Topics from a to z

TOPICS FROM A TO Z
EDITED BY GLE PEASE
A
ALCOHOL
1. Edison: "To put alcohol in the human body is like putting sand in the bearings
of an engine. I am a total abstainer from alcohol liquor. I always felt I had better
use for my head."
William Howard Taft: "He who drinks disqualifies himself for advancement.
Personally, I refuse to take such a risk,"
Luther Burbank: "To us liquor is to the nervous system like putting sand in a
watch; it wears out rapidly, making it a wretched, useless thing."
Abraham Lincoln: "Liquor might have defenders but no defense. Whether or not
the world would be vastly benefited by a total and final banishment of all
intoxicating drink seems to me not an open question."
2. A few years ago, with the Fourth of July approaching, it was my job as safety
offiecer of my Marine Corps unit to develop a slogan and to put up posters
discouraging drinking over the holiday weekend. We had no accidents tht year, and
I attribute it partly to our slogan: "He who comes forth with a fifth on the Fourth
may not come forth on the fifth."
A GELS
They can be so appealing that they can lead astray, and that is why Satan is an angel
of light to deceive. Paul said if even an angel preaches a different Gospel do not be
deceived. They can compel worship as in Rev. 19:10 and 22:8-9. they can receive the
adoration due only to Jesus as in Col. 2:18. We should know all we can about them
but avoid getting obsesses with them. Henry Ward Beecher, “There’s not much
practical Christianity in the man who lives on getter terms with angels and seraphs,
than with his children, servants and neighbors.”
If we insist on angels having wings then we are forced to picture God with them also
as in Ruth 2:12, Ps. 17:8, 61:4, Matt, 23:37. Wings are used symbolically in Ps. 55:6
and Isa. 40:31. In the first four centuries angels were not pictured with wings. But
then it became popular with artists to give wings to distinguish angels from men.
God uses angels for we could not stand to see God directly and so he has those who

represent him to us. They are capable beings and it would be foolish to have them
created is God did everything himself and did not let them function.
A little girl said she thought of the angels in the dark for it helped her to not think of
the fraidy things. Angels became femine and this helped the image to be comforting
like the mother, but in the Bible they are often the fraidy things themselves. C.S
Lewis though it was a mistake to have nice female angels so attractive, for it led to
the loss of fear in their presence, as we see in the Bible.
Angels are messengers of God to motivate men to get up and get going. They came to
Peter in prison and said, “Rise quickly.” To Gideon, “Arise and go in this thy
might.” To Joseph, “God quickly.” To Philip, “Arise and go.” They are like an
alarm that says get up and get going.
Angels are used for protection of believers, as in Ps. 34 Toplady wrote,
Thy ministering spirits descend,
To watch while thy saints are asleep,
By day and by night they attend,
The heirs of salvation to keep;
Bright seraphs dispatched from the throne,
Repair to their stations assigned;
And angles elect are sent down,
To guard the elect of mankind.
There is singing up in heaven
Such as we have never known,
Where the angels sing the praises
Of the Lamb upon the throne;
Their sweet harps are ever tuneful
and their voices always clear,
Oh, that we might be more like them
While we serve the Master here.
So, although I’m not an angel,
Yet I know that over there
I will join a blessed chorus
That the angels cannot share;
I will sing about my Savior
Who upon dark Calvary
Freely pardoned my transgressions,
Died to set a sinner free.
Chorus:
Holy, holy, is what the angels sing,
And I expect to help them make the

Courts of heaven ring;
But when I sing redemption’s story,
They will fold their wings,
For angels never felt the joys
That our salvation brings.
A GELS
Christians look at things not seen 2 Corinthians 4:18 while we do not
look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.
For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are
not seen are eter nal.
Angels are one part of what is not seen Yet, too often not looked at.
Angels are mentioned nearly 300 times in the Bible. Use of "Angel" as
Human Messengers (Malak = Hebrew, Angelos = Greek) 2 Samuel 2:5 So
David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead, and said to them, You
are blessed of the Lord, for you have shown this kindness to your lord,
to Saul, and have buried him. 1 Kings 19:2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger
to Elijah, saying, "So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not
make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time."
2 Kings 16:7 Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria...
Haggai 1:13 Then Haggai, the Lord's messenger, spoke the Lord's message
to the people, saying, "I am with you, says the Lord." Malachi 2:7 For
the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, and people should seek the
law from his mouth; For he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. Luke
7:24 When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the
multitudes concerning John: What did you go out into the wilderness to
see? A reed shaken by the wind? Luke 7:27 This is he of whom it is
written: `Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare
Your way before You.' 2 Corinthians 12:7 And lest I should be exalted
above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh
was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me... James 2:25 Was not
Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the
messengers and sent them out another way? Revelation 1:20 The mystery of
the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden
lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and
the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches. Revelation
2:1 To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, `These things says He
who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of
the seven golden lampstands:
Angels Are Spiritual Creatures Created by God Colossians 1:16 For by Him
all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth,
visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or
powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. Psalms 148:2, 5
Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! 5 Let them

praise the name of the Lord, For He commanded and they were created.
ehemiah 9:6 You alone are the Lord; You have made heaven, the heaven of
heavens, with all their host, ...and You preserve them all. They Were
Present at the Creation of the World Job 38:4-7 Where were you when I
laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.
Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the
line upon it? To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its
cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of
God shouted for joy? Angels Are Innumerable Hebrews 12:22 But you have
come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly
Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, Psalms 68:17 The
chariots of God are twenty thousand, Even thousands of thousands...
Daniel 7:10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him. a
thousand thousands ministered to Him; ten thousand times ten thousand
stood before Him...
There is no word in Hebrew for million - 10,000 x 10,000 = 100 million
Matthew 26:53 Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and
He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? What is the
Purpose of These Special Creatures? #1 Give glory to God and help
accomplish His will. Revelation 5:11-12 Then I looked, and I heard the
voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the
elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and
thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: "Worthy is the Lamb
who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and
honor and glory and blessing!" Revelation 7:11-12 All the angels stood
around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell
on their faces before the throne and worshipped God, saying: "Amen!
Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and
might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen."
#2 Serve God's people Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits
sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation? They Can
Travel From the Spiritual Dimension to the Physical Judges 6:11-21
Gideon Judges 13:3-9 Manoah and his wife Luke 2:9,13 Shepherds
Acts 12:7 Peter in prison
Angels Can Be Detained - Daniel 10:10-15
Angels are Very Strong 2 Peter 2:11 ...angels, who are greater in power
and might, (than man) Psalms 103:20 ...His angels, Who excel in
strength... 2 Thessalonians 1:7 ... the Lord Jesus is revealed from
heaven with His mighty angels, 2 Kings 19:35 ..the angel of the Lord...
killed 185,000.
Ranks Among Angles As Well As With Wicked Spirits Ephesians 1:21 far
above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name

that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
(cp. 6:10-12)
Michael the Arch-angel. Others under him. Angels Do The Will of the
Father Prayer of Jesus Matthew 6:10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven. Psalms 103:20-21 Bless the Lord, you His
angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of
His word. Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, You ministers of His, who
do His pleasure.
They Are Sent to Minister Hebrews 1:13-14 But to which of the angels has
He ever said: "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your
footstool"? Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister
for those who will inherit salvation?
Sent from the presence of God to the realm of mankind.
Genesis 24:40 But he said to me, The Lord, before whom I walk, will send
His angel with you and prosper your way; and you shall take a wife for
my son from my family and from my father's house. Daniel 6:22 My God
sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths, so that they have not hurt
me, because I was found innocent before Him...
Luke 1:19 Gabriel was sent to Zacharias
Luke 1:26-31 Gabriel was sent by God to Mary.
Acts 12:11 Peter ...said, "the Lord has sent His angel, and has
delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the
Jewish people."
What Are Angels Sent For? Angels are Messengers 1. Abraham told not
to kill Isaac 2. Manoah and wife told of son to be born. 3.
Interpreted vision of ram and goat to Daniel. 4. Helped Daniel
understand Jeremiah's prophecy of the 70 weeks 5. Zacharias told
about his son by Gabriel 6. Mary, Joseph, shepherds all have
message by angels. 7. Philip told to go out to the desert 8.
Told Paul that they would be delivered form the storm at sea
Angels Delivered the Law at Sinai Deuteronomy 33:2 And he (Moses) said:
"The Lord came from Sinai, and dawned on them from Seir; He shone forth
from Mount Paran, and He came with ten thousands of saints; from His
right hand came a fiery law for them. Psalms 68:17 The chariots of God
are twenty thousand, Even thousands of thousands; The Lord is among them
as in Sinai, in the Holy Place. Acts 7:52 Which of the prophets did your
fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of
the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers,

who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept
it. Galatians 3:19 Why the Law then? It was added because of
transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a
mediator, until the seed should come to whom the promise had been made.
Hebrews 2:1-2 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things
we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels
proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a
just reward,
How is it meant that the Law Was Given by God? Hebrews 3:7 Therefore, as
the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden
your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of trial in the wilderness,
Hebrews 4:7 again He designates a certain day, saying in David,
..."Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts."
God Š angels Š Moses Š Israel
We now have complete revelation from God. Hebrews 1 - 2 shows how Jesus
is greater than the angels. The revelation through Him is greater. They
still are our ministers. How? The key to understanding the role of
angels today is to understand their role in the past.
Angles Care for Physical eeds 1. Provided water for Hagar and
Ishmael Gen. 21:14-120 2. Provided food for Elijah 2 Kings
19:3-9 3. Ministered to Jesus after His 40 day fast 4.
Keep wild animals away as with Daniel?
How did they strengthened Jesus? Luke 22:43 Then an angel appeared to
Him from heaven, strengthening Him.
We are not told the details, but we know angels were involved.
God promised to care for us, Mat 6:33 etc. Angels one way of doing this.
Angels Help Us Be Successful in What We Do Genesis 24:40 But he said to
me, The Lord, before whom I walk, will send His angel with you and
prosper your way; and you shall take a wife for my son from my family
and from my father's house.
Many passages teach of God blessing individuals. How does He do this?
One way - angels.
Israel Exodus 23:20-23 Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in
the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. Beware of
Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your
transgressions; for My name is in Him. But if you indeed obey His voice
and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an
adversary to your adversaries. For My Angel will go before you and bring

