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Change
in the Weather
Bob
Harris, former weatherman for the New York television
station, WPIX-TV, and the nationally syndicated
independent Network news, had to weather a public
storm of his own making in 1979. Though he had studied
math, physics and geology at three colleges, he left
school without a degree but with a strong desire to be
a media weatherman. He phoned WCBS-TV, introducing
himself as a Ph.D. in geophysics from Columbia
University. The phony degree got him in the door.
After
a two-month tryout, he was hired as an off-camera
forecaster for WCBS. For the next decade his career
flourished. He became widely known as “Dr. Bob.”
He was also hired by the New York Times as a
consulting meteorologist. The same year both the Long
Island Railroad and then Baseball Commissioner Bowie
Kuhn hired him.
At
forty years of age and living his childhood dream!
However, he soon found himself in public
disgrace and national humiliation when an anonymous
letter prompted WCBS management to investigate his
academic credentials. Learning the facts about his
false credentials, both the TV station and the New
York Times fired him!
His
story got attention across the land. He was on the Today
Show, the Tomorrow Show, and in People
Weekly, among others. He thought he’d lose his
home and never work in the media again. Harris was
able to get other jobs, but he admits it was a
dreadful mistake on his part and doubtless
played a role in his divorce.
Observe his words of regret:
“I
took a shortcut that turned out to be the long way
around, and one day the bill came due. I will be
sorry as long as I am alive.” *
Like
Bob Harris, we all have endured storms of our own
making – perhaps not to the same magnitude as
Harris’, but perhaps so.
The Bible teaches that “ALL have sinned and
fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
And
you can be certain that YOUR sin, no matter how well
hidden, will eventually find you out also (Numbers
32:33). One day, “the bill will come due.”
We will ALL have to give an account of our
lives to God (Romans 14:12).
The
GOOD NEWS is that forgiveness is available!
God loves us so much that He gave His Son to
die on the cross for our sins (2 Corinthians 5:21). If we will submit our lives to Him in faith
(Acts 16:30-31), truly repenting
of our sins (Acts 17:30-31), confessing
Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and being baptized
(immersed) in His name (Acts 2:38), then God will forgive us of our sins.
If we continue to walk in the light of His
word, then He will continue to forgive us, too (1 John
1:7).
Some
of the storms in our lives are due to wrong choices
that we have made.
But Jesus can calm these storms – if we will
allow Him.
Won’t
YOU?
David A. Sargent,
Minister
Church of Christ at Creekwood
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama 36695
* Adapted from Nancy
Shulins, Journal News, Nyack, NY
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