Larry Lilly
Larry Lilly's Letter 8-1-12
I have been known to spear an idea or neat saying as they swim by and the practice is paying dividends in my dotage. I speared this one with a Cross Pen years ago and came across it yesterday while browsing margins in an old Bible:
"As I grow older, I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do." Andrew Carnegie.
It is most probable that Mr. Carnegie met his share of big talkers in the rarified realms of business in which he labored. As pastor of a not so thriving congregation I sure get my share of advice from folks who have never pastored any congregation thriving or otherwise. The advice of such self-wise ones used to infuriate me, now I just mark such down as "another con artist called" and go on about the business at hand.
Observing actions will teach you far more than the loquacious offerings of men or women who do not back up their talk with their walk. The Little Scotsman knew this and acted accordingly. We should follow his example.
Commenting on this principle King Solomon wrote in Proverbs 20:6 "Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?" As a rule men who are always proclaiming their own goodness, aren't.
Life has decided that you and I must learn to be genuine in order to fully live with ourselves in peace.
Copyright © 2012 Larry Lilly
I have been known to spear an idea or neat saying as they swim by and the practice is paying dividends in my dotage. I speared this one with a Cross Pen years ago and came across it yesterday while browsing margins in an old Bible:
"As I grow older, I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do." Andrew Carnegie.
It is most probable that Mr. Carnegie met his share of big talkers in the rarified realms of business in which he labored. As pastor of a not so thriving congregation I sure get my share of advice from folks who have never pastored any congregation thriving or otherwise. The advice of such self-wise ones used to infuriate me, now I just mark such down as "another con artist called" and go on about the business at hand.
Observing actions will teach you far more than the loquacious offerings of men or women who do not back up their talk with their walk. The Little Scotsman knew this and acted accordingly. We should follow his example.
Commenting on this principle King Solomon wrote in Proverbs 20:6 "Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?" As a rule men who are always proclaiming their own goodness, aren't.
Life has decided that you and I must learn to be genuine in order to fully live with ourselves in peace.
Copyright © 2012 Larry Lilly
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