A City Of Smiles
When Mindy Bryant went to Karaganda for a short-term missions trip, she discovered that it lives up to its nickname, "The City Where No One Smiles." She saw hopelessness and hardness on the faces of those who passed by her in this major city in Kazakhstan, which had been part of the former Soviet Union.
Truth That Endures
Is the Bible grossly outdated? Must it "be rewritten to be of value today"? That's the opinion of a Texas businessman who has donated $1.5 million to Oregon State University.
What's Your Motivation?
Willard Aldrich tells a story about his sneaky Labrador retriever. The dog would stay off the furniture when Aldrich and his wife were around, but as soon as they left the room, he would climb into one of their chairs until he heard them return. It was the telltale dog hairs and the warm chair that gave him away.
Education Starts At Home
It's time for the lazy days of summer to give way to the busy days of fall. Time again for school to start. Getting youngsters ready for school can leave parents gasping for breath.
Unseen Majesty
The Encyclopedia Britannica describes Marcus Terentius Varro (116-27 BC) as "Rome's greatest scholar." He wrote more than 600 books on many subjects. Among his writings is this statement: "They who first introduced images of the gods removed fear and added error."
God's Gentle Leading
It was a fascinating study in contrasts at the county fair. A rugged rancher led his cattle into the corral with shouts, curses, and beatings. The animals were wild-eyed and hard to manage.
Barnyard Ducks
Does the following anonymous poem describe how you feel?
Put Out The Fire!
To extinguish a fire, you must remove one of the essential elements needed for combustion. For example, eliminating what is fueling the blaze is a method often employed in fighting a forest fire. A controlled backfire is started from a cleared line ahead of the advancing flames. When the two fires meet, no timber is left to burn.
Communication Skills
Communication—everybody's discussing it, studying it, practicing it. Yet, despite our improved communication skills, we may feel like the author who wrote, "I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant."
God's Mercy System
In the United States justice system, it's important that jurors have an open mind. They can't have their minds made up before they get into the courtroom. They must always remember that a person is considered innocent until proven guilty.
Speaking Well Of God's Son
Scottish missionary Frederick Arnot spoke well of God's Son in central Africa. Indeed, he spoke so well of Him that thousands of people in that area became Christians. But Arnot had made it his practice to speak well of God's Son long before leaving to serve his Lord in that unevangelized field.
Your Life's Handwriting
Some people believe that our hand-writing reveals our character. Experts in the field of graphology watch for things like the slant of letters, the way they are formed, where the "t" is crossed, and how the "i" is dotted. Based on these distinctions, conclusions are drawn about one's personality. We are told that the style of our writing shows whether we are outgoing or withdrawn, individualistic or of a conforming nature.
On A Tight Schedule
Everyone who knew him agreed he smelled like success. He had made his mark in his field and was known in the community for his impressive gifts. He accomplished so much because of time management.
How To Answer Accusers
While I was a student at college, my roommate accused me of stealing $100 from him. He didn't confront me directly, but spread his lie among his friends and reported it to the dean's office. The incident was thoroughly investigated, as it should have been.
In His Name
According to a legend, Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) was riding his horse one day when he saw a leper by the roadside, begging for money. He dismounted, gave him a coin, and kissed him on the cheek. As Francis rode away, he looked back and thought for a moment that he saw Christ Himself standing where the beggar had stood.
God Is Good
I have often joined in singing the chorus "God is so good, God is so good, God is so good, He's so good to me." I could sing this with sincerity, thanking Him for my family, my fulfilling occupation, my many friends, and above all my salvation. But one day a feeling of guilt swept over me as I sang. Would I sing these words if I were living alone, felt unloved, and had little to eat?
A Good Surrender
Surrender is not a very popular word. We use it in reference to the humiliation that accompanies defeat. When a nation loses a war, it may be forced to surrender unconditionally, and has no say in the terms of defeat.
Cut-Flower Christians
Almost every woman likes to receive a bouquet of cut flowers. After admiring and smelling them, she wastes no time getting them into water. Even though fresh and beautiful when she gets them, their days are numbered. Because they've been severed from their life-source, they will soon wither and die. One day she will have to throw them away.
God's Giving Standard
What is sacrificial giving? The early congregations of Macedonia set the pace for other first-century churches. They gave not only what they were able, but even beyond their ability (2 Cor. 8:3).
Hope In The Sad Times
Sadness and sorrow are life's great equalizers. They affect us all, in varying degrees.
