Plain Talk Vol.3, No.1, Pg.8 - Cedar Park Church of Christ

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Vol. 3, No. 10
November, 1966

Stuff About Things

Out in Arizona they tell about a "never say die" Judge who sentenced an old man
to 20 years at hard labor.

The prisoner pled, "I'm 90 years old, your honor, and I won't live another twenty years."

To which the Judge replied, "Well, just get in there and do the best you can!"

That's the old spirit -- of sorts. Anyhow, it reminds me of an attitude all too scarce these days; the bull-headedness, try, try again, that will not give up.

People who succeed at anything are usually a special breed that go ahead and "do it" after it is impossible. They have learned to use troubles and failures as their stepping stones to the top.

I once heard of a mishap which spread a black indelible stain across a young lady's expensive evening gown. The girl looked at the stain, and cried. Her artist boy friend looked at the stain, called for a brush and more of the same indelible liquid, and enlarged the original stain to a beautiful design which complemented the dress.

One winter morning our Arizona mountain town was blanketed with deep snow. The aging president of a bank came to work on skis, atop the same stuff that kept lesser employees home.

Morals? Horatio Alger stories? Perhaps so -- and why not?? Our modern sophisticated and blase society does little to make better men of us. The "hep" hip-swinging, banner-toting, parasites of our day are dime-a-dozen. And who is to mind the store? Those who learn unselfish principles of honesty, hard work, and "try again." We sorely need those who dare to be the "squares."

And the principle is much the same in the cause of Christ. The church member who lives only on the excitement of controversy, or the glamour of "Campaigns for Christ" is of little genuine value. The future of our work for Christ depends upon those sturdy souls who work on -- overcoming obstacles as a matter of course -- asking no quarter with the world, and giving none. They live, not to do that which is easy, but that which is right. If, and when they fail, they get up and try again. God asks no more!!

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Out in Arizona they tell about a "never say die" Judge who sentenced an old man to 20 years at hard labor. The prisoner pled, "I'm 90 years old, your honor, and I won't live another twenty years." To which the Judge replied, "Well, just get in there and do the best you can!" That's the old spirit -- of sorts. Anyhow, it reminds me of an attitude all too scarce these days; the bull-headedness, try, try again, that will not give up. People who succeed at anything are usually a special breed that go ahead and "do it" after it is impossible. They have learned to use troubles and failures as their stepping stones to the top. I once heard of a mishap which spread a black indelible stain across a young lady's expensive evening gown. The girl looked at the stain, and cried. Her artist boy friend looked at the stain, called for a brush and more of the same indelible liquid, and enlarged the original stain to a beautiful design which complemented the dress.		One winter morning our Arizona mountain town was blanketed with deep snow. The aging president of a bank came to work on skis, atop the same stuff that kept lesser employees home. Morals? Horatio Alger stories? Perhaps so -- and why not?? Our modern sophisticated and blase society does little to make better men of us. The "hep" hip-swinging, banner-toting, parasites of our day are dime-a-dozen. And who is to mind the store? Those who learn unselfish principles of honesty, hard work, and "try again." We sorely need those who dare to be the "squares." And the principle is much the same in the cause of Christ. The church member who lives only on the excitement of controversy, or the glamour of "Campaigns for Christ" is of little genuine value. The future of our work for Christ depends upon those sturdy souls who work on -- overcoming obstacles as a matter of course -- asking no quarter with the world, and giving none. They live, not to do that which is easy, but that which is right. If, and when they fail, they get up and try again. God asks no more!! [Previous Article] [Volume 3, No. 11]