I was talking to a lady last week who was being evicted from her apartment. She expected the Judge to evict her in three days. However, to her surprise, she was given two weeks.
She suggested to me that it was God’s will. God gave her an extra two weeks. I’m not so sure that apartment manager thought it was the will of God for this woman to get two months of free rent! Continue reading
Filed under God, Providence, Purpose
The Taj Mahal is regarded as one of the “Seven Wonders of the World.” It is called “the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage.”
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. Continue reading
Filed under Purpose, Word of the Week
Sir Christopher Wren was England’s greatest architect of all time. There is a legend that when St. Paul’s Cathedral was being built, a visitor walked on the site where three stone cutters were working.
He asked the first one, “What are you doing?” He replied, “Cutting stone. I work four hours in the morning. Four hours in the afternoon.”
He asked the second man, What are you doing?” The worker looked up, wiped his brow, and said, “Just making a living. I earn six pence a day.” Continue reading
Filed under Purpose
There is an old story, told by James White, about a lighthouse keeper who worked on a rocky stretch of coastline. Once a month he would receive a new supply of oil to keep the light burning so that ships could safely sail near the rocky coast.
One night though, a woman from a nearby village came and begged him for some oil to keep her family warm. Another time a father asked for some to use in his lamp. Another man needed oil to lubricate a wheel. Since all the requests seemed legitimate, the lighthouse keeper tried to please everyone and grant all the requests. Toward the end of the month, he noticed his supply of oil was dangerously low. Soon it was gone, and one night the light on the lighthouse went out. Continue reading
Filed under Purpose
“What have you done that you believe in and you are proud of?” How would answer this question?
John W. Gardner, who wrote the book “Excellence” says we have the potential to make a difference, not only in our own lives. But also in the lives of those we meet.
Gardner, the founder of Common Cause, illustrates that point by relating the true story of a cheerful old gentleman who invested his life in others. Continue reading
Filed under Purpose
Leo Rosten, the Polish born Jewish writer once wrote, “The purpose of life is not to be happy. The purpose of life is to matter, to be productive, to have it make some difference that you lived at all. Happiness, in the ancient, noble verse, means self-fulfillment and is given to those who use to the fullest whatever talents God or luck or fate bestowed upon them.”
Really? Where did Rosten ever get that idea? Continue reading
Popular author, Rick Warren writes, “Everyone’s life is driven by something. Most dictionaries define the verb drive as “to guide, to control, or to direct.” Whether you are driving a car, a nail, or a golf ball, you are guiding, controlling, and directing it at that moment. What is the driving force in your life?” Continue reading
Michael and Mary were driving home after purchasing a new luxury car. As they rode along, Mary said, “You know, Michael , if it weren’t for my money, we probably wouldn’t have this new car.” Michael just drove and didn’t say a word.
As they drove up the lane admiring their beautiful new custom home, Mary remarked, “You know, Michael, if it weren’t for my money, we probably wouldn’t have this new home.” Again, Michael was silent. Continue reading
Filed under Life, Purpose, Uncategorized
Have you ever spent time walking through old cemeteries reading the epithets on the tombstones? They’re interesting.
I read of a man who came across an epithet that read: “Remember Friend, as you walk by, as you are now, so once was I. As I am now, so you must be; so prepare for death to follow me.” He felt something was missing so he added the words “To follow you I might consent, if I only knew which way you went!” Continue reading
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