FReeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel ~ PERSISTENCE - THE KEY TO SUCCESS? ~ 30 January 2022

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[Kathy in Alaska]

 

PERSISTENCE - THE KEY TO SUCCESS?

Walter Wintle once wrote:

If you think you are beaten, you are; if you think you dare not, you don't; If you'd like to win, but think that you can't, it's almost a cinch that you won't. If you think you'll lose, you're lost, for out in the world we find Success begins with a fellow's will; it's all in the state of mind. If you think you're outclassed, you are; you've got to think high to rise. You've got to be sure of yourself before you can ever win a prize. Life's battles don't always go to the stronger or faster man; But soon or late the man who wins is the man who thinks he can."

President Calvin Coolidge had a similar philosophy. "Nothing in the world," he once said, "can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."

Inspiring words. But they can be deadly. Because they are only PART of the equation for success. In fact, contends Price Pritchett, "If you stake your hopes for a breakthrough on trying harder than ever, you may kill your chances for success." He reinforces this assertion with the example of a fly "burning out the last of its short life's energies in a futile attempt to fly through the glass of the windowpane." It is persistent, single-minded and determined. But it is also doomed. It will die there on the window sill because it's strategy is flawed. And all the while, just a few steps away, the door is open! This kind of persistence, Pritchett points out, is an idea that can kill. Some times "trying harder" is part of the problem!

Persistence IS vital. But it doesn't always mean sticking with the same strategy. There's an old story about a businessman in a three piece suit who took a shortcut across a pasture on the way to work. He was almost halfway across when a bull in a distant corner saw the trespasser and charged after him. Running as fast as he could, the businessman threw his briefcase over the fence and slid to safety just in the nick of time. A bystander helped the man to his feet, dusted him off and commented, "Boy, that was a close call; that bull almost got you." The businessman shrugged and smiled. "Yes," he replied; "he almost gets me every time."

All around us, we see people pursuing flawed "visions" for success and happiness. In business, in politics, and in their personal lives. And when the strategy proves empty and unfulfilling, unfortunately the response is often simply to "try harder." Scripture is very practical in encouraging us to examine the long-term view. Centuries ago, in fact, Moses spoke to the Israelites saying, "I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants shall live." (Deuteronomy 30:19) The promise of God through Jeremiah the prophet was similar: "You will seek me and find me, when you search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)

As some wag once said, "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got!" But is that what we really want? Better that our persistence should be devoted to finding and following God's "better way." Jesus promised, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33).

CAPT J. David Atwater, CHC, USN

[The Mayor]

Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list

Sunday,
January 30, 2022

Unanswered Prayers

Read: Psalm 6

How long, Lord, how long? Psalm 6:3

Are we there yet? Not yet. Are we there yet? Not yet. That was the back-and-forth game we played on the first (and definitely not the last) sixteen-hour trip back home to Arkansas from Colorado when our children were young. Our oldest two kept the game alive and well, and if I had a dollar for every time they asked, well, I’d have a stack of dollars. It was a question my children were obsessed with, but I (the driver) was equally obsessed wondering, Are we there yet? And the answer was, Not yet, but soon.

Truth be told, most adults are asking a variation on that question, although we may not voice it out loud. But we’re asking it for that same reason—we’re tired, and our eyes have grown “weak with sorrow” (Psalm 6:7). We’re “worn out from [our] groaning” (v. 6) about everything from the nightly news to daily frustrations at work to never-ending health problems to relational strains, and the list goes on. We cry out: “Are we there yet? How long, Lord, how long?”

The psalmist knew well that kind of weariness, and he honestly brought that key question to God. Like a caring parent, He heard David’s cries and in His great mercy accepted them (v. 9). There was no shame for asking. Likewise, you and I can boldly approach our Father in heaven with our honest cries of “How long?” and His answer might be, “Not yet, but soon. I’m good. Trust Me.”    — John Blase

Why are you weary right now and wondering, How long, Lord? What is it about God that shows He’s trustworthy?

Father in heaven, the burdens of this world have me asking, “How long?” Thank You for welcoming such prayers, and please give me the strength to trust You in life’s journey.

Bible in a year: Exodus 23–24; Matthew 20:1–16

[left that other site]

Hi Everybody!

(((HUGS)))

[Beowulf9]

Good word to read, Miss Kathy in Alaska.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Please join us for Sunday Chapel ~ PERSISTENCE ~ THE KEY TO SUCCESS?, and Liberty

Lt. Charles F. Suver, CHC, USN, 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division
"Mass at Iwo Jima"

Please stop in and say a prayer of protection for the military.
Prayers from all denominations are needed.



Sunday Liberty starts after the Guest Military Chaplain's Service!

[mylife]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UBrqQJ8iFY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=To86ocafXRE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekTdV9bePC0

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mayor, and thank you for today’s sustenance for body and soul.

A Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours.

Hope you are staying warm and resting.

[mylife]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaNzqZSszhA

[Kathy in Alaska]

ML...you still have electricity!!!! Hurrah for you!! ((HUGS))

A Blessed Lord’s Day and Shavua Tov to you and yours.

Did you finish shoveling without incident? Warm and cozy inside with Penny?

[left that other site]

I have shoveled the front steps four times and it is filled up with snow again.

It will take a week to get my car out.

This was a really horribe storm. Penny will NOT got for a walk. Even my neighbor, a Marine and former corrections officer, couldn’t get her to budge past the bottom of the stairs.

Poor Baby!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Welcome to the Canteen, Beowulf9, and a Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, my, and a Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours.

Thanks for the tunes.

Stay warm!!

[mylife]

(((hugs)))

[posterchild]

“Nothing In The World Can Take The Place Of Persistence. Talent Will Not; Nothing Is More Common Than Unsuccessful Men With Talent. Genius Will Not; Unrewarded Genius Is Almost A Proverb. Education Will Not; The World Is Full Of Educated Derelicts. Persistence And Determination Alone Are Omnipotent. The Slogan “Press On” Has Solved And Always Will Solve The Problems Of The Human Race.” – Calvin Coolidge

“The man who thinks he can and the man who thinks he can’t are both right.” - Henry Ford

[Kathy in Alaska]

Poor Baby for sure. Her arthritis is probably NOT very happy.

I hope you are done with the storms. Hopefully it will warm up and “help” with snow removal.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Welcome to the Canteen, posterchild, and thanks for those quotes.

A Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours.

[The Mayor]

Thanks Kathy... Not venturing far from the house.
6 degrees here.... yuk!

[SkyDancer]

Hai Kathy! (((HUGS))) The winter storms on the east coast has totally messed up my schedule so came back to Denver to await changes. Love Ya All!

[radu]

Greetings to all at the Canteen!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Shavua Tov.
Wishing all our Jewish troops, veterans, families, allies, friends, and Canteeners
a peaceful and prosperous week.