By Carl Jenks on
2/11/2012 1:03 PM
Navigating the Maelstrom
They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. That makes sense because what is seen as beautiful through one set of eyes may look totally different through another. My mother loved the color green. Anything green was beautiful to her. My favorite color growing up was orange. Mom and I sometimes had very different ideas of what looked attractive. Then in college I discovered the beauty of blue in the eyes of my girlfriend/fiancée/wife. Some people love desert sunsets, some see a seascape as the epitome of beauty, and some Picasso! All of this is fine and good. It’s right that beauty should be a matter personal preference.
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By Carl Jenks on
1/25/2012 10:52 AM
Consistency
When you think of the word what kind of associations come to mind? Consistency of flavor, texture, service, and performance, are words that I think of. I once worked on an advertising campaign designed to highlight the quality of a beverage, and our theme was, “Consistency makes a champion!” Certainly in our food products and in life in general, we tend to enjoy and even expect consistency.
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By Carl Jenks on
1/10/2012 1:52 PM
Least Likely to Succeed
Every high school yearbook has a page that lists all the “Most Likely” and “Least Likely” candidates for that year’s graduating class. Mostly, it’s done for fun and to generate laughs. Usually the more popular kids get the “good stuff” too. But, have you ever had occasion to look back down memory lane to see whatever became of the “Mosts” and “Leasts”? If you did, you might be surprised what you’d find. How many “Mosts” have made it? And, how many “Leasts” have lived above their friends’ estimation?
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By Carl Jenks on
1/1/2012 3:54 PM
New Year’s Expectations
Happy New Year and welcome to the next year of adventure! I realize that perhaps just yesterday some have been thinking, “”Whew! I’m sure glad 2011 is behind me.” And that may be legitimate. Every one of us had ups and downs in 2011. As long as we are in this world we are going experience ups and downs just like those around us. Jesus Himself alerted us that in this world we would have tribulations. That’s the fact. The good news is He didn’t stop there. He went on to say, “But take heart, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
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By Carl Jenks on
12/18/2011 7:41 AM
Living by Faith
Living by faith is not just for missionaries. Every one of us is living moment to moment by faith. We believe (aka. “Have faith”) that our heart is going to keep beating. This faith is so deep that we don’t even think about it. We simply expect it to happen. We are creatures of faith. Whether we realize it or not, this living by faith spills into our daily occupational life also.
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By Carl Jenks on
12/11/2011 4:46 PM
When Nobody is Looking
This last week I came across a quote that has stuck with me. In an interview, Arian Foster, a star American football player quoted a statement of his father’s that had been inspirational for him; helping him to maintain the regimen of physical discipline that has enabled him to become the star athlete he is today. His dad’s words were few but powerful. “I you want to be great, you have to do things when nobody’s looking.”
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By Carl Jenks on
12/4/2011 4:38 PM
Fruit or Root
When it becomes necessary to visit a doctor it‘s time for answers. I don’t go to that trouble to have him or her tell me how to treat symptoms. I want to know what’s causing the symptoms, because I need to not just deal with the symptoms, I need the sickness to be eliminated. Pain management is not enough. “Let’s get to the root of the problem!” I’m confident that all of you would agree to that approach. Why else go to the doctor and follow their counsel, right?
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By Carl Jenks on
11/23/2011 2:05 PM
The Tragedy of Compromise
On November 19, 1949 a young man strode on to a college campus in rural Pennsylvania. He was the newly appointed football coach. Over the next six decades his name and the school’s name became almost became synonymous as he, Joe Paterno, became the winningest coach in the history of college football, and the school, Penn State University, became a dominant regional and national athletic powerhouse.
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By Carl Jenks on
11/15/2011 4:29 PM
Abundantly Poor
Hello Fellow Mountain Taker, It has been almost a month since we last communicated. It has not been idle time for either of us I’m sure. Part of my time has been spent contemplating the two words above and how they apply to Christian Kingdom advance.
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By Carl Jenks on
10/22/2011 12:34 PM
This has been quite the month. Major figures in technology, politics, sports, and terror have all passed from the scene. Financial markets around the globe have been rocked by events in Europe and elsewhere. Entire nations have experienced unrest, disruption of normal life, and wholesale violence. Any one of these could be cause for concern, anxiety, or fear. This year has witnessed more widespread economic, cultural and political unrest than many have seen in their lifetimes. And it shows no signs of abatement.
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