Introducing someone is easy enough if the person is there with you.
Introducing someone who is not present requires you to describe the person in terms that accurately portray who that person is.
For example, in a small rural community where populations are stable and folks know each other for generations, you might describe someone who is returning from many years abroad by saying, "She is aunt Grace's youngest daughter." The person might add, "oh yes, that would make her Florence and Stanley Ferguson's granddaughter. I know who she is."
That is pretty much what Matthew does with Jesus. He brings out the family tree and starts his narrative by locating Jesus in the family tree. He begins with Abraham, through David right through to Jesus. Thus his pedigree and roots are described to people who would know and care.
John's on the other hand is how a more philosophical and poetically minded person might describe someone. He might say something like, "Ok, imagine all the characteristics of the perfect person and friend and imagine all of that from God totally in one person. That is Jesus"
Luke the gentile physician who had never met Jesus was in Judea with his friend Paul. He says he took the opportunity of . . .
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When you buy a new packet of rubber bands they are usually dry, stretchy and you expect them to last a few weeks, even out in the weather, but after some time the rubber changes. It loses its stretch and it cracks, and eventually becomes sticky and useless. Why is this?
Natural rubber, or latex, is a gooey, sticky fluid. But when some chemicals are added it becomes tougher and stronger. It is made of polyisoprene chains, which slip past each other when they are stretched, and the great thing about rubber is its resistance to change. It can return to its original state when the tension is released.
Man's ingenuity has found that the addition of sulphur, which creates cross-links between the chains, turns a useless product into a useful one, but when rubber is exposed to sunlight, the ultraviolet reacts with oxygen and snips the polyisoprene chains into shorter and shorter segments, until it returns to a state similar to its original. Meanwhile, the molecules of short segments form new cross-links and alter the structure of the runner. It becomes brittle and harder.
Rubber may also contain fillers, dyes and . . .
Natural rubber, or latex, is a gooey, sticky fluid. But when some chemicals are added it becomes tougher and stronger. It is made of polyisoprene chains, which slip past each other when they are stretched, and the great thing about rubber is its resistance to change. It can return to its original state when the tension is released.
Man's ingenuity has found that the addition of sulphur, which creates cross-links between the chains, turns a useless product into a useful one, but when rubber is exposed to sunlight, the ultraviolet reacts with oxygen and snips the polyisoprene chains into shorter and shorter segments, until it returns to a state similar to its original. Meanwhile, the molecules of short segments form new cross-links and alter the structure of the runner. It becomes brittle and harder.
Rubber may also contain fillers, dyes and . . .
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What was the most sacred place that you have ever been in? The kind of place where awe and reverence for God were experienced, a place that was set apart from all other places, a holy place. You know, as I tried to answer that question myself I kept drawing blanks. There have been a lot of awe inspiring places like Notre Dame Cathedral in Montreal or the mountain ridges of the Yukon or the wonder of the light in the sky at daybreak that seems to breathe promise. But the most sacred place I could remember has been in the presence of other people as we together discovered the presence and reality of God's holiness and grace. I remember praying with a woman in my office for healing and to both of our amazements it occurred right there and then and we were filled a sense of awe and worship at God's grace and presence. I can remember a time of sitting in a friends living room and hearing of how someone had come to a place of faith in Christ and was selling his cabin, traps, fishing nets and moving back to town where the people were so that he could be a Christian there among them. I remember a time of decision in my own life where I cried out to God in the midst of uncertain circumstances and declared Him to be my God, whether I stayed or went, whether to do this or to do that?He is my God and I will seek after Him. These were the most sacred places that I could remember. Two things contributed to the sense of the sacred, my conscious awareness that I am in the presence of God in some . . .
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The mass of bodies looks almost like a large boulder sitting in the midst of the white Antarctic landscape, but as the camera moves in it becomes obvious that it is a living thing ? a huddle of penguins. We watched The March of the Penguins a few nights ago and as we did we understood what all the fuss has been about. The film is a delight and an awe-inspiring record of God's amazing design in creation.
One scene in the film ? the one described above ? made me smile. The huddle of bodies are all male. They look like a large boulder because they have their heads tucked in to keep warm. They are carrying their offspring around on their feet, covered by a protective flap of skin and fur that keeps out the sub-zero temperatures. They are waiting for their mates to return with the food that will keep the tiny ones alive. They have to wait for several long months. In the meantime the males have saved a pocket of nourishment for the babies. It is enough to keep them alive until the females come.
The scene that made me smile was the one where they show the females returning. Suddenly the rounded boulder-like shape moves and all the heads pop up. Then the noise begins as fathers and babies begin to trumpet so that their mates can find them. The resulting cacophony made me . . .
One scene in the film ? the one described above ? made me smile. The huddle of bodies are all male. They look like a large boulder because they have their heads tucked in to keep warm. They are carrying their offspring around on their feet, covered by a protective flap of skin and fur that keeps out the sub-zero temperatures. They are waiting for their mates to return with the food that will keep the tiny ones alive. They have to wait for several long months. In the meantime the males have saved a pocket of nourishment for the babies. It is enough to keep them alive until the females come.
