English Sign Sign in the window of an English company: We have been established for over one hundred years and have been pleasing our displeasing customers ever since. We have made money and lost money, suffered the effects of coal nationalization, coal rationing, government control, and bad payers. We have been cussed and discussed, messed … Continue reading “Curiosity”
Cure (worse than the disease)
Controlling Malaria In a small village in the Bornes jungle, health workers decided to spray the straw huts with DDT in order to control the mosquito population responsible for the spread of malaria. The lizards that normally inhabit the walls of the huts consumed large doses of the DDT and died. The village cats, in … Continue reading “Cure (worse than the disease)”
Cunning
Improved Golf Score For several years a lawyer and a doctor had regularly played golf together. They were evenly matched, and there was a keen sense of rivalry. Then one spring the lawyer’s game suddenly improved so much that the doctor was losing regularly. The doctor’s efforts to improve his own game were unsuccessful, but … Continue reading “Cunning”
Culture
Countering the Columnist Ellen Goodman wrote a powerful editorial on this topic, a portion of which follows: Sooner or later; most Americans become card-carrying members of the counterculture. This is not an underground holdout of Hippies. No beads are required. All you need to join is a child. At some point between Lamaze and PTA, … Continue reading “Culture”
Cults
Signs of a cult (1) Secrecy is employed; seldom is there full disclosure. (2) Elite leadership does all the thinking. Others follow. (3) Followers are the only ones who possess the whole truth. (4) Scripture is never taken at face value. (5) Loyalty goes to a leader or a system. (6) The concepts lack historical … Continue reading “Cults”
Crying
Tears: A Sign of Life Crying is common in this world. It does little good to ask the reason for it. Muddyscuttle is what one might call a weeping planet. Laughter can be heard here and there, but by and large, weeping predominates. With maturity the sound and reason for crying changes, but never does … Continue reading “Crying”
Crucifixion
Sharing the Message of the Cross Scripture Setting People Present Key Thought Related Details Luke 22:40–50 Garden of Gethsemane Jesus and apostles. Judas and soldiers. Arrested Jesus prayed, Apostles slept, Jesus agonized, Jesus submitted, Judas betrayed Matthew 26:57–68 Before High Priest and Sanhedrin Jesus, High Priest, Part of Sanhedrin, Apostles at a distance Tried Jesus … Continue reading “Crucifixion”
Cross of Christ
Situation / Interpretation Situation Interpretation Reference Slave Market World System 1 John 5:19 Slave Master Satan John 12:31 Slaves Humanity Ephesians 2:2–3 The Problem Sin Colossians 2:14 Highest Bidder Jesus Christ Hebrews 2:14–15 Ransom Price Blood of Christ 1 Peter 1:18–19 One animal sacrifice per man Genesis 3 One sacrifice per family Exodus 12:3–14 One … Continue reading “Cross of Christ”
Criticism
Mend It or Forget It Robert A. Cook, former president of King’s College in New York, told a true story from the early years of his ministry. He had been receiving some rather pointed criticism, and he sought the counsel of a friend, pastor Harry A. Ironside. Pouring out his heart, Dr. Cook asked what … Continue reading “Criticism”
Crisis
Handling Life What really makes people satisfied with their lives? Amazingly, the secret may lie in a person’s ability to handle life’s blows without blame or bitterness. These are the conclusions of a study of 173 men who have been followed since they graduated from Harvard University in the early 1940s. The study, reported in … Continue reading “Crisis”