Achievers like Pat Summitt, the Lady Volunteer's Basketball Coach, demand the best from themselves and others. You might think that her high standards and demanding ways are the reason her teams have won three national titles over the past four years, but you'd only be partially right.

After a dry spell in the mid 90's, Summitt popped a cork on the long ride home from a game the team should have won. Summitt chewed on one of her seniors so hard that it devastated the athlete. After a sleepless night, Michelle Marciniak, the player, called her coach at six in the morning saying she needed more than to be told when she makes mistakes, she needs some encouragement too.

That early morning phone call served as a "wake-up call" for Summitt in more ways than one. Slowly, she's changed her ways to avoid breaking a player's spirit. Her new combination of high standards and an encouraging spirit is taking the Lady Volunteers to a new level.

" …not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:25 NASB)

"The life of the heart is a place of great mystery. Yet we have many expressions to help us express this flame of the human soul. We describe a person without compassion as 'heartless,' and we urge him or her to 'have a heart.' Our deepest hurts we call 'heartaches.' Jilted lovers are 'brokenhearted.' Courageous soldiers are 'brave-hearted.' The truly evil are 'black-hearted' and saints have 'hearts of gold.' If we need to speak at the most intimate level, we ask for a 'heart-to-heart' talk. 'Lighthearted' is how we feel on vacation. and when we love someone as truly as we may, we love 'with all our heart.' But when we lose our passion for life, when a deadness sets in which we cannot seem to shake, we confess, 'My heart's just not in it.'"

"In the end, it doesn't matter how well we have performed or what we have accomplished-a life without heart is not worth living. For out of this wellspring of our soul flows all true caring and all meaningful work, all real worship and all sacrifice. Our faith, hope, and love issue from this fount, as well. Because it is in our heart that we first hear the voice of God and it is in the heart that we come to know him and learn to live in his love."

2 Cor. 1:3-4 NIV "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, [4] who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."

In April 1996, ten-year-old Josh Baker put a message in a bottle and threw it into Wisconsin's White Lake as part of a school project. In April 2006, eleven years later, one of Josh's closest friends found the message. Steve Lieder and a friend were talking when they looked down and saw the bottle. They broke it open and found a note inside which read, "My name is Josh Baker. I am 10. If you find this put it on the news. The date is 4/16/96."

Baker's mother Maggie Holbrook says Josh was killed in an auto accident a year ago, after returning home from military service in Iraq. She plans to preserve the note and display it in her home. Holbrook says she wondered why they didn't put it in the nearby Wolf River which has a stronger current. She said, "I still remember the day he wrote it. I couldn't understand why they threw it in the lake. No one would ever see it again. Now I know." Holbrook added, "I think he was just letting us know he was OK and to keep doing what we're doing."

—http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/news/local/14884229.htm. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Philemon 1:7 (GW) "Your love (for God's people) gives me a lot of joy and encouragement. You, brother, have comforted God's people."

American Olympic Swimmer Michael Phelps won a record eight medals at the Olympic Games in Athens Greece. He matched Swimmer Mark Spitz's record of four individual gold medals in the pool, and concluded his Olympic experience winning an eighth gold medal as he encouraged a team member.

Phelps gave his spot on the 400 meter rely team to Ian Crocker, whom Phelps had just beaten in the 100 butterfly. The nineteen-year-old from Baltimore rallied to beat the man who held the current world record and had defeated him at both the world championships and U.S. trials. Ordinarily, the winner of 100 butterfly gets a spot in the medley final, but since every swimmer that participates on a medal -wining relay team is rewarded with a medal, Phelps allowed Crocker to swim instead.

After a poor performance in a previous race, Crocker was excited about the opportunity to swim in the 400 medley. He said, "I'm speechless. It's a huge gift. But difficult to accept. It makes me want to go out there and tear up the pool." The U.S. Team won the gold medal with Crocker swimming in Phelps' place.

Speaking of Crocker he said, "He's one of the greatest relay swimmers in the world." Phelps added, "We came into this as a team. We'll leave here as a team."

—Associated Press Sports, Phelps Ties American Record With Seventh Medal, August 20, 2004. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson

Hebrews 10:24 (NIV) "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds."

Five year-old Hayden Chavarria was brokenhearted with burglars stole the computers from his kindergarten classroom. Jessica, Hayden's mother, said it didn't take long for Hayden to come up with a plan to replace it. The boy had been saving pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters in hopes of buying a new Nintendo game. Instead, he took the money from his bank and gave it to the principal of his school as seed money. He hopes to inspire others with his act of kindness the way others have inspired him.

Hayden suffers from a disorder that won't allow his brain to see clearly out of both eyes at the same time. He is legally blind and has had three surgeries to improve his vision since the age of 10 months. He learned about helping other from the times when others helped him and now hopes his gift will inspire his classmates to give to enough money to replace the stolen computer. Hayden said giving his savings to the school did not make him sad, the way he felt when the computer was stolen. He said, "It felt good." Hayden's mother added, "He sees people helping the children at the hospital, helping him. It made his heart big. He wants to touch the world."

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/16595080.htm; Class counts on boy's big heart, February 2, 2007. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Hebrews 10:24 (GW) "We must also consider how to encourage each other to show love and to do good things."

Jake Bronstein is on a mission to let people know that someone loves them. Bronstein plans to send 1,000 hand-written love letters to people around the world. Bronstein says the idea started as one of many ideas he posted on his web site designed to help people have fun. He offered to send a handwritten letter to up to 1,000 people if posters on his blog would send him the addresses.

Bronstein says he got the idea when he read about a study that found doing something nice for another person caused endorphin levels to rise for the person doing the good deed, the recipient, as well as anyone who witnessed the action. He started by standing in Manhattan’s Union Square on a cold November afternoon, trying to hand out 30 copies of letters he had written to brighten someone’s day. He also hid $50 worth of pennies with good luck notes attached around town to encourage people.

Bronstein hopes to keep the love letters going by starting a letter writing chain. He hopes the people who receive his letter will in turn write letters to new requestors and keep the process going.

The Mission: Send 1,000 Love Letters to Complete Strangers; http://abcnews.go.com/US/Story?id=6542201&page=1; December 29, 2008, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Believers are God’s love letters to the world. We have the opportunity to let people know how much Jesus loves them.

1 John 3:18 (GW) Dear children, we must show love through actions that are sincere, not through empty words.

Five-year-old Elena Desserich wanted to help her family deal with her eventual death when doctors diagnosed her with inoperable brain cancer. Elena produced a book entitled, ”The Kindergarten Survival Guide” to help her younger sister Grace. When she lost her ability to speak, Elena began drawing and painting to communicate with her family. Her painting titled, “I Love You” hung in the Cincinnati Art Museum next to a painting by Pablo Picasso.

After she died, Elena’s family discovered the young girl had written hundreds of notes for them and hidden them around the family’s home. Elena’s mother Brooke was moving some boxes around one day and a note fell out. Since then she has found more messages from her daughter. Brooke says the messages been an inspiration. She said, “Each time I would read one of those notes, it was like a little hug from her.”

--Five year olds Cancer Patient Leaves Hundreds of Notes For Her Family; http://www.parentdish.com/2008/12/29/five-year-old-cancer-patient-leaves-thousands-of-notes-for-her-f/; December 29, 2008, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

We don’t have to wait for tragedy to strike before we encourage someone. Who needs an encouraging word from you today?

Proverbs 25:11 (GW) {Like} golden apples in silver settings, {so} is a word spoken at the right time.

An Alabama pharmacist surprised his employees and encouraged an entire community when he paid his employees unexpected bonuses with two dollar bills. Danny Cottrell gave his full time employees $700 and the part timers $300, initiating his own stimulus plan. The only thing Cottrell asked was that the employees give 15 per cent to charity and spend the rest of the money locally.

