“Let your moderation be known unto all men,” exhorted the Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:5.
The admonition to moderation may seem like a simple command, but it’s actually a good deal more complex in application than it appears on the surface.
The English Oxford Dictionary defines moderation as “The avoidance of excess or extremes, especially in one’s behavior or political opinions.” Continue reading
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David Huss, an Ohio preacher, tells about the time he had a hospice chaplain call and ask, “Are you still looking for a car?
I said “Yes.” I asked him, “How much does the car cost?”
He said, “It’s free.”
I said, “Where are you? I”m coming as fast as I can!” Continue reading
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G. Campbell Morgan tells a story about the great English actor William Charles Macready who was once approached by an eminent preacher of his day.
“I wish you would explain to me something,” asked the preacher.
Well, what is it? I don’t know that I can explain anything to a preacher,” replied Macready. Continue reading
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Ray Comfort in his book, Hell’s Best Kept Secret, relates a tragic story about a woman who was once walking along a riverbank with her child.
Suddenly the child slipped into the river. The mother screamed in terror. She couldn’t swim, and besides, she was in the latter stages of pregnancy. Finally, somebody heard her screaming and rushed down to the riverbank. Continue reading
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On Liberty Island in New York City Harbor stands the colossal Statue of Liberty, a gift from the people of France to the people of the United States. It’s an imposing, inspiring sight. The statue itself is 151′ tall and from its base to the torch measures 305′.
The statue has become an icon of freedom, both for American citizens and for immigrants arriving on our shores through Ellis Island. Engraved on the tablet are these words written by poet Emma Lazarus in 1883. Continue reading
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Zeng Shen, who lived from 505 to 435 B.C, was an influential Chinese philosopher and an ardent disciple of Confucius. Although young enough to be Confucius’ grandson, he won high praise from the old sage.
One of the sayings for which Zeng Shen is famous goes something like this. “Every day I ask myself three questions. Continue reading
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H. G. Bosch, in Our Daily Bread, tells about the Ermine, a little animal in the forests of northern Europe and Asia known for his snow-white fur in winter. The Ermine instinctively protects his white coat against anything that would soil it.
Fur hunters take advantage of this unusual trait of the ermine. They don’t set a snare to catch him, but instead they find his home, which is usually a cleft in a rock or a hollow in an old tree. They smear the entrance and interior with grime. Then the hunters set their dogs loose to find and chase the ermine. Continue reading
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John Wesley, the 18th-century British evangelist, author, and theologian, was known to live a very frugal lifestyle during economically uncertain times.
From humble beginnings, Wesley became so well known that he earned 1400 pounds a year. Today this would be the equivalent of about $300,000. So what did Wesley do with his wealth? Continue reading
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Did you hear about the fellow who walked into First Suburban Church wearing an expensive suit and a baseball cap?
After he sat down, an usher walked up discretely, introduced himself, and said, “Pardon me, but we don’t wear hats in the auditorium during worship.” The well-dressed man nodded — and left the cap in place. Continue reading
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The late Dr. M. Scott Peck was the author of the best-selling book,”The Road Less Traveled.” As a psychiatrist, Dr. Peck spent a great deal of time working with patients in a large psychiatric hospital. He discovered in his practice an almost universal apathy: lack of interest; no desire to ask questions; no desire to seek the new and to grow; “no taste for mystery” as he puts it. Continue reading
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