Topic(s): Christian Living, Joy

I’m sure we all continue to miss Charles Schulz and the wonderful messages he taught through his characters Peanuts. There is an old Peanuts strip that shows Charlie Brown and Schroeder walking and in a deep discussion. Schroeder asks, “Is Snoopy a hunting dog?” “I guess he is in a way,” says Charlie Brown. Schroeder then asks, “What does he hunt, animals or birds?” “Neither,” says Charlie, “What he hunts for mostly is an easier way of life.” We may all be tempted to join that hunt. Maybe we ought to hunt for a more fulfilling way of life.

“I am come that ye may have life . . .” —John 10:10

Which is the Parent?

Topic(s): Family

New reports recently told the story of a nine-year-old San Diego boy who took over at the wheel of his family car and got caught driving it. In some ways, however, the boy was a hero. He took the wheel because his father was too drunk to drive. The boy’s courage was amazing, but also amazing is the irresponsibility of a parent who could let this happen (Ephesians 6:4).

Rubles from Heaven?

Topic(s): Blessings

According to the People’s Almanac, there was a shower of several thousand rubles that fell in the Gorki region of Russia in 1940. No one has ever been able to completely explain the phenomena. One possible explanation is that a landslide uncovered the treasure and a tornado picked it up and dropped it on the town. When it comes to the work of the Lord, pennies don’t literally fall from the sky. They do come from heaven, however, as God inspires people to support the work of the church (James 1:17; 2 Corinthians 9:7).

“Hungry” Worshippers

Topic(s): Worship

The French have a proverb that provides insight for worship that states, “A good meal ought to begin with hunger.” It is hard to enjoy a meal when you are not yet hungry. As we approach worship with a hunger to meet God we will be filled and satiated. When we come to worship filled up with our own self-sufficiency or full of preoccupied thoughts, we won’t give meaningful worship. It’s true . . . good worship begins with a hunger for God (Matthew 5:6).

—Adapted from Pulpit Resource, Vol. 28, No. 3, p. 30

A Trim Tab

Topic(s): God's Sovergeignty

In his newest book, The Eighth Habit, Stephen Covey reports what the inventor and innovator, Buckminster Fuller wanted on his epitaph. Fuller said that his tombstone should read, “Just a trim tab.” What in the world did he mean by that? A trim tab is a small rudder that helps to turn a larger rudder. What a humble way to look at you contributions. Many people discount their faithfulness in small things. They don’t realize that small things often affect big things. It is especially true for Christians that we can be satisfied being trim tabs, if the Lord is the captain of the ship.

—Preaching, Volume 21 Number 1, Page 72

“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” —James 4:6

Believed in “Chicken Soup”

Topic(s): Faith, Patience

The “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series has been an unqualified success. It has generated over eighty best-sellers. The first book alone sold eight million copies. The “chicken soup” trademark has been transferred to other products including greeting cards and a television show. It was not so easy, however, to sell the first book. Jack Canfield, co-author and co-editor of the series has recently released a book entitled The Principles of Success. In that book he discusses how many times He and his writing partner, Mark Victor Hansen, were rejected. The original book in the series was rejected by over thirty publishers. Even their agent gave up and said he could not sell the book. Jack and Mark continued to talk up the possible book at their seminars and speeches. They even got pledges from people to buy their book when published. Finally a small struggling publishing company, Health Communications, took a chance. All this because Jack and Mark refused stop working on something they believed in.

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” —Galatians 6:9

The Value of Religion

Topic(s): Christian Life

A preacher and a soap maker were walking along and the soap maker questioned the preacher by asking, “What good is religion? There’s been religion for a long time, but people are still bad to each other.” The preacher was silent until they saw a boy who was dirty from playing in the street. The preacher asked the soap maker, “What good is soap? We’ve had soap for many, many years and people still get dirty.” The soap maker protested the comparison and insisted that the soap had to be used in order to keep people clean. “Exactly my point,” said the preacher. “Religion”, he said, “has to be applied in order to do anybody any good.”

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” —Matthew 16:24

Smile! It Increases Your Face Value . . .

Topic(s): Humor

A minister once asked a minister friend how large his church attendance had been on the previous Sunday. The man replied, “It was large and respectable.” The first minister later found out only two people had come. He confronted his friend, saying “You lied, you said the crowd was large and respectable and there were only two people there!” The other minister replied, “That’s right. There were two people. One was large and the other was respectable.”

“A merry heart doeth good . . .” —Proverbs 17:22