Legacy Youth Ministry Resources

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Little Minds Versus Firm Heart

I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death. --Thomas Paine (1737-1809)

Equal Because Created in God's Image

We believe that all men are created equal because they are created in the image of God. --Harry S. Truman, American President

Three Wise Men and a Virgin

The Supreme Court has ruled that they cannot have a nativity scene in Washington, D.C. This wasn't for any religious reasons. They couldn't find three wise men and a virgin. --Jay Leno, American comedian

Know What is Right; Do It

To know what is right and not do it is the worst cowardice. --Confucius

Following a Moral Compass

There's harmony and inner peace to be found in following a moral compass that points in the same direction regardless of fashion or trend. --Ted Koppel

Ride Truth Like a Raft

I think a man's duty is to find out where the truth is, or if he cannot, at least to take the best possible human doctrine and the hardest to disprove, and to ride on this like a raft over the waters of life. --Plato

Truth Never Plays False Roles

Truth never plays false roles of any kind, which is why people are so surprised when meeting it. Everyone must decide whether he wants the uncompromising truth or a counterfeit version of truth. Real wisdom consists of recommending the truth to yourself at every opportunity. --Vernon Howard

Ozzy Wants to See a Model Family

"What is a functional family? I know I'm dysfunctional by a long shot, but what guidelines do we all have to go by? The Waltons? What I'm trying to say is, what is the family that we should all take our inspiration from?"-Ozzy Osbourne, of Black Sabbath fame and now starring in his own family's television show on MTV. - Associated Press

Hitler, Bin Laden and the Importance of Beliefs

Some people say, "It doesn't matter what you believe, as long as you live consistently with it." Yet, Hitler believed that he was doing the world a favor by killing off "lesser" races and helping the "superior" Aryan race to dominate the earth. Osama Bin Laden believes that Allah wants him to kill people who don't believe like himself. Both Hitler and Bin Laden may have lived consistently with their beliefs. Yet, wrong beliefs lead to wrong actions. Having the right belief is critical. (Written by Steve Miller, Copyright Feb., 2003)

Crazy Statements by Authorities

Wisdom Don't ever blindly follow the supposed authorities of your day. Look how these missed it. ?h The widely read Popular Mechanics magazine accurately predicted in 1949: "Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons." Right, Popular Mechanics. I think laptops have come in slightly under the 1.5 ton figure. ?h In 1957, the editor in charge of business books for Prentice Hall publishers said, "I have traveled the length and breadth of this country and talked with the best people, and I can assure you that data processing is a fad that won't last out the year." Can you say, !?computer revolution?!? ?h If you lived in 1957 and wanted an expert!?s opinion on cigarettes, why not trust Dr. Ian MacDonald, a member of the highly distinguished California Cancer Commission, who was quoted by US News and World Report as saying, !?A pack a day keeps lung cancer away." (p. 101, The Complete Guide To Alternative Cancer Therapies.) ?h In 1899, the commissioner of the U.S. Office of Patents proposed closing the agency because, in his own words, "Everything that can be invented has been invented." ?h And what about early thoughts about the usefulness of airplanes? Marechal Ferdinand Foch, professor of strategy at Ecole Superieure de Guerre, flatly stated, "Airplanes are interesting toys but of no military value." ?h And don!?t leave it to the experts to decide which movies will fly. Successful actor Gary Cooper turned down the leading role in !?Gone With The Wind,!? one of the most popular movies of all time. He confidently stated, "I'm just glad it'll be Clark Gable who's falling on his face and not Gary Cooper." ?h In 1946 Darryl F. Zanuck, then head of 20th Century-Fox Studios, said that the television "won't be able to hold onto any market it captures after the first six months. People will soon get tired of staring at a plywood box every night." ?h Decca Recording Co. ought to have a pretty good handle on what groups are destined for greatness. But when they heard one group of guys perform, they responded, "We don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out." They!?d later regret the decision. They had just turned down !?The Beatles.!? (For over 300 pages of such "expert advise," see The Experts Speak: The Definitive Compendium of Authoritative Misinformation, by Christopher Cerf and Victor Navasky, 1984.)

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