Topic(s): Worship

HENRY WARD BEECHER, the famous pulpit orator, once had to be absent and his brother was invited to speak for him.

The church house was crowded, but when it became evident that the eloquent Henry Beecher was not going to appear, many started to leave. Beecher’s brother was not disturbed. He stood up before the murmuring crowd, called for silence and said, “All who came this morning to worship Henry W. Beecher may now leave. The rest will remain and worship God.”

What are we doing in our assemblies? Some, like the Athenians, come only to hear the preacher say something (Acts 17:20–21). “Is it relevant?” “Is it positive?” Are mental guidelines used in judging sermons? Some attend to judge the singing, the prayers, or the friendliness of the congregation. These go away with a host of criticisms . . .

Why do we gather for worship? Some are here to “get it over with for a week”; to get their tickets validated once more. But those who are here because they need strength in carrying their crosses know the value of worship. Worship has nothing to do with the song leader or the talent of the preacher. It has to do with you and your God.

—Norman Easter, “You and Worship,” The Voice of Truth International, Vol. 34, p. 55.

“Oh come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God.” —Psalm 95:6– 7

Smile

Topic(s): Humor

An old snake goes to see his doctor. “Doc, I need something for my eyes, I can’t see very well these days.” The doctor fixes him up with a pair of glasses and tells him to return in two weeks. The snake comes back in two weeks and tells the doctor he’s very depressed. The doctor says, “What’s the problem? Didn’t the glasses help you?” “The glasses are fine doc, but I just discovered I’ve been living with a water hose the past two years.” —Unknown

I Wish I Was You

Topic(s): Christian Life

BATSEL BARRETT BAXTER once wrote: “I remember several years ago, on a Sunday morning after I had preached a sermon, I came down from the pulpit, as my custom was, and sat down on the front row while the Lord’s supper was being served. There was a little boy, pre-school age, on that front row, who inched over toward me until he sat very close beside me. Then, he leaned close to my ear and said, “I wish I was you.” Nobody ever said that before and nobody since. Just a little boy whose name I did not even know. I knew his family. I had seen him a few times, but I did not even know his name. But he had heard me preach about Christ, and he had seen me stand in front of the congregation. It was impact as a preacher, not as an individual, that had impressed him so deeply. His statement left an imprint on me.” Oh, if we could only feel the power of the influence that we wield upon the lives of others.

—Gary Hampton, “You Never Know,” The Voice of Truth International, Vol. 34, p. 69.

Diary of an Unborn Child

Topic(s): Moral Issues, Sin

October 5: Today my life began. My parents do not know it yet; I am as small as a seed of an apple, but it is I already. And I am to be a girl. I shall have blond hair and blue eyes. Just about everything is settled though, even the fact that I shall love flowers.

October 10: Some say that I am not a real person yet, that only my mother exists. But I am a real person, just as a small crumb of bread is truly bread. My mother is. And I am.

October 23: My mouth is just beginning to open now. Just think, in a year or so I shall be laughing, and later talking. I know what my first word will be: MAMA.

October 25: My heart began to beat today all by itself. From now on it shall gently beat for the rest of my life without ever stopping to rest! And after many years it will tire. It will stop, and then I shall die.

November 2: I am growing a bit every day. My arms and legs are beginning to take shape. But I have to wait a long time yet before those little legs will raise me to my mother’s arms, before these little arms will be able to gather flowers and embrace my father.

November 12: Tiny fingers are beginning to form on my hands. Funny how small they are! I’ll be able to stroke my mother’s hair with them.

November 20: It wasn’t until today that the doctor told Mom that I am living here under her heart. Oh, how happy she must be! Are you happy, Mom?

November 25: My mom and dad are probably thinking about a name for me. But they don’t even know that I am a girl. I want to be called Kathy. I am getting so big already.

December 10: My hair is growing. It is smooth and bright and shiny. I wonder what kind of hair Mom has.

December 13: I am just about able to see. It is dark around me. When Mom brings me into the world it will be full of sunshine and flowers. But what I want more than anything is to see my mom. How do you look, Mom?

December 24: I wonder if Mom hears the whispering of my heart? Some children come into the world a little sick. But my heart is strong and healthy. It beats so evenly: tup-tup, tup-tup. You’ll have a healthy little daughter, Mom!

December 28: Today my mother killed me

—Unknown

“If thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.” —James 2:11

Washer Settings

Topic(s): Humor

One day, a housework-challenged husband decided to wash his sweatshirt. Seconds after he stepped into the laundry room, he shouted to his wife, “What setting do I use on the washing machine?” “It depends,” she replied. “What does it say on your shirt?” He yelled back, “Texas A & M.”

—Cybersalt Digest

“A merry heart doeth good . . . ” —Proverbs 17:22