Amy Carmichael was one of India's most heroic missionaries, and a woman whose life continues to inspire many people today. She has written some inspiring words, but none more inspiring than her account of a scene she saw in her mind one sleepless night as she agonized over the people around her who didn't know Christ. She saw herself standing on the edge of a sheer cliff that dropped off into this dark and seemingly bottomless space. She described the people who were moving steadily toward that edge. She saw a blind woman plunge over the cliff with a baby in her arms and a child holding onto her dress. Streams of people began to come from all directions; all of them blind.
Amy Carmichael was one of India's most heroic missionaries, and a woman whose life continues to inspire many people today. She has written some inspiring words, but none more inspiring than her account of a scene she saw in her mind one sleepless night as she agonized over the people around her who didn't know Christ. She saw herself standing on the edge of a sheer cliff that dropped off into this dark and seemingly bottomless space. She described the people who were moving steadily toward that edge. She saw a blind woman plunge over the cliff with a baby in her arms and a child holding onto her dress. Streams of people began to come from all directions; all of them blind.
The Noise of Neglect - #5966
Monday, November 23, 2009
Okay, let's face it, I'm mechanically challenged. Oh, I can take care of the basics on a car, but if it's beyond "A, B, C," I need outside help. Sometimes your car starts talking to you, making these strange sounds, and doing these strange things. I've noticed those things don't go away by themselves. Over time, those noises get louder; those strange things that it does come more often. Sometimes, it's just natural - just like us. You know, cars get old, parts start wearing out. But sometimes that noise and trouble can be avoided.
Roger was approached years ago by his neighbor, Ray, about an investment opportunity—a little fast food business in California for which he was recruiting ground-floor investors; Roger declined. His neighbor was Ray Kroc, and Roger turned down an opportunity to get in on the ground floor of McDonald’s. Well, later another neighbor asked Roger if he’d like to help him get started with an industrial cleaning business. Again, Roger said no. That business became the giant we know today as ServiceMaster.
Roger was approached years ago by his neighbor, Ray, about an investment opportunity—a little fast food business in California for which he was recruiting ground-floor investors; Roger declined. His neighbor was Ray Kroc, and Roger turned down an opportunity to get in on the ground floor of McDonald’s. Well, later another neighbor asked Roger if he’d like to help him get started with an industrial cleaning business. Again, Roger said no. That business became the giant we know today as ServiceMaster.
Daddy's Choice - #8408
Monday, November 23, 2009
She was one of what’s been called “the lost girls of China”—the babies abandoned by their mothers because of China’s one-child policy. But little Joy was adopted by my friends who went a long way and paid a high price to rescue her from a Chinese orphanage. Well, she’s five now. She’s loving kindergarten. Her daddy was taking her outside to play when, out of nowhere, she said, “Daddy, thank you for picking me.” And then she added, “Thank you for picking me to be your daughter. I love you.”