices he is willing to pay...The Bible says that "One soul is worth more than the whole world." The question reduces itself to this: DO WE BELIEVE THE BIBLE?   B.L.

IF not, what is wrong? (7/20/1980)

ARE YOU HAPPY?

What does your heart of hearts say to that question? What do I say to it? Well, yes, I am happy. I get my share of unpleasant experiences. But, on the whole, life is a wonder to me! It is interesting and exciting and satisfying.

         But, people who have a back-slapping, cheer sometimes leaves me cold. There is an excessive 'happiness' that seems to be a facade. Such people are looking for happiness while pretending they have it.

         Well, how does one find happiness? What does one do? In my case, I savor the moments. I notice the things that give me the deepest joy and keep company with them. It may be a work, a hobby, a friend, a book. These give me pleasure, but the things that offer me most happiness--pure joy--are those things I do for other people--things that I could have let slide, but didn't, and brought unexpected happiness to someone else. That's when I feel so good inside that my soul sings for joy. Things we do for ourselves may bring justifiable pleasure, but things we do for others are the ones that bring unbridled joy.

        If life gets boring, that's time to start working on self--not someone else. The problem of the unhappy is inside--not outside. It is then time to start thinking some interesting thoughts. It is time to think some creative thoughts. One can lie in bed and rehash the problems and disappointments of the day, or he can start over with fresh, creative thinking and praying. On bed is as good a time to think about good things as it is bad things. Meditate on the goodness of god and his world. "Pleasure' your thoughts by "thinking on whatsoever things are lovely...
                            BL