Within a day or two, $2 bills began popping up all over town. Melanie McGougin, owner of a specialty gift and graphics shop did her part to spread the stimulus idea even further. McGougin said, “I think it was a wonderful idea and very clever and good for the town. I got more in on Friday, and I try to give them back in change as soon as I can.”McGougin said she is glad the idea captured national attention adding, “Any time Brewerton can get attention for something positive, that’s a good thing for all of us.”

--Brewton’s one-man stimulus gets U.S. spotlight, http://www.al.com/press-register/stories/index.ssf?/base/news/123667656434250.xml&coll=3; Tuesday, March 10, 2009; Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

1Thessalonians 5:11 CEV “That's why you must encourage and help each other, just as you are already doing.”

It would be easy to help every person in need and always save the day, if we had super hero powers. In the Disney motion picture Bolt, Bolt is a dog who believes he has super powers, which he uses to keep his human, Penny, safe from evil. Bolt does not know that his powers are special effects in a television series. He has been allowed to think his powers are real to make him a more believable actor. When Bolt is separated from Penny, he faces the reality that he is just an ordinary dog. As he travels to find Penny, Bolt encounters a pessimistic cat named Mittens, and a star struck hamster named Rhino.

Bolt is convinced that he has super powers but he lost them due to exposure to Styrofoam peanuts. He starts to doubt his powers when an animal control officer who takes Bolt and Mittens into custody. Bolt cannot escape from the cage in the truck. He can’t save himself, much less help Mittens. Mittens makes matters worse, when she tells Bolt through the bars, that he has nothing. He can’t save them, and hope is lost.

When Rhino risks his life to save Bolt from the Animal Control truck, Bolt faces a big dilemma. Everything he believed about his abilities is a fraud, and now in the face of danger, he may not be able to do anything. Bolt needs the encouragement of a friend if he hopes to become a true hero instead of playing one on television.

OPTION 1: Show scene and make application. Bolt, Chapter 11 55:53-58:18.

OPTION 2: Describe scene and make application.

As Bolt smashes against the door of his cage one last time, it springs open and he flies into the weeds beside the highway. Not knowing that Rhino opened the door, Bolt is excited at first. He shouts, “I did it. I’m back. Boy, that Styrofoam is wicked stuff.”

Bolt’s hopes are dashed when Rhino pops out from behind a bush. Excitedly, he shouts, “Totally awesome!” Rhino can’t contain himself and starts singing, “There’s no truck that I know that can keep in Bolt and Rhino!”

Surprised to see the hamster, Bolt asks, “Rhino? What are you doing here?” Humbly Rhino states, “Oh nothing, I was enjoying an evening stroll and thought I’d just pop the hatch on that containment unit.” Bolt stammers when he hears this, “You opened the door?” Rhino puffs out his chest, “Yes, I did.”

Disappointment and realization show on Bolt’s face as he responds, “That’s great Rhino.” He voice trails off as he adds, “Yes that was really good.” Boldly, Rhino starts toward the animal shelter. “Let’s go get the prisoner back!”

Bolt hesitates and hangs his head. Sadly, he looks at the birthmark on his side, and realizes Mittens was right. It is just paint applied by a make-up artist. Though bright at first, it fades like his hope with each passing day. Bolt touches the mark, and looks at the black paint on his paws. “I can’t do it,” he whispers. Rhino comes scampering back in disbelief. “What did you say?” Bolt repeats himself. “I can’t”

Rhino looks his friend in the eye and asks, “What? Who are you?” Bolt starts, but doesn’t get far before Rhino interrupts. “You just don’t...” Rhino answers his own question, “You are Bolt!” Bolt starts again,” But I’m not…” Rhino interrupts again and asks, “Who single-handedly destroyed the green eyed man’s undersea lab?” Bolt says,

“Me but…” Rhino continues, “And who foiled his plan to infiltrate the Olympics with gymnastic cyborgs? Who Bolt? Who?”

Bolt tries to object. “Me, but none of them…” Rhino interrupts again and makes his point. “You! You can Bolt!” Rhino points to the sky and continues his encouragement.

“Because all over this planet there are animals who feel like they can’t.” He pauses and adds his own story “Like a little hamster who once spent his days in an RV park dreaming of the day when he too would save a little girl from danger and be told, ‘You did it. You did it Rhino. You saved the day.’” The hamster looks back at Bolt and adds,

“They need a hero, Bolt. Someone who no matter what the odds, will do what’s right. They need a hero to tell them that sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you’re awesome.”

Thoughtfully Bolt responds, “Well you’re right about one thing Rhino. Mittens does need a hero, I guess I’ll have to do.” Rhino breaks out in a big smile. “Such modesty. Now who’s going to save that cat?” Softly Bolt says, “Me.” Rhino keeps up the energy, “Who? Tell me who?” More resolutely Bolt responds, “Me!” Rhino’s eyes bug with excitement as he laughs. “I’ll get my ball.”

--BOLT, 2008, Walt Disney Pictures. Chapter 11 55:53-58:18. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

You don’t need super powers to be a hero. Sometimes, all it takes a word of encouragement and a helping hand. Are we willing to do what’s right despite the odds? Who do you know that needs a hero today?

1Thessolonians 5:14 CEV My friends, we beg you to warn anyone who isn't living right. Encourage anyone who feels left out, help all who are weak, and be patient with everyone.

New research suggests being lonely may be contagious. The study builds on another recent study indicating that happiness is also infectious and often spreads through social networks. The study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that women are more likely than men to report “catching” loneliness and that the odds of becoming lonely were more likely to be caused by changes in friendship networks rather than changes within the family.

Author of the study John Cacioppo, a psychologist at the University of Chicago said researchers found next-door neighbors who experienced an increase of one day of loneliness a week caused an increase in loneliness among neighbors who were close friends. Cacioppo says the good news researchers uncovered is that the effect of loneliness drops off significantly after three degrees of separation. He says when a person feels isolated they tend to have more negative interactions with people than non-lonely people. Cacioppo says these negative moods tend to reinforce negative moods in others. In the article Cacioppo said, “You can use your friends to get you out of negative moods, whereas when you feel more isolated, you act more negatively toward your friends.”

Like happiness, loneliness is contagious, http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-12-01-loneliness01_ST_N.htm; December 1, 2009, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (CEV) “That's why you must encourage and help each other, just as you are already doing.”

After he lost his job, Reed Sandridge remembered something his mother would say, and decided to put it into practice. His mother told him, “When you’re going through tough times, that’s when you most need to give back.” In December 2009, Sandridge started giving by handing out $10 to someone every day. While he acknowledges the small amount probably won’t change anyone’s life, he hopes the act of giving will inspire others to pursue the same ideals.

Sandridge hopes to inspire people either through his gifts, or by telling the stories of recipients. On his website, Sandridge posts pictures, and stories, and video of the people he has given money to. They include Rob, a waiter struggling to stay sober, John, a man who lives out of two shopping carts, and hasn’t bathed in weeks, and even Katy, a filmmaker who took the money and destroyed it. Sandridge is still looking for a new job, and admits it would have been easier to write a check for $3650 to one person or organization. Describing the experience, Sandridge says, “The way I’m doing it is a much more personal experience, getting to know someone, getting to know what they’re doing with (the $10).” He added, “It’s more valuable to sit and listen to someone. And the fact that I’m out of work right now has inspired so many people.”

--Philanthropy on $10 a Day, http://www.aolnews.com/philanthropy/story/philanthropy-on-10-a-day/991224 ; April 19, 2010. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Hebrews 3:13 (CEV) You must encourage one another each day. And you must keep on while there is still a time that can be called "today." If you don't, then sin may fool some of you and make you stubborn.