The scene that made me smile was the one where they show the females returning. Suddenly the rounded boulder-like shape moves and all the heads pop up. Then the noise begins as fathers and babies begin to trumpet so that their mates can find them. The resulting cacophony made me . . .
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In the mid 1930's an unlikely horse became a racing sensation. Its name was Sea biscuit and was the perfect hero for the depression era when so many people saw their dreams end up on the scrap pile. Sea biscuit was an undersized underachiever that no one thought could succeed. Just another casualty in a tough and cruel world.
But the horse was rescued from the reject bin and becomes a legend, and recently the subject of a movie.
One of the main characters in the movie Sea biscuit, is a broken-down, unemployed cowboy named Tom Smith. Millionaire Charles Howard, who is about to engage in a horse racing enterprise, has a campfire interview with Smith, and asks why he bothered rescuing an old, lame horse that was sentenced to death because of a broken leg.
Tom replies, "You don't throw a whole life away just ?cause it's banged up a bit." Every horse is good for something, Tom claims.
And God says that about every person: "You don't just throw away a whole life because it's banged up a bit."1
And so God calls on Jonah to go to Nineveh, a great city in which God says, the inhabitants " do not know their right hand from their left." He is saying, they are ignorant and their . . .
But the horse was rescued from the reject bin and becomes a legend, and recently the subject of a movie.
One of the main characters in the movie Sea biscuit, is a broken-down, unemployed cowboy named Tom Smith. Millionaire Charles Howard, who is about to engage in a horse racing enterprise, has a campfire interview with Smith, and asks why he bothered rescuing an old, lame horse that was sentenced to death because of a broken leg.
Tom replies, "You don't throw a whole life away just ?cause it's banged up a bit." Every horse is good for something, Tom claims.
And God says that about every person: "You don't just throw away a whole life because it's banged up a bit."1
And so God calls on Jonah to go to Nineveh, a great city in which God says, the inhabitants " do not know their right hand from their left." He is saying, they are ignorant and their . . .
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The Spur Article Count: 92
Marcia Laycock is a pastor's wife and freelance writer living in Alberta Canada. Her devotional book The Spur of the Moment has been endorsed by Janette Oke, Phil Callaway and others. To order, and to view more of Marcia's writing, see her web site - www.vinemarc.com
Wonders of Creation Article Count: 37
Written By Richard Gunther.
Harris Dvores Article Count: 1
Harris Dvores is a corporate lawyer in Orlando, Florida. But only from 9 to 5. For more than 20 years, he has pursued his passion to create: everything from Christian music and church skits, to Star Trek scripts and board games. His new website, www.harrisdvores.com, is a playground for the mind and spirit. A Jewish believer, Harris has been given truly amazing stories to share about the power of God.
Rev. Spence Laycock Article Count: 49
Rev. Spence Laycock pastors at Church of the Open Bible, Ponoka, Alberta, Canada.
Pastor Bert Nieuwenhuis Article Count: 2
Pastor Bert Nieuwenhuis is the interim pastor at Somerset Bible Chapel, Manitoba, Canada.
Diane Davis Article Count: 1
Diane Davis, a former policewoman in Toronto, recently retired from a lengthy career as a civilian member of the Ontario Provincial Police. Amongst many things, she is now turning her attention to writing, music, and her 5 grandchildren. She is also Pastor Tim's mom.
Melva's Devotions Article Count: 48
Blog Writings by Melva Cooper.
Melva Cooper is a wife, mother and grandmother from Jonesboro, Arkansas. God has given her, in her retirement years, the ministry of writing for HIM. "Even in old age, you will still produce fruit" is a verse He has given her (Psalm 92:14). And it is her desire to serve Him all the days of her life.
Barb's Mantle Article Count: 59
Barbara, a Christian homemaker, began her Web Site through encouragement from her son, and a dream. It quickly became a ministry for the Lord. She began writing devotionals to encourage, inspire, and build up spiritually those coming to her site. Barbara is a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.
Sandra Boyte Article Count: 10
Writing poetry that brings glory to God is Sandra's passion. No matter where she has lived, or what she has gone through, she has found that God is always there before her to lead her in His paths and to catch her when she falls. Married, with two sons two granddaughters on the way, Sandra's future goals include writing more poetry trying her hand at writing short devotionals for children.
Dr. Harold McNabb Article Count: 98
Dr. Harold McNabb pastors at Westshore Presbyterian Church in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Peggie's Den Article Count: 77
"Ever feel as though life is a lions' den and like Daniel, you're right in the middle of it all? Enjoy these "Devotions from the Den" (Lions 'n Life at Peggie's Place) and delight in God's promises of love, joy and peace for whatever is happening in YOUR den today!"
Misc Article Count: 77
Miscellaneous archived items.