The Book To Treasure
Joseph Brodsky won the Nobel Prize for Literature and was a US Poet Laureate. He proposed that books of American poetry be placed next to Gideon Bibles in motel rooms. "Poetry," he reasoned, "is perhaps the only insurance we've got against the vulgarity of the human heart." Before Brodsky's death in 1996, many books had already been distributed to hotels and hospitals.
Meek—Not Weak
Most people consider meekness to be weakness. In a world dominated by the strong—ruthless dictators, callous drug traffickers, powerful corporate leaders—no one wants to be the wimp everyone takes advantage of. But is that what it means to be meek?
Jesus Loves You
The substitute teacher was overwhelmed. She was helping to care for a small group of children at a school that specializes in students with severe disabilities. As she sat with a little boy who seemed extremely agitated, she leaned over to him and whispered in his ear, "Jesus loves you." Immediately the boy's agitation calmed, and he began to laugh and make happy sounds.
A Clear Conscience
In 1971 he killed a man. Even though he was the prime suspect in the murder, no one could prove it and the case was abandoned. So, he got away with it. Or did he?
A Wrong Conclusion
Poor Jacob. He thought he would never see two of his sons again, and he was afraid he would lose a third. He cried, "All these things are against me" (Gen. 42:36).
For Sinners Only
It's heartbreaking to realize that the majority of people in our world are spiritually lost and without Christ. Among them are the lovely and unlovely, the caring and uncaring, the eloquent and the crude. As we witness for Christ, we may wrongly assume that people with social graces are closer to God's kingdom.
A Wall Of Words
People often hide their feelings behind a wall of words. They use a kind of double-talk in which words and feelings do not agree. A communications consultant who holds workshops on this subject says that many people are afraid that honesty in speech will cost them friendships, love, or respect. So they either keep their lips zipped or say something other than what they mean.
Music Man
Meredith Willson's musical comedy The Music Man is known for its memorable toe-tappers, but it also contains a number of perceptive lines. In one serious scene, Professor Harold Hill, a fly-by-night con artist, expresses genuine love to Marian the librarian. But she is always looking to the vague future, never quite living in today. Hill tells her, "You pile up a lot of tomorrows, and you'll find a lot of empty yesterdays." Professor Hill may have been unscrupulous, but he understood the importance of the present.
A Manner Of Speaking
The powerful French statesman Richelieu (1585-1642) was also known as a man of great courtesy. On one occasion someone applied to him for a job, knowing that he would be turned down. Richelieu's manner of speech was so warm and accepting that it was worth having a request denied just to hear how graciously he expressed himself—even when he said no. We can all learn from that example.
