Beyond Calm Acceptance
In a television interview, a prominent Hollywood actress said that she eagerly anticipated her death because this would bring her "oblivion." I could hardly believe my ears! Why would anyone be pleased with passing into oblivion? Are we all nothing but cosmic accidents? Does nothing we think or feel or say or do have any lasting meaning or value?
What Makes You Tick?
In our zeal to introduce people to Christ, we must not forget that the Holy Spirit often uses adverse circumstances to increase their sense of spiritual need. He may also use those same circumstances to help us share the love of Christ with them.
What Do You Fear?
A large number of people admit that they have a serious fear of computers. Just being in the same room with a computer causes some to suffer from feelings of panic, irregular heartbeat, breathing difficulties, dizziness, and trembling. One therapist says that these individuals have more than the normal fear of failure while learning to work with computers. They become so anxious that they are afraid they're going to lose control, go crazy, or pass out. Does this make sense? No, but no phobia makes much sense. Yet the fear is real.
Directions From Above
During a visit to Chicago, I stayed on the 25th floor of a downtown hotel. As I gazed out the window, I was fascinated by the maze of cars flowing four lanes abreast in opposite directions.
Appreciated
The heroes and heroines of the Bible often take us by surprise. The woman in today's Scripture reading is a prime example. She was singled out by Jesus to be mentioned wherever the gospel is preached. She had scandalized some of those dining with Jesus by her breathtaking generosity. In anticipating Jesus' death, she had anointed Him with costly perfume that was worth more than a year's wages.
What Makes You Happy?
Mr. Mactavish was gone. I wanted to wait until morning to see if he would come back on his own. But the look on the other family members' faces vetoed that idea. So we climbed into the car to begin looking for our wayward Scottish terrier.
Profit Sharing
A businessman who sold his road construction company stunned his employees by dividing a third of the profit among them. Each of his 550 workers received a share of the $128 million, with some of his long-term associates getting bonuses of $1 million each—tax free.
'God Hides His Face'
Does it ever seem as if you can't get through to God in prayer? If so, you're not alone.
Driving Lessons
One morning on my way to work, I began to wonder, Why should I obey God's laws? The answer played out as I approached a traffic light that had just turned yellow. A driver at the intersection waited to make sure I had fully stopped. Why did I stop? I asked myself. I could have made it.
The Faith Of A Child
We can be encouraged by the faith of children. They brought encouragement to Jesus as He wrestled the forces of darkness. After He rode on a colt into Jerusalem and entered the temple, the children shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" (Matthew 21:15). When the religious leaders heard them, "they were indignant" (v.15). I can just picture their arrogance as they put the blame on Jesus: "Do You hear what these are saying?" (v.16).
Am I Willing?
Guest speaker John De Vries challenged the congregation to give to missions. As the people filled out pledge cards, he noticed a young boy write something and show it to his parents, who smiled approvingly. A minute later he saw him whisper something into his dad's ear. His father was obviously amused.
Are You Ready?
My daughter Julie was home from college and working at her summer job at RBC Ministries. One day as she was cutting the lawn with a riding mower she noticed some movement in the grass. Hopping down, she discovered a couple of baby rabbits scampering away from her noisy machine. She shooed them out of the path of her tractor to what she thought was sure safety, then out of the sky swooped a hawk. In a second he had one of the bunnies in his talons and was gone.
The Power Of Small Deeds
Many great accomplishments for God had small beginnings. When Zerubbabel was called to rebuild God's ruined temple, one of the first things he did, with the help of God's people, was lay a foundation. Then they began building on that foundation, stone upon stone. Many shortsighted citizens balked at those basic efforts and "despised the day of small things" (Zechariah 4:10). But God promised Zerubbabel success, not by mere human might and strength but by His Spirit.
A Prayer Jesus Never Prayed
We usually ask an expert to give us the best he or she has to offer. When we're with a successful banker, we ask how to invest our money wisely. Jesus' disciples asked Him, "Teach us to pray" (Luke 11:1).
My Achilles Heel
Nobody is temptation-proof. Even mature Christians have weaknesses in their spiritual armor that make them vulnerable to a wounding attack by the enemy of their souls. Our pride can provide the very opening needed for the sharp thrust of a satanic dart. So can the love of money, a quick temper, a critical tongue, or chronic impatience.
Life Wish
A Colorado mountaineer and guide was once asked if he thought climbers had a death wish. He replied, "Actually, they have a life wish, to live life to the fullest." As a careful yet adventurous climber, he explained why he considered the risks worth taking: "When it comes time for me to die," he said, "I do not wish to discover that I have not lived."
The Right Fit
According to a study of 350,000 people, four out of five have jobs that don't match their abilities. The survey also suggests that the most commonly used guidelines for hiring, like education and experience, are of little value in predicting how well an applicant will do in a particular position. What makes a person either fit or unfit for a job are the inner aptitudes for certain types of work.
For Honest Skeptics
A skeptic is one who is inclined to doubt. If such a person is honestly seeking to know the truth, his doubting may be the first step toward finding the truth.
Frustrated Plans
A young man went to college and then to seminary, determined to become a pastor. God blessed his years in school and gave him many opportunities to preach.
Right Timing
I live in Singapore, so I had more than a casual interest in the 1997 Asian economic crisis. It came suddenly and caught most people offguard. One day people were rich and the next day they were poor.
