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Hundreds of people have requested and downloaded the Cross Graphic which is featured on the www.timothyreport.com website. (If you haven’t seen it, go to the website, find the Cross Graphic link on the left side of the page near the top.) Anyway, many have written and requested a T-shirt—and now you can get them! Professionally designed in color, these shirts are sure to grab attention and draw comments. From a distance it will look like a cross (of course), but when people get closer, they see there are words on it, and they can’t help but look! A great way to share your faith in Christ!!!

They’re great for Christmas gifts (but you need to order quickly!), for yourself as a wonderful way to share your faith, or even as a fund-raiser for your youth group! You can see what the shirt looks like and find out all the details by clicking on the link at the top of the home page of the website.

THIS WEEK’S GRAPHIC

Is based on Isaiah 55:9, which reads, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” ALSO, there is a graphic which will remain up for a period of time for you to use to remind your people to VOTE! Any of the graphics appearing on the website are absolutely free for use in your non-profit organization’s publications, and can be downloaded at www.timothyreport.com

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Welcome to THE TIMOTHY REPORT for October 4, 2004

“To assist, encourage, enable and equip”

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HANDS

An old man, probably some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the park bench. He didn’t move, just sat with his head down staring at his hands. When I sat down beside him he didn’t acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if he was ok.

Finally, not really wanting to disturb him but wanting to check on him at the same time, I asked him if he was ok. He raised his head and looked at me and smiled.

“Yes, I’m fine, thank you for asking,” he said in a clear strong voice.

“I didn’t mean to disturb you, sir, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were ok?” I explained to him.

“Have you ever looked at your hands?” he asked. “I mean really looked at your hands.”

I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point he was making.

Then he smiled and related this story:

“Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled, shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life. They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor. They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. They dried the tears of my children and caressed the love of my life. They held my rifle and wiped my tears when I went off to war. They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent. They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special. They wrote the letters home and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse and walked my daughter down the aisle.

“Yet, they were strong and sure when I dug my buddy out of a foxhole and lifted a plow off of my best friend’s foot. They have held children, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn’t understand. They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer. These hands are the mark of where I’ve been and the ruggedness of my life.

“But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home. And He won’t care about where these hands have been or what they have done. What He will care about is to whom these hands belong and how much He loves these hands. And with these hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ.”

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No doubt I will never look at my hands the same again. I never saw the old man again after I left the park that day but I will never forget him and the words he spoke. When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and wife I think of the man in the park. I have a feeling he has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God. I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel his hands upon my face. Thank you, Father God, for hands.

(The Timothy Report, www.timothyreport.com, October 4, 2004)

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WAITING

Patient waiting is often the highest way of doing God’s will.

--Jeremy Collier

(The Timothy Report, www.timothyreport.com, October 4, 2004)

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IS THERE A CATFISH IN YOUR TANK?

In the northeastern United States codfish are a big commercial business. Note the following facts: There is a market for eastern cod all over, especially in sections farthest removed from the northeast coastline. But the public demand posed a problem to the shippers. At first they froze the cod, then shipped them elsewhere, but the freeze took away much of the flavor. So they experimented with shipping them alive, in tanks of seawater, but that proved even worse. Not only was it more expensive, the cod still lost its flavor and, in addition, became soft and mushy. The texture was seriously affected.

Finally, some creative person solved the problem in a most innovative manner. The codfish were placed in the tank of water along with their natural enemy--the catfish. From the time the cod left the East Coast until it arrived at its westernmost destination, those ornery catfish chased the cod all over the tank. And, you guessed

it, when the cod arrived at the market, they were as fresh as when they were first caught. There was no loss of flavor nor was the texture affected. If anything, it was better than before.

Each one of us is in a tank of particular and inescapable circumstances. It is painful enough to stay in the tank. But in addition to our situation, there are God-appointed "catfish" to bring sufficient tension that keeps us alive, alert, fresh and growing. It's all part of God's project to shape our character so we will be more like his Son. Understand why the catfish are in your tank. Understand they are part of God's method of producing character in your life and mine.

--Charles Swindoll

(The Timothy Report, www.timothyreport.com, October 4, 2004)

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HUMOR: IT DEPENDS ON YOUR PERSPECTIVE

A bus carrying only ugly people crashes into an oncoming truck and everyone inside dies. When they get to meet their Maker, because of the grief they have experienced, He decides to grant them one wish each before they enter Heaven. They're all lined up, and God asks the first one what their wish is. "I want to be gorgeous!" So God snaps His fingers, and it is done. The second one in line hears this and says, "I want to be gorgeous too." Another snap of His fingers and the wish is granted. This goes on for a while with each one asking to be gorgeous but when God is halfway down the line, the last guy in the line starts laughing. When there are only ten people left, this guy is rolling on the floor, laughing his head off. Finally, God reaches this last guy and asks him what his wish will be. The guy eventually calms down and says: "Make 'em all ugly again." So, the next time you are last in line...smile.

