Learning To Fly

We who follow Jesus Christ must do so by faith. It's a pilgrimage that must be a step-by-step process.

Life-Saver

The ice of winter had barely melted off a nearby lake when a 7-year-old Michigan boy decided to do some boating. His craft was half of an oil drum he found along the shore, and his oar was a battered snow shovel. The boy's makeshift paddle worked so well that he got to the middle of the lake, but then the drum began to take on water. Fortunately, neighbors heard his cries for help, and he was rescued just in time. Once more, a youngster learned the hazards of a "boys will be boys" experience.

Back To Work

If you're going back to work today, what will you take with you from Christmas? A few gifts and some warm holiday memories, or something more?

He Knows Your Name

What did they call Zacchaeus in his hometown of Jericho? Most folks recognized him as the chief tax collector. The Romans may have identified him with a number. He was merely one cog in the huge machine that brought revenues pouring into Rome. Zealots in Israel spoke of him as a traitor because he had sold out to the enemy. Others in the community may have called him names behind his back.

Love That Won't Quit

Day after day, the loving father came to the hospital, often with flowers in his hand. He would sit beside the bed of his comatose 6-year-old daughter, talking to her about the wonderful world outside her window. Sometimes he would tell her a story. But in her unconscious state, the only sound she ever made was her labored breathing.

If Christmas Isn't Merry

One Christmas I saw a cartoon that showed a boy gazing into a store window at a sign that read:

Celebrate The Baby

Why do we celebrate Jesus' birthday so differently from other birthdays? When it's time to honor historical figures who have a day set aside for them, we don't think about them as babies. We don't have pictures of cute little Abe Lincoln in his log cabin in Kentucky. No, we remember him for his contributions as an adult.

Room For Jesus

The words "there was no room for them in the inn" remind me of a family trip many years ago. We had been traveling all day, and I was trying to find a motel where we could spend the night. As we drove along the highway, our hopes were dashed time and again by the sight of No Vacancy signs. As a father, responsible for the well-being of my family, I was frustrated and discouraged.

Sing A New Song

Two passages in Luke related to the birth of Jesus are often called "songs" because of their similarity to Hebrew psalms of the Old Testament. The early church set them to music and used them in worship. One of them, the Magnificat of Mary (1:46-55), is well known. But the second "song" is a less familiar poem of praise, which was spoken by Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist (vv.67-79).

Loud Silence

The world famous master of mime, Marcel Marceau, was asked what the difference was between regular acting and pantomime. Marceau's response was interesting. He said, "In the case of a bad actor, the words are there even if the actor is no good. But when a mime is not good, there is nothing left. A mime must be very clear and very strong."

Strange Invaders

Back in the 1970s, the personal world of Francis Schaeffer, Christian thinker and theologian, was invaded by cancer. When asked how his diagnosis affected him, Schaeffer said that his reaction, though not without tears, was similar to the reactions of his four children. All of them, in their own way, said, "Dad, I couldn't have taken it if you hadn't emphasized the Fall so completely in your teaching."

Last Tree On The Lot

Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to be the last tree on the lot on Christmas Eve? People have passed you by because you were the wrong size or had gnarled branches or a poor shape or your needles were falling.

Money Trouble

When I was in Haiti, I saw a poor elderly woman at a mission station. She had walked miles for a meal, yet she was sharing her food with a young girl. When I mentioned this to "Granny," a veteran missionary, she said, "Herb, the very poor are much more generous than the very rich."

Wrapped Up In Greed

As followers of Jesus, we must be careful to guard our hearts from greed during this holiday season. In a society that has secularized Christmas, that's not easy.

How Are You Running?

Millions of people came to know Eric Liddell through the prize-winning film Chariots of Fire. It depicted this Scottish athlete's devotion to Jesus Christ and his refusal under severe pressure to violate his spiritual convictions—even at the expense of Olympic glory.

Remembering Heroes

Who are your heroes of the faith? Who are the ones you remember with a smile and a desire to follow their example? It's good to recall the people who lift our vision and challenge us to seek God's highest in life.

