That simple idea is at the heart of a skinny little book I came across last week. A friend mentioned that 212: The Extra Degree had a real impact on Saints QB Drew Brees. So I ordered it from Amazon and was surprised that it's quite small and only 77 pages long. But it makes a powerful point.
If just 1 degree makes the difference between hot and boiling, I wonder how many other areas life are won or lost, achieved or failed, advanced or set back by one more tiny degree of effort? Author Samuel L. Parker goes on to document all the amazing victories and accomplishments that made a huge difference, and yet were determined by a mere stroke, or one more attempt.
I've taken the book's advice and I'm going to begin asking important questions even during Christmas. Who are the people who could use one extra 15 minutes of encouragement? What are the issues that could benefit from an extra 10 minutes of prayer? What are the victories that might well be won with one more dollar, one more kind word, one more act of kindness, one more determined nudge?
If you're hoping for a White Christmas, I hope you get one. As for me, I'm hoping for a Christmas that cooks: boiling hot. Selah.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I'll be offline for two weeks to recharge and renew. I will return on January 5 with "The Top 10 Questions People Ask Pastors." Hint: "Why do bad things happen to good people," is not in the top ten. I hope the Big Questions and the useful answers will be helpful in 2011.
No comments:
Post a Comment