The Kreider Connection
Racers For Christ
August, 2009 Newsletter
I grew up in southeastern Pennsylvania, where some of the Amish paint hex signs on their barns to keep the evil spirits away. I don’t believe in the hex sign or I would be painting one on all of my electronic equipment! This year my computer has been a major headache, not to mention being an expensive dependent on the cash flow. Speaking of being a dependant, what in life do you rely on? There are good things like being dependent on God. There are also many things that we can become dependent on that will hurt us in the long run.
One of those is the need for fast moving information that never ends. At some point we can suffer from what some refer to as ‘information overload.’ I recently read that we receive more information in 72 hours than our parents did in a month. Maybe it is a good thing my computer is down so I can get some rest! But then I fret: what am I missing, how do I get out important info, when can I get back on line? I think many of us are in the same boat on this.
Just because I am a preacher doesn’t mean I’m perfect. I struggle with sin like everyone else. I struggle with ‘being still before God’ like the Bible speaks about. I don’t ‘do’ still very well or very often for that matter, and that is detrimental to my relationship with God, Linda and my health. I’m always seeing things to do – more than can be done in the time I have. I hate to admit it, but when I live that way I show less than perfect trust in God Himself.
So whatever the issue in your life, you can see that all of us struggle as we journey through this walk (or is it a run?) of life. Putting complete trust in the blood of Jesus to cover our sins as well as trusting in Him to light our way is easier said than done. I pray that we can all slow down enough to be able to say “it is well with my soul”! Will you commit with me to make an effort to slow down, and spend more time with God and those we love? Let me know how you do and you have my permission to check on me if you wish. Smile and enjoy life. God loves you and so do we.
Glenn & Linda
976 Coyote Ave., Greenville, IL 62246
Phone: 618-292-6048
Email: kreiders@papadocs.com
Check out the RFC web page www.teamrfc.org and visit the North Central Region section.
REMINDER: RFC Potluck at US Nationals – Tues. Sept. 1 at 6:00 pm. Location TBA
MAYONNAISE JAR AND 2 CUPS OF COFFEE
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee.
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course
the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “yes”.
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
“Now”, said the professor as the laughter subsided, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things – God, family, children, health and friends – things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, house and car. The sand is everything else – the small stuff.”
“If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. So pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness and well-being. Spend time with God. Play with your children. Take your spouse out to dinner. Get medical checkups. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first – the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. “I’m glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.”