In the motion picture “Tooth Fairy,” Derek Thompson is a dream killer. Derek’s own dreams faded long ago. Though he was drafted to play in the National Hockey League, Derek was injured and assigned to a minor league team. He was never able to get back to the NHL, and acquired the nickname, “Tooth Fairy” for his rough style of play which often knocked out the teeth of opposing players.

After his hopes were crushed, Derek developed the bad habit of quashing the dreams of others. He tells a hopeful young boy that he will never make it in the NHL, advising him to pursue something else. Derek is challenged after he almost destroys the childhood dreams of his girlfriend’s daughter, telling the six year old, there is no tooth fairy.

As punishment for his attitude, Derek is whisked away to the fantasy world of fairies, where he must serve two weeks as a tooth fairy. He is not allowed to tell anyone, which complicates matters. As he tries to complete his assignment, Derek is challenged to face his own fears and disappointments. He faces a crisis as he builds a relationship with his girlfriend’s son, Randy.

The boy is a budding musician who is considering entering the school talent show, but lacks the self confidence to do so. As he and Derek work on some music, Derek is given the chance to encourage the boy, or revert to his old pattern of bursting bubbles. He must decide whether he can put aside his own pain, and encourage the boy to pursue his dreams.

Option 1; Play clip from Tooth Fairy, and make application. Chapter 16: Take The Shot. 1:01:45 to 1:03:24.

Derek and Randy are sharing some quality time and working on some music. Derek is playing the drums, and Randy is playing his guitar. Suddenly Randy stops and drops into self doubt mood, saying, “I’m not going to ready. I’m going to get up there and blow it.” Derek silences a cymbal and reassures the young man, “You’ll be fine. We’ve just got to keep practicing.”

The encouragement makes little impact, as Randy sinks further into doubt. “Everybody’s going to laugh at me. Maybe I shouldn’t do this.” Derek has the choice of reverting to his old pattern of dream killing or to try a different approach. He looks at Randy and adds, “Maybe they will or….maybe you’ll blow the roof off the place. Huh?” He encourages Randy as he continues. “Man, you’re good, but you’re not going to find out if you quit.” He draws on his experience in hockey and adds,” You can’t score if you don’t take the shot.”

Sarcastically, Randy looks up and asks, “Yeah, when was the last time you took a shot?” The question stuns Derek, and he pauses a minute to reflect. Finally, he says, “Listen, when I first started I was a scorer. First round draft pick of the Devils playing in the bigs.” Interested, Randy asks, “So, what happened?” Reflecting, Derek answers, “I busted my shoulder one night in Chicago. They sent me down to the minors to recover and it took forever. I got so angry and frustrated… one night in a game I got into it with some meathead from New Haven. Knocked out a couple of his teeth. The crowd went crazy and they started calling me Tooth Fairy and it stuck and I haven’t scored in years.” Derek pauses as the point he just made sinks into his mind, then with a sly smile he adds, “but, I’ve got the most penalty minutes in the league.”

Randy looks at Derek and asks, “But, like isn’t your shoulder all healed now?” Derek shrugs, raising the shoulder and says, “It’s just not the same.” Randy presses him. “But how do you know? You don’t even try.” Then he repeats Derek’s words back to him. “You can’t score if you don’t take the shot.” A smile breaks across Derek’s face, and he says, “Tell you what, I will if you will.” Randy considers the proposal for an instant and adds, “Okay. I’ll take that deal.” Though he still has a long way to go, Derek takes the first step toward helping others explore the positive possibilities and what ifs in life as he begins to put his past behind him, giving and receiving encouragement.

APPLICATION: Derek Thompson’s alter ego is the Tooth Fairy. For him, the nickname has become a sign of his failure in life, when the image should represent a call to pursue his dreams. Too often, life’s failures keep us from offering real encouragement to those who need it. The same failures prevent us from receiving the encouragement others give us. A call to encouragement includes a call to leave the past behind, and to freely give and receive positive challenges.

Tooth Fairy, Chapter 16, Take the Shot, 1:01:45 to 1:03:24, Copyright 2009 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Walden Media LLC, and Dune Entertainment III LLC. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (GW) “Therefore, encourage each other and strengthen one another as you are doing.”

The right word offered at an opportune moment can change a person’s life. Recently, a letter postmarked, December 23, 1937 arrived at the Women’s Center of San Joaquin County in Stockton, California. When the center director Joelle Gomez opened the letter she discovered it had been written to a young girl studying to be a nun at the convent that used to occupy the site of the women’s center.

The note, written by a nun, encouraged Fergone to continue her studies, and wished her a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. After a little research, Gomez was able to track down Fergone’s family who said the woman had later decided not to continue her studies. Instead, she left the convent, got married, and raised a family. Afterwards, Gomez told a reporter, “The first thing I noticed was the postmark I said, ‘No way’ It said December 23, 1937. I kind of deliberated for a short while thinking should I open this? This is so curious how could a letter be floating in the system for 73 years?” The world will never know what the impact the letter might have had because Fergone passed away in 2009.

--Letter from 1930’s delivered, http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/odd-news/letter-from-1930s-delivered-after-73-years_100400868.html ; July 23, 2010, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Hebrews 3:13 (CEV) “You must encourage one another each day. And you must keep on while there is still a time that can be called "today." If you don't, then sin may fool some of you and make you stubborn.”

Erwin McManus says the church must to change the way it thinks or risk losing the opportunity to shape culture in the future. Speaking at The National Leadership Forum, McManus challenged Christians to stop ignoring the innovators and early adopters. He says recently the church has been lead by late adopters and nostalgics, and decisions tend to cater to the majority and the nostalgics while ignoring those who shape and create culture.

McManus says the result is a growing number of spiritually unhealthy Christians, and an incredible number of unhealthy companies influenced by those believers. McManus says there is greatness in everyone, and leaders must pull that out of people. He says he has been inspired by King Solomon to make everything he does meaningful. McManus says he meets a lot of believers who have a relationship with Jesus, but are still searching for answers in life. McManus asked, “How many people just get up on Monday and do the same thing they’ve done every Monday, go to work and just turn on automatic and no longer have any meaning in life?” He added,” We want to help everyone find meaning in their life and help translate the story that every person actually matters in the world.”

--Christians Challenged to Stop Ignoring Innovators, early Adopters, http://www.christianpost.com/article/20100910/
christians-challenged-to-stop-ignoring-innovators-early-adopters/index.html, September 10, 2010, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandal.

Hebrews 3:13 (CEV) “You must encourage one another each day. And you must keep on while there is still a time that can be called ‘today.’ If you don't, then sin may fool some of you and make you stubborn.”

Facing hard times in life is rarely a reason for being joyful. Thirty-eight year old Sara Frankl found enough joy to share with the world everyday even though she could not leave her apartment and faced certain death from an incurable illness. Until just before she passed away, Sara maintained the blog for Christian women entitled, ”In Courage.” Every day, she shared her story and her worldview with readers around the world. Though her access to the physical world was limited, friends say Sara revealed the way God can show Himself through a person in their darkest hour.

At Sara’s funeral, the priest said her blog had received over 1 million hits. She was dressed in a shirt that said, “It’s not about Me,” as her way of diverting attention away from her and her illness toward God and His love. After the services Angela Nazworth, a fellow writer on the site described the impact of Sara’s life. She wrote, “One’s will needs to be strong in order to choose joy like Sara did. Pain ravaged her body, but she never complained…never held a pity party and never really focused on it when talking to others unless someone asked her directly to do so. She chose to be a light. She chose to give herself to others. She chose joy. You cannot make those choices without God’s strength or without embracing His tenderness.”

