A visitor to a mental hospital was astonished to note that there were only three guards watching over a hundred dangerous inmates. He asked his guide, “Don’t you fear that these people will overpower the guards and escape?” “No,” was the reply. “Lunatics never unite.”193 For safety reasons, mountain climbers rope themselves together when climbing … Continue reading “CHURCH UNITY”
CHURCH STRIFE
In Paul’s Letter to the Philippians, there are named two ladies who could not get along with each other, Euodia and Syntyche (or, as it has been rendered, Odious and Soontouchy). They obviously had trouble working together. Then and now, the church is too often described in this little jingle: To dwell above with saints … Continue reading “CHURCH STRIFE”
CHURCH, SERVICE TO
This is a story about four people in the church whose names were Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. The church had financial responsibilities and Everybody was asked to help. Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it. But you know who did it? Nobody. It ended up that Everybody blamed … Continue reading “CHURCH, SERVICE TO”
CHURCH, SEPARATION IN
The story has been told of a small church affiliated with an exclusive “splinter” denomination. The members had cut out some gold letters and fastened them on the wall in front of the church. The letters said: “jesus only.” One day a gust of wind blew away the first three letters. The sign then read, … Continue reading “CHURCH, SEPARATION IN”
CHURCH, MISSION OF
Frederick the Great, King of Prussia, won a strategic battle with comparative ease and little loss of men. When asked for the explanation of his victory over the enemy, he said, “The enemy had seven cooks and one spy, but I had seven spies and one cook.” Perhaps the church lacks power because it majors … Continue reading “CHURCH, MISSION OF”
CHURCH, MEMBERSHIP IN
There once was a mule who found himself between two haystacks, completely unable to decide which one to eat first. Because of hi, indecision, he didn’t eat either one; he just stood there until he starved. Many people are like the mule when deciding which church to attend. They wander back and forth, never committing … Continue reading “CHURCH, MEMBERSHIP IN”
CHURCH, LOVE IN
There is a story about a man who was walking down the street. He passed a used-book store, and in the window he saw a book with the title How to Hug. He was taken by the title and, being of a somewhat romantic nature, went in to buy the book. To his chagrin, he … Continue reading “CHURCH, LOVE IN”
CHURCH, INVOLVEMENT IN
An athlete who desires to be effective on game day must first be properly trained. He must spend many hours keeping himself in shape and developing his skills to a high degree. If he does not, he will not be able to accomplish all that he wishes when it is time to play the game. … Continue reading “CHURCH, INVOLVEMENT IN”
CHURCH, DISCIPLINE IN
If someone has cancer, an operation is usually performed to cut out the malignancy. The reason is simple: if left alone, it will metastasize; that is, it will spread. No one wants a cancer to spread, so it is cut out or otherwise removed from the body so that the patient can be healthy again. … Continue reading “CHURCH, DISCIPLINE IN”
CHURCH (BRIDE OF CHRIST)
It was all that a young woman could do to maintain a conversation with a fellow Christian while waiting for her fiancé’s jet to bring him home to her after a three-week separation. Once the plane was at the gate, conversation was impossible as the engaged woman stood watching, eagerly waiting for the moment when … Continue reading “CHURCH (BRIDE OF CHRIST)”