you in to the Amorites and the Hittites and the Perizzites and the
Canaanites and the Hivites and the Jebusites; and I will cut them off.
Exodus 33:2 And I will send My Angel before you, and I will drive out
the Canaanite and the Amorite and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the
Hivite and the Jebusite. Psalms 91:11 For He shall give His angels
charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.
Rescue From Danger Genesis 19:10-16 - Lot Genesis 48:16 the Angel who
has redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; (Jacob blessing
Ephraim and Manasseh) Psalms 34:7 The angel of the Lord encamps all
around those who fear Him, and delivers them.
Angels Encouraged Paul - Act 27:13-26
Angels Protected Elisha From the Syrians 2 Kings 6:16 Do not fear...
those who are with us are more than those who are with them
Angels Fights Against Our Enemies Psalms 35:5-6 Let them be like chaff
before the wind, And let the angel of the Lord chase them. Let their way
be dark and slippery, And let the angel of the Lord pursue them. Genesis
19:11 And they struck the men who were at the doorway of the house with
blindness, both small and great, so that they became weary trying to
find the door. Psalms 78:49 He cast on them the fierceness of His anger,
Wrath, indignation and trouble, By sending angels of destruction among
them. [plagues on Egypt]
2 Kings 19:35 185,000 killed in the camp of the Assyrians
1 Corinthians 10:10 nor murmur, as some of them also murmured, and were
destroyed by the destroyer.
Angels Enabled People To Hear the Truth, Open Doors Philip and Eunuch -
Acts 8 Peter and Cornelius - Acts 10
Colossians 4:3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us
a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ...
Rev 3:8 Philadelphia
Angels help in Providence Dan 10-12
Angels Are Present At Our Death What happens when a person dies? Where
does his spirit go? How does it get there? Are there any forces trying
to keep the spirit separated from God in the spiritual realm as there
are now? 2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to
be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. Philippians
1:23 For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart

and be with Christ, which is far better.
How De We Get There? Luke 16:22 So it was that the beggar died, and was
carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was
buried.
Many spiritual enemies in the spiritual realm. After the spirit leaves
the body, why should we expect the wicked spirits to no longer care?
We are chaperoned through spiritual realm to the presence of Christ in
the same realm angels and Satan are. (in heavenly places) What is there
no one knows. Many attempt to learn of this realm through hypnosis,
drugs, astral projection. Commonly reported of a tunnel to pass through,
what's on the other side of the tunnel? Angels waiting to escort us to
Christ.
Angels Will Be Coming With Christ Greatest event in the future is the
2nd coming of Christ.
1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with
a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.
And the dead in Christ will rise first. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 and to
give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed
from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on
those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of
our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting
destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His
power, when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to
be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you
was believed.
Wheat and the Tares - Matthew 13:24-30, 36-39 o more hypocrites,
insincere, apathetic, lukewarm in the church. Some we know are not
following God. Some we cannot judge. They appear to be righteous and
fool men. God and the angels will not be fooled.
Angels Will be Present When We Are Brought Before the Throne of God -
(Mat 25:31-32) Luke 12:8-9 Everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son
of Man shall confess him also before the angels of God. But he who
denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.
Angels Will Cast the Sinners Away 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 in flaming fire
taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not
obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with
everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory
of His power,
How will this be accomplished?

The Wicked in the Kingdom Matthew 13:41-42 The Son of Man will send out
His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that
offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the
furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Wicked in the world Matthew 13:49-50 So it will be at the end of the
age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the
just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and
gnashing of teeth." Matthew 25:41 Then He will also say to those on the
left hand, Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire
prepared for the devil and his angels: Revelation 20:10 And the devil,
who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where
the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and
night forever and ever.
With the casting of Satan, his angels and the wicked into the lake of
fire, this part of the work of the angels will be finished. there will
be no more being sent from the presence of Christ to men on earth.
Together with the redeemed they will live through eternity in the
presence of God and enjoy a life of praise and peace in heaven. They
witnessed creation, fall, redemption, judgment
They are our servants to help us reach home with God. With help like
this how can we loose? ot to go about feeling defeated, but more than
conquerors.
ot our power, but God's.
We may not have angles visibly come to us as with Lot, and Elisha to
deliver us. Tell us personally where to go find someone to teach
But they are still ministering spirits sent our to serve us. Struggle we
involved in Satan hinders, angels help Revelation 19:11-16 ow I saw
heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was
called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.
His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He
had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with
a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the
armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him
on white horses. ow out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it
He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod
of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of
Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:
KI G OF KI GS A D LORD OF LORDS.
Paul Was Aware of Their Presence 1 Timothy 5:21 I charge you before God

and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these
things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality.
Do the Angles See People As Interested In Redemption As They Are? 1
Peter 1:10-12 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched
diligently, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you,
...things which angels desire to look into.
Wayne Wells wayneliz@twave.net http://users.twave.net/ncc
APOCRYPHAL STORIES
1. Lesile Paul wrote, 'There are two aprocryphal stories of the childhood of Jesus
which illustrate the difficulties a young poet might hat to contend with among hill
puritans. In one he squatted childlike over the mud and modelled sparrows out of
the clay. Sparrows! It was the sabbath. Another child ran telling tales to Joseph
who came hurrying officiously out to his boyd and said, "Why do you do this sort of
thing--profaning the Sabbath>" In the story Jesus would neither answer his
question nor look at him but stared down at his sparrows and said to them, "Go on,
fly away, and remember me for the rest of your life." And they flew up to the
rooftops. In another story Jesus was playing withother boys on the flat roof of a
two=story house. A playmate was pushed and fell to the ground and was killed.
The other boys fled and Jesus was left standing alone on the roof. The parents of
the dead child ran from their house weeping and when they saw Jesus standing
alone on the roof accused him of the death of the boy. "But Jesus, seeing that,
leaped dwon straightaway from theupper storey and stood a the the head of him
that wasd dead, and saith to him, 'Zeno, did I cast thee down? Arise and tell....'
And with the word the boy rose up and worshpped Jesus and said, "Lord, thou
didst not cast me down, but when I was dead thou didst make alive.'"
APPOLOGIZE
1. One of the first lessons I leanred in our marriage was the necessity of saying,
"I'm sorry," My wife, christy, is much better at it than me. In fact, it seems that
wheever we had a disagreement, she would be the first to apologize. Due to muy
delicate male ego, I would let her.
After one of our "discussions," Cristy decided that it was my turn to say "I'm
sorry." Since I wasn't used to apologizing, I thought nothing of te stony silence that
existed between us for the next hour. However, I caught her nonverbal message
after awhile: "Either you apologize, or face the consequences." As a newlywed, it
didn't take me long to figure out what those consequences might be!
But I was feeling stubborn that evening and thought maybe I could outwait her.
I was wrong. There was no way she was going to apologize first. She had made up
her mind, and the next move was up to me.
I knew I should do my part; Christy was a very forgiving person. And after all,
wasn't I the head of our home? Wasn't I the one who was supposed to be showing
the way? Wasn't I to love Christy as Christ loved His church?

Fianlly, I dropped to my knees. ot to pray, although I probably should have. I
dropped to my knees so I could crawl across the living room and beg Christy's
forgiveness. It was a well-calculated move, and it broght the desired reesult;
laughter. For all her determination, she couldn't stay mad when she saw her
penitent husband crawling on the floor.
When I finally reached her, we collapsed in each other's arms, almost
simutaneously saying, "I'm sorry!" The ice had been broken, and we could return
to the joys of our relationship.
Since that time, I've said, "I'm sorry" many times. Sometimes I've added flowers
or a gift. I doubt I'll ever be as quick to forgive as Christy, but I'll never forget the
lesson I learned that night. Love means you always have to say "I'm sorry."
J.D. Holt
ATTITUDE
1. John was taken up in a airplane by a friend and he noticed that he spent a lot of
time watching a certain instrument. What is it he asked, and he was told it is the
attitude indicator. The attitude of the plane is its position in relation to the horizon.
That position dictates the planes performance. If you want to change the planes
performance you have to change its attitude. Put it in a more high attitude and it
will climb. Put it in a more down attitude and it will dive. The plane follows its
attitude. John got to thinking, this is true for us as well as planes. A bad attitude
will lead to poor performance, and a good attitude will lead to a successful
performance.
o wonder Paul says in Phil 2:5, "Your attitude should be the same as that of
Christ Jesus." Paul gives us examples of just what that attitude is.
1. He was selfless-v. 3-4.
2. He was secure-v. 6-7.
3. He was submissive-v. 8.
You will note that an attitude is a choice. It does not depend on feelings. It sets
the tone for feelings to follow, and does not wait for them to lead the way. Rejoice in
the Lord always and again I say rejoice says Paul Regardless of the situation have a
spirit of praise. David was determined to praise God even when life was a mess. He
says in Psa. 34:1, " I will bless the Lord at all times; His prasie shall be continually
be in my mouth." That was not a feeling, but an attitude.
Was life often unfair and frustrating for David? Yes it was, but he had made a
choice of the kind of attitude he would have. He had a choice to be negative with a
nose down attitude and take a dive, or have a nose high attitude and climb. The
choice of attitude determines the direction you go. Up and down are not just
directions, they are attitudes. Studies show that students with high aptitude still fail
because of a bad attitude. A good aptitude with a bad attitude means failure. If you
go through life with a chip on your shoulder people will naturally think you are a
block head.
68% of customers quit a store or product because of an attitude of indifference to
them by some employee. The people who make any organization grow are those
with good attitudes. Teddy Rosevelt said, "The most important single ingredient to
the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people." And John D.
Rockefeller said, "I will pay more for the ability to deal with people than any other

