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In his novel entitled The Robe, Lloyd C. Douglas skillfully told the story of the crucifixion of Christ.  One of the central characters in the plot was a Roman military officer named Marcellus.  He was in charge of the small detachment who were chosen to carry out the execution.  Marcellus did not desire the assignment but accepted it with the aloof resignation of a good soldier.  It was his job, and he would do it. But after the dirty deed was done, Marcellus was a haunted man.  He returned to Rome but was unable to escape that day in Jerusalem.  […]

I have observed that a person who does not pray goes on a lonely pilgrimage.  He or she shuts himself off from that help that is within his or her reach.  He will not take the outstretched hand of God.  He chooses to go it alone.  We should not make light of that person, for his choice may be born of deep sincerity.  But it would certainly seem that he puts too much trust in human strength alone.  In the New Testament, Jesus had much to say about the power of prayer.  But nowhere did He probe more deeply than […]

I heard a story one time about a man who was a construction foreman for a wealthy financier.  The financier furnished the money and the foreman furnished the know-how.  Together they were in the building business. One day the financier called the foreman into his office.  He explained that he would be out of the city for a while and that while he was gone he wanted a house built.  He said, “Here are the plans, and I have deposited in the local bank under your signature $25,000 which is the architect’s estimate of cost.” The foreman took the plans, […]

To forgive other people is one of the most difficult things any of us will have to do.  If perhaps you don’t know that, it can only mean that you have never tried it.  Perhaps you’ve never been faced with that necessity.  Maybe your heart has never been broken.  Maybe you’ve never been cheated, or lied to, or insulted.  Maybe you’ve never suffered physical or psychological injury at the hands of careless or, worse yet, malicious people. If nothing like that has ever happened to you, let me assure you that you should be grateful; but you should also be […]

Have you noticed that the roses in your garden grow gradually, but they blossom suddenly – first a rosebud, and then a full bloom.  Of course, we know in advance that a rose bush will produce roses.  But the thrilling thing about a human life is that you never know what it might produce, once it blossoms out. Some years ago in Italy, there was a young man from a wealthy family.  He had every opportunity to be spoiled and selfish, and lead a life of ease and luxury.  But one day he made a decision and acted upon it.  […]