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Most people would agree that our greatest happiness is found in the home. It’s there we learn the vital lessons of love and friendship that carry us through life. But even though we know this, we don’t always remember to show our appreciation for family members. The longer we forget, the more an atmosphere of […]
Who among us has not been lost? Whether as a school child with tear-stained cheeks; a teenager who thought he knew the way; or a weary traveler, fumbling to make sense of a map—we’ve all been lost. And, it’s hoped, we’ve all been found. The joy of being found, or of finding oneself, is transcendent—especially […]
No nation, no village, no individual is exempt from adversity. Each one of us experiences sore trials from time to time, and we are united in that suffering. But we can have more in common than our tears. When put to the test, we can refuse to be broken. Despite the calamities that come into […]
When we contemplate the beauty of this world God has chosen to share with us, our thoughts are drawn to the miracle of creation. When we look at a majestic mountain, a spectacular vista, or a magnificent sunset, we think of God, our Creator. We’re reminded that God is the Master of all artists, and […]
Tragedy has knocked at our nation’s Golden Door. The dust fell so thick, and so heavy, we felt it all around us, even though we’re hundreds of miles away. With you and with others all across our land, we grieve—and we pray. Lady Liberty may be surrounded by ashes, but she still stands. And her […]
Does God speak to His children? Most of us would answer, “Yes.” But some might say, “Not to me personally, of course.” We understand that the Almighty talks to those who influence the fate of nations: Abraham, the father of all Israel; Moses, deliverer of the Hebrew slaves; Paul, an Apostle of the early Christian […]
Dark nights are the ones that teach us the most about prayer. Those are the times when other resources are exhausted, and we fall to our knees in humility, hoping God will hear us. In times of crisis or despair, prayer is like the strap we grasp in a rushing train or subway, lending us […]
On a hot, humid, sunny day, a small group of neighbors gathered with shovels and rakes and gardening tools at a local park. The park had been too long neglected and was badly overrun with weeds and fallen leaves. The neighbors had set a day to clean it up. But as they surveyed the work […]
We’ve heard it said that “no man is an island.” Yet sometimes we don’t think about what’s implied in the statement. We really do need each other. After a terrible automobile accident, a woman received three pints of blood. During the weeks of recovery, she was filled with gratitude for the strangers who had saved […]
The Lord’s invitation to us is a promise of peace. He said: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”1 Certainly, much about life can be troublesome. So many of us are […]
We live in an ocean of words, swirling about us from computer screens, book pages, television programs, and whisperings of those we love. Language is everywhere. Sometimes it may seem we’re being bombarded by messages, overwhelmed by information. From this barrage of words, we seek for those that matter most. An encouraging word from a […]
There’s an indescribable feeling that settles in on us at the end of the day when we notice the setting sun. A painted sky with radiant strokes of red, purple, pink, and orange can be breathtaking. All the artistic efforts in the world could never match the grandeur of a single sunset. How marvelous to […]
Among the precious gifts that patriots and pioneers offer us is the opportunity to carry their dreams to future generations. Gratitude for the freedom and happiness we enjoy is best expressed by adding our own contributions to this glorious inheritance. Our grateful remembrance of the past should prompt us to try to create an ever […]
Every child is born into this world with the need to feel wanted and loved. The great humanitarian, Mother Teresa, discovered that there’s one disease for which there is no medical cure. It’s that of being an unwanted child. She said, “Except there are willing hands to serve and there’s a loving heart to love, […]
The Ten Commandments undergird both the Jewish and the Christian faiths. This great code of law sets forth nine actions that God’s people are admonished to do, or to refrain from doing. One commandment, however, deals not with an action, but with an emotion. What emotion could be so dangerous that we are specifically warned […]
One of the disappointing facts of life is that things keep breaking. Furniture, dishes, and computers all break. Bones, health, and hearts can break. Laws and promises, contracts and treaties can be broken. If the blessing of freedom is taken for granted, it could wind up being broken. Freedom’s been bought with a price from […]
If there were a heavenly city in which each street was named for a divine characteristic, one of the main thoroughfares would be named “graciousness.” Realizing she was boarding the same crowded flight as a high-ranking official, a young woman respectfully tried to let the man board the plane ahead of her. The official, her […]
Among the many dictionary listings under the word father, we find one meaning that captures the essence of fatherhood in a simple statement: “A father is someone who exercises protecting care.” Sometime it’s tempting for a man to think of exercising “protecting care” in terms of the material things he can provide. When asked what […]
From our earliest years, the expression “thank you” is among the first and most important we learn. In every language and across every culture, giving thanks is a central part of human interaction. Whether with a formal note or a passing handshake, words of gratitude have a special power. They lighten burdens, convey respect, and […]
Nearly 300 years ago, an English trumpeter invented the tuning fork—a remarkable device that, when struck, can produce a perfect tone and help musicians find standard pitch. But a curious thing happens when another tuning fork is held in an opposite corner of the room. The second fork responds to the vibrations of the first […]
Most of the time we manage to get through each day without asking anyone for help. We want to be independent, and so it’s hard to admit sometimes that there are circumstances when it’s necessary to rely on others. But some things are just better done in pairs, as the words of the scripture remind […]
Looking at others, we can easily distinguish how each person is unique. Beyond our physical differences, no two members of the human family view the world in exactly the same way. Humanity’s colorful spectrum of cultures, skin tones, and philosophies leads us to decide whether our differences will divide us, or whether mankind’s miraculous diversity […]
If certificates of excellence were handed out to mothers, it might be quite surprising to see how many of those mothers would hang their heads and say: “I can’t accept this. I don’t deserve it. I made too many mistakes.” Part of this feeling within mothers comes from the fact that they often expect perfection […]
We’ve all had the experience of leaving the house, only to ask in dismay an hour later, “Did I turn the stove off?” We’re keenly aware of the danger of leaving a stove on, a fireplace or even a candle burning unattended. We may be less aware of the danger of leaving our emotional stoves […]
Hope can make a world of difference in our lives. Shortly after the death of Jesus Christ, two of His followers left Jerusalem for a city called Emmaus. They were trying to get away from their disappointment and doubt. Lost in grief as they walked along, they pondered the circumstances of His death and the […]
We live in a remarkable age. Visit the palaces of the wealthiest kings known to history and marvel at the expansive parks and buildings, the sumptuous furnishings, the gold-framed mirrors, and the masterful works of art. And yet, it’s sobering to realize that, in most ways that really matter, ordinary citizens in the most fortunate […]
In springtime, the Northern Hemisphere of the world awakens. Scents of moist earth freshen the winter air, blossoms delight the eyes, songbirds return to nest in budding trees, and sunlight wraps us in its promise of summer days. It’s as if the earth itself is teaching us how to celebrate the anniversary of the Resurrection […]
In Victor Hugo’s classic story, Les Misérables, we see a man so filled with love that he would die for another.1 Throughout history, we see heroic soldiers, firefighters, and citizens willing to pay the ultimate price for their fellowman. Christ the Lord gave His life to conquer death, that all shall live. He said, “Greater […]
Within each soul is the light of faith. If followed, this light can lead us in the way of possibility and promise. But if ignored, we may wander aimlessly, without direction or purpose. Whenever fear, anger, or doubt takes possession of our souls, the light of faith cannot shine. If, however, we pursue a righteous […]
Nearly everywhere we go there’s someone who sincerely invites us to have a great day. This common invitation is a pleasant custom that cheers us on and lets us know others care. But rarely do these invitations actually make us have a great day. Usually we’re so busy that we quickly forget about having a […]