ability under the sun."
My life may touch a dozen lives
Before this day is done
Leave countless marks of good or ill
E'er sets the evening sun.
A young bride from the East followered her husband to the U.S. Army camp on
the edge of the California desert. Living conditions were primitive. The only
housing was in a run down shack near an Indian village. The heat was unbearable-
115 in the shade. The wind blew dust all over everything. The days were long and
boring. She wrote to her mother and said she was coming home. She just could not
take it anymore. In a short time she received a reply. It was a little poem that said,
"Two men looked out of prison bars, one saw mud, the other stars. She read these
lines over and over and realized she had to look up and not down, and change her
attitude. She began to look for stars.
She started to make friends among the Indians, and they taught her to weave
and make pottery. She learned of their history and culture, and she began to
appreicate the beauty of the desert. She collected cacti
and shells that had been deposited when it had been an ocean floor. She became an
expert and wrote a book about desert life. othing had changed. It was the same
desert, but she had changed her attitude, and the result was she saw stars, and was
happy where she saw only mud before.
Someone said, "Your attitude at the start of any task will affect the outcome
more than anything else." A team with a hopeless attitude will likely loose. The
patient who is optimistic has a better chance for recovery. It is not just alls well that
ends well, but alls well that begins well. The attitude sets the stage and determines
the role we play before the play begins. Our attitude says it will be a tragedy or a
comedy, and then we go and play out our attitude. Everyone else was saying of
Goliath, "He is so big I can't face him." David was saying, "He is so big I can't miss
him."
The elder brother of the Prodigal missed out on the celebration. He was left out
because of his bad attitude. He cut himself off by his bad attitude. He could have
looked at his privileges and his possessions, and had a very positive attitude that
would have made him a leader in the celebration. He choose to have a bad attitude
and miss the party alltogether. Victor Frankl said, "The last of the human
freedoms is to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances." It is not
what happens to us but what happens in us that makes us winners or losers. That is
why a good attitude is the key to success.
B

BABY
1. When my daughter-in-law was pregnant, my son went with her to doctor
appointments. The day the doctor checked the baby's heartbeat for the first time,
he handed the stethoscope to my son to listen. The doctor said, "Sounds like a
washing machine, doesn't it?" My son agreed.
On the way home my son was very quiet. Then came these words: "If it's a boy,
we can name him Kenmore. If it's a girl, we could call her Maytag."
2. After our priest performed a baptism at Sunday Mass, one proud family spent a
lot of time taking photographs. A month later the priest was again performing
baptisms when he noticed the same family at the font. "Didn't I baptize your child a
few weeks ago?" he asked the parents.
"Yes, the mother responded, "but the pictures didn't turn out."
BEAUTY
1. A. Maude Royden wrote, "This assurance of God comes to most of us through
beauty. When those of you who are blessed with a sense of music hear a sonata of
Beethoven, a fugue of Bach, some music that is really great, you are for the moment,
at least, released from the struggle and difficulty of the world; for a moment you
enter the presence of God. When those to whom ature is very dear see the
satisfying beauty of the sea, the eternal glory of the mountains, the stems of the pine-
trees going up into the shade above, they for a moment escape from the terror and
perplexity and struggle of the world. They know that there is an absolute beauty,
and that to that beauty they are akin. The greatest of all services to the world,
perhaps, is the service of the artist, who reveals to us that perfection of beauty. Yes,
sometimes I think it is even more wonderful when it comes to us though Art than
when it comes to us through ature, because when it come to us through Art, God
speaks to us through another human being, and that is, after all, the most moving
and most revealing aspect of /God that we can ever reach. Even the beauty of the
sea and the beauty of God revealed to us by the hand of some artist, the voice of
some singer, the dream of some poet; and so all churches and all services should
have in them that elemnet of beauty.
2. A. Maude Royden wrote, "It is simply that when the truth is put beautifully you
can grasp it with something more than reason: you have a spiritual kinship with the
poet who put those words to you, and you realise that every truth is beautiful and
everthing that is beautiful is true, for there is nothing on earth so ugly as a lie.
Beauty is truth, Truth beauty: that is all we know on earth and all we nned to
know>" A hard saying, yes, but what a great one! It brings us the conviction that
under all the ugly surface of things, under all the broken crooked facts, there is a
great purpose, a purpose that is love, a truth deeper than we, still looking at the
outside of things, have been able to grasp. There is revealed to us the unchanging
law of God.
We are taught how, if we chose, we could, even in this world, find the Kingdom of
God within us, by listening to those prophets of the Beautiful who sing to us the
Lord's osng in a strange land.

BELIEVE,
1. Many people argue, "I do believe in Christ. I believe in the
Church, and I believe in the Bible. Isn't that enough?
o! You must RECEIVE Christ.
I may go to the airport. I have a reservation. I have a
ticket in my pocket. The plane is one the ramp. It is a big,
powerful plane. I am certain that it will take me to my
destination. They call the flight three times. I neglect to get
on board. They close the door. The plane taxis down the runway
and takes off. I am not on the plane. Why? I "believed" in the
plane, but I neglected to get on board.
That's just it! You believe in God, Christ, the Bible, and
the Church -- but you have neglected to actually receive Him in
your heart. Your belief has been an impersonal, speculative
thing, and you have not entrusted yourself to Him.
- Billy Graham, _The Secret Of Happiness_, p. 87.
BEST
1. Dr. Lee Roberson wrote, "It is said that a committee once called on Enrica
Causo, then at the zenith of his peratic fame, to ask if he would sing at a concert for
the benefit of the soldiers. The chairman of the committee hurriedly said, "Of
course, Mr. Caruso, as this is a charity affair, we would not expect you to do your
best. Your name will draw the crowd, and you could merely sing some song
requiring little of strength or skill."
Caruso is said to have drawn himself to his fulll height as he said, "Caruso never
does less than his best."
What a beautiful illustration o fhow we should live for Christ and of how we
shuld conduct ourselves--always at our best!"
BIBLE, "BIBLE
1. When I am tired, the Bible is my bed;
Or in the dark, the Bible is my light;
When I am hungry, it is vital bread;
Or fearful, it is armour for the fight;
When I am sick, 'tis healing medicine;
Or lonely, thronging friends I find therein.
If I would work, the Bible is my tool;
Or play, it is a harp of happy sound.
If I am ignorant, it is my school;
If I am sinking, it is solid ground.
If I am cold, the Bible is my fire;
And wings, if boldly I aspire.

Should I be lost, the Bible is my guide;
Or naked, it is raiment, rich and warm.
Am I imprisoned, it is ranges wide;
Or tempest-tossed, a shelter from the storm.
Would I adventure, 'tis a gallant sea;
Or would I rest, it is a flowery lea.
Dr. Amos R. Wells
BIRTH
1. Woman did not want drugs for childbirth but she had a rough time and the nurse
said to her in trying to make her comfortable, "Would you like to change
postions?" "Yes, she said, I want to be the midwife."
BLAME
1. Gerald Kennedy wrote, "There was a young preacher with an attractive wife
who liked new clothes. She spent too much and they were in debt. Finally they had
a council and she agreed not to buy anything without first talking it over. Then she
went to town and came back with a new dress, and the young preacher said to her,
"But, my dear, you promised me." She replied, " I know I did, but the devil
tempted me," He answered, " YOu should have said, "Get thee behind me,
Satan." "Oh,," she said, " I did, and he whispered, "It fits so beautifully in the
back." There has to come a time when we will not blame it on Satan or anything
else but accept ou rpersonal responsibility for our condition.
BODY
The body is used to express many different feelings and behavior.
Lost your head, heads up, sorehead, save face, shoulder a burden, get it off your
chest, lot of gall, no guts, two faced, face up, chin up, get in your hair, hair-raising,
grit your teeth, shin of your teeth, give your eyeteeth, pain in the neck, nose out of
joint, nosey, hard-nosed, bend your ear, ear to the ground, butterflies in the
stomach, can’t stomach it, yellow belly, bleeding heart, broken heart, heart in your
throat, heartless, lily-livered, vent your spleen, stiff upper lip, bare your teeth, sink
your teeth into, eyebrow lifting, sweat of your brow, catch the eye, starry-eyed, big
mouth, cheeky, turn the other cheek, shoulder to the wheel, get off my back, no
backbone, my aching back, spine-tingling, twist your arm, open arms, put the finger
on, tight-fisted, palm off, give his a hand, back of your head or hand, get out of
hand, knuckle down, knuckle under, elbow your way, get a leg up, watery knees,
stand on your own feet, put your toe in the water, tight, no balls, you have your
nerve, gets under the skin, thin-skinned, blood-curdling, choke up, kiss off, keep in
touch, shrug it off, get a kick out of, itching to do it.
BRIDGE
1. The Bridge Builder

An old man, going a lone highway,
Came, at the evening, cold and gray,
To a chasm, vast, and deep, and wide,
Through which was flowing a sullen tide.
The old man crossed in the twilight dim;
The sullen stream had no fears for him;
But he turned, when safe on the other side,
And built a bridge to span the tide.
"Old man," said a fellow pilgrim, near,
"You are wasting strength with building here;
Your journey will end with the ending day;
You never again must pass this way;
You have crossed the chasm, deep and wide-
Why build you a bridge at the eventide?"
The builder lifted his old gray head:
"Good friend, in the path I have come," he said,
"There followeth after me today,
A youth, whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm, that has been naught to me,
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be.
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building the bridge for him."
-Will Allen Dromgoole
BUREAUCRATIC
Red tape is neither new nor a strictly American bureaucratic invention. It is said
that there was a time when the windows of Windsor Castle were never washed on
the inside and the outside at the same time. The outside of the windows was under
the jurisdiction of Woods and Forest while the inside was under the jurisdiction of
the Lord Stewards. It took a forced meeting of the two departments before both
sides of the windows could be washed on the same day.
C
CARPE TER
1. husband Glenn, a weekend woodworker, cut off the tips of his thumb and index
finger while using a table saw. Our doctor bandaged his wounds and sent him
to a hand surgeon, whom Glenn discovered was a Christian.

