Many Voices, One Choir
I was deeply moved as I listened to the choral group singing in unison. It seemed to be one powerful voice praising and glorifying God. Then on the chorus, the sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses sang their different parts, and the harmony was beautiful. It thrilled my soul and made their unison singing seem colorless by comparison.
Consider Your Ways!
How long has it been since you read Haggai? If you're like me, it's been a while. Why not take a few minutes and read all 38 verses of this book. Look for the word consider. It occurs four times (1:5,7; 2:15,18).
One Of A Kind
While visiting Flint, Michigan, several years ago, I noticed some huge stamping machines in a field next to a sprawling automobile factory. They had been previously used to make auto parts. I was told that they are kept for 10 years in case replacement parts are needed.
When Trouble Works For Us
Is there something that seems to be working against you today—time, health, money, opportunity, people? Sometimes it's easy to feel that everything and everyone is against us. We know we're supposed to trust God, but it's hard to understand why He would allow our circumstances to become so difficult and confusing.
Gradual Growth
I'm privileged to know several Christians who are recovering from addictions. One such person feels extremely frustrated over the amount of time it's taking him to recover and rebuild his life after years of destructive choices. His reason for such impatience? He says, "I've already wasted too many years of my life, and I don't want to waste any more." But is gradual growth ever a waste of time?
Healthy Fear
Fear of the disapproval of others can often affect the way we act. Some Native Americans recognized this and used scorn and ridicule to promote social order. For instance, when a child of the Fox tribe was taught the do's and don'ts of his culture, his elders didn't hold over his head an abstract rule of morality. Nor did they threaten him with punishment now or in the hereafter. Instead, they said to him, "The people of the village may say things about you."
Say It!
All too often we take for granted the ones we love. Perhaps we get caught up in the day-to-day process of living and working, and we neglect to share our true inner feelings. "She knows I love her," we tell ourselves. But we never tell our spouse.
Always Thankful
Perhaps Habakkuk 3:17-19 was an unusual Bible passage to read as our family and guests sat down to a traditional feast of turkey with all the trimmings. But I had a reason for choosing it. Simply to bow my head and give thanks didn't seem to be enough. Compared with the poverty of many of the world's people, I am wealthy.
No No-Fault Divorce
When gospel singer Larnelle Harris and his wife Mitzy had their first big argument, they began to pray that God would teach them how to "fight fair." Larnelle wrote, "Why did we pray like that? Because for us divorce is not an option. We know that as Jesus Christ is our focal point, we will be able to remain true to our commitment to each other."
