A Chairman When Irving S. Olds was chairman of the U.S. Steel Corporation, he arrived for a stockholders’ meeting and was confronted by a woman who asked, “Exactly who are you and what do you do?” Without batting an eye, Olds replied, “I am your chairman. Of course, you know the duties of a chairman—that’s … Continue reading “Unimportant”
Unforeseen
Gracie Allen Long-time actress and comedienne Gracie Allen once received a small, live alligator as a gag. Not knowing what to do with it, Gracie placed it in the bathtub and then left for an appointment. When she returned home, she found this note from her maid: “Dear Miss Allen: Sorry, but I have quit. … Continue reading “Unforeseen”
Unforgiven
Leo Tolstoy’s Marriage Leo Tolstoy thought he was getting his marriage off on the right foot when he asked his teenage fiance to read his diaries, which spelled out in lurid detail all of his sexual dalliances. He wanted to keep no secrets from Sonya, to begin marriage with a clean slate, forgiven. Instead, Tolstoy’s … Continue reading “Unforgiven”
Unforgivable Sin
Resource • Putting Your Past Behind You, E. Lutzer, Here’s Life, 1990, pp. 31ff. Unpardonable Sin This statement (Matt. 12:32, par Mk. 3:29, Luke 12:10) has been the subject of much questioning. Obviously the reference here is not to the naming of the Holy Spirit in a blasphemous utterance, for in Matt. 12:32 even blasphemy … Continue reading “Unforgivable Sin”
Understanding
Douglas MacArthur The first section was studying the time-space relationship later formulated by Einstein as his Theory of Relativity. The text was complex and, being unable to comprehend it, I committed the pages to memory. When I was called upon to recite, I solemnly reeled off almost word for word what the book said. Our … Continue reading “Understanding”
Underestimate
Thomas Edison’s Invention When the Western Union company asked the great inventor Thomas Edison to “name his price” for the ticker he had invented, Edison asked for a few days to think it over. His wife suggested $20,000, but Edison thought that was too much. When the time came for the meeting, the Western Union … Continue reading “Underestimate”
Uncertainty
Nobody Knows A newspaper publisher sent a telegram to a noted astronomer: WIRE COLLECT IMMEDIATELY FIVE HUNDRED WORDS ON WHETHER THERE IS LIFE ON MARS. The astronomer dutifully replied: NOBODY KNOWS—250 times. Carl Sagan, Cosmos
Unbelief
Faith and Important lessons are given by this alternation of the two ideas of faith and unbelief, obedience and disobedience. Disobedience is the root of unbelief. Unbelief is the mother of further disobedience. Faith is voluntary submission within a person’s own power. If faith is not exercised, the true cause lies deeper than all intellectual … Continue reading “Unbelief”
Unaware
Elected President Shortly after the 1912 presidential election, Woodrow Wilson visited an aged aunt whom he hadn’t seen for a long time. “What are you doing these days, Woodrow?” she asked.”I’ve just been elected president,” replied Wilson.”Oh, yes? President of what?” inquired the aunt. “Of the United States.” “ Don’t be silly!” she snorted impatiently. … Continue reading “Unaware”
Unappreciated
A Chairman When Irving S. Olds was chairman of the U.S. Steel Corporation, he arrived for a stockholders’ meeting and was confronted by a woman who asked, “Exactly who are you and what do you do?” Without batting an eye, Olds replied, “I am your chairman. Of course, you know the duties of a chairman—that’s … Continue reading “Unappreciated”