One of my daughter's favourite cartoon movies is Ice Age. She has watched it so many times she almost knows the dialogue by heart. I must admit, it is a funny movie. Like all good cartoons, the characters bear a striking resemblance to some people I know. People like you and me. My favourite part is the sequence where the three main characters, who are on a quest to deliver a baby back to his parents, come across a group of Dodo Birds. Because of the advent of the Ice Age, everyone is hungry. The Dodo Birds are hoarding a small pile of melons. Our heroes try to acquire one for themselves, with hilarious, but tragic results. The Dodo birds immediately go into panic mode, running in all directions trying desperately to hold onto the fruit. Their efforts result not only in the fruit being lost, but the birds themselves self-destruct in the process.
There's a lesson here for you and me. I know you won't like the analogy, but we are a lot like those Dodo birds. We run around, often in panic mode, trying desperately to hold onto things that can't help us. Our pile of melons takes the form of all kinds of things ? jobs, money, big houses and fast cars, perfect appearances, top . . .
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The right of free speech does not mean the right to yell "fire" in a crowded theatre when there is no fire.
Some can only be resolved by making a conscious choice to ignore competing claims.
In the second world war, Christians in Holland hid Jews from the Nazis. They chose to disobey one authority and even tell lies about it for what the believed to be the higher authority.
In Romans, Paul tells us that magistrates are appointed by God for the common good. We understand this generally to be true.
But there are times when we choose to disobey a law if it is unjust.
Civil disobedience is a time-honored tactic for advancing a more righteous cause. Sometimes the gesture can be made peacefully with little consequence. But on other occasions, the consequences can be . . .
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Shortly after seeing this video I came across a quote that made me think of it again: "To write is to make oneself the echo of what cannot cease speaking." (Maurice Blanchot). The echoes in the video of . . .
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Whew! What a roller-coaster weekend this has been--the emotional highs and lows of sending your first son off to college--and though I had not planned to do this, I must share with all of you one more moment--a high-point that happened on Sunday. THEN we?ll get back to "normal"--whatever that is!
The weekend freshman orientation for parents concluded with a chapel service on Sunday morning, and a special prayer time when faculty and staff prayed one-on-one with each student and his family. With my husband on faculty, I've been to many a commitment service such as this. I've cried with other moms leaving their kids--this year I WAS one! A whole different ball game!
As I sat there, recalling a whole lifetime of memories involving a little . . .
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Many of us have shared the gospel with people we love, only to have them respond very badly. You look back on it and wonder, what if I had done things differently? What if I had said this, or not done that? And, deep down, you feel that, in some way, it is your fault that they don't believe.
If you have ever felt this way, then hear me now. It is not your fault that your loved one is unsaved. You are not to blame for their unbelief.
How can I say this with such assurance, not even knowing the particulars of your situation? I do so on the authority of sacred scripture. No one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. You can plant a seed; you can water it; but only God can make it grow. It is not given to you to save anyone.
And since you cannot save anyone, you cannot be to blame for their being unsaved. Whatever guilt you have carried inside over this, lay it down now. You are free of it. This burden was . . .
Subcategories
The Spur Article Count: 92
Wonders of Creation Article Count: 37
Harris Dvores Article Count: 1
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
Diane Davis Article Count: 1
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
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!"