--Popular Blogger Dies While Pointing Others to God, http://www.examiner.com/women-s-spirituality-in-chicago/sara-frankl-the-popular-blogger-gitzen-girl-dies; September 30, 2011, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

2 Corinthians 4:16-17 (CEV) We never give up. Our bodies are gradually dying, but we ourselves are being made stronger each day. (17) These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing.

Two well-known Christian leaders recently opened the National religious Broadcasters Conference with powerful messages about the power of encouraging one another. Michael Hyatt, CEO of publisher Thomas Nelson, and Sam Crabtree, a pastor at Bethlehem Bible Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, emphasized the need to hear and affirm other people as well as focus on an individual’s own spiritual needs. The men spoke consecutively, and said affirmation and encouragement are important aspects of business relationships, and a relationship with the Lord.

Hyatt focused on a person’s heart as the most valuable leadership tool a person has. He encouraged leaders to get plenty of rest, saying,” Satan knows that if he can take out your heart, then he can basically change you into a Zombie.” Crabtree focused on the need to use affirmation along with correction to encourage those around us. He said when people receive too much correction and too little affirmation; they stop hearing the correction and tune out. He said too much correction spoils relationships, whether it is with coworkers, spouses, or best friends. Crabtree suggested, “You have good things to say” to your spouse, organization, family and ministry. He said corrections need to be overwhelmed by affirmations, otherwise we risk turning people against us. He said corrections drain energy from relationships, while affirmation puts energy back in.

--Christian Leaders Stress Need of Affirming Others, Minding Voice of Heart, http://global.christianpost.com/news/christian-leaders-stress-need-of-affirming-others-minding-voice-of-heart-69799, February 18, 2012, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Hebrews 3:13 (HCSB) But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception.

The newest member of a Cincinnati area police force specializes in a different kind of law, God’s law. Pastor James Love doesn’t carry a gun or wear a badge. As the new Chaplain of the force, he will offer a safe place and a listening ear for the officers he serves beside. Love says his job is to care for his officers. After seeing the stresses law enforcement officers face, he felt it was a need that needed attention. Love began his position by riding along on patrols and building relationships with the officers because n he knows it will take some time to build up the trust he needs to be effective. Love said, “What I hope to be is a cheerleader and an advocate. I want to personally encourage the officers and help them keep their heads on straight.”— Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Colerain police add a chaplain, http://communitypress.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/C2/20120923/NEWS05/309230007, Accessed September 21, 2012.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NRSV) Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.

As believers, we are called to encourage one another. As parents, we are called to encourage our children. Jessica Chastain says that she grew up so afraid of failure that she gave up her social life. She dreamed of becoming an actor since she was a young child. The adults in her life never encouraged her and the sting of that lack of support remains today.

“I knew I wanted to be an actor. That was it for me. But whenever I would say that to an adult, they would be like, ‘Oh yeah? Well I wanted to be a ballerina.’ It’s kind of sad that we crush children’s dreams in this way.”

Jessica has been successful in achieving her dream. However, the scars of non-encouragement remain with her today. --Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (HCSB) Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.

In the Band of Brothers, there is a scene where paratroopers riding in a C47 to their drop zone in Normandy. As you might imagine, there is a lot of nervous energy in the plane but the real tension begins when their plane encounters enemy fire before the drop. After they hit the drop zone, the solders are disoriented and don’t know which way to go.

Sometimes God drops Christ-followers into strange places, environments and cultures so they can grow. However, it doesn’t always feel that way at the time. Growth can be painful. There are times that confusion and fear can grip us when we are dropped into a totally foreign culture that may see us in a negative way and that can often be scary and even dangerous. —Jim L. Wilson and Stephen Argilla

Movie clip from “Band of Brothers:” URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzRiiM9dThA
Date Accessed: November 3, 2012

1 Peter 1:1-2 (ESV) (1) Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, (2) according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

Every morning, Stephen and Brooksyne Weber offer encouragement to nearly 3,000 strangers. Though they may never meet these people, everyone benefits for the Weber’s Internet ministry. Years ago, when Stephen was a pastor, he preached a sermon about encouragement based on the passage in Deuteronomy 6. After the sermon, he sent an email to encourage his congregation. What started as a personal note became a popular website, which had more than eight million visitors in 2012. The Webers operate the site from their home, and have added other features over the years. The daily message they send relates to current events in the world, nation, or sometime in their own family. They work as a team devoting several hours a day to produce all of the content for the website. The Webers enjoy reading messages from readers around the world telling them how the ministry has helped them. Stephen says, “That is what gives us the energy to keep going.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Married couple serve as Internet chaplains, http://ag.org/top/News/index_articledetail.cfm?targetBay=c97d4d5c-a325-4921-9a9e-e9fbddd9cdce&ModID=2&Process=
DisplayArticle&RSS_RSSContentID=25132&RSS_
OriginatingChannelID=1184&RSS_OriginatingRSSFeedID=3359&RSS_Source=, Accessed February 11, 2013.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV) Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

For eight seasons, Mike Rowe hosted a cable TV show highlighting what most people consider to be the worst jobs in America. The program ended in the fall of 2012, and now the host Mike Rowe is dedicating himself to helping others find fulfilling work. Rowe operates a website which is a resource for people seeking information about careers in various trades. It a way, the site is continuing the work of the program by posting information about the jobs many people did want or will not do. Rowe’s site tells them where and how to get those jobs.

Rowe says even with the high unemployment rate, many Americans lack the skills to do jobs like plumbing, welding, construction, and related occupations. He feels it is a symptom of a bigger problem. Too many people don’t pursue trades because the work is not considered glamorous. Rowe says sometimes an emphasis on college degrees creates less interest in blue-collar work. He adds, “It’s the way we look at work, It’s the way we approach our vocation and the degree to which we assign our identity to what we do.” Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Life After 'Dirty Jobs': Mike Rowe Busts The Myths About Blue-Collar Work, http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2013/03/03/mike-rowe-dirty-jobs/
?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl5%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D277585, Accessed March 3, 2013.

Colossians 3:23 (ESV) Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

Sometime in 1985, a Canadian man named Jonathan wrote a note to a woman named Mary and dropped it into the ocean. Twenty-eight years later the bottle was found almost 5,000 miles away on the banks of the Neretva River. The message inside was posted on social media and in newspapers, It reads, “Mary, you really are a great person. I hope we can keep in correspondence. I said I would write. Your friend always, Jonathon, Nova Scotia, 1985. The woman who found the message posted a picture of it hoping to reunite the couple, or at least learn more about what has happened to them. So far, there has been no response.— Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Message in a bottle found after 28-year trip from Canada to Croatia, by Eric Pfeiffer, http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/message-bottle-found-28-trip-canada-croatia-202340917.html, Accessed April 18, 2013.

1 John 1:5 (ESV) This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

Cathy Sadler received a surprise parcel from Miss Twyford, her former teacher—a photocopy of a Mother’s Day card that Sadler’s entire class had signed and given to her on Mother’s Day in 1958. After seeing the card, Sadler said she never realized how much she and her classmates had encouraged their teacher.