After the surgeon, Dr. Drew iany, stitched Glenn's fingers, my husband asked,
"Do you get a lot of woodworkers in here?"
"Sure do," Dr. iany answered with a chuckle. "I only know of one Carpenter
who was sharper than all his tools."
CE SORSHIP
1. Gerald Kennedy wrote, "Take, for example censorship. Someone is always
coming along with the very best of intentions to keep what they regard as teh
indecent from other people. A man reported that when he was a boy his maiden
aunt had given him a Bible. Being concerned with its frankness in places, she had
pasted certain pages together lest his boyish mind become corrupted. This, he
reported, simply made theplaces easire to find. It reminded me of an experience
when I was a student pracher in a connecticut villate. An elderly lady gave me
several novels, and when I read them, I discovered that wheever she had come to a
risque passage, she simply cut it out. Of course, I had to find another book and read
the missing sections.
Censorship seems to be so reasonable if it is being practiced by good people. We
can hardly find objections to eliminating what to our mind ought to be eliminiated.
You can make a good case for the neccessity of holding up standards of decency and
making it unlawful to print certain books and show certain pictures. If we could be
sure that the censor was always a reasonable and responsible person, whichis to say
a person who thinks as we think, there would be little debate on the subject.
But the difficulty is that if it works for one side, it will work for the other.
Supposing a Hitler comes to power and decides that some things are not good for
the people to read. Suppose the tyrant wants to keep truth from the citizens of the
nation. When the principle of censorship has been established, then there is no
legitimate reason why, if used by one side, it cannot be used by the other. I am quite
willing to accept censorship if I can be the censor, but I begin to ask questions about
it if someone with whom I thoroughly disagree wants to do the censoring.
I have come to the conclusion finally that censorship is wrong and that it rasies
more questions than it solves. We have to raise the tastes of all men so that the filthy
and the obscene will have no appeal. Freedom to read must be respected, and
except in a very few extreme cases, we must insist on men's right to choose for
themselves.
2.
CHALLE GE
1. Gerald Kennedy wrote, "The task of the preacher is to hold the true Word before
the congregation If I were a layman and my preacher spoke to my likes every
week, I would certainly request a change. The layman has a right to expect that the
preacher ought to make him angry. By no means should he ever have to put up with
a gentle voice speaking to his prejudices week after week. That kind of preaching
brings death. As preachers we have the responsiblity to call the attention of
ourpeople to another kingdom and a higher life. Every Sunday morning people
ought to hear a true sentence spoken which will start them on the road upward for
another week.

2.
CHA GES
1. David Veerman wrote, "The erosion of my expertise began just before the
marital bless began. It was just a hint, a clue, at the wedding rehearsal. When the
minister asked my bride to be if sh'd take me "for better or worse, for richer or
poorer, in sickness or in hralth." Gail quickly said, "I'll take better, healthy, and
rich." I chuckled with the others and thought, "What a woman! What a great
sense of humor!" Of course I fully expected to be all of these and more. The seed-
hint fell on a closed mind. But a few days later came the second one.
Honeymooning in serene nothern Michigan, we had decided not to look like
typical mewlyweds, giggling, wide-eyed and glued to each other. Instead, we would
register at the hotel, order meals, and stroll arm in arm like any noraml young
couple on vacation. But on the grocery store checkout counter, right in the midst of
our purchases, I saw something alarming---Crest toothpaste. "But I use Colgate!" I
blurted loudly. Our newness and communication lapse broght knowing smiles from
the cashier and the doxen or so others in line.
During the weeks, months, and years that followed, the clues mounted--perhaps I
was not an expert after all. Lving together in close an doften gross quarters brought
out all sorts of personal rough edges that we would bump and rub against and often
work around. Our marriage ideals--impossible pictures of perfection---fell like
overripe tomatos in a storm. o matter how much I had lectured on marriage or
how much Gail and I knew, we were rank amatueurs, and we struggled together to
make our marriage work. I found my premarriage and marriage counseling
changing to more practical realism.
Children, however, were another story. I could hardly wait to father those
beautiful, God-given blessings, and my eagerness was heightened by our seeming
inablity to conceive. But finally there she was--tiny, heaven-sent, and precious.
With wrinkled yawns and profound gurgles, Kara epitornized innocence. When she
first cried in Gail's arms in the hospital, tears fell from Mommy's eyes too.
Once home, however, we had many rude awakenings! Darling Kara cried for a
month, usually at night. The doctor said it was colic; I thought I was losing my
mind. "Why did I ever want a child?" I wondered. Another idela bit the dust as I
immersed myself in the real world of parenting---incredibly soiled diapers, pablum
pools, brusies, weeping and wailings an deven gnashing of teeth (mine). Believe me,
I now emphathize and sympathize with parents and unruly kids wherever I see
them.
ow our oldest is in junior high school. Other "experts" say this is the age for
wide swings in emotions. I'm sure they're talking about the parents. One moment
we are so proud of our little lady, who is growing, maturing, thinking, being polite
and thoughtful. And then suddenly we are convinced she is demon possessed. Alas,
the last bastion of my expertise has fallen. I've spent 25 years working with
teenagers, and yet I'm an amateur with my own.
2. G.B Shaw said, "The only man who behaves sensibly is my tailor: he takes my
measure anew every time he sees me, whilst all the rest go on with their old
measurements and expect them to fit me."

CHILDRE
1. My best friend from high school asked my four-year-old son, yle, to be the
ring bearer in her wedding. As he was warming up to the idea, yle asked
me, "Mommy, when I walk down the aisle, can I growl at everybody?" "Why would
you want to do that, honey?" I asked. "Well, Mommy," he said, "you told me
I'd get to be the ring bear!"
2. On my son's fifth birthday, KC looked at his hand. Counting on his fingers,
he said, "Mom, first I was one, then I was two, then three, yesterday I was
four. ow I'm a whole handful." And he has been ever since!
3. Recently I realized I'd never shown my four-and-a-half-year-old son, Cameron,
my baby pictures. After seeing them one day, he said, "If these are your
baby pictures, where are the dinosaurs?"
4. During a recent visit with my parents, my two-year-old daughter, Kylee, sat
at the kitchen table eating her lunch. My mom joined her, closed her eyes,
and bowed her head to say a silent prayer for her food. Kylee watched
inquisitively. As my mom raised her head and opened her eyes, Kylee asked,
" ana, did you have a nice nap?"
5. My second grader, Rachel, recently discovered that then one of her friends
lost a tooth, the friend received ten dollars from the tooth fairy. When
Rachel realized the tooth fairy only gave her two dollars, she asked
her friend's mother, "Mrs. Kraft, would you mind doing me a big favor? Would
you please call my mom and tell her which tooth fairy you use?"
6. My son, Matthew, was seven when the school sent home his standardized test
scores. When I saw that he had scored a 99 percent in math, I praised him
and said, "You must have inherited Daddy's math genes." The look on my
husband's
face was priceless when Matthew ran up to him and said, "Daddy, look what
I got on my math test. I guess I do have your math pants!"
7. One day my three-year-old daughter, Olivia, helped me with my grocery
shopping.
As we were standing in line waiting to check out, she looked around at all
the carts and noticed what other people were purchasing. She then noticed
the woman behind us had her weeks-old baby in the back of her cart. Olivia
tapped me on the arm, pointed to this woman's cart and asked in hopeful
anticipation, "Mommy, can we buy one of those?"
8. During the children's sermon at our church one morning, the kids sat on
thesteps in front of the
sanctuary as our pastor explained the Bible verse,"I will make you fishers of men"
(Matt. 4:1 9).
As he held up his fishingpole, he asked, "If I were going to fish for men, what kind
of bait do
youthink I should use?" Wi thout hesitation, one little boy replied, "Donuts!"
9. My dad likes to amuse my two-year-old dau ghter, Kristin, by "magically"
pullingquarters out
of her ears. On a recent trip to the store, Kristin spotteda gumball machin e and
immediately
began asking for money. I explained toher that the machine needed a quarter and I

didn't have
one. Wasting no time,she replied, "Well, look in my ears. Papa always finds money
there.
10. On our way to Grandma's house one Thanksgiving morning, my husband asked
our four-year-old daughter, Marissa, what she was thankful for. After thinking
a second, she replied, "I'm thankful for all my aunts and uncles." Seizing
the opportunity for a last-minute review, my husband said, "You sure have
a lot of them, don't you? Can you name them all?" In a condescending tone,
she replied, "Dad, they already have names."
CHRIST IS ALL
1. Christina Rossetti wrote:
one other Lamb, none other ame,
one other Hope in heaven or earth or sea,
one other Hiding-place from guilt and shame,
one beside Thee.
My faith burns low, my hope burns low,
Only my heart's desire cries out in me
By the deep thunder of its want and woe,
Cries out to Thee.
Lord, Thou art Life tho' I be dead,
Love's Fire Thou art however, cold I be:
or heaven have I, nor place to lay my head,
or home, but Thee.
2. "He never wrote a book, yet more books have been written about Him than any
other man in the world's history. He never attended college, but thousands of
colleges have been erected by the inspiration of His life. His wisdom is beyond
correction, and His knowledge of life unserpassed. He was not an architect, but He
has inspired the erection of the most magnificent Cathedrals on the face of the earth.
He was not an artist, but He has touched the hidden genius within the hearts of men
and caused more paintings to be hung in famous galleries than any man who ever
lived. He never wrote a hymn, but the inspiration of His love has caused many
thousands of hymns to be written. He was not a musician, yet He has inspired men
to write the greatest of oratorios."
CHRIST
1. The Old Testament conceals Christ;
The ew Testament reveals Christ.
The Old Testament infolds Christ;
The ew Testament unfolds Christ.
The Old Testament promises Christ;

