March 25, 2014

Give & Take

Adventist Life

Don Taylor and family were visiting at Pine Lake Retreat in Florida, where snowbirds in their RVs go in the winter. His two young daughters had seen an alligator in a large pond. They went down to the pond one last time before they were to leave in order to see it again. After seeing the gator, they were on their way back to their cabin when they saw a white feather on the pathway. One said to the other, “I wonder where that feather came from?”

The other replied, “I know! It came from a snowbird.”

—Bob Taylor, Adairsville, Georgia

After 40 years in Adventist ministry my wife and I retired, but we’ve remained active in ministry—there’s no retirement in service for the Lord. That service has been limited since previous back injuries have resulted in much pain, making it difficult for me to even walk or stand. I underwent surgery to have five vertebrae fused, and a mistake necessitated another surgery just 10 hours later.

Recovery has been much slower than anticipated, and, after eight weeks, my legs are still weak and my steps unsteady, necessitating a walker. Quite frankly, I’ve been discouraged. Not able to go to church, my wife and I recently watched the Breath of Life telecast. In his sermon, speaker Carlton Byrd made a statement that greatly encouraged me: “My setback is God’s setup for my comeback!”

Later that day while reading through Psalms, I came across Psalm 40:1-4: “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me . . . out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. . . . Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.”

In faith, I gladly choose to trust my loving Lord for my comeback!

—Kingsley Whitsett, Buckhannon, West Virginia

Sound Bite

“Being right is not more important than being kind.”

—Pastor Chris Oberg, during a sermon at the 2014 Palm Springs winter camp meeting13 1 5 0

Poem

One Sabbath Afternoon

Invited my Lord to sup with me
One quiet Sabbath noon
I felt His presence ’round about
I invited Him into my room.
He comforted me with words of love
I felt His awesome peace . . .
Descend on me like a heavenly dove
I felt my joy increase.
I invited the Lord to sup with me
He came into my room
He wrapped me in His arms of love
One Sabbath afternoon.

—Sylvia Valentine, Los Angeles, California

Let's Pray

Have a prayer need? Have a few free minutes? Each Wednesday morning at 8:15 EDT the Adventist Review staff meets to pray for people—children, parents, friends, coworkers. Send your prayer requests and, if possible, pray with us on Wednesday mornings. Send requests to: Let’s Pray, Adventist Review, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600; fax: 301-680-6638; e-mail: [email protected].

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