Out Of The Cradle
The art, music, and pageantry of Christmas focus on the "little town of Bethlehem" and the baby asleep in a manger. What mother can't close her eyes and recall her own child asleep in the crib? We delight in these precious expressions of the coming of Jesus into the world.
The Beautiful Christian
I once came across this headline in a newspaper: The Beautiful American. The dateline of the item was Keren, Ethiopia, and the article quoted the governor general, who said, "Why can't you send us more Americans like Mr. Downey?" The official, talking with a visiting reporter, paused and rephrased his question: "Why aren't there more human beings like him?"
Daytona Rogue
Daytona Beach residents of 30 years said they had never seen anything like it. A rogue wave 27 miles long, 18 feet high, and 250 feet wide suddenly rose out of a calm sea and crashed ashore. Apparently triggered by an undersea landslide, the huge wave piled sailboats on top of vehicles along a popular drive on the Florida beach.
Our Measured Life
The root meaning of the word translated number in "teach us to number our days" (Ps. 90:12) is "to weigh" or "to measure." We are to place each day in the balance and make it tip the scales in a way that will bring glory to God and blessing to the lives of others.
God's Love On A Plate
During His life on earth, Jesus chose to identify with poor and destitute people. He lived as one who had no place to call home (Mt. 8:20), and His ministry was marked by compassion for the needy.
Real Wholeness
I was driving my car and listening to a talk-radio program when a young man called in. He was desperate because he had been expelled from college and had lost his job.
Purge Out The Poison
My friend and I were standing in the parking lot of a restaurant where we had just finished lunch. While we were discussing the damage a bitter spirit can cause, he took out his New Testament and solemnly read Hebrews 12:15 to me: "Looking carefully . . . lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled."
Babies Need Weaning
I find few things more delectable than three or four of my wife's freshly baked chocolate-chip cookies, hot from the oven but cool enough to pick up and introduce to my longing taste buds. What really makes this treat complete is a large glass of ice-cold milk. That milk and those cookies are made for each other.
Conflicts At Christmas
Christmas—that time of year when the courtrooms are once again filled with the not-so-merry sounds of lawyers arguing about whether nativity scenes violate someone's civil rights or whether Christmas carols can be sung at a school concert.
