Pour It Out!
The first youth group I attended was led by a woman who loved every one of us. She prayed for us by name every day. She tracked us down if we started to miss meetings. She advised us when our behavior became inappropriate and confronted us when we sinned. She was our advocate and confidante, and more than once she spoke up for us at church business meetings.
The Great Exception
The Department of Social Services in Greenville County, South Carolina, sent the following letter:
Beware Of Warnings
Americans are getting warned to death. Manufacturers are growing increasingly wary of being sued when their products are misused, so they are attaching warning labels to hundreds of items.
The Difference Jesus Makes
Throughout history, people have treated others with unbelievable cruelty in the name of religion. They have often done so without feelings of remorse or guilt. Muslims and Christians have fought "holy wars" against one another, which have been anything but holy. And within their own ranks, so-called Christians have persecuted other Christians. Like Saul of Tarsus before he became Christ's apostle to the Gentiles, they think they are doing God a service when actually they are persecuting Jesus (Acts 9:4).
Advantage In Adversity
Adversity tests us. It's one thing to study the game sketched out on the blackboard in the locker room; it's quite another to take the field where adversity tackles us and bloodies our noses. Adversity tests whether we will turn tail and run or stand up to life's challenges as people of faith.
Wringing Skills
As a little girl, I disliked some of the chores I had to do, especially washing the dishes. The only pleasure I found in this task was a secret challenge: to see if I could wring the last drop of water out of the dishcloth. My mother, however, always managed to wring more out of it, for years of practice had made her hands strong.
Entry-Level Christians
Most of us begin our careers by filling entry-level positions. These are the lowest paying jobs in the workplace. After we've been around for a while and proven ourselves, we generally move up to jobs with increased responsibility and compensation. Good employees don't usually stay at the entry level very long.
Worthy Of Praise!
A well-known theologian was asked to explain the gospel. In response, he simply quoted from a children's hymn, "Jesus loves me! This I know, for the Bible tells me so."
Making Things Square
No one is good enough to deserve heaven. Even our best deeds are tainted by elements of selfishness and vanity. Salvation can come to us only as a gift of God's grace. This is good news, but it offends our pride.
