[The Mayor]

[The Mayor]

August 2, 2004

The Oil Of Helpfulness

Read: Isaiah 61:1-3

The Lord has anointed Me . . . to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning. —Isaiah 61:1,3

Bible In One Year: Psalms 60-62; Romans 5

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There's a story of an eccentric old man who carried an oil can with him everywhere he went. If he passed through a squeaky door or a stiff gate, he applied oil to the hinges. His practice of lubricating made life easier for those who followed after him.

Nearly every day we encounter people whose lives creak and grate harshly with problems. In such situations we face two choices—either to aggravate their problems with a spirit of criticism or to lubricate their lives in the Spirit of Christ.

Some people we meet carry unbearable burdens and long for the oil of a sympathetic word. Others are defeated and feel like giving up. Just one drop of encouragement could restore their hope. Still others are mean and sin-hardened. Such people can become pliable toward the saving grace of Christ through regular applications of the oil of kindness.

When we receive Christ as our Savior and Lord, the Holy Spirit indwells us and equips us to bless others. If we're prepared to pour out God's oil of helpfulness every day and everywhere, beginning at home, we'll minister Christ's beauty and the oil of joy to many hurting people.

Perhaps the old man with the oil can wasn't so eccentric after all. —Joanie Yoder

Putting It Into Practice

• Lend a listening ear.
  
• Pause to pray specifically.
  
• Speak a word of encouragement.
  

The human spirit can gain new hope from an encouraging word.

[no dems]

Thank you, Jim Robinson, for giving us the vehicle in which we can express ourselves. What I really appreciate about Free Republic is that when you get wearied out by the slanted, biased, mainstream media and start to feel a sense of despair; you can come here and be encouraged by informed people with a real perspective and you don't feel so alone. Thank you Jim Robinson. no dems

[Aquamarine]

Good morning Mayor. It's just another day on the campaign trail for the good ol boys. :)

[ST.LOUIE1]

Morning, Mayor!

[jwfiv]

Good morning to all the Finest on this Military Monday.

I've been away for a few days ... sure great to be back after missing our coffee clutch.

Somehow, I also missed most of the Dem Convention last week ... bummer ... however, I'm coping ... )

May God bless, favor and protect our troops, our Nation, and our Commander-In-Chief.

[Mama_Bear]

Good afternoon to you all and thank you, Mayor FRiend, for our military thread today.

God bless our military, past and present, and all who support them.

[Billie]

Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to Billie; Mama_Bear; Dutchess; Aquamarine, and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation’s leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.

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OhioWfan........................son mystery-ak..........son, husband Gogrammy................grandson Inspectorette...................son Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew anniegetyourgun...........nephew Diver Dave.......niece, nephew ConspiracyGuy........2 nephews Pippin..........niece, loved one Pippin...nephew & his fiancee weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater..........cousin WaterDragon.............grandson WaterDragon...........son-in-law BeforeISleep...................son kimmie7......................brother Armymarinemom............3 sons american_ranger.............son LadyX.........................grandson fawn796.......................nephew Dubya............................nephew StarCMC......................brother ValerieUSA..................2 sons Lakeside......................2 sons Spruce.....................daughter Philman_36..............2 nephews Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne.........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty bkwells..................active duty LongCut..................active duty cjk............................active duty Trish.......................active duty ODC-GIRL.................active duty AF_Blue..................active duty Notwithstanding.....active duty thumperusn.............active duty Q6-God.....................active duty Q6-God...................twin brother Veloxherc.................active duty

Maigrey................cousin WVNan..............friend's son ladtx....................2 sons Mama_Bear.........2 nephews gator girl............husband severa.......husband, brother Hostel..................cousin MozartLover......son, nephew LBGA........................son katykelly.................son cookcounty..............son SpookBrat...nephew, cousin Doug from Upland...son-in-law Himyar.....................son boxerblues............2 sons the piper...................son sheeza...............husband kemathen7...........husband Tiffee4Bob.......boyfriend deadhead................cousin JimRobinson.....2 nephews TexKat..............son, step-son Rose inRoseBear.cousin's hubby Consort..2 daughters,son-in-law Darheel.....................niece Donaeus...................nephew dixie sass...............nephew BeAllYouCanBe............son Repubmommy...............brother AgThorn...................2 sons homeschoolmama.......nephew kneezles......................son Redhead....step-granddaughter Redhead..step-grdaughter fiance Atomic Conspiracy..half-brother Atomic Conspiracy...nephew Atomic Conspiracy...niece Sunflowergal.........grandson visualops.................cousin Alouette.......................son mrstank.......................husband MrsMike31..................husband lula.......................son-in-law