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Zig Ziglar died Wednesday, November 28, 2012. He was 86. Born the tenth of twelve children in backwoods Alabama without running water or indoor plumbing, he set forth on a marvelous journey; one that would take him around this great world and into the hearts and minds of millions of people. His life and books have impacted me greatly over the years and today we keep Zig's attitude and teachings in memory. Below are several of his quotes. Prayerfully read down through them, and see if God leaps any off the page for you.

Holy Lord Jesus, I need a word for Your people in this Christmas season.

Do you assume that a sense of community is difficult to achieve in a large church, and that it comes automatically in a small group? There is nothing automatic about a sense of community in any group, large or small. Have you ever heard of a group of people being in the same boat? This is a metaphor for community, but at the most basic level it just means that they will arrive at the same place and the same time, and they share the hope that the boat will not sink. A true community of believers requires more than this. I draw together members of enormous diversity into my body, giving them unity in my own identity, a common destiny and purpose, and deep involvement with each other.

Do you think of loyalty as a highly rated virtue? Many will pride themselves on how many years they have belonged to a particular church. Do you think it is possible to have a distorted sense of loyalty? Obedience to me is a higher principle. There is no virtue is remaining committed to something when I am calling you to move on. My word uses the clear imagery of a walk and a journey with me, running the race set before you as my follower. This implies a moving and dynamic relationship. Yet do not think of this only in terms of church affiliation. I can call you to move on even as you remain in the fellowship where I have placed you. 

Do you hate it when people interfere in your life? You would prefer to solve your problems on your own, but there are some problems that are too big for you to solve on your own. The next best thing is for you to seek help by your own initiative, but what if you lack the willpower or humility or moral resolve to do that? If your friends love you they will intervene in your life without your request or permission. Woe unto the world because of offenses, but it is more important to remain on the path that leads to life, so this is an extreme case in which it is worth it to take the risk. Blessed are those who are not offended with those who correct them unto righteousness. 

There are few other times that I feel the presence of God as strong as when I am praying, reading the Word, or playing guitar and singing on the sidewalk in front of my local abortion mill. [Continue Reading]

Do you do what you should do or what you want to do? There is a human tendency to do what you want to do and explain it in terms of supporting reasons and arguments to make it sound like what you should do. Perhaps this involves more effort than is really necessary. Why do you go to church? Can you come up with reasons why you should whether you want to or not? How effective is this in encouraging your friends to join you? David was glad when his friends said let us go to the house of the Lord. The heart has reasons it cannot explain, but they are still valid. If my Spirit draws your heart to fellowship, it is reason enough.

Jean Vainer, the founder of the l’Arche movement, expresses profound thoughts on community. Vainer has much to say about the relationship between mission and community. In one of his classics, Community and Growth, he pointed out that very quickly after Jesus invited the Twelve together into community, they began to quarrel and be protective of their own position. Vainer continues: Read More at ImpactNations.com Follow Us on Facebook

Do you know that broccoli is good for you? Do you eat it? You can make a diligent study of the beneficial effects of broccoli but that doesn’t help unless and until you actually eat it. In like manner you will obtain the same benefit from eating broccoli as the one who is knowledgeable, even if you are totally uninformed. Blessed are those who keep my commandments. Some will make diligent study of them and yet not apply them. Others will follow them intuitively, as though they were written on their hearts. These are not the only categories, but they provide a contrast for illustration. Like eating broccoli, my commandments only benefit you if you follow them.