--Author Unknown

(The Timothy Report, www.timothyreport.com, October 4, 2004)

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FORGIVENESS

A woman was walking by the jewelry store one day in the midtown mall. She saw a diamond bracelet that she really liked. In the store she went.

"Excuse me," she said to the saleslady behind the counter, "Will a small deposit hold that bracelet until my husband does something unforgivable?"

(The Timothy Report, www.timothyreport.com, October 4, 2004)

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SERVICE

The Master was searching for a vessel to use,

Before Him were many, which one would He choose?

“Take me,” cried the gold one, “I’m shiny and bright.

I am of great value, and I did things just right

My beauty and luster will outshine the rest

And for someone like You, Master, gold would be best.”

The Master passed on with no word at all,

And looked at a silver urn, narrow and tall,

“I’ll serve you dear Master, I’ll pour out your wine,

I’ll be on your table, whenever You dine

My lines are so graceful, my carving so true

And silver will certainly compliment you.”

Unheeding, the Master passed on to the vessel of brass,

Wide-mouthed and shallow and polished like glass,

“Here, here,” cried the vessel, “I know I will do

Place me on your table for all men to view. . “

“Look at me,” called the goblet of crystal so clear

Though fragile I am, I will serve you with fear. . .”

The Master came next to the vessel of wood

Polished and carved, it solidly stood

“You may use me, dear Master,” the wooden bowl said,

“But I’d rather you use me for fruit, not for bread. . .”

Then the Master looked down on a vessel of clay,

Empty and broken it helplessly lay,

No hope had the vessel that the Master might choose

To cleanse and make whole, to fill and to use.

“Oh, this is the vessel I’ve been hoping to find,

I’ll mend it and use it and make it all mine,

I need not the vessel with the pride of itself,

Nor one that is narrow, to sit on the shelf,

Nor one that is big-mouthed and shallow and loud,

Nor one that displays its contents so proud.”

Then gently He lifted the vessel of clay,

Mended and cleansed it and filled it that day,

Spoke kindly to it, “There’s work you must do,

Just pour out to others, as I pour into you. . . .”

--Unknown

(The Timothy Report, www.timothyreport.com, October 4, 2004)

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THE LAST THING WE WANT IS FOR GOD TO BE FAIR

God has a way of loving us and blessing us that is so much better than fair. Think of the ways God has blessed us that transcend what we deserve. Every good thing that has ever come to us is a gift of God's grace. If you and I could ever stop being self-centered long enough to be honest, we would have to say that we are not entitled to any good thing. We have no right to demand anything. And the last thing we really want is for God to just be fair with us. What we want and what we need is grace, the love that is better than fair. And grace is exactly what we ultimately receive from the God who is better than fair, even when life is less than fair.

--Charles E. Poole

(The Timothy Report, www.timothyreport.com, October 4, 2004)

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DRUG PROBLEM

The other day, someone at a store in a small town read that a methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farm house in the adjoining county and he asked me a rhetorical question, "Why didn't we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?"

"I did have a drug problem when I was a kid growing up on the farm." I had a drug problem when I was young: I was drug to church on Sunday morning. I was drug to church for weddings and funerals. I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather. I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults. I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher. Or if I didn't put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me.

“I was drug to the kitchen sink if I uttered a profane four letter word. (I do know what Lye soap tastes like.) I was drug out to pull weeds in mom's garden and flower beds and cockleburs out of dad's fields.

“I was drug to the homes of family, friends, and neighbors to help out some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the clothesline or chop some fire wood, and if my mother had ever known that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me back to the wood shed.

“Those drugs are still in my veins; and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say, and think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack or heroin, and if today's children had this kind of drug problem, America might be a better place today.”

--Author Unknown

(The Timothy Report, www.timothyreport.com, October 4, 2004)

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HEAVEN

One day we will meet beside the river and our Lord will dry every tear. For now, we must live in the joy of that promise and recall that for every generation life is hard, but God is faithful.

--Bodie Thoene

(The Timothy Report, www.timothyreport.com, October 4, 2004)

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TRUST GOD

Trust Him when dark doubts assail thee,

Trust Him when thy strength is small,

Trust Him when to simply trust Him

Seems the hardest thing of all.

Trust Him, He is ever faithful,

Trust Him, for his will is best,

Trust Him, for the heart of Jesus

Is the only place of rest.

--Unknown

(The Timothy Report, www.timothyreport.com, October 4, 2004)

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