Bible Study July 26, 2024
Romans 12:9 – 12
9 “Let love be without hypocrisy—by abhorring what is evil, clinging to what is good, 10 being devoted to one another in brotherly love, giving preference to one another in honor, 11 not lagging behind in diligence, being fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, 12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in affliction, being devoted to prayer, 13 contributing to the needs of the saints, pursuing hospitality.”
I read this and it says so much.
Art Linkletter’s life was not all sweetness and light. Though married for 74 years to Lois Foerster, their daughter, Diane, struggled with drugs (LSD) and committed suicide in 1969. In 1980 their son, Robert, died in a car accident. Their oldest son, Jack, died of cancer in 2007. After his daughter’s tragic death, he received a call from his friend, the famed preacher and author, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale:
[He] said, “I know what you’re going through. A minister tries to console, comfort and sympathize, and explain why a loving, kind God would permit somebody in a wonderful family, a nice family to have this happen.”
“But Art,” he said, “He may have some other plan. He may have a plan for you. I said, “What do you mean a plan for me?” He said, “You are accepted by the American family as a part of them. Why don’t you start a private personal crusade to convince parents that they are in the front line trenches and the epidemic of drug abuse that is rapidly descending upon this country.”
I talked it over with my wife and we decided it was a very tough thing to do to go out and talk about it and I knew very little about it but I learned a lot, went around with some very good people and I began to lecture here and there on drug abuse.
And I found out that all of this radio stuff and all of this television stuff was just a preparation for me being a lecturer. I enjoyed lecturing more than all radio and TV…I just kind of slowly got out of everything else, and I, then I began to get offers of helping other people.”
Art once said the secret to his success could be summed up in a single word: Yes. He was willing to say ‘yes’ when presented with opportunities and invitations to serve and help others. He allowed the Holy Spirit to guide and direct his endeavors. He was willing to commit to things; he was willing to be inconvenienced for the sake of a cause greater than himself. He said yes.
The writer of this article said “What a guy. What a life. I never had a chance to meet him, but know I will some day on the other side of the veil.”
God Bless.
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