At the time Miss Twyford was not married and had no children, but the class wanted to do something nice for her. When asked about the card, Miss Twyford said she kept the card because she was so touched, that her students would give her Mother’s Day card. She said, in one way it was a display of the student’s ability to write clearly with a pen without making mistakes; a lesson they learned that year. Miss Twyford also shared another reason why the card had always been so special to her. She said, “I never had children of my own. It is the only Mother’s Day card I ever received.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

A Mother's Day card for Miss Twyford,By Bob Greene,
http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/12/opinion/greene-miss-twyford/index.html?hpt=hp_c4,
Accessed May 12, 2013

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV) Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

After a tornado struck the community of Shawnee Oklahoma, a Bible found in the debris ministered to many people besides the original owners. A stormchaser, Brandon Heiden actually witnessed the twister strike the home of Lance Carter. Heiden shot video of the storm and then stopped to be sure everyone was alright afterwards. While on Carter’s property, Heiden saw a Bible in the wreckage, and took of picture of it. The Bible was open to Isaiah chapter 32 which reads, “A man will be as a hiding place from the wind, and a cover from the tempest.” Later, Gage Ross came to help his friends clean up their property. He saw the Bible still open to the same page, and discovered it did not belong to Carter. Though some of the debris on Carter’s property came from miles away, it turned out the Bible belonged to the people who lived in a trailer home behind Carter’s property. The trailer was totally destroyed, but Michael Alexander and his fiancé had taken shelter miles away. The Bible had only traveled a few hundred feet, and was quickly returned to its traumatized owners. Though Alexander and Carter lost their homes and belongings in the storm, Gage Ross said, when he saw the words in the open Bible, it comforted him. He said, “The Lord must be with us, I guess.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Lost Bible discovered in tornado debris, returned, by Ali Meyer, http://kfor.com/2013/05/20/lost-bible-discovered-in-tornado-debris-returned, Accessed May 20, 2013.

Isaiah 32:2-3 (CEV) They will be a place of safety from stormy winds, a stream in the desert, and a rock that gives shade from the heat of the sun. (3) Then everyone who has eyes will open them and see, and those who have ears will pay attention.

Lance Cpl. Myles Kerr was running a 5k fun run in his combat boots carrying a rucksack. When all the other runners in his age group had finished and there was still no sign of Cpl. Kerr his Marine Corps friends began to worry. Kerr had a higher motive in mind. 9-year-old Boden Fuchs was struggling to keep running and he was separated from his running companions. He had spoken to Kerr and said, “Sir? Will you please run with me?”

Marine Kerr ran the rest of the event at the youngster’s pace, encouraging him all the way to the finish line.

Our motive for running the Christian race with other believers, especially those who are struggling, is to encourage them all the way to the finish line. --Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (CEV) That's why you must encourage and help each other, just as you are already doing.

Derrick Coleman is the only legally deaf football player in the NFL. Without the ability to hear, it is impossible for him to hear the play calling, but it didn’t deter him from realizing his dream to play professional football. He is an inspiration to many people.

A little girl, Riley Kovalcik, 9, of Roxbury, N.J. wrote him a letter to encourage him:
“Dear my inspiration Derrick Coleman, I know how you feel. I also have hearing aids. Just try your best. I have faith in you Derrick good job on January 20th game. Go Seattle Seahawks!”

So moved by Riley’s letter, Coleman wrote her back. In part, he stated: “Even though we wear hearing aids, we can still accomplish our goals & dreams.”

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NRSV) Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.

Melissa Mummert opened a new restaurant in Charlotte, North Carolina. Melissa runs a non-profit organization for women who are released from jail. Her experience was that “employers just weren’t hiring people with criminal records, so we decided we’ll just create a business and create the jobs ourselves.”

The result is “Second Helping,” where the women serve as cooks servers, and managers. Seven women have been hired to dish out shrimp, braised pork, and fried chicken.

Using her worldly goods to help others gives these women who are looking for another chance, encouragement in their post incarceration life. --Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

1 John 3:17-18 (ESV) (17) But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? (18) Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

After the Denver Bronco’s big defeat in SuperBowl XLVIII, Bronco’s defensive end Shaun Phillips was feeling a bit down. He knew the fans as well as his family would be disappointed so he sent an apologetic text to one of his sons. Phillips told his son, “Sorry, I let you down.” Rather than jumping on the feelings of disappointment, his son sent a message back saying, ”It’s ok daddy u r still my hero.” Then Phillips replied, “Well at least we get to hang out now.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Shaun Phillips received a heart-warming text from his son after losing the Super Bowl, By Kevin Kaduk, http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/-shaun-phillips-received-a-heart-warming-text-from-his-son-after-losing-the-super-bowl-041921702.html; Accessed February 3, 2014.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 (ESV) (14) And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.

In the 40 years he has been teaching, Bruce Farrer has taken on a special roll each year to give former students a look at their lives from the past. Every year, Farrer asked his 14-year-old English students to write a 10-page letter to their future selves. After they assignment was turned in, Farrer held on to the letters and now 20 years after the letters were written, he researches and tries to find every student in order to make sure they get their letter back in the mail. Sometimes, Farrer finds the information and gets the letter sent out to surprised students who are excited to look at their past. Other time he finds that the student has died in the meantime, but he makes the letters available to family members so that they can remember their loved one. There are some students, that he can’t find, so Farrer keeps the letter in hopes that one day he will find that student. He sends out about 60 per year, and says the final letters will be mailed in 2026. Reflecting on his project, Farrer says, “I’ve always had a sense of history. I kept a dairy since I was 11 or 12, and I found that fascinating to me when I became a teacher to see how I thought at the time. I also thought that it would be valuable for people raising children when they get the letters to remember what it’s like to be 14 years old.”--Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Blast from the past: Teacher mails letters students wrote themselves 20 years ago, By Scott Stump,http://www.today.com/news/blast-past-teacher-mails-letters-students-wrote-themselves-20-years-2D79496258, Accessed April 8, 2014.

Psalm 32:8 (HCSB) (8) I will instruct you and show you the way to go; with My eye on you, I will give counsel.

In study published in the online journal PLOS ONE, suggests that when using social media, people need to be aware that the prevailing mood online is likely to influence them. The author of the study, James Fowler, professor of medical genetics and political science at the University of California says his research on contagious emotions indicates that negative posts on social media produce more negative posts and positive posts increase the number of positive posts, but the positive posts tend to have a greater positive impact. Fowler and his colleagues analyze status updates from 100 million Facebook users in 100 of the largest U.S. Cities. They found that rainy days tended to produce more negative posts, and most of the responses to a negative post were also negative. Due to the tendency for positive posts to produce double the amount of positive responses, Fowler suggest users to make positive posts, use positive pictures, and make a choice to be positive. They also recommended dumping people who were constantly negative. Fowler encouraged Facebook users to be positive saying, “We were able to show that your friends who live in different cities are affected by your mood.”—--Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

5 Ways to Use Social Media to Stay Positive, by Sally Wedyka, http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/ways-social-media-stay-positive/story?id=23129988#, Accessed April 1, 2014.

Philippians 4:8 (HCSB) (8) Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise—dwell on these things.

When Southwest Airlines changed to a lighter, more durable, eco-friendly faux leather seat to reduce the weight of their planes and save fuel, they found that had an unusual problem. They had about 43 acres of used leather from the old seats and did not want it to go into a landfill. Instead of throwing the leather away, airline decided to turn some of it two tone backpacks for eco-conscious shoppers and then help others by using some to make soccer balls and shoes for children in Africa. The word often used for these kind of projects is “Upcycling” or turning waste materials into new products of greater value or better environmental value. Southwest’s project also provided job and skills training for disadvantaged and disabled people in Africa and the United States. The company would like to expand the project into Latin America and the Caribbean.—Jim L. Wilson & Jim Sandell

Southwest ‘upcycles’ old airplane seat leather into bags, balls, shoes. By Sheryl Jean,
http://www.dallasnews.com/business/airline-industry/20150210-southwest-upcycles-old-airplane-seat-leather-into-bags-balls-shoes.ece?hootPostID=5bfee2de6bb5b05e4730483ca7b18296, Accessed February 11, 2015.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (TLB) So encourage each other to build each other up, just as you are already doing.