The ew Testament presents Christ.
The Old Testament pictures Christ;
The ew Testament produces Christ.
The Old Testament prophesies Christ;
The ew Testament proclaims Christ.
The Old Testament symbolizes Christ;
The ew Testament sacrifices Christ.
The Old Testament is law which Christ fulfilled;
The ew Testament love which Christ exhibits.
--Dr. R.G. Lee
CHRIST I YOU
1. One Sunday on their way home from church, a little girl
turned to her mother and said, "Mommy, the preacher's sermon this
morning confused me." The mother said, "Oh? Why is that?" The
little girl replied, "Well, he said that God is bigger than we
are. Is that true?" The mother replied, "Yes, that's true
honey." "And he also said that God lives in us? Is that true,
Mommy?" Again the mother replied, "Yes." "Well," said the little
girl, "if God is bigger than us and he lives in us, wouldn't He
show through?"
- James S Hewett, ed ILLUSTRATIO S U LIMITED p303
CHRISTMAS
1.. Evangeline Booth, Clara Barton, Isaac ewton, Steve
Brodie, Gladys Swartbout, lRebecca West, Cab Calloway
Humphrey Bogart, Conrad Hilton, Tony Martin, "Believe
or ot" Ripley? Each of these people were born on Christmas.
2. ext to a circus there ain't nothing that packs up and tears out any
quicker than the Christmas spirit. --Kin Hubbard--
3. Missionary A. Payne
His ame at the Top
I had the nicest Christmas list,The longest one in town,
Till Daddy looked at it and said,"You'll have to cut it down."
I knew that what he said was trueBeyond the faintest doubt,
But was amazed to hear him say,"You've left your best friend out."
And so I scanned my list again,And said, "Oh, that's not true!"
But Daddy said, "His name's not there,That Friend who died for you." And then I
clearly understood,'Twas Jesus that he meant;
For Him who should come first of allI hadn't planned a cent!
I'd made a Christmas birthday list,And left the Saviour out!
But, oh, it didn't take me longo change the list about.
And though I've had to drop some namesof folks I like a lot,
My Lord must have the most---becauseHis name is at the top!

CHRISTMAS
1. Leonard Griffith wrote, "An English Jesuit describes it poetically:
"A stupid horse and cow, they say,
Called for convenience, ox and ass,
Stood in a stable muching hay,
A rather stupid sort of grass.
It seems a village girl was there:
A rathre stupid sort of maid,
Whose husband was a carpenter:
A rather stupid sort of trade.
Her child was lying in a stall:
A rather stupid place to sleep;
The stupid shepherds came to call
With stupid lambs and stupid sheep.
The angels sang, et cetera,
Some songs of this world and the next,
And so fulfilled from Isaiah
A rather stupid sort of text."
Leonard Feeney, " oel", quoted from The Questing Spirit, ed. by Laccock and
Brentano (Coward-MeCann, Inc., ew York, 1947).
CIGARETTES
1. Gerald Kennedy wrote, "Somebody told me that the new name for Forest Lawn
Cenetery is Marlboro Country. Very funny! And very tragic that men and women
will try to joke about disease rather than be healed of it. Is there not hypocrisy in
making such a fuss about the spray on cranberries a few years ago and finding it so
difficult to make any progress in the fight against cigarettes?
CLEVER
During Roman Emperor ero's regime two officals plotted to kill a noble captive
who had insulted them, by having him thrown to the loins in the public arena.
However, under Roman law he was entitled to a chance to live if he were lucky
enough to draw the right slip of paper from a helmet in which two slips were place,
one marked "no," signifying freedom, the other marked "yes", signifying death. As
the time for the drawing drew near, the Roman officials sought to make doubly sure
that their victim would not escape by marking both slips "yes," but a friendly guard
warned the captive of their action. Taken before his judges to make the drawing, he
selected one slip and immediately tore it to bits, saying "I am free." The Romans
stared in anger. "One moment--what did your slip say?" they cried. "read the one

which remains," replied the captive as he moved toward the door.
COLORS
1. COLORS
My skin is kind of sort of brownish
Pinkish yellowish white.
My eyes are grayish blueish green,
But I'm told they look orange in the night.
My hair is reddish blondish brown,
But it's silver when it's wet.
And all the colors I am inside
Have not been invented yet.
-Shel Silverstein
COMFORT
1. Grace oll Crowell wrote:
I am amazed to find that pain and grief
By some strang alchemy, if bravely borne,
Become a powe, vital beyond belief,
To bless and comfort other hears that mourn.
I did not dream through those far lonely days,
Thos bitter hours when pleading for release,
That God would move in His mysterious ways
To make those hours a means to others' tears
Was generated through long bitter years.
COMMITME T
1. Sure, it takes a lot of courage
To put things in God's hands...
To give ourselves completely,
Our lives, our hopes, our plans;
To follow where He leads us
And make His will our own
But all it takes is foolishiness
To go the way alone! Betsey Kline
2.
COMMO TASKS
1. Grace oll Crowell wrote:
The common tasks are beautiful if we
Have eyes to see their shining ministry.
The plowman with his share deep in the loam,
The carpenter whose skilled hands build a home,
The gardner working with reluctant sod,
Faithful to his partnership with God---

These are the attisans of life, and oh,
A woman with her eyes and cheeks aglow,
Watching a kettle, tending a scarlet flame,
Guarding a little child--there is no name
For these great ministries, and eyes are dull
That do not see that they are beautiful,
That donot see within the common tasks
The simpler answer to the thing God asks
Of any child, a pride within His breast:
That at our given work we do our best.
COMMU ICATIO
1. Twice in one week I was in the middle of communication snafus thathappened
because of not hearing or understanding one little word. Hasthat ever happened to
you? One little word.
The first was one of those intricately orchestrated after-schoolschedules for kids
between husbands and wives. I see a lot of headsnodding. You know about these. I'll
spare you the details, but theresult was that my 14 year old daughter was left off on
a universitycampus of about 12,000 students and who knows what other kind
ofcharacters, when she was supposed to be left off at her musicteacher's house.
Earlier in the day, when my husband and I were checking in with each other, he
tried to tell me that I was to take her to the home of theteacher rather than the
university. I thought he was trying to verifywhat time I was to drop her off. And so I
didn't really listen verywell.Thus we experienced a 45-minute panic of not being
sure what hadhappened to our daughter after I left her off. Fortunately she
stayedput, talking to another student, until my husband got the messstraightened
out and arrived to pick her up.
The second incident came at work when I thought I knew what time ameeting was
going to be held, and so I didn't really listen to theannouncement that came over the
intercom. Egg was all over my face anddripping onto my dress by the time I walked
into the speech of our newvice-president, fifteen minutes late.
These were not the only times when I've noticed how badly we miss itwhen we are
missing just one piece of information, whether it isbecause of not listening, not being
given the information, ormisunderstanding what we've been told. When it seems
like someone isoverdoing it in giving you information (lecturing about the past,
3present and future of a given situation) he or she is really doing youa favor.
COMMU IO
1. In memory of our Savoiur's love,
We keep the sacred feast,
Where every humble, contrite heart
Is made a welcome guest.
By faith we take the Bread of Life
With which our souls are fed,
The cup is token of His blood

That was for sinner's shed.
In faith and memory thus we sing
The wonders of His love.
And thus anticipate by faith
The heavenly feast above.
COMPLIME TS
1. Customer-"To what do you owe your extra ordinary success as a house-to-house
salesman?"
Salesman-"To the first five words I utter when a woman opens the door-Miss, is
your mother in?"
2. A sincere compliment is one of the most effective teaching and
motivational methods in existence. They may seem to be just so
much air, but like the air we use to fill the tires on our
automobiles, they can really ease us along life's highway.
- Zig Ziglar
3. "I can live for two months on a good compliment."
CO FORMITY
1. As my fifteen-year-old son and I drove home from church one night, we argued
about his unkempt hair and outrageous clothing. We simmered in silence, then
both burst out laughing after he angrily cried out, "Mom, I just want to
be different like everybody else!"
CO SCIE CE
1. "Conscience is that small voice that makes us feel small when we do something
small."
CO SERVATIVE
1. Conservative......A statesman who is enamored of existing evils, as
distinguished from a liberal, who wishes to
replace them with others.
--Ambrose Bierce--
2. Jesus was both conservative and liberal at the same time. He fed the five thousand
and then had the disciples gather up all the left overs. He was generous as could be
yet he wanted not to waste anything and so he saved the crumbs for the future.He
took a strong stand against all sin, yet he was so forgiving to the worst of sinners. He
threatened hell, yet offered heaven. He could use force to drive the money changers
from the temple, yet he never hurt a single soul.
CO TE TME T
1. I heard a story some time ago called "The Stonecutter."
Once upon a time a stonecutter lived all alone. Though he had aquired great

skills he was very poor. He lived in a tiny bamboo hut and wore tattered clothing.
One day as the stonecutter worked with his hammer and chisel upon a huge stone,
he heard a crowd gathering along the streets. By their shouts he could tell that the
king was coming to visit his humble villlage. Joining in the possession, the
stonecutter gazed in awe as the king, dressed in marvelous silk, was greeted by his
subjects.
Oh, how I wish I had the power and glory of the king, he thought. He has
soldiers at his command. There is no one more powerful.
His cry was heard in the heavens, and immediately the humble stonecutter was
transformed into a powerful king. He found himself riding on a great horse,
waving at the crowds of people who had flocked to see him.
This is power he thought.
As the summer progressed, however, the new king watched the effects of the heat
upon his people. Men and animals became weary, and plants withered under the
powerful rays of the sun. As he looked at the sky, the new king realized that the sun
was more powerful than any earthly ruler.
How I wish I was as powerful as that, he thought. I wish I were the sun.
Immediately, his wish was granted.
The stonecutter relished his new role as the sun. He gloried in the power he felt
as he surveyed the kingdoms below. As he sent his bright rays to the earth, he
watched kings and princes hide under their parasols; he watched as powerful
warriors became weak under his gaze. Even the crops in the fields were under his
command.
Then one day a tiny cloud moved over the land, shielding the earth from the sun's
bright rays. Seeing that here was something more powerful, he thought, I want very
much to be a cloud.
Again, his wish was granted. ow he blocked the sun's rays and felt important.
He gathered all his strength, becoming a gigantic cloud, and began to pour down
rain on the earth. Rivers formed where previously there were none, and water
flooded the streets of the cities and the farmland. Everthing--trees, animals,
people-- seemed to be awed by his power. Only the massive rocks were unswayed.
Again he had discovered something more powerful.
There is nothing, he thought, as powerful as a rock. How I wish I were a huge
stone. His wish was granted.
As a stone he remained motionless and powerful, unmoved by sun or wind or
rain. He felt exempt from all the forces that shape the existence of those around
him.
Then one day a man approached, carrying a bag. When he stopped, he pulled
out a chisel and a hammer and began to chip away at the rock. Realizing that the
man with the tools was more powerful than any rock, he cried out, "Oh, I want to
be a stonecutter."
Once again the heavens heard his cry, and he became a stonecutter. Once again
he lived in a bamboo hut and made his living with hammer and chisel. And he was
content. -Martin Thielen
CO TE TME T

