A few thoughts from Wisconsin Dells

• The only way our cup can ever run over is if we keep it at the source.
• There are things that don't belong in the heart of a child of God.
• Words and deeds can be imitated; spirits cannot.
• We want what is of God to be rightly represented.
• We need to let go of some things so we can reach forward and lay hold on the best things.
• Jesus prayed before choosing.  If we follow the example of Jesus, we'll pray before choosing.
• How do we get the help of heaven?  Pray, "Not my will but Thine be done."
• Jesus didn't come to people expecting them to be "fine" already.  He came to them where they were and gave them power to be different.
• Sometimes we don't prosper like we should because we're not as urgent as we should be.
• Anything that comes between us and God is wrong!
• It's when Christ is reigning in our heart that our influence can be sweet.
• True beauty comes with commitment.
• Light is most noticed in darkness.
• The grass isn't greener on the other side; it's greenest where it's watered.

Mr. Charles Thain, who had labored in Wisconsin for a good many years, passed away early Thursday morning of the convention.  His funeral was held on the grounds in place of the Saturday afternoon meeting.  I won't soon forget that day - the lines of people winding around the grounds to file past the casket before the service, the appreciation expressed for his life by those with whom and amongst whom h had labored, the workers singing "O Blessed Lord, the night, the night is falling...I'll gladly go the Gospel story telling...A humble place where all the saints are dwelling, I long to fill and be where duty calls," the funeral directors dismissing the crowd row by row and the silent file-by of the casket for  over half an hour, walking out of the meeting shed and seeing the great crowd who had been sitting inside now out on the lawn silently waiting, the brother workers carrying the casket to the hearse, the hearse driving slowly by in front of all the people and the solemn, silent farewell that was respectfully given to a faithful servant of God.

           These are a few thoughts that were shared at the funeral service:

• It is far better to have good relationships than for everything to go smoothly.
• It's not a question about whether or not there is a ransom.  It's a question of whether or not there is somebody to go and take the message.
• God is still on the throne.
• We want to edify the body of Christ.
• It's a beautiful thing when a servant is motivated by love and not just a sense of duty.
• No one enters the kingdom of God seeking place.  Places are given to fill.