"Relax Your Arm While I Check Your Pulse"
An excerpt from the book
Stick out your Tongue and Say, "Ahhh"
copyright 2003 MEND Workshops LLC
Standing firm while you are lying on the ground
Have you ever watched the normal beating of the heart on the heart monitor screen or seen the needle charting the up - down - up of the heartbeat when an EKG is being taken? The last thing a person would want is for the monitor to show an up movement and then rest in a down position. The medical profession calls that a flat line - down for the count - down and out!
The pulse beat of the stepfamily is often like what we see on the heart monitor screen. There are ups and there are downs. What James is encouraging, however, is that we have at least one more up than we do down.
Over the course of Walter Payton's football career, he logged in over 9 miles in rushing yards as he headed for one goal post after another. Today he is heralded as one of the greatest running backs in history. But even this great athlete faced being knocked down in his journey. On average, he was knocked to the ground every 4.6 yards. Think about that - a journey of 9 miles with being knocked to the ground every 4.6 yards along the way. The reason he is a champion is because he kept getting up.
A couple of old timers who knew Andrew Jackson when he was a young boy were trying to figure out how he made it as far as he did. They knew other men who were smarter and others who had more character. One of the men said, "I don't get it. Jim Brown, who lived right down the pike from Jackson, was not only smarter but he could throw Andy three times out of four in a wrestling match. But look where Andy is now."
The other man answered, "How did there happen to be a fourth time? Didn't they usually say three times and out? Sure, they were supposed to, but not Andy. He would never admit he was beat -- he would never stay 'throwed.' Jim Brown would get tired, and on the fourth try Andy would throw him and be the winner."
Divorce rates among stepfamilies are staggering. The Jim Browns just get tired of the wrestling matches and stay "throwed". What James is looking for are couples who will never stay "throwed" - who never stay down for the count. James says those folks are considered "Blessed".
Read the following portion From the diary of John Wesley. . . Count how many times he was knocked to the ground. Then count how many times he got up!
Sunday, A.M., May 5 Preached in St. Anne's. Was asked not to come back anymore.
Sunday, P.M., May 5 Preached in St. John's. Deacons said "Get out and stay out."
Sunday, A.M., May 12 Preached in St. Jude's. Can't go back there, either.
Sunday, A.M., May 19 Preached in St. Somebody Else's. Deacons called special meeting and said I couldn't return.
Sunday, P.M., May 19 Preached on street. Kicked off street.
Sunday, A.M., May 26 Preached in meadow. Chased out of meadow as bull was turned loose during service.
Sunday, A.M., June 2 Preached out at the edge of town. Kicked off the highway.
Sunday, P.M., June 2 Afternoon, preached in a pasture. Ten thousand people came out to hear me.
John Wesley
James 5
7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.
8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.
9. Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
10 Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
12 Above all, my brothers, do not swear--not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned.
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