Bulletin

The Secret to Satisfaction
Edd Sterchi

I read an interesting article recently about a study that was done concerning happiness. The results were reported in the March 21, 2008 issue of Science magazine. The gist of the results was that spending on others brings people greater satisfaction than buying things for themselves. The article also interestingly noted: "'What's more, most people seemed unaware of this hidden key to happiness,' the researchers said."

I guess you could say that money can buy happiness - when it is spent on others! All humor aside, it is important to note that this great discovery by this particular team of researchers is not new information - the Bible beat them to it.

It is God's plan for man to give. He designed it so that giving is what would bring great satisfaction to our lives. Parents know well at gift-giving time the great pleasure that comes with giving wonderful gifts to their children. Spouses realize that even a small gift given out of love is not soon forgotten and brings happiness long after the moment of giving.

As children of God, we should well realize the importance of giving to others in the name of the Lord. We should want to give because God has given us so much. We should desire to bless others because God has blessed us so abundantly. We should even be willing to sacrifice in giving to help others because we so well know the rewards and help we reap from Christ's sacrifice. Christians should live to give, knowing that blessings follow. Would you like to be more satisfied with life? Then, try giving more!

"...And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" (Acts 20:35)

"So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Cor. 9:7)

"He who has a generous eye will be blessed..." (Pro. 22:9)

"Give, and it will be given to you
... For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." (Luke 6:38)

Sportsmanship and the Golden Rule
Travis L. Quertermous

Now, granted, we don't normally think of sports being the greatest expression of the Bible's famous "Golden Rule." Too often, sports are viewed as a "win-at-all- costs" exercise in which the last thing you want to do is "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." What Jesus Christ actually said was, "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets (Matt. 7:12). But the common paraphrase of the Golden Rule captures the gist of Jesus' teaching.

However, there was a recent example of true sportsmanship that was a classic example of the Golden Rule in action. Central Washington's and Western Oregon's women's softball teams were facing off with a bid to the NCAA's Division II playoffs at stake. Western Oregon's Sara Tucholsky, who had never hit a home-run before, hit a three-run homer! But as she rounded first base, she injured her leg, and could not reach home plate. By the rules, if any of her teammates helped her around the bases, all Sara would get credit for was a single.

Then the most unexpected thing happened! Two of Central Washington's players helped Sara around the bases! When asked why she did it, Mallory Holtlman said if it had happened to her, she would have wanted someone to help her. That's the Golden Rule in action! Do you practice the Golden Rule or do you live selfishly just for yourself?