Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Monday June 4, 2007

I heard a statement many years ago and over the ensuing years I have worked at following the wisdom contained in the statement. The pearl of wisdom dropped from the heart and lips of a man famous in his time for a speech he delivered all over the world and in that time frame raised over ten million dollars an enormous amount in those days of 1912 and after. The speech was titled, "Acres of Diamonds" and it was the most well known speech of its kind for decades. I have an official copy of the speech and I re-read it usually at least once every quarter. It is timeless.

The speaker was Dr. Russell Conwell and the money he raised giving this speech was the seed money for the institution which eventually became known as Temple University of Philadelphia, PA. I will send a beautiful free copy of the story behind the speech to you for the asking. Email your address and I will post it that day. The book is called the "Power of Fifty Seven Cents."

In his Acres of Diamonds speech Dr. Conwell stated,

"I will discover acres of diamonds through the improved practice of my profession."

Do you have any idea how much grief men, women, entire families would be spared if folks stopped searching for riches over the rainbow and simply set out to improve the gift they offer the world through their work? Over the years I have known a lot of people and I have watched with pain in my heart as one after another seeks happiness in yet another job, contentment with another wife or husband, and Lord knows how many seek spiritual joy with still yet another change of churches. The list goes on, and so do unhappy people.

The majority of we Christian Americans miss the best the Lord wants to give due to the ceaseless search for the pot of gold, by joining another person, or new job and or church, many even moving half way around the world in a vain search for people who are different. Carl Sandburg summed up the futility of this journey in the story he attributed to his dad. Seems dad was sitting on the rail fence down by the road and a traveler passed by inquiring as to the kind of people who lived in the town on down the road. Sandburg's father asked, "What kind of people lived in the town you are coming from?" The traveler stated, "Oh, they were a mean bunch, thieves, liars and drunks." Mr. Sandburg said, "Well, you'll find the same kind down the road." A little time passed and along comes another traveler asking the same question about the folks in the town down the road. Sandburg asks the same question and the traveler said, "Oh, where I come from the people were good hard working people who pitched in to help each other, and they were for the most part, dependable friends." Pop Sandburg told the man, "Well, that's pretty much a good description of the people in the town down the road. You'll feel right at home."

As the man walked on toward the town, Carl asked his father, "Dad, why did you give the two men two different answers about the people down the road?" Dad Sandburg replied, "Son, I did not give two different answers, People are going to like you no matter where you go." In today's world we say, "Water seeks its own level and so do people."

When you take the time and prayer to improve your people skills you will find that you are suddenly surrounded by better people. The same is true when you really go to work improving the practice of your profession. And this truth goes through the roof all the way beyond the stars when you get serious about improving the practice of your profession of faith in Christ.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2007 Use with credit.

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