January 2019, Vol. 38, No. 1 Archives

A Shortage of Ninjas

[188 words] Apparently Japan is running out of ninjas. In the small city of Iga, the birthplace of the ancient ninja warriors, officials cannot find enough martial artists to perform for tourists, even though the job can pay up to $85,000 per year. Part of the problem is that the city’s young people are…

Still Can’t Beat God!

[153 words] Around 1970, a fellow named Gordon Moore originated a computer technology maxim which has been termed “Moore’s Law.” Simply stated, the law says that computer processing power will double every two years. Since that time, the rule has proven true. Personal computers are tremendously fast and powerful, and capable of amazing things,…

Are You Helping this Church to Grow?

[210 words] It Is Easy For The Church To Grow When We… Have a deep concern for the lost. Enter the worship with preparation and enthusiasm. Are interested in intense Bible study. Work together on church projects. Encourage those who are serving the Lord. Dedicate ourselves to keeping our lives pure. Express brotherly love…

The Right Words at the Right Time

[277 words] I recently read about an interesting series of questions to ask yourself before saying anything to another person. The idea is to make sure that you speak properly at the proper time. The three questions to ask are: Does this need to be said? Does this need to be said by me?…

I Am the New Year

[116 words] I AM THE NEW YEAR. I am unused, unspotted, without blemish. I stretch before you three hundred and sixty-five days long. I will present each day in its turn, a new leaf in the book of life for you to place upon it your imprint. I AM THE NEW YEAR. Each hour…

The Power of God’s Word

[449 words] “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb. 4:12). “Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the…

Foul Language Is Foul

[312 words] I recently watched a nationally televised athletic event where literally millions of people viewed the same game. During the game, the main camera showed one of the coaches being very upset and using verbally abusive foul language regarding calls made by the officials! What I observed disturbed me. Then I realized how…

Happy New Year

[279 words] “Happy New Year” is an expression that we throw about. But do we really mean it? As you enter the new year, is your life filled with Joy? As a Christian, you have many reasons to be joyful. May I mention a few? All your sins have been forgiven. When you came…

What Are You Making?

[241 words] While on a trip to Switzerland, an American businessman was watching a Swiss clockmaker carving the case of an ornate cuckoo clock. As the businessman watched the clockmaker carve out the case, he was astounded at his slow rate of progress. The businessman finally said, ”My good man, you’ll never make much…

Refreshing the Hearts of the Saints

[151 words] One of my all-time favorite passages of scripture is found in Philemon 7. There, the apostle Paul commended Philemon “because the hearts of the Saints have been refreshed through thee, brother.” Wouldn’t it be wonderful if that could honestly be said of every member of the church? Every Christian could be like…

Nothing or Everything?

[148 words] Her luggage was destroyed. Her purse disappeared. She had to exit the plane, not through an enclosed ramp, but directly into pouring rain. She would have been furious under normal conditions, but she had just survived the crash of Flight 1420 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Later, as this lady reflected, she said,…

It Doesn’t Take Much

[88 words] Years ago a little girl handed me a piece of paper with a brief note scribbled on it. I don’t remember the girl’s name, but I remember the message: “To you from _______. I love you.” It was simple. It was direct. And, it was appreciated. What does it take to brighten…

When the Rooster Crows

[416 words] Have you ever heard a rooster crow? Some of you with a little gray hair probably have. I would guess that some of our young people have not. A few years back, most of our grandparents or even our parents lived on a farm. If they had chickens, they also had a…

Six Sources of Joy

[299 words] First, it was taught by Jesus. “Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their…

They Just Won’t Listen

[388 words] “Then He said to me: ‘Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak with My words to them. For you are not sent to a people of unfamiliar speech and of hard language, but to the house of Israel, not to many people of unfamiliar speech and of hard…

No Other Way

[251 words] The words are unbending. Most people would even call them dogmatic. But they are truth and come from the very lips of the Lord Jesus: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father but by me” (John 14:6). Jesus allows for no possibility of misunderstanding.…

Characteristics of Jesus’ Ministry

[299 words] There has never been a greater example on this earth of what we ought to strive for than Jesus the Christ. He has done all things well (Mark 7:37), and Christians desire to be conformed to His image (Romans 8:29). So as we seek to minister to the world around us, what…

Thank God For Little Things

[66 words] Thank You, God, for little things That often come our way The things we take for granted But don’t mention when we pray. The unexpected courtesy, The thoughtful, kindly deed A hand reached out to help us In the time of sudden need. Oh, make us more aware, dear God, Of little…

Church Shutdown

[261 words] If you follow national news, you know that from time to time our leaders and representatives in Washington cannot come to terms on how to fund federal operations. This can sometimes lead to a “government shutdown,” which means many federal agencies stop performing their functions and services. Why does this happen? Usually…

Children Need Instruction

[98 words] Proverbs shows the need for children to pay attention to instruction. Solomon admonishes his son to pay attention to his parents (Prov. 1:8-9), and to recognize the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Prov. 1:7). Children also need to be shown how to put those things into practice. The…

On the Lighter Side (January 2019)

[ 216 words] Valentine’s Humor Q: How did the telephone propose to his girlfriend? A: He gave her a ring. Q: What did the octopus say to his girlfriend when he proposed? A: Can I have your hand, hand, hand, hand, hand, hand, hand, hand in marriage? What Every Girl Wants for Valentine’s Day…