Sermons and Biblical Studies

It is often said that two can live as cheaply as one. That’s true—as long as one doesn’t eat and the other goes naked.851

Thomas Carlyle paid many pathetic postmortem tributes to his deceased wife, whom he sometimes neglected in life. In his diary there is what has been called the saddest sentence in English literature. Carlyle wrote: “Oh, that I had you yet for five minutes by my side that I might tell you all.”850

With the rising divorce rate and the trend toward total truthfulness these days, it is almost as though the marriage vows are being changed from “till death do us part” to “till something better comes along.”845 The ties of a durable marriage are not like the pretty silken ribbons attached to wedding presents. Instead, they … Continue reading “MARRIAGE, COMMITMENT IN”

A cynic once observed: “All marriages are happy. It’s the living together afterward that causes all the trouble.”836 Marriage has been described as the relationship of “two reasonable human beings who have agreed to abide by each other’s intolerabilities.”837 Marriage is like taking an airplane to Florida for a relaxing vacation in January, and when … Continue reading “MARRIAGE, ADJUSTMENT TO”

A man should carry two stones in his pocket. On one should be inscribed, “I am but dust and ashes.” On the other, “For my sake was the world created.” And he should refer to each stone as he needs it.828

We are all made of common clay and that is why we all have the same problems. As someone has well put it, “We’re all made in the same mold—only some are moldier than others.”820 Remember that man was made out of dust, and when dust gets stuck on itself it only turns into mud.821 … Continue reading “MAN, NATURE OF”

One Sunday a little boy looked up at his dad and asked, “Daddy, how does God love us?” His father answered, “Son, God loves us with an unconditional love.” The lad thought for a moment and then asked, “Daddy, what kind of love is unconditional love?” After a few minutes of silence his father answered, … Continue reading “LOVE, UNCONDITIONAL”

Falling in love at first sight is rather like falling down a hole—sudden, intense—often with an unsatisfactory outcome.813 I climbed up the door, and I shut the stairs. I said my shoes, and took off my prayers. I shut off my bed, and I climbed into the light, and all because he kissed me goodnight! … Continue reading “LOVE, ROMANTIC”

A man who had been the superintendent of a city rescue mission for forty years was asked why he had spent his life working with dirty, unkempt, profane, drunken derelicts. He said, “All I’m doing is giving back to others a little of the love God has shown to me.” As a young man, he … Continue reading “LOVE, POWER OF”

Infantile love follows the principle: “I love because I am loved.” Mature love follows the principle: “I am loved because I love.” Immature love says: “I love you because I need you.” Mature love says: “I need you because I love you.” Erich Fromm810