Christian Optimism

by Steve Hale

"Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life" ( Proverbs 4:23, NKJV).

Knowing that he had a class full of Greek students, brother Tom Holland had many famous quips. One of the best had to do with brethren with a sour disposition. He would say: "Some people are just born in the objective case and the kickative mood."

It's not a matter of seeing the glass half-empty or half-full, but not dwelling on the fact that it is only half-full!

The Poet Laureate of Tennessee, Richard M. "Pek" Gunn wrote the following:

The Optimist

I passed a sand lot yesterday,
Some kids were playing ball.
I strolled along the third base line,
Within the fielder's call.

"Say, what's the score?" I asked the chap.
He yelled to beat the stuffin'
There's no one out, the bases full
And they're forty-two to nuthin'!"

"You're gettin' beat, aren't you lad?"
And then in no time flat,
He answered: "No sir, not as yet!
Our side ain't been to bat!"

Jerrie Barber has correctly observed: "A positive thinker does not refuse to recognize the negative, he refuses to dwell on it. Positive thinking is a form of thought which habitually looks for the best results in the worst conditions."

Amen! The word "gospel" means "good news." We need to live, teach, and preach as optimists, not pessimists. Sure, there is tremendous turmoil, death, and sin in the world. But, as Paul said: "...our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body..." ( Philippians 3:20-21a).

Are you optimistic? If not, why not? Read the end of the Book of Books...through Christ, we win!

July 26, 1998

Related Articles:

Make Merry or Dry Up! -Oct 16, 1994
The Power of Being Positive -Jan 21, 1990
Keep on Kicking -Mar 06, 1988
Jesus as the Author of Happiness -Jan 17, 1988

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Christian Optimism by Steve Hale "Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life" ( Proverbs 4:23, NKJV). Knowing that he had a class full of Greek students, brother Tom Holland had many famous quips. One of the best had to do with brethren with a sour disposition. He would say: "Some people are just born in the objective case and the kickative mood." It's not a matter of seeing the glass half-empty or half-full, but not dwelling on the fact that it is only half-full! The Poet Laureate of Tennessee, Richard M. "Pek" Gunn wrote the following: The Optimist I passed a sand lot yesterday, Some kids were playing ball. I strolled along the third base line, Within the fielder's call. "Say, what's the score?" I asked the chap. He yelled to beat the stuffin' There's no one out, the bases full And they're forty-two to nuthin'!" "You're gettin' beat, aren't you lad?" And then in no time flat, He answered: "No sir, not as yet! Our side ain't been to bat!" Jerrie Barber has correctly observed: "A positive thinker does not refuse to recognize the negative, he refuses to dwell on it. Positive thinking is a form of thought which habitually looks for the best results in the worst conditions." Amen! The word "gospel" means "good news." We need to live, teach, and preach as optimists, not pessimists. Sure, there is tremendous turmoil, death, and sin in the world. But, as Paul said: "...our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body..." ( Philippians 3:20-21a). Are you optimistic? If not, why not? Read the end of the Book of Books...through Christ, we win! July 26, 1998 Related Articles: Make Merry or Dry Up! -Oct 16, 1994 The Power of Being Positive -Jan 21, 1990 Keep on Kicking -Mar 06, 1988 Jesus as the Author of Happiness -Jan 17, 1988 Print this Article Discuss this Article Back to the Sermon Page	Mt. Juliet Church of Christ 1940 N. Mt. Juliet Road P.O.Box 248 Mt.Juliet, TN 37122-0248 (615)758-2274 Fax:615-754-2351 Email Worship Services: Sunday Early Worship: 8AM Sunday Bible Study: 9:15AM Sunday Late Worship: 10:15AM Night Worship: 6PM Wednesday Bible Study: 7PM