Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.

Philippians 2:14-15

We shouldn't be surprised that unbelievers around us have a different set of values than we do. After all, a star isn't surprised to find that it shines in the great expanse of darkness surrounding it. You see, a star and a disciple of Jesus share one basic purpose: shining our light in the darkness, no matter how great that darkness!

Holy and righteous LORD, I can only anticipate the day I see your glory and stand in your presence. Please give me the courage and integrity to be a light to those around me overwhelmed by the darkness. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Source : www.heartlight.org

I am told that the muscles of the face are capable of over 250,000 different combinations of expressions. And one of the most useful is a smile. And though I'm a fan of kissing, I appreciate that smiling is still one of the best things I can do with my lips.

Sometimes I hear or read something that is so true I know I will never forget it. One of those gems is an observation from Fulton J. Sheen, who said, "A smile across the aisle of a bus in the morning could save a suicide later in the day." Over the years, I've come to realize the magnitude and truth in that statement. People NEED the healing medicine of the heart that just a smile, even from strangers, provides. In fact, we all need it. And for some folks, that medicine can save a life.

Geslagte lank het die kerk stilgebly oor die sonde van slawerny. Dis omdat dit gewild en ekonomies voordelig was; om selfs nie eens te noem dat sommige kerkleiers ook slawe aangehou het nie. Maar toe die kerk uiteindelik erken dis verkeerd, het dit ook die weg gebaan om te hervorm. Deesdae kan ons die lewe nie anders voorstel nie! Wel, sommige van ons begin besef dat om God se skepping op te pas, nie net iets is wat die 'groenes' doen nie.

Newlywed Compromise

For our first New Year's together as a married couple, my wife offered me a choice of pumpkin pie, cheesecake or orange-date cake.

"Pumpkin pie," I requested.

"We've been eating pumpkin pie since Thanksgiving," Nancy protested. "Can't you choose something else?"

"Okay," I replied, "how about cheesecake?"

Making a face, Nancy said, "After all that rich food you ate over Christmas, surely you don't want cheesecake."

Recognizing my limited options, I then selected orange-date cake.

"Oh, I'm glad you chose that one," Nancy said. "Orange-date cake is a New Year's tradition in our family."

Do you remember the story of Jeremy Bentham of London, England? He died in 1832 and left his estate to University College London. But he also stipulated that his body be embalmed, dressed up and brought in to preside over the annual meeting of university administrators. His preserved body is still there today, displayed in a glass cabinet. And it is apparently still wheeled into the annual meetings. For years, the secretary of the board added to the minutes of each session, "Jeremy Bentham, present but not voting."

I've KNOWN people like that -- present but not voting. Too often, I am one of them. These people are alive, but they are not really living. As Benjamin Franklin may have put it, they died around 25 but won't be buried until they are 75. They live without passion. They seem to have forgotten what thrill and wonder life can hold.

Die Siriese leërs het Samaria beleër en daar was hongersnood in die stad. Vier melaatses wat noodgedwonge buite die stad moes bly, was gewoond aan die stukkies brood wat die inwoners van die stad elke dag oor die mure na hulle gegooi het. Nou was daar egter niks nie. Hulle het dus gevra, ''Hoekom moet ons hier sit en wag om dood te gaan?"' Hulle het tot aksie oorgegaan, 'Skemerdonker gaan hulle na die Arameërs se kamp toe. Daar was niemand nie!.