A mistake by security at a local airport helped a Utah principal land an appearance by an NFL star. Ilene Strong and Kyle Van Noy, and former BYU football player and now Detroit Lions linebacker, accidentally picked up the other’s laptops from security bin while going through airport security. Van Noy opened the laptop and found Strong’s email open, then contacted Strong’s secretary. Strong realized she had the wrong computer and asked her husband what a stranger named Kyle Van Noy might do with her laptop. Her husband knew the name instantly and that lead the two to get together, with Van Noy visiting Strong’s school going class to class, giving high fives, and taking questions. He even posed with about 1,000 students in pictures. Strong said, ”He was just a sweetheart. The kids just loved it.”—Jim L. Wilson & Jim Sandell
Airport security mix-up sends NFL player to Utah school,
http://news.yahoo.com/airport-security-mixup-sends-nfl-player-utah-school-234742524.html, Accessed March 7, 2015.

Hebrews 10:25 (HCSB) not staying away from our ?worship? meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Donna DiNicola wanted to guarantee that her offer for a 900 square foot home for her son was accepted, so she threw in something unexpected, pizza. DiNicola knew that the real estate market in the area was heating up so she needed something to stand out. Since she owned an Italian Restaurant, she offered free pizza every month for life. Though she was joking, that part of her offer actually made it into the paperwork, and DiNicola says she will honor it. Holly Marsh, who was selling the home said, she may take DiNicola up on the offer for her son’s birthday. She said the offer was compelling for several reasons, and the pizza was hilarious, so she accepted. She added, It just goes to show they really did something to stand out among the others.”— Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Free pizza for life helps close Portland real estate deal in hot market, By Shelby Stevens,
http://news.yahoo.com/free-pizza-life-helps-close-portland-real-estate-212140068.html, Accessed June 3, 2015

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (HCSB)(11) Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.

Konnor Sauve gave his classmates a shock at the end of his graduation speech when he revealed that he was the anonymous person behind an Instagram account where he had been posting heartfelt thoughts about students for 43 weeks. Sauve, the co-valedictorian of east Valley High in Washington said he was nervous revealing the secret and several people asked him why he had never told them it was him. The account had been an unsolved mystery for almost a year and contained 50 selfies and yearbook photos of students from the school along with captions recognizing them for their most incredible attribute. Several classmates said the things on the site made them feel good about themselves. In the speech, Sauve said other students were carrying out the legacy he started. In the end, he revealed his motivation for launching the site. He said, “Everyone makes mistakes and I wanted to focus on the better aspects of people… To shed a positive light on each individual, make them feel appreciated, and to know that someone cares.”— Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Washington Valedictorian's Secret Instagram Reveals Tear-Jerking Thoughts on Classmates, By Nicole Pelletiere, https://gma.yahoo.com/washington-valedictorians-secret-instagram-reveals-tear-jerking-thoughts-204748201--abc-news-lifestyle.html, Accessed June 11, 2015.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (HCSB) (11) Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.

A study published in the journal, Computers in Human Behavior says watching videos of cats on the Internet has a positive effect on people. The researchers studied 7,000 people via social media about viewing the videos and how it affects their mood. 36% of participants described themselves as a “cat person” and 60 % said they like both cats and dogs. The participants reportedly had fewer negative emotions such as anxiety, sadness, and annoyance after watching cat videos, even if they viewed the cat videos at work or while studying. The pleasure they received from the videos outweighed any guilt they felt about putting off their work. There were more than 2 million cat videos posted on YouTube in 2014, and with nearly 26 billion views, cat videos have more views per video than any other category. Jessica Gall Myrick, an assistant professor at Indian’s Media School said the results suggest that future work could explore how online cat videos might be a form of low-cost pet therapy. She said the emotional payoff for some people actually helped them take on difficult tasks later. She added,”If we want to better understand the effects the Internet may have on us an individuals and on society, then researchers can’t ignore Internet cats anymore.”— Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Cat videos may be good for your health, By Amy Kraft, http://www.cbsnews.com/news/cat-videos-good-for-your-health, Accessed June 17, 2015.

Philippians 4:8-9 (HCSB) (8) Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise—dwell on these things. (9) Do what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Nancy Schnell wanted to do something special for her friend with cancer, so she started passing around a special pink and brown Bible. Every person who received the Bible highlighted some Scriptures, wrote notes, and signed it before giving it to their friend. It has been all the way from Maryland, to California, and then back to Louisiana and Texas, but now just before reaching it final destination, the Bible disappeared. Schnell said the last person to see it was a woman outside of Austin, Texas, who signed it and put the special Bible in the mail. Tracking information says the Bible left a facility in Austin and was on the way to its final destination, but after several weeks, it hasn’t arrived. Schnell said, “There’s not a value that can be placed on the time, participation, hope, and love that has gone into this gift for our dear friend.” —Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Traveling Bible for cancer patient lost in the mail, By Grace White, http://www.khou.com/story/news/local/2015/06/30/traveling-bible-for-cancer-patient-lost-in-the-mail/29548307, Accessed June 30, 2015.

Hebrews 10:25 (NKJV) (25) not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Six-year-old Jaden Hayes been through every child’s worst nightmare twice, but has made it his goal to bring smiles. Jaden’s father died when he was four, and then his mother died unexpectedly in her sleep. He was heartbroken and alone, but decided to use his grief in a positive way. He told his aunt and guardian that he was tired of seeing everyone sad all the time, and he had a plan to fix it. Jaden asked his aunt to buy a bunch of little toys and take him to downtown Savannah, Georgia near where he lives. He targeted people who were not smiling and turned their day around by giving them a toy. Jaden says he has been out four times and is always successful even if he doesn’t get exactly the reaction he is hoping for. The only thing he wants in return is a smile. Jaden says he is sad that his mother died, but his goal is to bring as many smiles as he can. His first goal is 33,000 smiles, and when asked if he can make the goal, Jaden said, “I think I can.”—Jim L. Wilson and by Jim Sandell

After losing parents, 6-year-old embarks on smile mission, By Steve Hartman, http://www.local12.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/After-losing-parents-6-year-old-embarks-on-smile-mission-183132.shtml, Accessed August 10, 2015.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NASB) “Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.”

A new social science study has found that the positive emotions associated with social media postings generally outweigh negative one. The study looked at the content and spread of 19 million English-language posts from September 2014. The results showed that while negative content tended to spread faster, positive content was shared more often and ultimately reached a larger audience. The study used a sentiment analysis algorithm that picks up the underlying tones by examining slang, linguistic clues, and even emoticons to score every post. Then it followed how quickly those posts spread and how they spread. Emilio Ferrera, one of the study’s coauthors, said the idea that positive content is shared more widely is an important insight. He added, “Our results confirm the so-called positivity bias. That is, that humans on the long run tend to favor positive content, good news.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

New data suggests social media brings out the best in us, after all, By Amy Wang,
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/new-data-suggests-social-media-brings-out-the-best-in-us-after-all/ar-AAf03Rp, Accessed October 4, 2015.

Proverbs 25:11 (HCSB) A word spoken at the right time is like gold apples on a silver tray.

