According to Isaiah 1:31, "The mighty man will become tinder and his work a spark; both will burn together, with no one to quench the fire."
Hummm. Fire. According to the dictionary, "fire" is a state, process, or instance of combustion in which fuel or other material is ignited and combined with oxygen, giving off light, heat, and flame. Fire can be good, and it can be bad. It can destroy, and it can create. Fire was the first sterilizing agent, used to cleanse surgical instruments for lifesaving operations. Fire lit the lantern in the Old North Church signaling the birth of the United States. Fire stoked the engines in the railroads that opened up the western reaches of this great nation for exploration, discovery, and revitalization. Today, fire is used is smelting and darn near every manufacturing business out there. Fire pasturizes milk and is used to prepare the foods we use each day to fuel the most efficient piece of machinery in the world--the human body. Fire is one of the four classic elements. Our earth sustains life because of a giant fireball widely recognized as our global powerhouse. Fire melted the wax at dinner on my first date with the woman who is now my wife, it lit the candles in the hospital chapel where I prayed when my daughter was born, and it will help light the sanctuary at my funeral.
Fire gives life, sustains existence, and enhances our lives in ways we don't ever recognize. And Isaiah tells us that--through our work--we all can become an everlasting light of unbelievable strength.
Program 1:31 is a Path Choices initiative to build strength worldwide through reading. The 1:31 comes from the chapter and verse in Isaiah. For every 31 new people added to our newsletter list, we donate one book to a noble program or non-profit organization anywhere in the world. One book for every 31 people. By being on our mailing list, you are contributing to this program. These books are selected and purchased by Path Choices based on wish lists, at no cost to you or the organization receiving the books. Encourage your friends to sign up for the newsletter!
Here are the books donated so far. The most recent donations are in red.
| "And the Truth Shall Set You Free" by David Icke |
Louisiana Books 2 Prisoners New Orleans, LA Encouraging literacy and supporting prisoner interests |
| "Stop Picking on Me" by Pat Thomas and Lesley Harker |
College Gate Elementary School Anchorage, AK Books that Heal--Bibliotherapy with a Twist |
| "Ruby Mae Has Something to Say" by David Small |
College Gate Elementary School Anchorage, AK Books that Heal--Bibliotherapy with a Twist |
| "Brave Charlotte" by Anu Stohner and Henrike Wilson |
College Gate Elementary School |
| "Destiny's Gift" by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley |
College Gate Elementary School |
| "The Oxford Color Portuguese Dictionary" edited by John Whitlam and Lia Correia Raitt |
Bahai Street |
| "Prentice Hall ESL Workbook" by Karen Standridge |
Bahai Street |
| "A Light in the Attic" by Shel Silverstein |
Bahai Street |
"The Magic School Bus: Inside the Earth" |
Bahai Street |
"Civil Disobedience and Other Essays" |
Bahai Street |
| "The House that Richard Built" by James D. Smith |
Thorn Hill Learning Center |
Courtesy of The Barna Group
What do people want out of work? What is the American dream? Good questions!
In a recent study among a representative national sample of adults, The Barna Group explored what people’s ideal future would look like. There were six specific conditions that at least three-quarters of all adults identified as being very important elements in their ideal life. Those included:
- Having good physical health (listed by 85%)
- Living with a high degree of integrity (also 85%)
- Having one marriage partner for life (80%)
- Having a clear purpose for living (77%)
- Having a close relationship with God (75%)
- Having close, personal friendships (74%)
There were another half-dozen items listed by at least half of the adults interviewed. Those conditions included having a comfortable lifestyle (mentioned by 70%), having a satisfying sex life with their marriage partner (66%), having children (66%), living close to family and relatives (63%), being deeply committed to the Christian faith (59%), and making a difference in the world (56%).
The survey uncovered seven conditions that only a minority of Americans deemed worthy of including in their vision of their desired future life. Those conditions included having a college degree (named by 46%), being personally active in a church (45%), traveling throughout the world for pleasure (28%), working in a high-paying job (28%), owning a large home (18%), owning the latest household technology/electronics (11%) and achieving fame or public recognition (7%).
In commenting on these outcomes, George Barna, who has overseen this tracking research since it originated in 1991, pointed out some of the highlights of the new findings.
"Stability rules," Barna noted. "Out of nineteen factors, only two have seen even a ten-point shift in nearly two decades (having a comfortable life style and having children). That’s rather remarkable consistency. So much in our world is changing, yet people’s dreams for their life hinge on the same, unchanging desires: health, relationships, character, faith and comfort. As our life context changes, so do the ways in which people pursue and realize these dreams, but their desires remain anchored to some fundamental values that seem to weather the changing times."
Barna also indicated that the mainstream media has portrayed American society as changing more radically than it has. "There have been some hugely significant changes in the laws of the land over the past quarter-century. However, when you examine what people want, in essence they are seeking what used to be described as traditional family values: a single marriage for life, a solid family experience, displaying good character, living a life that has meaning and impact, and having an active faith.
"Sometimes the abundant opportunities and challenges of daily life distract or divert people from their commitment to these outcomes," the researcher continued, "but in their hearts they have retained some pretty basic and traditional hope and dreams. Leaders might take note of this and compare their own vision and plans for the future with the ideal life that Americans hope to experience."
Points to ponder:
1. Do the study results ring true for you?2. When have you put family or your relationship with God ahead of financial gain? When have you been tempted to stray from your priorities?
3. Who keeps you anchored in what is important in life? Have you thanked them recently for encouraging you and keeping you focused?
I'm working on a new book on job interviewing to be out this fall. Send me your stories about the best, the wierdest, and the worst --they could end up in print: james@pathchoices.com
All submissions will be anonymous. Names will be changed to protect the guilty and the innocent.
If you would like to be removed from our newsletter distribution list, please send an E-mail to info@PathChoices.com. In the subject line, just write "Please Remove."
© 2008 Path Choices™, all rights reserved