“Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.” (Luke 17:33) Christmas is now over and our thoughts turn to the year ahead. If you’re like me, you’ve already decided that 1998 is going to bring some major changes in your life. These “New Year’s Resolutions” are nothing more than outward and visible signs of things that are frustrating us in life. They are remedies to the failures that we have experienced. Interestingly, they often point to some […]

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2:14) My wife told me a story the other day about a young woman who was in need of serious surgery only to see it delayed due to circumstances beyond her control. When I saw her, I was astonished. You would never know that she was facing a life-threatening illness. I realized that my wife’s friend enjoys a special kind of peace that the Bible calls the peace of God. It’s a gift […]

“When they see among them their children, the work of my hands, they will keep my name holy.” (Isaiah 29:23) I taught a Sunday school class recently, during which time I recounted a testimony that had been given at another church. A young man, barely in his 40’s, had sustained a massive heart attack, died and was resuscitated. When he regained consciousness, he was angry that the doctors and nurses revived him because he had seen a glimpse of heaven and did not want to come back. He […]

“Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.” (Proverbs 22:15) A recent study commissioned by the National Association of Manufacturers reported that half of the employees in U.S. manufacturing plants lack the basic reading, writing and math skills. Of the 4500 manufacturers surveyed, 60% said their current workers lack basic math skills, and 55% said their workers have “serious deficiencies” in basic writing and comprehension skills. Earnest W. Davenport, chairman of the manufacturers group that sponsored […]