Encouragement

Blair Walsh, kicker for the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings, missed a last-second field goal kick and kept the team from advancing in the 2016 NFL playoffs. After the game, many ridiculed Walsh for missing what many thought was an easy kick. A group of first graders at Northpoint Elementary school decide to do something different. They sent Walsh letters and drawings to lift his spirits. The package touched Walsh so much that he went to the school to thank the class personally. Walsh took time to tell the students about his personal life and sign autographs, while others members of the team’s staff passed out stickers and trading cards. Walsh said he was grateful for the children’s support. He added, “I was shocked honestly. They were really, really cool, and I didn’t think you guys were going to do that for me.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Hebrews 10:25 (HCSB) not staying away from our worship meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Encouragement

People from all over the Phoenix, Arizona are taking time to visit a supermarket in Scottsdale, because they know the cashier Joey Abston will encourage them. Abston’s mission is for every customer to leave his register with their groceries and a smile. He understands what it means to have a hard day, and to have financial problems because he was homeless and living in his car two years ago. He said this helps him understand what it means for people to save money, and he wants to help them celebrate. Abston works hard to cheer up his customers and does not see anyone as a stranger. Instead, each person is a potential new friend. He has received attention in the media for his unique approach to customer service, and has inspired many people. He said that is why so many people go out of their way to visit the store where he works. He added,” If I can convey this, my goal to get across is: Do unto other as you would have them do unto you.”

http://www.kgw.com/news/this-cashier-will-make-you-want-to-go-grocery-shopping/56489565, Accessed February 25, 2016.

Matthew 7:12 (HCSB) Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them—this is the Law and the Prophets.

Encouragement

The day after Peyton Manning lead the Denver Broncos to victory in Super Bowl 50, Seattle Seahawks quarterback wrote a thank you letter in his official position of Senior Editor for Derek Jeter’s The Players Tribune. Wilson included a picture of himself at a quarterback camp Manning conducted in Louisiana several years ago. Wilson pointed himself out as the kid in the green shirt. He thanked Manning to inspiring him to work hard, be disciplined, and to love the process. He closed the letter by saying thank you two times, but before that Wilson said, “But most of all… You inspired me to love the game.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Russell Wilson pens thank you letter to Peyton Manning after Super Bowl, By Jared Dubin, http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25477608/russell-wilson-pens-thank-you-letter-to-peyton-manning-after-super-bowl-50, Accessed February 8, 2016.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (HCSB) Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.

Psychologists say it is normal for people to talk to themselves because it can change how they think and feel. Ethan Kross, director of the Emotion and Self Control lab at the University of Michigan, says self-talk can help a person envision alternative scenarios and prepare reactions or new strategies. Kross adds, “What’s interesting to me is not who the person is who is doing it. But that so many people are doing this and it suggests that this is a real phenomenon.”—Jim L. Wilson & Jim Sandell

Proverbs 18:21 (HCSB) “Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

Bruce Tanner walked nearly 800 miles to encourage others and prove that there are still good people in the world. It took Tanner to travel from Maine to Ohio, and when he finished his 21-day journey, a crowd of nearly 100 friends and family lined the highway leading into his hometown to welcome him back. Though this trip is finished, Tanner says he has no intention of slowing his goal of being kind to others and spreading positivity. He said, “It felt a lot longer than 21 days. Hopefully people get that people are pretty good out there. That’s really the take away from it, that people are pretty awesome.”—Jim L. Wilson & Jim Sandell

Ephesians 4:32 (HCSB)“And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.”

ENCOURAGEMENT

A hardback edition of “The Hobbit” is back on the shelves at the Ithaca, New York library after traveling around the world with a Marine. Bob James checked the book out from the library before he went into the Marines in 1979. He took it with him and shared it with others. James believes it was passed among the men serving on at least eight ships in the Western Pacific. He brought the book home with him when he left the service and finally returned it o the library. Even though the book was 40 years overdue, the library did not charge James a late fee.—Jim L. Wilson & Jim Sandell

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (HCSB)“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.”

Washington DC area waitress Rosalynd Harris served large crowds when thousands visited her city for the inauguration of President Donald Trump. When three men came into the restaurant, she had no idea that one of them would give her an unexpected surprise. Harris seated them, provided menus and returned their friendly smiles. She treated them the way she would any customer, and was surprised when she cleared the table later and found a tip for $450 on the ticket along with an encouraging note. Harris said the words on the ticket made her feel valued and restored her hope. The simple note said, “We may come from different cultures and may disagree on certain issues but if everyone would share this smile and kindness like your beautiful smile, our country will come together as one people. Not race. Not gender. Just American. God Bless.”–Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Waitress surprised with generous tip, message of unity after inauguration, By Jennifer Earl, http://www.cbsnews.com/news/customer-gives-waitress-generous-tip-with-message-of-unity-after-inauguration/?ftag=CNM-00-10aab7e, Accessed January 25, 2017.

Proverbs 25:11 (CSB)“A word spoken at the right time is like gold apples in silver settings.”

In parts of Wyoming, a good deed could earn motorists a $50 cash tip. Jackson law enforcement officials said anonymous donors contributed money which allowed deputies, officers, and troopers to give $50 to $100 gifts. Teton County Sheriff Jim Whalen said officers can use their discretion to give the money out for anything, including good drivers or people who are down on their luck. Whalen said donations last year helped them conduct a similar effort and the gifts are primarily about spreading good will.–Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Wyoming police to dole out donated money for good deeds,

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (CSB)“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.”

After three years of searching for Malaysia Flight 370, the Australian Transportation Safety Bureau released a final report concluding that authorities are no closer to knowing the reason for the plane’s disappearance that they were when the plane disappeared. The bureau said the 52 days search covered several million square miles in the Indian Ocean west of Australia and mapped 274,000 square miles of the ocean floor to depths of 20,000 feet. In the 440 page report the ATSB said the reasons for the loss of the plane could not be established with any certainty until the aircraft is located. The report praised the commitment of everyone who helped in the search. The reported conclude saying, “It is almost inconceivable and certainly societally unacceptable in the modern aviation era with 10 million passengers boarding commercial aircraft every day, for a large commercial aircraft to be missing and for the world not to know with certainty what became of the aircraft and those on board.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Five-time National Sports Columnist of the Year, Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times, has often written about the legendary Jackie Robinson, the first African-American player in major league baseball. He recently wrote that one of the key concepts that enabled Jackie Robinson to triumph over all the mistreatment and racism that he faced was his philosophy that though people were going to hate him and abuse him, by changing one letter in one word, he knew he could make a difference. The word? "Bitter." The letter change? "I to E" He often said that it was critical not to become bitter but instead to always work to make things better. That’s what he did and consequently he is thought of as one of the greatest men to ever have played baseball. –Jim Wilson and Wade Harlan

Ephesians 4:29 (CSB) “No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.”

Shaquem Griffin, a defensive lineman from Central Florida knew he needed to make a good impression at the NFL scouting combine. Griffin had his left hand amputated at age 4, but kept up with his brother on the football field. He recently added a prosthetic hand which has helped him improve his performance. Griffin said he knew he needed to hold himself to a higher standard because football scouts were less likely to overlook a poor performance. When Griffin went to the crossbar to pump 225 pounds of free weights, his previous personal best was 11 reps. When it was his turn, Griffin starting cranking out the reps. As the observers helped count, he completed 20, which helped him compete with the best NFL prospects. Afterward Griffin said he hopes to be an inspiration to kids everywhere. He said he was excited to inspire his fellow draft prospects who were cheering him on. He added, ”That’s kind of cool when you have guys at that top level, the best of the best, and they talk to you about you motivating them and inspiring them. That was an amazing feeling, and it makes you enjoy it that much more.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

And we exhort you, brothers and sisters: warn those who are idle, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

Dave Martinez, the manager of the Washington Nationals used three camels to encourage his players to get over the team’s playoff hump. The Nationals had reached the playoffs in four of last six seasons, but had not won a postseason series since they relocated to Washington before the 2005 season. To encourage the team, first base coach Tim Bogar and third base coach Bob Henley rode camels onto the field during a team meeting. Bogar said he thought it was a great way to encourage the team and send a positive message. He hoped the team could remain loose and be encouraged to work hard for a better season. He said, “We embraced it. I thought the guys reacted to it real well. From what I could see everybody was having a good time with it.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

In The Wall Street Journal Essential Guide to Management, Alan Murray writes, “Great leaders know how to encourage individual responsibility and initiative, but at the same time also make effective use of measurement and controls.” —Jim L. Wilson

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.

