The Unread Bible
The name of Larry McMurtry may not be familiar to most people. But to readers of books about the American frontier and small towns of the western US, he is somewhat of an icon. A few years ago he wrote his autobiography in which he wondered about his own future: "I'm now in my sixties, which means that I'm looking at a maximum of about 30 more years of life. Which should I do? Read or write? Though I have now read a lot of books, the range is still green with thousands of potentially interesting books yet unread."
Who Is On The Throne?
According to English poet Oliver Reynolds, an old man had a family altar where he burned incense to an engraving of Napoleon. When asked why he worshiped the picture as a god, the man replied that he would worship anything.
Remembered By A Nail
Emil Mettler, a restaurant owner in London, was known for his generosity. He often fed people for nothing. If a representative of a Christian organization came in and told him of a need, he would open his cash drawer and give a sizable donation.
The Light Of The World
One dark and ominous night during World War II, a US aircraft carrier was plowing through heavy seas in the South Pacific. All lights were out because of enemy submarines. One plane was missing. Somewhere in that pitch-black sky it was circling in a seemingly futile search for the carrier—its only landing place, its only hope of not being swallowed up by the giant ocean. The ship's captain, knowing the terrible risk involved, gave the order, "Light up the ship." Soon the plane zoomed onto the deck like a homing pigeon.
When Jesus Comes In
In 1932, as the US was undergoing a financial breakdown, missionary Robert Cummings was suffering an emotional breakdown. As he carried on his evangelistic ministry with his wife in India, he became obsessed by blasphemous and sinful thoughts so overwhelming that he felt cast aside by God and eternally lost. Hospital care and therapy were of no help. His wife brought him back to the US where he was placed in a private mental facility.
The Gift Of Joy
During the Christmas season it's easy to be swept along by the flood of frenzied gift-buying. Our motive may be commendable—we want to show our love for family and friends. We may even argue that the exchange of expensive presents reflects God's gift to us of His Son and is a way to spread yuletide joy.
On The Edge Of Eternity
During the dark days of World War II, Adolf Hitler was tyrannizing Europe and herding millions of people into concentration camps. No wonder there was a widespread belief that the end of history had arrived.
Health-giving Hope
It is well-known that our emotions can have a profound effect on our bodies. And the condition of our bodies can affect our emotions.
Not Just Knowing
The young salesman approached the farmer and excitedly told him about the great book he was selling. He said it had all the information needed to run a profitable farm: when to sow, when to reap, how to predict the weather, how to care for livestock—everything that would make any farmer a success.