The Chemistry Of Change

The Bible clearly teaches that our lives will remain unproductive unless we begin to practice what we believe. We may combine large amounts of Bible reading, prayer, and churchgoing, but if we lack the essential element of faith, we will not experience any significant spiritual growth.

Tunnels And Bridges

A little girl was taking her first train ride. Wide-eyed with fascination, she watched as telephone poles, cars, and farms whizzed by. When the train approached a river, she became frightened and cried out, "Mommy! The train is going into the river!" But a bridge carried it across to the other side.

A Harmless Diversion?

Internationally acclaimed novelist Thomas Mann wrote a whole series of books on Joseph, the person who is the focus of Genesis 37 through 50. So we know that Mann had more than a superficial acquaintance with the Bible.

The Fatal First Step

Alypius, a fourth-century music theorist, was often urged by his neighbors to watch the gladiators in combat. He refused because he abhorred the brutality of those barbaric contests.

A Consistent Father

I once knew a father who displayed an alarming lack of consistency. When he was in a happy frame of mind, he allowed his children to get away with anything short of complete mayhem. But when he was in a foul mood, the slightest provocation could ignite a severe reaction from him. His children learned to take a quick look at Dad when he walked in the door. Then they made themselves scarce or greeted him enthusiastically, depending on what they saw. Even the dog seemed to notice the difference.

Single Focus

Pam Sneddon was taking a class in photography. For one assignment, she chose her 6-year-old daughter as her subject and asked her to sit on a serene hillside. Close by was an apple tree in full bloom. Pam just couldn't resist. She gave the tree a prominent place in the picture.

Prayer Patrol

I was headed out the door one morning when my wife Sue said, "Don't forget to pray for Julie. She has a big test today." It's not unusual for Sue to give me a reminder like that before I leave. "Don't worry," I replied, "I'll be on prayer patrol!"

For Sinners Only

Praise God that He has not withdrawn His offer of forgiveness for sin! This good news, however, is for sinners only. Many people, though, don't see themselves as sinners in need of salvation. They make excuses like these:

• My good deeds outweigh my bad.
• I'm not as bad as some people.
• Usually I'm a good person.

Reason To Live

When Charles P. Luckey, a 50-year-old Connecticut minister, learned that he had a fatal disease called Creutzfeldt-Jakob, he dictated the following letter: "What does a Christian do . . . when the doctors have told him that his disease is ravaging his brain, and that his whole personality may be warped? . . . After 48 hours of self-searching study, it comes to me that ultimately and finally the Christian is to always view life as a gift from God, . . . and it is not his to smash."

'Dying Proof'

While walking down a street in Long Beach, California, I was reminded how a person's behavior can misrepresent the message of the gospel and cause an unbelieving world to be confused. I met a man who asked what I had to show for myself in life. When I referred to my confidence in the Son of God, he became very excited. He said he also knew Christ as his Savior and quoted some Bible verses about eternal life.

Church Tourists

Well, it's happening again. As the holidays approach, churches are gearing up for their largest attendance of the year. Sanctuaries that usually have plenty of room will be filled to capacity.

The Spirit Of Giving

Yes, there are people who believe in Santa Claus. According to a poll taken by KRC Research in 1996 and cited in U.S.News & World Report, nine percent of American adults say they really do believe in the jolly old North Pole resident.

He Has What We Need

What makes the gospel such good news? Paul summarized it in Ephesians 3:8 as "the unsearchable riches of Christ." Those who receive the living Christ into their lives are free to enjoy His spiritual riches. But are we using all that He has given to us?

The Seasons Of Life

When we are young, we can't wait to grow up. When we are old, we look longingly to former years. How ironic!

Under Control

When the head coach of a university baseball team retired, one sportswriter noted an amazing statistic. While winning 1,466 games, 22 conference championships, and 2 national titles, this coach was never ejected from a game by an umpire. A former player described his coach as "a legend, a winner, but above everything else, he's a gentleman, on and off the field."