From Podunk To Eternity
Norman Kotker decided to find out for himself whether Podunk, which in our language serves "as a symbol of utter insignificance," actually exists. He learned that there are several US towns bearing that name, including one in his home state of Massachusetts. His search for the town was an amusing, somewhat frustrating adventure. But finally he found Podunk Road which led him to a housing development and the old Podunk cemetery.
"Mower" Faith
The fifth-grader watched her father struggling under the hot sun to cut the grass on the family's sizable yard. When he was finally done, she said to him, "Daddy, I wish we had a riding lawn mower. I'm going to buy you one." She did more than make what seemed like an impossible promise. She began praying for a riding mower for her dad. And she began doing odd jobs to earn money.
A Passion For Integrity
A newspaper reported an unusual incident at a fast-food restaurant. The manager had put the day's cash in a paper bag for deposit that night, but an attendant mistook it for an order and gave it to a couple at the drive-through window.
Comfort For Today
Over the last 50 years I have often reminded bereaved people of the wonderful truth that a glorious resurrection awaits all who believe on Jesus Christ. But sometimes grieving people are so overwhelmed with their loss that they cannot rejoice in the prospect of a far-off-in-the-future reunion.
Aware Of His Presence
One afternoon I was deeply engrossed in a book. With the radio and TV off, the entire house seemed quiet. Suddenly my surroundings went dead, as if something alive had departed. And it had—the electricity had gone off! I had forgotten that some electrical appliances emit a barely audible hum. I had grown so accustomed to it that I had lost my awareness of it.
Thanks!
As long as we have had our family cabin on Piatt Lake in Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula, Lyle Hopper has been caretaker for our Christian association of property owners. Now Lyle is nearing retirement, and I was thinking about the years of work he and his wife Pauline have given the lake community.
The Meter Reader
Meter readers brave wind, rain, dogs, and dark basements to check gas, electric, and water usage in homes. But in some cities today, gas meters have radio transmitters. Mobile vans equipped with radio receivers and computers can collect readings by simply driving by. While a good meter reader could check 250 meters a day, a van cruising residential streets can cover almost 100 times more in the same period.
Playing It Safe
The story is told of a man visiting a farmer who was going through hard times. He wondered what had gone wrong, so he asked the farmer, "Did you have a poor harvest this year?" The response quickly came back, "I didn't have any!"
The Potter's Purpose
Jeremiah watched intently as the workman shaped the clay. All seemed to be going well until the potter saw a flaw in what he was making. But instead of throwing the clay away, he reworked it until he had produced a perfect vessel.
