Nuts In The Attic
A Christian who was born and raised in a log house visited his boyhood home after being away for 35 years. As he walked up to the now-deserted cabin, he remembered that as a youngster he had planted some walnuts along a stream that ran through the farm. When he went down to the creek, he discovered a beautiful row of stately walnut trees.
Prepare To Live
In 1931, Jane Whyte felt she was nearing the end of her life. Her husband Alexander, the famous Scottish preacher, had died 10 years earlier. As she looked at the world around her, she was depressed by the moral and political chaos. There seemed to be no reason for her to go on, nothing for her to do.
For Young And Old
Kerri's grandpa was having health problems and hadn't been himself lately. To cheer him up, Kerri visited him to recite a Bible passage she had memorized for a speech contest.
Be A Friend
I received an e-mail asking if I would spend some time with an ailing pastor. The writer said, "Even pastors need to be ministered to."
Astonished Joy!
Do you sometimes wonder what heaven will be like? All of us do, I suppose. I confess, however, that the nearer I come to the end of earth's journey the more often I indulge in "sanctified curiosity" about the home Jesus has promised to believers. What will be my reaction when I cross the river and enter into glory?
Something Else To Serve
If you were to spend 26 hours a week staring at the same object, what would you call that? If you were so mesmerized by what you saw that you couldn't tear yourself away from it, what would it become to you? If you let it change the way you think and act, would it be too powerful? If you let this object show and tell you things that you knew were wrong and that God didn't want you to be involved with, would it be replacing Him? Wouldn't that be called an idol?
Sizing Up Our Troubles
A soldier on the battlefield hadn't received any mail for weeks. During a break in the fighting, he was handed an envelope. Inside was a bill for $3.52. A note read: "If this bill isn't paid in 5 days, you will be in serious trouble!" I wonder if that soldier smiled over the irony.
Break The Cycle
I have no idea why Euodia and Syntyche were fussing at each other. Knowing human nature, I suppose it was something minor that had put them at odds. Whatever it was, their disagreement had apparently become a distraction to the whole church.
Those Inner Flaws
All of us have personality flaws and character weaknesses. We see sinful tendencies in ourselves such as selfishness, irritability, impatience, vindictiveness. Yet if our defects cause us to rely more heavily on Jesus, we can see them as blessings in disguise. As we acknowledge our weakness and seek God's help, we experience His grace and strength.
