Running Persistently
Bob Kempainen was determined to make the 1996 U.S. Olympic marathon team. He was willing to go to any lengths, no matter how gut-wrenching.
On a hilly course in Charlotte, N.C., he won the trials -- but was sick five times in the last two miles. Kempainen, the American record holder in the marathon, has experienced stomach troubles since junior high school. But that hasn't kept this medical student from pursuing marathoning.
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Holy Humor
Is laughter theologically correct?
We rarely think of a knee-slapping, rib tickling, belly laugh when we think of being spiritual. But is that God's perspective?
In "Spiritual Fitness," Dorothy Donnelly tells us that humor has two elements: an acceptance of life's incongruities and the ability not to take ourselves too seriously. The Christian faith is filled with incongruities -- the meek inherit the earth, the simple teach the wise, death leads to life, a virgin gives birth, a king is born in a stable. Many, but not all of life's incongruities are humorous.
Humor also helps us let go of an exaggerated sense of importance to face the truth about ourselves. Anxiety over our own efforts can obscure what God is doing in our lives. "Lighten Up" can be good spiritual advice! Renew your sense of humor. The joy of the Lord is your strength!
Be on the lookout for humor. Almost every situation contains some element of humor. Also, spend time with people who have a sense of humor. Their perspective will be contagious. Humor has been proven to be good for your health. Take time every day to laugh. It is good for the soul as well as the body!
by Rev. Lynn Wheeler | |
Unchanging Hope
No one knows for sure when ships were first used for water transportation. The earliest evidence of sailing vessels dates from Egypt about the third millennium B.C. Since then ships have changed considerably.
Today's passenger and cargo ships have no oars, sails, or masts. Modern vessels have all the conveniences of a great luxury hotel...gourmet cuisine, an array of entertainment, recreation, even swimming pools! On thing, however, has remained remarkably the same...the anchor! Except for the differing sizes, the anchor on Paul's ship of the first century and the anchor on the Queen Elizabeth II of the 20th century, are not much different.
The same could be said of human life. Technology has brought staggering changes in virtually every area of our lives. However, people are still people. We experience the same struggles, temptations, joys, hopes and sorrows...and our souls still need an anchor!
When Paul and his companions were still shipwrecked on the coast of Malta, they dropped four anchors, which kept the ship from being dashed against the rocks. The writer of Hebrews tells us we have an anchor that will keep our lives from shipwreck...our hope in Jesus Christ! Just as no experienced sailor would go out to sea without an anchor, we must never go anywhere without Jesus! He is our ONLY hope!
by Rev. Lynn Wheeler | |
Weights That Hinder
In Jules Verne's novel, "The Mysterious Island," he tells of five men who escape a Civil War prison camp by hijacking a hot air balloon. As they rise into the air, they realize the wind is carrying them over the ocean. Watching their homeland disappear on the horizon, they wonder how much longer....
by Rev. Lynn Wheeler | |
A Kite's Tale
During the Sunday "children's sermon," a pastor gathered the little ones around him and told this story. On a breezy March day, the town mayor happened through the park where a small boy was flying the largest, most beautiful kite he had ever seen. I soared so high and floated so gently, the mayor was sure it must...
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