1. James Mackintosh, "It is right to be content with what we have, never with what
we are."
CO TRADICTIO S I BIBLE EXPLAI ED
PRI CIPLES FOR U DERSTA DI G ALLEGED BIBLE
CO TRADICTIO S
"`The Bible is full of mistakes and contradictions!' These were
the words of a tall, handsome medical officer, some few years ago,
in the saloon of a passenger steamer as we were silently gliding
through the beautiful waters of the Mediterranean, returning home
from a voyage to the East. I asked him, as there were so many
mistakes in the Bible, would he kindly show me a few of them. But
the only reply I could get from him was, `It's full of them, it's
full of them,' I then placed my open Bible in front of him, and, in
presence of another passenger, said, `if you can show me one mistake
or contradiction in that Book I will give up the whole thing.' Of
course, as in nearly all cases, he knew absolutely nothing of the
Bible itself, but had been reading what German critics had said
about it; and so his knowledge of what the Bible was supposed to
contain was all second-hand! He neither knew its supposed errors,
nor its precious truths." {1} The foregoing scene, as described by
noted scholar Sidney Collett, has been similarly repeated many
times.
Those who allege that the Bible contains contradictions
basically fall into two classes. First, there is the person who
honestly believes such to be the case because he has heard that
hackneyed charge repeated incessantly; he thus is sincerely
misinformed of the facts. Secondly, there is the person who,
because of his base motives, hates the Bible and hence scruples not
to deliberately pervert its testimony in an attempt to embarrass the
Sacred Volume. In either case, the Word of God is not at fault.
Preliminary to a study of this important theme, it should be
observed initially that the principle of "innocent until proven
guilty" assuredly ought to be applied. A mere charge alone does
make a conviction. Do we not normally assume a person to be
truthful until it is demonstrated otherwise? By the same token a
book--any book--should be presumed to be internally consistent until
it can be conclusively shown that it is self-contradictory. This
has been the accepted approach throughout literary history. Great
attempts have been made to absolve the Greek and Latin classics of
alleged discrepancies under the presumption that the authors did not
contradict themselves. Surely the Bible deserves at least an
equally charitable approach.

The ature of a Contradiction
It is fairly safe to say that most people have only a
superficial understanding of what constitutes a genuine
contradiction. An important truth that must repeatedly be hammered
home is this: a mere difference does not a contradiction make! In
logic, the Law of Contradiction is succinctly stated as follows:
" othing can both be and not be." {2} That is a very abbreviated form
of the rule. Aristotle, in a more amplified version, expressed it
this way: "That the same thing should at the same time both be and
not be for the same person and in the same respect is impossible." {3}
Though there are several ramifications of this principle, which will
be discussed later, at this time three points need to be made. When
one is confronted by an alleged contradiction, is he certain that:
(a) the same thing or person is under consideration?
(b) the same time reference is in view?
(c) the seemingly conflicting language is employed in the same
sense?
It is vitally important that these questions be answered correctly.
For instance, let the following two simple statements be analyzed:
Bob is rich; Bob is poor. ow, do these brief sentences contradict
each other? ot necessarily. First, two different people named Bob
may be under consideration. Second, two different time frames may
be in view. Bob may have been rich, but, due to adverse
circumstances, became poor. Third, the words rich and poor might
have been used differently; he might be spiritually rich while
financially poor. The point is this: it is never legitimate to
assume a contradiction until every possible means of harmonization
has been fully exhausted. ow, let this principle be applied to the
Bible.
Same Person or Thing
An infidel once gleefully announced that he had discovered a
discrepancy in Scripture. When he was challenged to produce it, he
suggested that where oah's ark with all of its inmates must have
weighed several tons (Genesis 6), the priests were said to have
carried the ark across the Jordan River (Joshua 3).{4} The poor
fellow, in his profound simplicity, did not even know the difference
between oah's ark and the Ark of the Covenant! Different objects
were under consideration.
In Acts 12 one reads of the death of James, while later (Acts
15), James is prominent at the Jerusalem conference. A
contradiction? Of course not! The James murdered in Acts 12 was
the brother of John (v. 2), the son of Zebedee (Matthew 4:21), while
the James of Acts 15 was the Lord's half-brother (Matthew 13:55;
Acts 12:17; 15:13; Galatians 1:19).

The Bible asserts that a sinner is saved by works; then again,
that a sinner is not saved by works. But there is no discrepancy,
for there are several kinds of works. Salvation does involve works
of obedience to Christ's commands (James 2:14f; Philippians 2:12),
but it cannot be obtained by works of the Mosaic law (Romans 3:28;
4:2f), or by boastful human works (Ephesians 2:9).
Same Time Reference
The Bible records: "God saw everything that he had made, and,
behold, it was very good" (Genesis 1:31), and then, "And it repented
Jehovah that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his
heart" (Genesis 6:6). The infidel cites both verses and suggests
that the Lord was simultaneously satisfied and dissatisfied with His
creation, neglecting to mention, of course, that the fall of man and
hundreds of years of history separated the two statements.{5}
Judas, as one of the twelve disciples, was empowered to cast
out demons (Matthew 10:18), and yet, he is called the "son of
perdition" (John 17:12). Is there a conflict here? o, for the
statements that record the apostasy of Judas (John 12:6; 13:2,27)
represent a time reference that is some two years beyond incident of
the giving of that limited commission in Matthew 10.
Bible critics have attempted to make much of the fact that
whereas the Gospel of Mark represents Jesus being crucified at the
third hour (Mark 15:25), according to John's account, the Lord was
still on trial before Pilate at the sixth hour (John 19:14). Though
a number of possible explanations have been suggested by reputable
Bible scholars, the most likely explanation is probably that each of
these passages fits within a different reference frame of time.
Many scholars forcefully argue that John, writing in Asia Minor a
score or more years beyond the destruction of the Jewish system,
most likely employed the Roman method of reckoning time, i.e., from
midnight as currently practiced in the West, while Mark (and the
other gospel writers) used the Jewish method from 6:00 p.m.
Westcott, in advancing this position, observed that
"the Romans reckoned their civil days from midnight (Aul.
Gell. III. 2; comp. Matthew 27:19, `this day,') and not
from sunrise, or from sunset (as the Jews). And there are
also traces of reckoning the hours from midnight in Asia
Minor. Polycarp is said (`Mart. Pol.' c.21) to have been
martyred at Smyrna `at the eighth hour.' This, from the
circumstances, must have been 8 a.m. Pionius again is
said to have been martyred (at Smyrna also) at `the tenth
hour,' which can hardly have been 4 p.m., since such
exhibitions usually took place before noon. These two
passages furnish a sufficient presumption that St. John,

in using what is the modern reckoning, followed a practice
of the province in which he was living and for which he
was writing." {6}
This seems to be born out further by John's allusion to the evening
of the resurrection day which is still acknowledged as "the first
day of the week" (John 20:19). The time element is thus vitally
important in understanding some passages.
Same Sense
If the Bible is to be understood, it is imperative that
recognition be given to the different senses in which words may be
employed. ormally, terms are used literally, but they certainly
can be employed figuratively as well. For instance, in Matthew
11:14 John the Baptist is identified as "Elijah," yet the forerunner
of Christ plainly denied that he was Elijah (John 1:21). These
verses are easily reconcilable. Though John was not literally
Elijah, physically reincarnated, nevertheless he was the spiritual
antitype of that great prophet; he prepared the way for Christ "in
the spirit and power of Elijah" (Luke 1:17).
Did the apostle Paul contradict himself when he affirmed on one
occasion that he was "as touching the righteousness which is in the
law, found blameless" (Philippians 3:6), and yet at another time he
acknowledged that he was "chief" of sinners (I Timothy 1:15)?
Again, the answer is no. In the former passage he was describing
the reputation which he enjoyed as a Pharisee among his Hebrew
contemporaries, while in the latter, he expresses the anguish he
felt at having been a persecutor of the Christian Way. There is no
conflict!
Sometimes, passages which appear to conflict are shown to have
different senses by grammatical peculiarities. For example, in
connection with Saul's conversion, the men who journeyed with him
were said to have heard the voice that spoke to Him (Acts 9:7),
whereas later, Acts 22:9 declares that they did not hear the voice.
The problem is cleared up, however, by a recognition of the Greek
idiom employed. When the verb akouo is used with the genitive,
phones--the case of specification--it simply indicates that a sound
was heard, as in the case of Acts 9:7. But when akouo is employed
with phonen, accusative case--the case of extent--it suggests that
the men did not hear to the extent of understanding the meaning of
the sound they heard.{7}
Contradictory Qualities
Another ramification of the Law of Contradiction is the concept
that "nothing can have at the same time and at the same place
contradictory and inconsistent qualities." {8} A door may be open, or

