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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #456 March 28, 2002 Tail Up Charlie
It was my first dog sled race. I was in my early teens and entered in the single dog class. In the single dog class, one sled dog pulled the sleigh around a loop a couple of miles long; first one to finish the loop was the winner. My dog Ming was strong and fast and I was confident in his ability. We didn’t have the money for a "real" racing sled, but I had a specially rigged toboggan that worked well. It was rigged so that you could stand on the back and use it like a regular sled. The day of the race, we took off out of the starting chute and soon had a solid lead. The outcome of the race was clear; there was no way I could lose it. About a half mile from the finish, the rigging on the toboggan collapsed. No problem, all I had to do was fall on the toboggan and hold on for dear life to win the race. Somewhere in my tiny teen-aged mind, bravado and pride kicked in. There was on way I was going to cross the finish line unless I was standing. I grabbed the rope from the rigging and stood, snow surfing behind my dog. It lasted a few seconds, and then I lost my balance and fell off. In a dog sled race, you don’t finish until dog(s) and driver both cross the line. As I crawled to my knees my competitors went past me. My dog finished first, I came in a very distant last. Instead of the dreamed of first place, I got the "Tail-up Charlie" award. Tail-up Charlie is a gag gift given to last place finishers, it is usually a kerosene lantern to help you find your way home in the dark since your team is so slow. My pride had taken a sure win and turned it into what felt like a complete disaster. I took a lot of ribbing from some of my competition over my fine sledding style. When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2 NIV A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor. Proverbs 29:23 NIV Pride can destroy our relationships with others and hinder our walk with God. It has toppled churches and ministries and turned many victories into defeat. Is it creeping into your life? Until next time, may you be broken of your stubborn pride and replace it with a gentle humbleness. God Bless. Kevin Is your pride keeping is it keeping you from accepting the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers? Put it down and admit that you aren’t the one in control of the universe and that you need Him. Email me and I’ll share some Bible verses that explain why a personal relationship with Jesus is so important and a prayer that will make it possible. Or simply begin the relationship by saying a prayer along the lines of: Dear God: I have made many mistakes in my life and done things I am not proud of. I need your love and forgiveness. I believe that you came into this world and gave your life on a cross to pay for my sins and that you defeated death and rose again. Please forgive me, and be the Lord of my life. I give my life to you Lord. Amen If you pray this prayer let me know and I will direct you to some free non-denominational resources that will help you grow in that newfound relationship. To share your thoughts on this issue of Gleanings, or to share prayer concerns email us at corbin_writer@hotmail.com. or write us at : Gleanings From The Word 114 Oak Street Sherwood Park, AB Canada, T8A 0V8 At Gleanings, we have a dedicated team of prayer warriors and all prayer concerns are kept strictly confidential. If you enjoyed this issue of Gleanings From The Word, email it, in its entirety, to a friend. For information on use of Gleanings in your church newsletter or other situations please visit the permissions page on our website
© 2001 K.F. "Kevin" Corbin All Rights Reserved SUBSCRIBE TO GLEANINGS FOR FREE
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