Steve's Corner

Steve’s Corner Your Intentions Don’t Always Matter

by Steve Leland

As I go through life, it seems that more import is often given to people’s intentions than their actions. As I was pondering that, a story came to mind. Uzza was a fella back in King David’s day that earned himself a place in history for doing what was right…doing what was right, but getting smitten down by Yah for doing it. To make a long story a bit shorter, the Ark of the Covenant had done some unauthorized traveling, causing the statue of Dagon (a main Philistine god) to fall and break its neck, scaring the living daylights out of his worshipers when they found the pieces. This made the Ark, the possession of which had been an incredible victory against the Israelites, suddenly persona non grata amongst the Philistines. They got it back into Israeli territory, but it hadn’t been returned to the place of honor in the Holy of Holies where it belonged. David, being now the king, proceeded to put it back where it belonged. With extreme honor, they placed it upon a brandnew cart to transport it home. The problem with that is that Yah had intended for it to be only carried by priests. There were rings built into the corners that long poles were put through so that the priests could carry it without ever touching it. David somehow passed over that part and assumed that putting it on a cart was just hunky-dory. I am sure that he meant zero disrespect for Yah, but that didn’t matter. His assumption caused a man to be struck down by his Creator for doing the right thing. One interesting thing about Uzza is that his name means strength. I imagine him being a burly young man in the prime of his life. He and his brother were chosen to drive the cart carrying the Ark. We normally think of drivers as sitting in the conveyance and steering it, but in this case, they may have been walking, one of them on each side. They did have responsibility for the Ark, and when it jiggled on those unsprung wooden wheels going down an unpaved road, it started to slide. What could he do? He reached out to steady it and lost his life. Uzza’s intentions couldn’t have been more perfect. He did absolutely nothing wrong. David had made the mistake. He probably knew the technically correct method of transport, but assumed that it would be okay to do it this way. As long as he did it with honor and he had good intentions, right? But it cost a man his life; a man who may not even have known that the Ark was not intended to travel that way. I can imagine Yah saying; “Hey, man, sorry about that. Nothing personal, but I had to drop you. My boy David just wasn’t taking my instructions seriously enough. You’re cool with me, though. Ya done good.” So, yeah. Intentions matter, but actions matter more.

Cover Story “91” Ways To Bless Our First Responders This Christmas

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

continued from page 1

Of Protection, and was written by Peggy Joyce Ruth and Angelia Ruth Schum. It was filled with true stories of the miracles that had occurred in connection with its promises, some dating back to WWII. As most of us know, Psalm 91 is the one that invites one to stay hidden in the “secret” of God, as well as the protection of God from enemies, pestilence, terrors, and arrows. It also promises deliverance and long life. The Psalm in its entirety is worth remembering, especially given the year we have had. Here it is as it appears in the King James:

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most

High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD,

He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. 3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. 4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. 5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. 7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. 8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. 9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; 10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. 11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. 12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. 13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. 14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. 15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. The book went on to become a series, a kind of Chicken Soup For The Soul for mothers, kids, youth, families, preschoolers, and now there is a version for first responders. Very soon a version for firefighters will be added to the lineup. Tom and Robin Gerrish came up with an idea to bless the first responders of North Alabama who have served so tirelessly in the past year, and here is how you can be a part of it: “We are starting a Go Fund Me to shower Limestone County and Athens City law enforcement officers with a prayed over, gift wrapped copy of the book prior to Christmas.” Tom spent his career in the Army, and Robin is a realtor for Crye-Leike. She also is certified to help soldiers find homes and get settled well. Robin then shared their idea with our Limestone Leaders Business Network International group, who quickly caught the vision and decided to help tell the Ps 91 story to the people of Limestone County, and invite them to participate. Tom and Robin went on to say, “What better time to show thanks and support to our law enforcement officers? Protecting our country is a dangerous job.” However, their vision is not confined to Athens-Limestone County. They would first love to see the book get into the hands of members of law enforcement in Lauderdale County, and Robin is going to reach out to some of her real estate colleagues in Madison County to see if they want to help as well. Her desire is to see this go viral and become a nationwide movement to remind our first responders throughout the USA that they are honored, loved, appreciated, and remembered at this historic holiday season. CW4 Thomas W. Gerrish, Sr.(Ret) and wife Robin gerrish As Ruth and Billy Graham said so well, part of this movement, please “Christmas is not just a date go online to Go Fund Me and on the calendar. It is the cel- give from your heart. Thank ebration of the event that set you! heaven to singing, an event that gave the stars of the night Go Fund Me sky a new brilliance.” Psalm 91 for The books are about $8 a First Responders piece, and the question is, Or, you can call Robin how many first Responders Gerrish at 256-374-9139 do you want to bless? To be a for more information.