Earlier this year, I came across this statement. You will relate to its truth, as I did: “At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”
Albert Schweitzer wrote this beautiful thought.
Born in 1875 in Germany, the son and grandson of Lutheran pastors. He studied philosophy and theology, receiving doctorate degrees in each field by age 24. Also, he became world-famous as an accomplished musician; recognized as a unique interpreter of Johann Sebastian Bach.
At age 30, despite his growing fame as a theologian and musician, he resolved to become a missionary-doctor in equatorial Africa. Returning to the University, he earned a doctorate in medicine in 1913. Earlier this year, I came across this statement. Perhaps you will relate to its truth, as I did:
“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”
Albert Schweitzer wrote this beautiful thought.
Born in 1875 in Germany, the son and grandson of Lutheran pastors. He studied philosophy and theology, receiving doctorate degrees in each field by age 24. Also, he became world-famous as an accomplished musician; recognized as a unique interpreter of Johann Sebastian Bach.
At age 30, despite his growing fame as a theologian and musician, he resolved to become a missionary-doctor in equatorial Africa. Returning to the University, he earned a doctorate in medicine 1913. He established a primitive hospital in Africa, interrupted by being imprisoned/interned by France in World War I because he was German. After the war, he returned to Africa. The inspiration for that sea change in his life was Jesus’ story of the Rich Man and Lazarus. He saw the impoverished African people as Lazarus; the Europeans as the disinterested Rich Man. Unlike the Rich Man, who ignored Lazarus, he devoted his life to the poor African people. That this gifted, accomplished person experienced at times inner darkness, and that only another could reignite the flame within him is insightful. Be thankful for the person who reignited the flame. Scriptures tell us repeatedly “encourage one another”. 2 Thessalonians 5:11
The new issue of Christian Appeal arrived this week. All essays are by our own Joe R. Barnett!
We have available the bookmarkers that will guide you into reading the entire New Testament in 30 days. If you want one, please email me or call Mikey 409/761-0926.
13. He established a primitive hospital in Africa, interrupted by being imprisoned/interned by France in World War I because he was German. After the war, he returned to Africa.
The inspiration for that sea change in his life was Jesus’ story of the Rich Man and Lazarus. He saw the impoverished African people as Lazarus, the Europeans as the disinterested Rich Man. Unlike the Rich Man, who ignored Lazarus, he devoted his life to the poor African people.
That this gifted, accomplished person experienced at times inner darkness, and that only another could reignite the flame within him is insightful.
Be thankful for the person who reignited the flame.
Scriptures tell us repeatedly “encourage one another”. 2 Thessalonians 5:11
The new issue of Christian Appeal arrived this week. All essays are by our own Joe R. Barnett!
We have available the bookmarkers that will guide you into reading the entire New Testament in 30 days. If you want one, please email me or call Mikey 409/761-0926.
Our morning spiritual lift is reading Joe Barnett’s devotional thoughts. I read his thoughts each morning with my first cup of coffee. This week, Joe posed a question each day to think about. To refresh your memory, the five questions were:
Question #1: Is anger going to make this better?
Question #2: Is this in my control?
Question #3: Is this the kind thing to do?
Question #4: Is this something I should let go of?
Question #5: Is it okay to say no?
Likely, each person found one of the questions especially helpful at this time in his or her life. As circumstances shift, another question may emerge as most helpful. Personally, I found help in question #3: “Is this the kind thing to do?” Echoing in my mind, was Glenn Campbell singing “Try a Little Kindness.”
In the past week, I have learned . . . Spencer Glenn will be working in internal medicine in the Methodist Medical Center in Dallas, Texas for the next three years. . . . Carla McLaughlin and Brian and are still working. . . . Jamie works for Tilman Fertitta, so she has been furloughed. . . .Brian and Carla get up early and run or walk the Seawall. Sometimes, Jamie and Carla walk the Seawall (5-6 miles). . . . this is good mother-daughter time. Brian is the new owner of Joe Knox’s red 2008 Toyota Tacoma. . . . Grandson Max graduated from pre-K3 . . . . had drive-by graduation at Moody Early Childhood on May 21st. Carla misses everyone and the Tuesday Ladies Class.
Other seawall walkers: Suzanne Druss has been seen walking on the Seawall. . . Also, walking regularly on the sea wall are Bill and Marie Nunnally. . . . They get up at 5:00 a.m. Why? Chris and Emily ride bikes on the Seawall.
Iris Speed and sister Dana are well and staying busy. They miss being with everyone and look forward to when it is safe to be with everyone again. . . Martha Morales Gowdy is glad that we are all well, and that in the not too distant future we will meet again. . . .Ruth Roberts stays in touch with Inez, Suzanne, Dianne, Carla, and Amy.
Ruth is bonding with her latest pet hedgehog. Also, Ruth is busy with her needlework and reading a series of novels about bootleggers in the 1920’s and a ghost detective!. Marie Nunnally may have the record for the number of books read during this “stay at home” time. Something like 24 books!. Sara Campbell is reading the complete works of Oswald Chambers, which is quite a feat to me! I am reading his complete works, also . . . a gift from Sara. My latest book read is a biography of Barton W. Stone, one of the earliest Restoration Leaders. Bill Nunnally sparked my interest in Stone by his Bible Class lessons on the Restoration Movement.
While Jim Hardin was visiting in Ruidosa, N.M., Jason and Natalie Freed came over from Portales to visit him. Jason and Natalie are working for the New Mexico Christian Children’s Home in Portales, New Mexico. . . . Shirley Bush-Henry has been keeping in touch with people by phone. . . . Sara Campell is enjoying Arkansas. She was seen on a lake rowing a boat or a canoe by herself. . . . In the last report, Velma Williams is still in Fort Worth visiting family.
Linda Stevens is in Abilene for most of the summer, visiting with family. Linda is taking classes online toward her teaching certification. Hope she returns to Galveston in the Fall. . . . Joan Mertens remains in Ardmore, Oklahoma, tending to daughter Aundie following her recent surgery.
I want to stay in touch. Please let me know what you are doing and thinking.
Allen