Which of the following are similar to the ways you've served Christ in your family? [check all that apply]
• Taught your kids to see God's glory in nature
• Washed the dishes without being asked
• Played a board game with your kids
• Encouraged your wife to finish her master's degree
• Attended a child's open house at school
• Worked fewer hours to be with your family
• Set an example of a godly prayer life for your children
• Held a crying child
• Swung on the tire swing with your daughter
• Told your wife why you're still in love with her
• Told your son he's got what it takes
• Coached soccer
• Let you child correct you now and then
• Fixed the vacuum cleaner
• Taught your sons to ride a bike
• Listened patiently to a complaint of your wife
• Taped your child's artwork to your office wall
• Admitted to your kids that you were wrong
• Told your children how Christ entered your life
• Cleaned up vomit
• Taught your children to love books
• Been romantic without expecting sex
• Told your daughter she's smart/beautiful
• Set standards for your kids and stuck to them
• Dealt graciously with a busybody neighbor
• Peeled carrots
• Watched movies together
Out-of-this-World Contract Theme of the Week: Taking the Long View Thursday, October 10, 2002
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September/October 200255Out-of-this-World ContractTheme of the Week: Taking the Long View Out-of-this-World Contract Theme of the Week: Taking the Long View Thursday, October 10
Key Bible Verse: Athletes. … do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize (1 Corinthians 9:25). Bonus Reading:2 Corinthians. 4:14-18
A quarter of a billion dollars. That's how much the Texas Rangers are paying shortstop Alex Rodriguez over ten years to play for them. The numbers break down to something like $25.2 million a season. $155,000 a game; $17,000 an inning; $42,000 every at-bat.
When I heard about the contract, my first thought was Why can't that be me?—a thought that was quickly followed by Can somebody in baseball say "salary cap"? Instead of becoming envious or getting on a soapbox, let's remind ourselves of the bigger picture.
Heaven offers every believer in Jesus Christ a lucrative "contract" too. Consider a few of its terms. First, the length of the contract isn't a mere ten years. It's eternal. Second, the contract can't be measured in monetary terms. It has a value beyond description or comprehension. Third, the health benefits are out of this world. The Bible says "there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain" (Revelation 21:4).
Life this side of heaven continues to have heartache and struggle—a fact that no salary can change. But let's remember that our "troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all" (2 Corinthians 4:17, NIV).
—Jeff Olson in Power Up!
My Response: The prize I have my eyes on is. …
Thought to Apply: Our ancestors believed in two worlds [with] this the nasty one. We're the first generation that expects to find happiness here.—Peggy Noonan
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