Courage

I found this on another blog ( http://pass-forward.blogspot.com/2011/06/courage-three-men-three-stories.html ) and thought it worthy of sharing.

One person with COURAGE makes a majority.


A nineteenth-century preacher named Peter Cartwright was preparing his sermon on Sunday wen he was warned that U.S. President Andrew Jackson would be in the congregation. He was told to keep his remarks benign, so as not to offend the president.

During his message, Cartwright acknowledged his famous guest. "I have been told that Andrew Jackson is in the congregation," he said. "And I have been asked to guard my remarks. What must I say is that Andrew Jackson will go to hell if he doesn't repent of his sin."

Some people in the audience cringed. Others gasped. What would become of this outspoken pastor? What penalty might he face?
After the service, Jackson strode up to Cartwright. The noble preacher stood his ground. "Sir," the president said, "if I had a regiment of men like you, I could whip the world."

It's not always easy to speak the truth, especially if you're intimidated by the size or import of your audience. It's much easier to say what we believe people--especially our superiors--will want to hear. When you don't say what you truly believe, not only are you speaking untruthfully to others, but you are betraying your own ideas and convictions. Speak what you believe - the results of such honesty might just surprise you.
-- The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy. Proverbs 12:22 --