Sound Words (Page 36)

No Guarantee By Coral Blake There is nothing quite like taking care of someone who is your own age and is also dying of cancer. My first thought was, “He/she is too young to die,” and my second was, “So am I.” The whole shift was spent tearing at my heart, and quite honestly I could not figure out just why is was so painfully personal. Not while I was at the task, anyway. Then hours or maybe even a…

Who is My Enemy? By Stephen Auman A lawyer stood up to put Jesus to the test, and asked, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” In the ensuing dialog, they quickly agreed that one of the requirements was to love one’s neighbor as one’s self. But the lawyer, wanting to justify himself, asked, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus then told the parable of the Good Samaritan, which demonstrated that everyone should be considered one’s neighbor. Unfortunately,…

Life’s Little Lessons XVII Perilous Times “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” (2Tim. 3:1-5). Dear Ann Landers: “The reader signed “Georgia,”…

Religious Ticks By Paul R. Blake             When I was ten years old, I had a dog of dubious ancestry (a mutt) named Happy, and did his name ever fit him. To this day I have yet to find a friendlier dog or a pet more content to play with children from daylight to dark. Happy was always happy; except for one summer. Happy had been running loose in the woods and came home with a serious infestation of ticks.…

When Our Heroes Disagree By Sewell Hall             If I were asked to name my three most admired New Testament heroes (other than Jesus) I suppose I would name Paul, Peter and Barnabas, perhaps in that order. I admire Paul for his outstanding zeal. Zeal to obey the Lord (Acts 9:18), to preach the gospel (Acts 9:19, Romans 1:15) and to defend the truth (Philippians 1:16). I admire Peter for his courage. Courage to speak for Jesus when others were…

Social Addiction By Kent Heaton “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:19-21). The sermon Jesus delivered on the mountain forms the nature and character of His disciples. Simple principles are…

Raising Good Citizens By John Rosemond Many parents hope their kids will learn to be good citizens when they go to school; others believe that signing them up for a Scouts program will do the trick. What many parents don’t realize is that good character is learned in the home. The “3 Rs” of good citizenship– Respect, Responsibility, and Resourcefulness– are the bedrock of good character. A solid moral and ethical foundation supports the development of compassion, integrity, commitment, selflessness,…

Raising Good Citizens By John Rosemond Many parents hope their kids will learn to be good citizens when they go to school; others believe that signing them up for a Scouts program will do the trick. What many parents don’t realize is that good character is learned in the home. The “3 Rs” of good citizenship– Respect, Responsibility, and Resourcefulness– are the bedrock of good character. A solid moral and ethical foundation supports the development of compassion, integrity, commitment, selflessness,…