Delayed Gratification in Teaching

In the early 90s, Lois and I took an extended trip to Africa where I taught students in a Bible College. Now, more than a decade later, one of those very capable students has become Secretary of Education in a large African nation. It's gratifying to see the use he has made of the efforts put into him.

Put ICE on Your Cell Phone

The following is apparently copied from a 'Toronto Star' article but the idea originates in England. Should you have a cell phone this would indeed be very helpful in case of emergency.

The 'ICE idea' is catching on and it is a very simple, yet important method of contact for you or a loved one in case of emergency. As cell phones are carried by the majority of the population, all you need to do is program the number of a contact person or persons and store the name as 'ICE'.

The idea was brought up by a paramedic who found that when they went to scenes of accidents there were always mobile phones with patients, but they didn't know which numbers to call. He therefore thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name to file 'next of kin' under.

Following a disaster in London the East Anglican Ambulance Service has launched a national 'In Case of Emergency' (ICE) campaign. The idea is that you store the word 'ICE' in your mobile phone address book, and with it enter the number of the person you would want to be contacted 'In Case of Emergency'.

In an emergency situation, Emergency Services personnel and hospital staff would then be able to quickly contact your next of kin, by simply dialing the number programmed under 'ICE'. Please pass this idea around to everyone you know. It really could save your life, or put a loved one's mind at rest. For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1, ICE2, ICE3 etc. This is a great idea that will make a difference.

-- Timmins Police Service web site.

Cowbell in a Concert

The reception for Gary and Sandra Strubhar (story below) was great. Maring it was a phony funny story by a nationally-known speaker with focus on a bed pan.

The speaker has given up on confronting the culture and has conformed to the culture. God has said through Paul, "Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious -- the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse."

Potty-mouthed preachers are at odds with these potent words from God.

A reader sent the following addition from Romans 12: "So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life — your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life — and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you."

Strubhars Honored

Gary and Sandra Strubhar of Roseburg, Oregon were honored by about 200 friends recently. The reception was a total surprise. Well-wishers came from Southern California and Nebraska as well as Oregon and Washington

Many rose to tell how Gary's ministry has blessed their lives. Some, like Dave and Kathy Redick, had been won to Christ by Gary while others had been guided through a difficult period by Gary or Sandra.

They were awarded plaques by the Oregon Christian Evangelistic Fellowship for dedicated work and Northwest College of the Bible for 32 years of service as a professor.

In awarding the NCB plaque, I read this scripture:
"Honor and enjoy your Creator while you're still young,
Before the years take their toll and your vigor wanes,
Before your vision dims and the world blurs
And the winter years keep you close to the fire.
In old age, your body no longer serves you so well.
Muscles slacken, grip weakens, joints stiffen.
The shades are pulled down on the world.
You can't come and go at will.
Things grind to a halt.
The hum of the household fades away.
You are wakened now by bird-song.
Hikes to the mountains are a thing of the past.
Even a stroll down the road has its terrors.
Your hair turns apple-blossom white,
Adorning a fragile and impotent matchstick body.
Yes, you're well on your way to eternal rest,
While your friends make plans for your funeral."

The table center-pieces were of special note. They developed the theme based on Romans, "How beautiful are the feet . . . . " At the center of each of the more than 20 round tables was one man's shoe and one woman's shoe in combination and colored gold. The display was so fitting for two people that have used their lives to advance the message of Christ.