Archives at Zinester: "Fifty two times". "I Believe in You!".

Subject: "Fifty two times" - November23, 2005

"I Believe in You!"

A message of Hope, stories from the road.

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Hello, my friend!

The story I share with you today was originally sent December 15, 2002.

I needed to share it with you again. It has everything to do with a decision I made recently and more to do with Thanksgiving and helping others this holiday season.

I had asked a good friend for advice and he replied with sound logic and was right on the mark in his thinking.

I did just the opposite of what he suggested but could justify my decision at least "Fifty two times."

Our love and best to all of you!

In our day of Thanksgiving here in the U.S. you all will be remembered with great appreciation in our prayer of thanks.

Forever grateful and blessed by having you there,

Bob and Marianne Perks

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Perks Pearl of Wisdom

"There is no reason to justify doing the right thing. "Right" never needs reason." Bob Perks

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Today's Message:

"Fifty two times..."
By Bob Perks

How do you know when you are doing the right thing?

I've been asked that question many times. I suppose they may have been looking for some complex philosophical answer, but it really is simple.

When you are doing something right, people want to be a part of it. When you are doing wrong, people want no part of you.

Who you are radiates into the world around you. Those good or bad feelings repel or attract people and good or bad things to your life.

Look at your life and you'll know if you are doing the right thing.

Recently when I spoke in Atlanta at the Ark of Salvation Church, I knew I was doing the right thing for many reasons. But God spoke to a wonderful woman in the audience and she followed through on what He told her to do.

It's a humbling experience to be the recipient of God's will for me. Kind words spoken after I have shared my thoughts with an audience and generous praise written in an email after I have written a story, are all difficult for me to accept.

But this woman was told to give me all the money she had with her that night. God spoke to her during my talk and told her to do it.

"Give all your money to Bob."

Me!

I immediately told her I couldn't accept it. I was so uncomfortable with the idea that I immediately rejected it.

"But God told me to give you this. It isn't much. But I must follow what He has told me to do," she said. "I will be blessed a thousand times for this in many ways."

I heard in my head "And you must permit her to do it!"

"Okay, but I'll give it to Pastor Bronner," I said.

"No, this is for you!" was her reply.

But I took it with every intention to give it to him any way.

After church I approached him, told him the story and he refused to take it.

"She responded to God's will and it is yours," he said.

I have given it away a hundred times ever since I received it from her. I mean it. I just stood up from writing this message to you to make sure it was still there in my wallet. It was.

Like the tax refund you plan on getting, you spend it over and over.

"We'll pay off that loan when we get the refund."

"You know I think we need to fix that fence in the back. We'll use the refund."

"Well, this broke down at just the right time. I'll fix it and use the refund to pay for it."

I have done the same with this money. I have given things away because I had the extra money. I have made cash donations because I had the extra money. And just the other day I went to the store and bought toys for ten children and placed them in the "Toys for Tots" box.

All with the extra money.

How much was it? $52.00 Everything this woman had with her that night.

God told her to give it to me and I have given it away over and over again. The original $52.00 remains in my wallet and until God tells me to take it and pass it on, it will remain there.

Like God, the Source of all things, His abundance never ends. She responded to God. I humbly accepted it and through some very difficult financial times for me recently, it has remained a source and provided for many.

Like the bread and fish.

My friend, whom I believe receives this message, your gift has done wonders. (still) Your trust in God, your faith has multiplied this $52.00 and continues to do so.

Here's my challenge to you. Take whatever amount of money you can spare even if you can't spare it right now. Place it in your purse or wallet somewhere separate from your spending money. Ask God to multiply it by providing opportunities to do something good for someone else. Then don't touch it, but spend the abundance that comes from it.

That's faith. That's knowing that what you are doing is the right thing.

"Fifty two times...?"

"I believe in You!"

I encourage you to share my stories with your friends but, when copying I ask that you keep my name and contact information attached so that new readers can find their way here. Use of this story for commercial use is prohibited without direct permission from the author.

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Your Comments... If you would like to share brief comment about today's message, please write to Bob@BobPerks.com I will use only first names and no email addresses.

RE: "To begin again"

Dear Bob,

You message today really 'grabbed' me. Such a simple, yet obvious statement is pure poetry. I am absolutely speechless. (how often does THAT happen?)

Blessings on you, Marianne and the rest of your family -

Robin

Bob,

I am a testimony to 'beginning again'. And you were an important part in that beginning my friend. You believed in me. Thank you.

Let me declare to all that it is possible to 'begin again'!

I 'began again' a relationship with my brother that had been damaged for 30 years, just one year before he died with asbestos cancer.

I have reclaimed my health after an encounter with aggressive prostate cancer. (see www.drred.com.au and www.rongellatley.com for 'How to fight prostate cancer and win!')

And I have doggedly fought back from a collapsing business.

God is good! The journey is not over yet. But He always provides both the opportunity and the strength to 'begin again'.

My advice to all is to allow Him to lead you as you 'begin again'. Grasp it today!

David,

Melbourne, Australia.

PS: Summer begins in 9 days in the southern hemisphere.

Dear Bob,

A truly inspirational message. Keep up the good work.

Malcolm

Adelaide, Australia

Hi Bob,
I have been receiving your emails for quite some time and most always enjoy them. I know you have had cancer in your family and so far have been on the winning side of this evil disease. However, in todays column you make the statement -
A life threatening disease does not mean giving up. It means starting a new path to recovery
and discovering within yourself the ability to fight back and win.
and I have to say that no matter now hard you fight back, you don't always win. My grandson fought a tremendous battle against cancer for 17 months but lost on Sept. 17, 2003. He was sixteen and from what I have read of your son's cancer, I think they were quite similar. I am so happy for you that he won his battle - not everyone is that fortunate, no matter how hard they fight.
Thanks for listening - God Bless - and I pray that cancer stays away from your door. My best to you and your family.
Maureen.

Thank you Bob for your wonderful message. This one as many others have hit home. YES, "To Begin Again" is the hardest thing to see or believe during times of hardship, loss or challenge, but I too have been there. I have been as low as one can go and in a place in which I shall never go again through the grace and love of God. With an ounce of faith or just a touch of belief, trust with all your heart and know that God is still there no matter what, when one door closes another one opens. Trust in that inner voice and you will find your place, direction or healing whatever the challenge may be. This is what I have found and learned to be. I thank the good Lord and the many friends that stood by me and never gave up on me during this time ... sometimes there are things in our lives that need to die in order to give us life only then "To Begin Again"

Sincerely

Claudia - Ontario, Canada

Hey Bob and Marriane

I would like to take this day to say thank you for all the great sends I would like to say i'm thankful for your friendship the times i felt so down you were there to pick me up God bless you this Thanksgiving its my second one with out my honey but i believe i'm stronger this yr I pray you will have a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving

Hugs NannySue

Dearest Bob~

"Onward ever, backwards never"...a friend once said to me. Whenever life's challenges become too much for me, I remember that phrase but couple it with something my brother once said in passing. He likened me to a plough horse instead of the thoroughbreds that I fancied.

At first, I was so offended. But when he explained his comment, I took comfort in it. He said that I continued on, like the draft horse of the Amish farmer. Not racing to beat the clock. Just keeping on. It gives solace when I load too much on my life's plate.

Thanks, my dear friend, again for providing us with your beautiful inspirations.

Much love, light, and blessings~Mama T

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"I wish you enough!"
Bob

Bob Perks is a professional speaker, author and vocalist.
Member National Speakers Association.
Visit http://www.BobPerks.com

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"I wish you enough!"
written by Bob Perks (c) 2001

"I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough "Hello's" to get you through the final "Goodbye."