Truth: Friend Or Foe?
"Truth was my biggest enemy until it became my only friend," said Thelma, a former prostitute and drug addict.
Rough Going
There's a lake near our home in the mountains that is known for good fishing. To get there, I had to hike 2 miles up a steep ridge—a hard climb for an old-timer like me. But then I discovered that it's possible to drive within a half-mile of the lake. I spent most of a day driving several mountain roads until I found the one that got me the closest. Then I carefully mapped the road so I could find it again.
Companion And Guide
Lisa Marino has a personal fitness coach who gives her daily advice and encouragement. But she's never seen him. As a participant in a program called "Life Practice," Lisa begins each day by sending a report of her diet, exercise, sleep, and stress to a Web site. Later, she receives an e-mail response from her coach. She says that the daily reporting helps keep her honest and focused on her fitness goals.
A Person Is The Pathway
The pilot of a military plane was forced to parachute into a jungle in southeast Asia. How could he possibly find his way out? A local man saw what had happened and came to the pilot's rescue, slashing through the tangled underbrush. The frightened pilot cried out, "Where's the road? Where's the way out?" The rescuer shouted back, "No road! I'm the way! Follow me!" The pilot trusted the man, who led him through the jungle to safety.
Our Unseen Helpers
At one point in Martin Luther's stormy career, he received some discouraging news. But he responded by saying, "Recently I have been looking up at the night sky, spangled and studded with stars, and I found no pillars to hold them up. Yet they did not fall." Luther was encouraged as he reminded himself that the same unseen God who was upholding the universe was caring for him.
Taste And Say!
Do you believe God is good, even when life isn't? Mary did, and I gasped in amazement the day I heard her pastor share her story at her funeral.
Bad News?
Some scientists tell us that in less than 10 million years the earth will be unable to sustain life because the sun will be too hot. This is depressing news for those who put all their hope in this world. It means that all of humankind's accomplishments will one day be wiped out.
Good Communicators
A young boy and his stepfather had difficulty communicating with each other. The man was outgoing; the boy was quiet. The elder loved to fish; the youngster loved to read.
Help For The Helpless
I sometimes ask people, "Where does it say in the Bible, 'God helps those who help themselves'?" Most say they're not sure, but the concept is so familiar that they think it must be somewhere in God's Word.
Dry Spells
We may be able to relate to what the author of Psalm 119 had to say about the joy of reading and meditating on God's Word. But most of us have also experienced dry spells—times when we don't seem to get much from the Bible.