7-year-old- Jase Hyndman wanted to send a birthday card to his father in heaven, but didn’t know exactly how to send it. He addressed the envelope with instructions asking Royal Mail officials to see that his father received the card. Sean Milligan of the Royal Mail sent Jase a reply telling him that though it was a difficult challenge avoiding stars and other objects in space, the card had been safely delivered. Jase’s mother Teri Copland was thankful for the Mail carrier’s response. She said, “I actually cannot state how emotional he is, knowing his dad got the card…You’ve restored my faith in humanity.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (CSB)“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.”

A New Jersey man said he received a flood of calls and texts after his sons took out a billboard asking people to send him birthday greetings. Chris Ferry said he woke up early to phone calls from birthday well-wishers who said they had seen a billboard with his picture and phone number on it. He said he knew his sons were behind the calls right away. Ferry said most callers just wanted to give a quick greeting, but others took time to tell him about their most memorable birthdays. Ferry said he knew his sons wanted to make his birthday special. In an interview with a local radio station, he said, “I’m probably up to about 10,000 calls, voicemails, and texts.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Hebrews 3:13 (CSB)“But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception.”

The city of Shanghai, China has conducted a large garbage collecting project, and residents have been upset with the extra attention it required. One man is feeling better about the effort after a garbage collector returned gold the man accidentally threw away. Police said the man threw out a cardboard box that had been sitting around his house, unaware that it contained a plastic bag containing several golden accessories. A neighborhood garbage collector found the gold and reported it to police who followed clues on the items to return them to their owner. The man said he had been looking for the gold for three years and had forgotten where they were. He told reporters that getting the valuables back made him more willing to help the cleaning effort. Other commentators in Shanghai said they hoped the story would encourage more people. One person said, “There really is gold in your garbage.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

2 Timothy 4:2 (CSB)“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching.”

Joey Hale has worked at the Valleydale Village grocery in Shelby County, Alabama for 16 years. People in the community know he is an expert bagger, but they also know he is a positive presence at the store. Customers said they can always expect a smile and funny remark from Joey. Even though he likes to be a little goofy, he always takes his job seriously. Joey’s has experienced a lot of suffering in life. He suffered a head injury in a car accident as a child and had surgery for a brain tumor that sent to therapy to learn how to walk and talk again. Despite all he has been through, Joey is faithful to serve his community by giving smiles away every day. —Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception.

Rome is known as one of the greenest cities in Europe because over 300,000 trees line the city streets and fill its parks. Many of the 100-year-old trees are weak or dying, leaving the city with ugly stumps. The need spurred 22-year-old Andrea Gandini to act by carving the dead stumps into art. He has already transformed 66 stumps into images of animals, faces, or other works of art. Gandini said it takes him about a week to finish a sculpture and then it becomes everyone’s. He maps his work on his website and many tour guides now include his work in their packages. Although authorities are not enthusiastic about Gandini’s work, there is no law that prohibits him from carving the stumps. Gandini said he loves nature and it hurts him to see the trees become a safety hazard. He added, “If nothing changes in ten years there will hardly any trees left.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Craig Smith has a passion for movies, and a recent feature on a nationwide has helped him live out a true movie-type happy ending. Smith used a big portion of his savings to renovate a former firehouse into a two-screen movie theater, which is the only theater in Kingston, Washington. Smith found running a movie house by himself wasn’t easy and after converting from 35mm film to digital projection, he had to renegotiate his lease, charge up his credit cards, and even stop taking a paycheck, just to keep the theater open. The stress took a toll and when Smith also suffered a heart attack, it looked like the theater would close. Then several friends started an online page to raise funds and it captured the attention of a national Sunday morning program. When the special report aired, the account went from $6,000 to over $182,000 in a matter of days. Smith said the response reminded him of a Frank Capra movie. He wrote a note to thank the producer of the program, and said, “You are all like angels blessings small people like me hidden away in this beautiful country.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/firehouse-theater-washington-movie-theater-owner-craig-smith-gofundme-donations-pour-in-after-broadcast/

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.

While she and her neighbors stayed at home to social distance, a teenage girl decided to encourage her neighbors by singing to them on Easter. The teen’s mother helped her set up some speakers in their driveway so she could be heard by the neighbors. They posted a video of the event on social media afterwards, and many of the neighbors could be seen sitting in their driveways, or walking into the street to watch the girl perform. Many of them thanked her and remarked on her talent on the site and thanked her for using her talent to bring hope and joy to her community. One person posted, “Your voice touched a lot of us today. Thank you Amelia Kate, for lifting us up.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching.

Pastor Bill Losasso, who founded the Florida Dream Center to help people on homeless situations wanted to celebrate his 73rd birthday the way he celebrated at seventeen by driving an ice cream truck. His daughter rented an ice cream truck and Losasso spent his birthday handing out hundreds of ice cream treats to children and adults in his community. Residents told Lasasso they had not had a visit from an ice cream truck in more than a year and they were encouraged by Lasasso’s gift. Lasasso was excited to relive his dream on his birthday and Melvin Hillman, who usually drives the truck, watched in amazement and said, “It’s beautiful, it’s great, it’s a blessing. I thank God I’m here to be a part of it. We have more people like him in the world, it will definitely be a better world.” –Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Colossians 4:8 (CSB) “I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are and so that he may encourage your hearts.”

Bob Bement has enjoyed working with wood for a long time. He has made toys, shelves, and more. During the coronavirus pandemic, Bement focused on chairs, especially small chairs that could be used by children. He learned about the need when he decided to donate a couple of small chairs to a nearby women’s shelter. The response showed him that there was a lot more need. Bement began making chairs and donating them to other organizations that worked with children. Bement said giving the chairs made him walk away feeling like he got more than he gave because those who got the chairs loved them. He was touched knowing that children in need could use and enjoy the chairs and tables he made for them. He said, “Momentarily getting away from reality of what they’re going through, that means a lot.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.

Delta Airlines posted a photo of a note left in one of its aircraft by the pilot who dropped it off for storage a year earlier. The airline said, when First officer Chris Dennis took the plane to Victorville, California for storage, he had heard rumors of a two-week shutdown. He left a note for the pilot who would return the aircraft to service and left it on the parked plane. Instead of being stored for two weeks, the Airbus 321 was parked for 435 days. The first officer who picked up the aircraft in June 2021 found Dennis’s note dated March 23, 2020 and shared it. Part of the note said, “If you are here to pick it up, then the light must be at the end of the tunnel.” In their post, the airline reflected on the changes that had taken place over that year, they wrote, “While the world certainly has changed over the past year one thing is for certain: we won’t be taking that open runway for granted anytime soon.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.

12-year-old Zechariah Cartledge was inspired by first responders who were injured in the line of duty. He felt he needed to do something to help those who risked their lives for his. He and his family started an organization called Running 4 Heroes to raise money to those injured or killed in the line of duty. Since he was 10, Zechariah has made it his mission to honor the men and women who died in the line of duty, and help their families process their grief. For each fallen first responder, the young man runs a mile with a flag in his hand and then gives the flag to the family. Zechariah said his goal to raise money to create an Injured Responders Grant, because there are very few organizations that specifically help families of first responders. He also hopes to encourage young adults like himself to reach out if they are willing to run to support fallen first responders. He hopes to have volunteer runners in every state one day. –Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

https://www.wkbw.com/news/local-news/buffalo-strong/12-year-old-boy-from-florida-runs-in-honor-of-hartland-volunteer-fire-member-judy-spencer

I am very frank with you; I have great pride in you. I am filled with encouragement; I am overflowing with joy in all our afflictions.