a door may be shut, but the same door may not be both open and shut
at the same time. With reference to the door, shut and open are
opposites, but they are not contradictory unless it be affirmed that
they characterize the same object at the same time. So it is very
important that one recognize that mere opposites do not necessitate
a contradiction.
Let this principle be applied to certain biblical matters.
Does the Bible contradict itself, as often claimed, when it affirms
that God both loves and hates? o, for though these terms are
opposites, when used of God they do not express His disposition
toward the same objects. While it is indisputably true that God
loves the world (John 3:16), it is equally true that He hates every
false way (Psalm 119:104). He loves righteousness, but hates
iniquity (Psalm 45:7). Accordingly, one may take note of both the
goodness and severity of Jehovah (Romans 11:22)--severity toward
those who rebel, yet goodness toward those who walk in truth.
Bible critics claim that though Paul denied that he is
perfect--" ot that I have already obtained, or am already made
perfect..." (Philippians 3:12)--within the same context the apostle
asserted his perfection. He wrote: "Let us therefore, as many as
are perfect, be thus minded..." (3:15). Only someone uninformed of
the facts would make such a charge. When Paul denied that he had
been "made perfect" he used the Greek term teteleiomai, in the
perfect tense. The perfect tense suggests an act in the past with
abiding or permanent results. The apostle is thus affirmed that he
had not attained, or arrived at a permanent state of perfection;
there was room for improvement even in this great man. In verse 15,
however, Paul employed the adjective teleioi, which is full-grown or
mature. The word is used in the Greek papyri of those who have
obtained maturity.{9} Again, observe that this word is used in I
Corinthians 14:20, and in Ephesians 4:13, in obvious contrast to
infantilism. So, while Paul denied a permanently possessed
perfection, he did affirm his spiritual maturity. There is no
contradiction!
Differences Are ot Contradictions
Another implication of the Law of Contradiction is that a
proposition cannot, with reference to the same matter, be both true
and false. It is a contradiction to say, for instance, that A is B,
and then, of the same A to assert that A is not B. To state that
John Doe is a father, and then that John Doe is not a father is a
contradiction. However, to suggest that John Doe is a father, and
then to suggest that John Doe is a husband, does not constitute a
contradiction. Although the two terms tell something different
about John Doe, the statements merely supplement one another; they
do not contradict. Many of the so-called biblical discrepancies

must be classified under this principle.
The case of the healing of the blind men of Jericho presents an
interesting study in supplementation (Matthew 20:2934; Mark 10:46-
52; Luke 18:35-43). Two prominent problems have been set forth.
First, while both Mark and Luke mention the healing of only one
blind man, Matthew records the healing of two men, as Christ made
His way to Jerusalem and the final Passover. Secondly, Matthew and
Mark indicate that blind men were healed as Jesus was leaving
Jericho, whereas Luke appears to suggest that a blind man was healed
as the Lord "drew nigh" to the city. What can be said of these
matters? As we commence to discuss these points, the following
vital consideration should be remembered. If there is any
reasonable way of harmonizing these records, no legitimate
contradiction can be charged to the accounts!
In the first place, the fact that two of the Gospel accounts
mention only one blind man while the other mentions two, need not
concern us. Had Mark and Luke stated that Christ healed only one
man, with Matthew affirming that more than one were healed, a
contradiction would be apparent, but such is not the case. If one
says, "I have a son," he does not contradict himself by saying
further, "I have a son and a daughter." He merely supplements the
former statement. There can be no conflict, therefore, with
reference to the number of men involved.
But how shall the second difficulty be resolved? Several
reasonable possibilities have been advanced by scholarly writers.
(1) It is possible that three blind men were healed in the vicinity
of Jericho on this occasion. The instance mentioned by Luke as
occurring when Jesus approached the city might have represented a
different case than that recorded by Matthew and Mark. Though this
suggestion is considered by many to be remote, it is at least
possible, and that is all that is required to negate a possible
discrepancy. (2) oted lexicographer Edward Robinson argued that the
verb eggizo (rendered "drew near" in Luke 18:35), could also mean
"to be near." He cited evidence from the Septuagint (I Kings 21:2--
"it is near unto my house," Deuteronomy 21:3--"the city next unto
the slain man," cf. Jeremiah 23:23; Ruth 2:20; II Samuel 19:42) and
also from the ew Testament (Luke 19:29, compared with Matthew 21:1;
Philippians 2:3). He thus translated Luke 18:35 as "while he was
yet nigh unto Jericho." {10} This view implies that Luke therefore
simply locates the miracle near Jericho and hence such can be
readily harmonized with the other two accounts. While this view
does not have numerous supporters, can it be absolutely denied as a
possibility? (3) A harmonization that is very popular among
reputable writers is the fact that at the time of Christ there were
actually two Jerichos. First, there was the Jericho of Old
Testament history (Joshua 6:1ff; I Kings 16:34) which was located at
the sight of Elisha's spring. In the first century, however, that

city lay mostly in ruins, and about two miles south of that site was
the new Jericho built by Herod the Great. The Lord, therefore,
traveling toward Jerusalem, would first pass through Old Testament
Jericho, and then, some two miles to the southwest, go through
Herodian Jericho. The miracles under consideration, therefore, may
have been performed between the two Jerichos. Accordingly, the
references of Matthew and Mark to leaving Jericho would allude to
old Jericho, whereas Luke's observation to drawing near to Jericho
would refer to the newer city.{11}
The foregoing case is but a sample of that which, though
alleged to be a "contradiction" is, upon closer examination, shown
to be otherwise.
It may be further briefly observed that some supposed
discrepancies, especially involving names and figures, are
frequently explained on the basis of transcription errors
(comparable to modern printing mistakes) and incorrect translations
of ancient languages. Such matters are beyond the scope of this
present paper.
Conclusion
In dealing, therefore, with so-called contradictions, let these
principles be carefully remembered:
(1) o contradictions exist between passages that refer to
different persons or things.
(2) o contradictions exist between passages which involve
different time elements.
(3) o contradictions exist between verses that employ
phraseology in different senses.
(4) Opposites are not necessarily contradictions.
(5) Supplementation is not contradiction.
(6) The biblical apologist need only show the possibility of a
harmonization between passages that appear to conflict in order to
negate the force of the charge that a Bible contradiction exists.
Finally, this point needs to be made. While it is true that
variations certainly exist between different biblical accounts of
the same event, such variations merely show that the writers were
not in collusion with one another. In commenting upon an alleged
contradiction in the Gospel accounts, R.C. Foster penned the
following:
"Two-source Theory advocates are utterly helpless to
explain these variations in the light of their theory.
For years critics have declared that these accounts are
hopelessly in contradiction and cannot be harmonized. By
their own argument, then, the accounts certainly cannot
have been copied from one another. While the differences

can be harmonized, no conceivable explanation can be
offered as to how such differences could have arisen, if
the narratives were copied from one another or from a
common source. If the narratives were written
independently by eyewitnesses or upon the testimony of
eyewitnesses, then such variations are the natural result
of independent narration; but, if the narratives were
copied from one another, what writers could have been so
stupid or perverse as deliberately to have changed the
record thus?" {12}
The Bible, being from God, does not contradict itself. Whenever,
therefore, one is confronted with a problem, he must patiently study
with a reverent confidence that somewhere there is the answer to his
difficulty.
E D OTES
1. Sidney Collett. All About the Bible. Fleming Revell. Westwood,
ew Jersey. o date. p 115.
2. W. Stanley Jevons. Elementary Lessons in Logic. MacMillan & Co.
London. 1928. p 117.
3. Quoted by W. Arndt. Does the Bible Contradict Itself?
Concordia. St. Louis, Missouri. 1955. p x.
4. Harry Rimmer. The Harmony of Science and Scripture. Eerdmans.
Grand Rapids, Michigan. 1956. p 194.
5. John Haley. Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. B.C.
Goodpasture. ashville. 1958. p 4.
6. B.F. Westcott. Commentary on St. John's Gospel. Scribner's &
Sons. ew York. 1907. p 282.
7. Boyce W. Blackwelder. Light from the Greek ew Testament.
Warner Press. Anderson, Indiana. 1959. p 139.
8. Jevons. op. cit. p 118.
9. J.H. Moulton and George Milligan. The Vocabulary of the Greek
Testament. Hodder & Stoughton. London. 1963. p 629.
10. Edward Robinson. A Greek and English Lexicon of the ew
Testament. Harper & Brothers. ew York. 1855. p 200. (cf. Edward
Robinson. Haromony of the Gospels. Religious Tract Society.
London. 1879. p 197.)
11. A.T. Robertson. Word Pictures in the ew Testament. Broadman
Press. ashville. 1930. Volume I. p 163.
12. R.C. Foster. Studies in the Life of Christ. Baker Book House.
Grand Rapids, Michigan. 1971. pp 1043,1044.
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CO VERSIO
1. As sure as God is God, if you this day are seeking Him correctly, through
Christ, the day shall come when the kiss of full assurance shall be on your
lip, when the arms of sovereign love shall embrace you, and you shall know
it to be so. You may have despised Him, but you shall know Him yet to be
your Father and your friend. You may have scoffed His name; you shall one
day come to rejoice in it as better than pure gold. You may have broken
His Sabbaths and despised His Word; the day is coming when the Sabbath
shall be your delight, and His Word your treasure. Yes, marvel not; you
may have plunged into the wretched house of sin and made your clothes black
with sin; but you shall one day stand before His throne white as the angels
are; and that tongue that once cursed Him shall yet sing His praise. If
you are a real seeker, the hands that have been stained with lust shall one
day grasp the harp of gold, and the head that has plotted against the Most
High shall yet be encircled with gold. Does it not seem a strange thing
that God should do so much for sinners? But strange though it seem, it
shall be strangely true. SPURGEO
COVETEOUS ESS
1. "Covetousness is an immoderate desire of riches. The apostleimplieth as much,
under this phrase, boulomenoi ploutein they thatwill be rich, 1 Tim. vi. 9; under
that word, will, a desire, andthat unsatiable desire, is comprised. The notation of
both the wordsbefore mentioned, namely, love of silver and desire of having
more,do demonstrate that covetousness consisteth in a desire. "Desire of riches is
not simply covetousness, for a man may lawfullypray for them. So much is intended
in the fourth petition. ow what a man may pray for, he may desire, with the same
limitations as hemay pray for it. Therefore it is an immoderate desire: that is, when
a man is not content with that portion which God by his providencein a lawful
and warrantable course doth afford unto him, but(according to the apostle's phrase)
he will be rich; he will havemore than God alloweth him in a fair way; and if he

