First, plant five rows of peas: Preparedness, Promptness, Perseverance, Politeness, and Prayer. Next to them plant three rows of squash: Squash Gossip, Squash Criticism, Squash Indifference. Then five rows of lettuce: Let Us Be Faithful, Let Us Be Unselfish, Let Us Be Loyal, Let Us Love One Another, and Let Us Be Truthful. No garden is complete without turnips: Turn Up for Church, Turn Up With a Smile, Turn Up With a New Idea, Turn Up With Real Determination!

Once while riding in the country, I noticed an unusual weather vane on a farmer’s barn. Inscribed on the arrow were these words: “God is love.” I turned in at the gate and asked the farmer, “What do you mean by that? Do you think God’s love is changeable; that it veers about as that arrow turns in the winds?” “Oh, no,” replied the farmer, “I mean that whichever way the wind blows, God is still love.”

Isaiah 54:2—The text that gave William Carey a world vision. John 17:8—The text to which John Knox anchored his soul. 1 John 5:4—The text that made William Penn a conqueror. Romans 8:24, 25—The text that saved William Cowper from suicide. Matthew 28:19, 20—The text that made David Livingstone a missionary. 2 Timothy 1:12—The text on which Michael Farady staked everything. John 6:37—The text from which John Bunyan preached to multitudes. Romans 1:17—The text that made Martin Luther the hero of the Reformation. What is your text, and  what is your story?

Once upon a time there were four men named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was asked to do it. But Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it. But Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about it, because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought that Anybody could do it, and Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody and Nobody did the job that Anybody could have done in the first place.

On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress declared the 13 American colonies free and independent from Great Britain. The Declaration of Independence is the only major national document of the United States that actually mentions the name of God. He is called “Nature’s God,” “The Creator,” and “The Supreme Judge of the World.” The fathers of our American freedom recognized that God’s hand was at work in the affairs of the new nation. But far more important than the political liberty that we enjoy is the spiritual liberty we have in Christ. Jesus said, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”

1. God—the greatest lover. 2. So loved—the greatest degree. 3. The world—the greatest company. 4. That He gave—the greatest act. 5. His only begotten Son—the greatest gift. 6. That whosoever—the greatest opportunity. 7. Believeth—the greatest simplicity. 8. In Him—the greatest attraction. 9. Should not perish—the greatest promise. 10. But—the greatest difference. 11. Have—the greatest certainty. 12. Everlasting life—the greatest possession.

 

 

Around the corner I have a friend, In this great city that has no end. Yet days go by and weeks rush on, And before I know it a year is gone, And I never see my old friend’s face; For life is a swift and terrible race. He knows I like him just as well As in the days when I rang his bell And he rang mine. We were younger then… And now we are busy, tired men… Tired with playing a foolish game; Tired with trying to make a name. “Tomorrow,” I say, “I will call on Jim, “Just to show that I’m thinking of him.

One person noted: In any church service, the congregation preaches more than half the sermon. The congregation brings an atmosphere with it. The atmosphere is either a barrier through which the preacher’s word cannot penetrate; or else it is such an expectancy that even the poorest sermon becomes a living flame. How did you come to church today?

The preacher has a responsibility to hear from God, and at that point to impart revelation that is relavent for any given situation. The atmosphere, and impact of the sermon is set by you, what will be the impact  of your next church service.

What I Want My Child to Remember about Home That his father and mother loved each other. That the home was a happy one because we all worked to keep it so. That each child was given every possible opportunity to develop his own personality. That each child’s personal possessions were inviolable, if kept in the place allotted to them. That the books in the house were to be read if handled rightly, and there were no shelves under lock and key because of questionable contents. That truth abode there; no earnest questioner, however young, was put off with subterfuge or evasion. That we believed in hospitality, in spite of any extra labor involved, and that our friends loved to come to us. That Sunday was the happiest and the most restful day in the week, and that we all looked forward to its coming because it was the day we always spent together with Father in the midst. That though Father and Mother worked hard and long at their respective jobs, they found time every day to keep informed on current events, to read good books, to think things through to logical conclusions, and to pray.

Many years ago Michelangelo, the sculptor, and Raphael, the painter, were commissioned to execute works of art for the beautification of the Vatican. Although each had a different job to do and both were highly respected, there arose such a bitter spirit of rivalry between them that at last they would not even speak when they met. Their jealous attitude toward one another was obvious to all who knew them. The most amazing part of it all was that both were supposed to be doing their work “for the glory of God.