Much has been learned about the earth from going out into space and looking back or down. Things are observed such as weather patterns, location of natural resources, and other things, which we could never have known from earth, where we are too close to really see what is there.

Years ago, while she was enjoying a transatlantic ocean trip, Billie Burke, the famous actress, noticed that a gentleman at the next table was suffering from a cold.  She asked him sympathetically, "Are you uncomfortable?"  The man nodded.  She said, "I'll tell you just what to do for it.  Go back to your stateroom and drink lots of orange juice.  Take two aspirins.  Cover yourself with all the blankets you can find.  Sweat the cold out.  I know just what I'm talking about.

It was two weeks before Easter, and the teacher was doing her best to arouse interest in the most sacred of all Christian holidays. She asked her class, "Does anyone know what it is that we will celebrate next Sunday?" There is always at least one student in every class who knows all the answers.

This is a follow-up to two messages I gave a few weeks ago entitled, “The Art Of Hearing God” and “Come To the Quiet.” These messages were to encourage everyone to see the importance of a personal “quiet time” with the Lord. I am attaching a “Personal Devotional Worksheet” that I created several years ago that can assist those who are serious about having a regular personal quiet-time.

In my quiet time recently I was reading in Acts 7. The passage gives the account of Stephen's being stoned. Before he was stoned it states that he looked up into the heavens and saw the heavens open and then saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God. I believe this paints a picture for us of the Christian life.

I was very impressed recently with the quarterback of the Clemson Tigers. No, it wasn't his playing that most impressed me. It wasn't what he did but what he said.  Trevor Lawrence, the quarterback, when interviewed, said, "I put my identity in what Christ says, who He thinks I am and who I know that He says I am."  Don't miss that last statement in the midst of a profound statement. "...who I know that He says I am." This young man has grasped one of the most critical components for a successful Christian life...and I might add, even a successful life.

It is in Isaiah that we find the most famous of prophecies concerning the Incarnation. Isaiah 7:14 tells us "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel." Later in chapter 9 we read: "For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us, And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace." The promise of a coming Messiah is clear. Unfortunately, we often fail to see them in their historical context.

"Think globally, but act locally." This slogan was posted in the headquarters of the Coca Cola Company by R.C. Goizueta, Coke's former chairman. Goizueta gave an address on "Globalization" and presented this slogan and some stimulating ideas for gaining perspective in world marketing…

A couple of weeks ago, while working in my yard, a yellow jacket stung me on the hand. It really hurt and continued to hurt. I asked Debbie what to do. She said dip it into bleach and hold it there. (I had heard of this home-spawned remedy before but I had my doubts.)  When I held it in the bowl of bleach, it wasn't long before it stopped hurting. In fact, it was almost instant.

On Monday, August 9, 1993, a 31 year-old woman, Sopehia Mardress White, burst into the hospital nursery at USC Medical Center in Los Angeles, wielding a .38 caliber handgun.  She had come gunning for Elizabeth Staten, a nurse whom she accused of stealing her husband.  White fired six shots, hitting Staten in the wrist and stomach.