Category Archives: Discipleship

Norman Cousins, who was the editor-in chief of the Saturday Review  for over 35 years, was told in 1964 that he only had a few months to live. He had a rare disease of the connective tissues called Ankylosing Spondylitis. He was told to “get his affairs in order” since he had only 1 chance in 500 to live.

However, Cousins would not accept the diagnosis. He then did something unheard of and unprecedented. He fired his doctor. Left the hospital. Checked into a hotel. And began to research a solution to his problem.

      Obstacles are a part of life everyone encounters them.  They may come in the form of financial reverses, family problems, spiritual challenges, or physical ailments.  But one thing is certain, obstacles will come into our lives.

But why?  Why do we have to endure obstacles?  How do they add  value to our lives?  And why does God allow Christians to endure obstacles? As an answer consider the following story.

The Temple’s inspiration was supposedly based on the great love the Moguel emperor Shah Jahn had for his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal.  When she died he was devastated.  Grief stricken, he ordered this edifice erected as her final resting place.  No expense would be spared in honoring his beloved. 

“We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

We recognize these words, written by Thomas Jefferson, from the Declaration of Independence, issued 240 years ago today. On America’s birthday we celebrate our freedom and revel in our liberty. We love the feeling of liberty.