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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 […]
Like the shining beams of a lighthouse, God’s commandments offer direction and protection to all who follow them. Obedience brings safety, happiness, and peace. Life’s greatest blessings come from learning what God wants us to do and then obeying. As one great leader expressed it, “I made this my rule: When God commands, do it.”1 […]
A small child’s visit to the doctor can be a frightening experience. To put the child’s mind at ease, the doctor will often show him a stethoscope, explain its purpose, and then say, “Would you like to listen to your heart?” The child’s fear is then changed to curiosity as he listens to the beat […]
It’s an irony of modern life that, while some of us have almost no time to ourselves, others have almost more than they’d like. When being alone feels uncomfortable, it’s helpful to ask, “Who’s really here with me?” The writer Hugh Prather has said: “To me, being alone means togetherness—the re-coming together of myself and […]
Our birth is the beginning as we slip brand new into this world of fresh possibilities. How wonderful it would be to keep that first sparkle and bloom of life with us—to always see with a child’s eye. But familiarity can blind us to everyday beauty. Precious things can drift into the commonplace. How does […]
We’re extraordinarily fortunate people. We live on this beautiful earth, eating food we didn’t grow, sleeping in homes we didn’t build, breathing fresh, clean air and drinking sparkling water. All of these are freely given gifts from our Heavenly Father. Why, then, is it often difficult for us to act with mercy toward others? Because […]
We live in an age when many deny the existence of God. However, even those who claim to be atheists often recognize in those who believe, a strength, comfort, and peace. Recently, a group of medical students listened to a famous guest physician lecture on the factors that contribute to recovery from major illness. The […]
Happiness is a skill that comes (at least in part) from finding contentment with what we have. Henry David Thoreau believed that his “greatest skill [was] to want but little.”1 He learned to tame his desires so well that he came to want only that which was essential to joyful living. In this age of […]
Sometimes a feeling of peace can wash over us like an unexpected wave, and catch us by surprise. Without even expecting it, we suddenly feel filled with joy and warmth. These peak moments of contentment come when we’ve taken steps to remove the barriers between us and the Lord, and we sense His presence near […]
In the winter of 1777, Isaac Potts was passing through the woods near the American army headquarters at Valley Forge. On his way he heard a voice just ahead. As he drew closer, he was quite surprised to see the commander in chief himself on his knees in the act of prayer. Concealed by thick […]
Many of life’s sweetest joys result from being part of something greater than ourselves. Happy families, lasting friendships, successful careers—all require us to love and respect others enough to work beside them, to stand behind them, and to protect their interests as our own. Harmonizing our lives with the lives of people around us is […]
To have loving associations with family and friends is the height of joy in this life. Likewise, to have these relationships severed can bring the greatest sorrow. When the wedge between you and someone you once felt close to widens, it may feel as if the relationship’s beyond repair. There’s a way to restore the […]
We have nothing to give that we didn’t first receive from someone else. If we were to rummage down into ourselves like we were searching through an old chest, we would find—people, so many people who have helped make us who we are: mother, father, sisters, brothers, friends. God has made us who we are […]
Christmas is a season when our minds make a pilgrimage in time. We think about Bethlehem, which means “house of bread,” and wonder what it would have been like to watch Mary place Jesus, the Bread of Life, in a lowly manger. We imagine Mary gently arranging the straw to cradle His head, and find […]