Christian Living

---

Larry Lilly's Letter Monday September 18, 2006

Bette Davis, Hollywood actress of a past era made a statement that I wish Christians would latch onto. I am not one who is on Hellywood's case, but I do notice the tremendous effort the top of the heap folks there put into their craft. I heard a male actor, at least he was male looking, but in today’s world that means little, say that he often had to memorize up to thirty pages a day when they were shooting film and on Broadway the memorization demand is huge.

I often wonder why we preachers are married to written outlines? Head down looking at the pulpit, or more accurately, 'sacred desk' all the while the congregants are looking at balding pates, or store bought hair.

Back to Bette, I know you are waiting with baited breath.

Ms. Davis said:

"Attempt the impossible in order to improve your work."

The idea is to stretch you capabilities to the max knowing like a rubber band you will never recede to your previous norm, but will have grown through the experience.

Many people with whom deal haven’t tried something new for forty years, nor are they willing to risk such a thing. What if I fail? What if I forget? Most likely the only person who would know would be you. Singers are notorious for writing new words to old songs while they are singing them. I have even heard the authors of a few famous songs make up words while they are singing! To the ones who are on top and intend to stay these lapses are a wake up call and rather than sulking or laughing it off, they get back to work with a good self evaluation session, call in some troops to help and they listen to recording of themselves in order to 'shave' the performance. By shave I mean get the whiskers off.

When I was a mere child, though my Mom would never agree that I was a mere child as I was always year ahead of my age in the mischievous department, a man was trying to teach me shoot a bow and arrow. I wanted to shoot guns. I do recall him saying, "Larry, aim high and the arrow will go closer than if you aim right at the target." I now know that whether you are shooting a gun or bow and arrow, aiming high is essential except in very close range shooting. I haven't shot a gun or bow and arrow for Twenty years, but some things are never forgotten, especially when they are reinforced by the writings of White Feather.

If you are in rut in order to get out you may have to aim for the stars, you won't hit the stars, but the effort will most likely get you out the rut thereby improving your work.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2006 Use with credit.

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE