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June 7, 2008
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=========================== TODAY'S ARTICLE ==========================
The Fred Factor, by Steve Higginbotham
[You know] how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit
and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who
were under the power of the devil, because God was with him (Acts
10:38 TNIV).
Not too long ago, I read a book by Mark Sanborn entitled, "The Fred
Factor." The book is about a mailman who took his job seriously, and
consistently went above and beyond the call of duty in performing his
it. While the book is not a "religious" book, the spiritual and
biblical applications are everywhere.
Consequently, I have been teaching a Wednesday night adult class on the
biblical principles contained in the "Fred Factor," and I have been
challenging people to go out and be a "Fred." It has been interesting
to see how much excitement this class has generated. People have taken
up the challenge of being a "Fred" (translated -- a disciple of Jesus)
and going the second mile with people. I would heartily recommend the
book to you. It is an easy read, being only 112 pages long.
Only after she was gone did I think ...
Well, allow me to share a close encounter I had with being a "Fred"
this past week. My son, Michael, and I went to the courthouse so that
he could get his driving permit. As we stood in line, there was a 16
year-old girl in front of us who was bubbling over with excitement
because she, too, had passed her driving permit. As she stood at the
window, one of the clerks asked her if she had her birth certificate.
She excitedly said, "Yes Ma'am! I sure do!" Then the clerk asked her if
she had her Social Security card. Again, with exuberance, she said,
"Yes Ma'am! I sure do!" Then the clerk said, "That will be $12.00."
Suddenly, the girl's disposition changed. "$12.00? I don't think I have
$12.00. I didn't know I had to pay anything." Well, she began digging
through her wallet and could not come up with $12.00. Finally she
asked, "Can I just run home real quick? I just live a few blocks away
and I'll bring you the money."
Well, can you guess what I did at that point? If you're thinking I gave
her the $12.00 that she needed, keeping her from running home, while
also making a huge impact on her life by having an absolute stranger
help her out, you would be wrong! Nope, I just stood there and watched
her run out of the room and off toward home. Only after she was gone
did I think, "What an opportunity to make a difference! And I missed
it!" I could have kicked myself. Instead of being a "Fred," I was a
"Claude." In fact, with a little reflection, I think I could probably
write a book entitled, "The Claude Factor."
So I'll live and learn, and hopefully be more sensitive to the
opportunities I have to make a difference in the lives of other people.
Not because that's what "Fred" would do, but because that's what Jesus
would do.
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people,
especially to those who belong to the family of believers (Galatians
6:10).
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Check or order the book, The Fred Factor:
http://www.heartlight.org/cbd/fredfactor.html
---------
(c) 2008 Steve Higginbotham <shigg@glasgow-ky.com>
RELATED LINKS:
* The Spirit Produces Kindness
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200209/20020929_kindness.html
* Nothing Preaches Like Kindness
http://www.heartlight.org/hope/hope_990908_kindness.html
* Servin' Safari
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200709/20070922_servinsafari.html
* MERCeMAIL
http://www.glasgow-coc.org/mercemail_2006.htm
This article can be found on the web at:
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200806/20080607_fredfactor.html
=========================== FEATURED PRODUCT =========================
SEE THE MORNING, by Chris Tomlin
Award-winning artist Tomlin offers a whole new set of soul-inspiring
easy-to-sing songs about God's faithfulness.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?260
Find more great books, CDs and videos at the Heartlight store! With
each purchase you make, you're helping to support Heartlight's
ministry. Thanks SO MUCH for your help!
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