Author John Steinbeck once said, "A sad soul will kill you quicker, far quicker, than a germ." Maybe that is why Solomon said, "A merry (joyful) heart doeth good, like a medicine." Sadly, many today suffer from a sad heart. Depression is one of the most common emotional diseases of our time. In the U.S. it hits 10 to 12 million people every year. Statistics indicate that about one out of every 10 American males and one out of every five females are likely to experience a bout of depression this year.

Neitzche was the man who espoused the "God is Dead" theory. He once said of Christians, that "if you Christians want me to believe in your redeemer, you have got to look a lot more redeemed."

According to the wire service reports, there is a place in Australia that has become a favorite spot for those who want to commit suicide. It is a rocky cliff near Sydney Harbor called The Gap. For nearly 50 years, a man by the name of Don Ritchie has lived across the street from The Gap. Don sees it as his responsibility to try to keep people from jumping.  It is estimated he has saved more than 160 lives by offering conversation, coffee or tea. In some way, he tries to bring them hope.

In Vermont, a farmer was sitting on the porch with his wife. He was beginning to realize how much she meant to him. It was about time-for they had lived together forty-two years and she had been such a great help. One day as they sat together, he said, "Wife, you have been such a wonderful woman, that there are times I can hardly keep from telling you." 

When someone takes a long time, he is slow.  When I take a long time, I am thorough.  When another does not do it, he is lazy.  When I do not do it, I am too busy.   When the other fellow overlooks a rule of etiquette, he is rude.  When I bent a few rules of etiquette, I am original.

The name Charles Haddon Spurgeon is often invoked by those in theministry with a sense of awe and admiration, and with good reason. He was one of the greatest preachers to live since the Reformation. He was a giant.

On Mothers' Day, I shared how I believe church attendance should not be one option on the smorgasbord of many options on a Sunday morning. I stated that it is vital that parents develop a commitment to church attendance that will be an example to their children. Below is an article, that came out last week, by Dr. Mike Fabarez that is one of the best statements on the priority of church attendance that I have every read. 

J. Hudson Taylor, pioneer missionary to China, said these words: "There are three stages in any great work attempted for God: impossible, difficult, done.:"

At first glance, you will perhaps think this is just another article prodding you to get involved in missions or outreach.  However, as important as both of those endeavors are, it really is not -- this is something that goes much deeper.

For followers of Christ, depth, not appearances or superficial spirituality, is important. It is not how flashy the talk is but the substance of the talk. It is not how flowery and eloquent one may sound, but how sincere and truthful one is.