April 11, 2005

[Rev. Doc]

Life's Misfortunes

"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."
Romans 5:3

Mike Maryn is not doubt the most versatile of all crime victims. This Passiac, New Jersey, man over the course of five years endured 83 muggings and was hospitalized 20 times. In achieving that record, he was knifed, shot at twice and bludgeoned with a metal pipe, lost several teeth, and was robbed of $2,000 in cash, several bags of groceries and four automobiles. According to newspaper reports, Passiac police offered Maryn a walkie-talkie as a quick way of summoning help, but he turned them down. "It would only be taken from me," he explained.

Prayer: Ask the Lord to help you view misfortunes as opportunities of spiritual growth.

"Mishaps are like knives that either serve us or cut us as we grasp them by the blade or the handle."
~James Russell Lowell

[Hephzibah]

You know... my youth pastor preached on that very same verse yesteday