cannot otherwise get more, he will be discontent."The general object of covetousness
is riches. Under this word allthe commodities of this world are comprised, and
withal abundance ofthem, yea, more than is necessary. Things necessary may be
desired,
5but not superfluity, Prov. xxx. 8.This sin is especially in the heart. One may have
little, and yetbe covetous; and one may be rich, and yet free from covetousness.
Source: Of the ature of Covetousness, by William Gouge.
2.
Of the ature of Covetousness6
Congressman Gary Franks (R., Conn.) recalls one thing he learned incollege that
was not on the curriculum:I remember taking copious notes and listening to
everything theteacher had to say in preparation for my first test at Yale. Ilooked at
the exam and saw it was everything I had studied. I wrotethe answers to the three
questions thinking, Boy, this is easy!
As we waited to get our tests back I was positive I'd get an A.Instead my grace was a
C. Under it, in big red letters, was written,"I know what I said. What do you
think?"
It was a valuable awakening. I realized that Yale did not simplywant you to absorb
ideas but to think about them and challenge them.It forced me to explore things
from every possible angle, looking for aspects that might not be obvious at first but
were helpful indeveloping a dialogue on an issue.
In the same way, it's not enough to simply know what Jesus said and
7did; we must personally appropriate his finished work bydeliberately putting our
faith in Him.
Source: Reader's Digest, June 1996, p. 33.
CRITICISM
1. orman Cousins wrote, "The luster of Washington's reputation could not
indefinitely sustain a nonpolitical approach to hard political questions. The attacks
on him grew increasingly bitter. Some in his own party ffelt that he had never really
been one of them, and there were those in the opposition who could hardly wait for
him to become a legitimate political target. The result was a period of brutal
criticism the like of which the country has seldom seen since. Washington was even
lampooned as the "Stepfather of his Country." He became progressively
embittered; in 1793 he permitted himself to say before his Cabinet that he would
rather be in his grave than in the presnet situation.
CROSS
1. German theologian Jurgen Moltmann expresses in a single
sentence the great span from Good Friday to Easter. It is, in fact, a summary of
human history, past, present, and future: "God weeps with us so that we may someday
laugh with him."
2. The Song Goes On In his allegory The Singer, Calvin Miller gives insight
into the supernatural war that was waged in those days from the cross to
the empty tomb. The Troubadour (Christ) brings a song of love to the world
ruled by World Hater (Satan). Later, as the Troubadour is being tortured,
World Hater cries out to God,

" 'Look how he dies. Cry, Creator, Cry! This is my day to stand upon the
breast of God and claim my victory over love. You lost the gamble. In but
an hour your lover will be pulp upon the gallows. Did you tell him when his
fin gers formed the world, that he would die on Terra, groaning with his
hands crushed in my great machine?'

"He laughed and turned to look again upon the Troubadour. ' ow, who will
sing the Father's Song?' he asked the dying man."

Later in the story, Miller paints this scene: "World Hater reached the threshold
of eternity and found the doorway of the worlds, not only open, but clearly
ripped away. He strained to hear the everlasting wail, the eternal dying
which he loved. All was silent. Then he heard the Song.

" ' o!' he cried. 'Give me back the door and key for this is my domain.'
He felt again and found the great key at his waist had disappeared.

"He steeled himself for the battle out ahead. He would have to fight the
Song. He would fight with every weapon in his arsenal of hate.

"But he knew that he would lose. And he knew that when the course of time
was done, the door would be put back upon the Canyon of the Damned, and
he
would be locked in with all the discord of the universe. And he would suffer
with all of those he had taught to hate the Song. . . ."
D
DA CE
When I meditated on the word guidance, I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the
word. I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing. When two
people try to lead, nothing feels right. The movement doesn't flow with the music,
and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky. When one person relaxes and lets
the other lead, both bodies begin to flow with the music. One gives gentle cues,
perhaps with a nudge to the back or by pressing lightly in one direction or another.
It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully. The dance takes surrender,

willingness, and attentiveness from one person and gentle guidance and skill from
the other.
My eyes drew back to the word guidance. When I saw "G," I thought of God,
followed by "u" and "i." God, "u" and " I " dance. (God, you, and I dance.) This
statement is what guidance means to me.
As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust that I would get guidance about my
life. Once again, I became willing to let God lead. G-U-I-DA CE -- Let Him do the
leading.
DEATH
1. Submitted 4 May 1998 by Debra
I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
from the beginning...to the end.
 
He noted that first came the date of her birth
and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.
 
For that dash represents all the time
that she spent alive on earth...
and now only those who loved her
know what that little line is worth.
 
For it matters not, how much we own;
the cars....the house...the cash
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.
 
So think about this long and hard...
are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left.
You could be at  "dash midrange."
 
If we could just slow down enough
to consider what's true and real,
and always try to understan
the way other people feel.
 
And be less quick to anger,
and show appreciation more,

and love the people in our lives
like we've never loved before.
 
If we treat each other with respect,
and more often wear a smile...
remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.
 
So, when your eulogy's being read,
with your life's actions to rehash...
would you be proud of the things they say
about how you spent your dash?
DEATH
1. When once you get accustomed to the idea that you may be dead in a day, or in
an hour, or in a minute, and when you are clear as to your future, your mood is
relieved from constant depression. Involuntarily you become kind and helpful to
those about you, you do not get vexed over trifles, you are ready to make all kind of
sacrifices.
---Anonymous, August, 1917
in The Atlantic Year Book.
2.Life is nothing but death's hallway; and our pilgrimage on earth is but a
journey to the grave. The pulse that preserves our being beats our death
march, and the blood which circulates our life is floating it forward to
the deeps of death. Today we see our friends in health, tomorrow we hear
of their death. Only yesterday, we shook hands with the strong man, and
today we close his eyes. We rode in a chariot of comfort only an hour ago,
and in a few more hours the black hearse must carry us to the home of the
living. Oh, how closely allied is death to life! The little lamb that
plays in the field must soon feel the knife. The cow that lows in the
pasture is fattening itself for the slaughter.
Trees only grow to be cut down. Yes, and greater things than these feel
death. Empires rise and flourish; they flourish only to fall into decay,
they rise to fall. How often do we take up a history book, and read of the
rise and fall of empires. We hear of the coronation and the death of
kings. Death is the black servant who rides behind the chariot of life.
See life! and death is close behind it. Death reaches far throughout this
world, and has stamped all terrestrial things with an arrow pointing to the
grave. Stars die; it is said that large and destructive fires have been
seen in outer space, and astronomers have marked the funerals of
planets--the decay of those mighty spheres, that we had imagined set
forever in sockets of silver, to glisten as the lamps of eternity.
But blessed be God, there is one place where death is not life's
brother--where life reigns alone; "to live" is not the first syllable which

is to be followed by the next, "to die." There is a land where the death
bells are never tolled, where grave clothes are never put on, where graves
are never dug. Blessed land beyond the skies! To reach it, we must die.
SPURGEO
3. What a great sorrow that the good should die! That the righteous should
fall! Death, why don't you cut down the poisonous tree? Why don't you mow
down the poisonous plant? Why do you touch the tree that has provided
shade for the weary people? Why do you touch the flower whose perfume has
made the earth joyous? Death, why do you snatch away the excellent of the
earth, in whom is all of our delight? If you would use your axe, use it
on the trees that draw nourishment, but afford no fruit; then we would
thank you. But why will you cut down the cedars, why will you fell the
godly trees of Lebanon? O Death, why don't you spare the church? Why must
the pulpit be hung in black; why must the missionary outpost be filled with
weeping? Why must the godly family lose its priest, and the house its
head? O Death, where are you? Don't touch the earth's holy things; your
hands are not fit to pollute the Israel of God. Why do you put your hand
on the hearts of the elect? Oh, stop, stop; spare the righteous, Death,
and take the bad! But no, it must not be; death comes and smiles at the
godliest of us all; the most generous, the most prayerful, the most holy,
the most devoted must die. Weep, weep, weep, O church, for you have lost
your martyrs; weep, O church, for you have lost your preachers, your holy
men are fallen.
Howl fir tree, for the cedar has fallen, the godly fail, and the righteous
are cut off. But stay awhile; I hear another voice. Say to the daughter
of Judah, spare your weeping. Say to the Lord's flock, Cease, cease your
sorrow; your martyrs are dead, but they are glorified; your ministers are
gone, but they have ascended up to your Father and to their Father; your
brethren are buried in the grave, but the archangel's trumpet shall awaken
them, and their spirits are ever now with God. SPURGEO
4. Here we see through a glass that is dark and cloudy, but there we shall see
face to face. There, what "eye has not seen nor ear heard" shall be fully
revealed to us. There, paradoxes will be unraveled, mysteries made plain,
obscure texts enlightened, confusing and questionable verses will be
revealed as being amazingly simple and true. The least of all souls in
heaven knows more of God than the greatest saint on the earth. The
greatest saint on the earth may have it said of him, " evertheless he that
is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." ot our greatest
preachers understand as much of theology as the lambs of the flock of
glory. ot even the greatest masterminds of the earth understand one-
millionth part of the mighty meanings which have been discovered by souls
liberated from these bodies made from clay.
Yes, "To die is gain." Take away, take away that hearse, remove the
covering of black, adorn it in white with bright shiny decorations. There,

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