How Will They Hear?
As I was riding a bus through London, I was struck by the sight of people from so many races and cultures who live in that great city. I began to focus on all the nationalities represented and wondered how the whole world would ever hear the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Good For Nothing
I attended a get-together with some people I had pastored 40 years ago when they were in their teens. Several men said their most vivid memories centered around the snowball fights we had after our midweek Bible class. I was glad that at least a few remembered some of the things I had said.
Are You A Complainer?
There's a story about a farmer who was known for his negative attitude. One day a neighbor stopped by and commented on the farmer's wonderful crop. "You must be extremely happy with this year's harvest," he said. The farmer grudgingly replied, "Well, yes, it looks like a pretty good one, but a bumper crop is awfully hard on the soil."
Counting The Cost
Several years ago I read an article about the importance of counting the cost before making a major purchase. The advice is particularly appropriate for those of us who overspent this past Christmas season.
Are You Prepared?
Intelligent people can sometimes be unbelievably foolish. Consider the 19th-century explorers of the Franklin Expedition who tried to reach the North Pole. Annie Dillard, in her book Teaching A Stone To Talk, describes the provisions they took for that hazardous journey:
Work Witness
When I worked in a drafting business after high school, I learned a lot from old Mr. Frantz. He was a designer of science classrooms, and he drew blueprints for the installation of lab tables and furniture.
Nothing To Do But Pray
For Lorraine Fusco, it may have seemed that her useful days on earth were behind her. Cancer struck at the base of her brain and traveled down her spine, paralyzing her completely. Tubes were used to feed her and help her breathe. The only voluntary movement she could make was to open and shut her eyes and mouth.
What's Your Word?
I once heard a preacher say, "The opposite of love is not hate—it's self!" That surprising statement reminded me of 2 Timothy 3:1-4, where Paul listed the signs of the endtimes. One of those signs is people who are "lovers of themselves" (v.2). In sharp contrast to these self-saturated people are those whose lives are saturated with the servant attitude of Christ.
Standing In The Spotlight
There's an old phrase that speaks of "excusing the sins we're most inclined to, while condemning those we've no mind to." I was reminded of it recently when I read a survey in which people were asked to indicate who they thought was "very likely" or "somewhat likely" to go to heaven.
