Online Bulletin

 WHAT CAN I DO?

                Have you ever caught yourself saying or thinking, "What can I do? After all, I am only one person." Often it seems that one person cannot make a difference. We use many different excuses for inactivity and non-involvement. We might say things like, "I don't know enough about it." "I don't have the education that someone else has." "I am too old." "I am too young."

                Are you reading this article with the aid of bifocals? Ben Franklin       invented them at age 79. The computers and copiers used to produce this bulletin are powered by electricity, which Ben Franklin was one of the first harnessers of this power at age 40. Some of the most prestigious educations come from Ivy League universities, founded by Ben Franklin at age 45. We use libraries for many things from research to pleasure reading. Ben Franklin founded the first American library at age 25. We are grateful for those people who risk their lives fighting fires; Ben Franklin started the first fire department at age 31. He also invented the lightening rod at age 43. Many still use a heating stove today; Ben Franklin designed it at age 36.

                Ben Franklin is an inspiration to all people. He had a great wit; he was an amazing conversationalist, economist, philosopher, diplomat, printer, publisher, linguist (he spoke and wrote five languages); advocate of paratroopers (from    balloons) a century before the airplane was invented. All this until age 84! Oh, he only had two years of formal education! It is a pretty good bet that about everyone reading this has more education than Franklin had; yet he did not use the lack of knowledge as an excuse.

                We often feel that there is no use trying to learn or do anything different. That is just not true. We should be growing our whole lives. God used His chosen people throughout their lives. He didn't turn His back on them because of youth or age.

                It is amazing those things we can accomplish if we are just willing to try. When you look back at all that Ben Franklin accomplished, you can be assured that everything did not work out just right the first time. It took persistence and faith. He also was not successful at everything he tried. He wanted to make the turkey the symbol of our country rather than the eagle. He didn't quit when things didn't go his way; he worked harder.

                God has blessed us here at the Desert church with much talent. Much of the talent is untapped and is being unused. Trust in God step out on faith; let God use your life in ways you have never dreamed of! One person can make a difference.                                                                              

Read Joshua 23:9-11               

                                                                                  Steve