In Psalm 127:3-5, Solomon tells us the blessings of being a parent. He describes children as arrows in a warrior’s quiver. In times past, arrows have been used to win many battles, put meat on the table, and win competitions. Diligence and focus, however, are required for an arrow to hit its mark. Like arrows, [...]

Growing up I had a drug problem. I was drug out of bed to go to school every weekday. I was drug to church for weddings and funerals. I was drug to church every Sunday morning. I was drug back on Sunday nights. I was even drug to Wednesday night Bible classes. I was drug [...]

There is man that is in the thoughts of thousands of people, even though they do not know his name and have never met him. He is frequently mentioned in Bible studies. Usually, he comes up after studying about the gospel and hearing that the obedience of faith is necessary for salvation. Someone will ask: [...]

Mark (also called John) started off as a disciple of Jesus on fire and very bold. Scholars believe Mark humbly recorded his actions during the arrest of Jesus in Mark 14:50-52. He would have been very young at this point, but while the apostles were fleeing, he was following Jesus—and naked at that! Only when [...]

Ralph Waldo Emerson said: “Beware of what you set your mind on for that you will surely become.” Sometimes when we look at ourselves we do not see what we can become with God’s help; we see only our own weaknesses and the flaws. By dwelling on these we become weaker and more flawed. Consider [...]

Reuter’s Oddly Enough News printed a story last year about a Japanese man who stole 340,000 yen (about $2,300). It qualified as odd news because the man felt sorry for his crime and returned the money two months later—with and additional 10,000 yen for interest! This is certainly odd in the sight of the world, [...]

An unanchored, unmanned boat will only drift aimlessly going wherever the tides or streams take it. It could have been used for great deeds: for travel, for transporting cargo, for catching food to feed the hungry, or simply for entertainment. Drifting, however, it accomplishes nothing and is worthless. No one expects a boat to be [...]

A frequent practice today is to recite “The Lord’s Prayer” (found in Matthew 6:9-13, Luke 11:2-4). Unfortunately, many do not understand what they are saying and mindlessly repeat Jesus’ words. This is the very practice Jesus is opposing (i.e., meaningless repetition, Matthew 6:7). It is important for us to understand what Jesus is praying for [...]

All of us have made mistakes; decisions and poor choices that led us to sin. We sometimes end up feeling humiliated and hopeless. We have a tendency to continually dwell on these mistakes like a pig wallowing in mud. As a result, our spiritual lives stagnate, fester, and become diseased. We come to the conclusion [...]

Salt is an amazing substance. It improves the function of yeast. It gives baked foods a better texture. It can preserve meats and cheese. A pinch of salt can increase the volume of whipped cream or egg whites, raise the boiling temperature of water, and lower the freezing temperature of water. It is found in [...]