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Tag: Person of Christ

Amazing Grace and Appalling Ingratitude

Amazing Grace and Appalling Ingratitude

Though I fervently believe them, I am very leery of ‘Bible stories.’  Like ‘bedtime stories,’ the term suggests make-believe, the stuff of legends, tall tales, and fables—in a word, fiction.  In the case of the Bible however, the taint of unreality is wholly undeserved. The following is not a fairytale, but an eyewitness account, set down within the same generation, recounting real events that actually transpired.  The fact that it is recorded in the Bible points to, rather than detracts from, its veracity.  It is not,…

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Peace Of The Best Kind

Peace Of The Best Kind

In a small municipal park opposite the Manhattan headquarters of the United Nations is a staircase on the wall of which the following is inscribed: “…they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”  The site has been called, “the Isaiah Wall” because the inscription is excerpted from the writings of the Biblical Prophet of that name (Isaiah 2 v. 4). Although the…

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No Greater Love

No Greater Love

Three people were having breakfast early one morning, having been awakened by a beeping noise, as insistent as it was annoying.  The fourth member of the group, somehow still asleep, had not yet arisen.  What was that sound, they wondered. “It’s getting light outside,” one observed, buttering a half-slice of toast.  “But not here in the kitchen,” muttered another.  “Why don’t you open the curtains?” The person nearest the window obliged.  The sunlight just admitted into the room illuminated a light haze hanging in the air,…

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When Only A Lamb Will Do

When Only A Lamb Will Do

Live long enough on this lovely chunk of rock hurtling through space and you will find yourself in a jam.  Get into enough jams and sooner or later, you’ll stumble into one you can’t get out of—at least, not on your own.  In that moment, what you rely on and who you call on for help can mean the difference between survival and a really bad day for your life insurer. If you could choose a guard dog to defend you in…

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No Fond Farewells

No Fond Farewells

I once read tragic accounts of an ill-fated commercial airliner that became doomed, due to an inflight mischance of some kind, which badly damaged the tail section.  As a result, the plane lost the use of its hydraulic assists—somewhat akin to losing power steering and power brakes on a car, as it barrels down the highway.  The loss of its “boosters” severely restricted the nature and scope of the maneuvers that the aircraft could perform.  Cascading mechanical failures also made the stricken airliner…

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Know Who You’re Dealing With

Know Who You’re Dealing With

A cornerstone of personal safety and security is the admonition to ‘know who you’re dealing with.’  If you do not, you may be taken advantage of and suffer serious loss, up to and including life itself.   Bad actors (and bad liars) may make self-serving or accidental disclosures that unwittingly give them away.  Should anyone suggest that you’d be wise to be on your guard around them, you had best believe them and act accordingly.  Guilt over those they have victimized in the past…

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Promises, Promises

Promises, Promises

When two parties offer one another assurance that what they expect to happen will actually transpire, a number of time-tested options present themselves.  One such option is to offer something of substantial value as security.  This may take the form of earnest money on deposit with a third party, or a tangible asset, like real property or jewelry, held in trust.  Another alternative is to put up a home, business, boat, or vehicle as collateral.   For some purposes, a surety bond or performance…

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Explaining The Inexplicable

Explaining The Inexplicable

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16) Sharing the life of Christ with young children is actually much harder than one may think.  The healings, the raisings from the dead and the other miracles are accepted readily enough.  But the rejection, the blind hatred, and the suffering—how to frame that? It’s a serious question and a vitally important one, because every youngster deserves…

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Standing Watch

Standing Watch

Most anyone who has read war novels or seen films with military themes, is familiar with some version of the following scene.  It features a soldier who has drawn guard duty, and hears a noise while on watch, betraying the approach of another person. Sentry: “Halt!  Who goes there?” [The challenge is answered by the potential intruder.] Sentry: “Are you friend or foe?” Intruder: “Friend.” Sentry: “Approach and be recognized.” [Intruder emerges from the shadows and presents himself/herself to the guard.]  Sentry:…

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Both Here & Now and There & Then

Both Here & Now and There & Then

Toddlers are not generally known for their ability to delay gratification.  There is no incentive for them to do so, when a little loud screaming does the trick.  The lack of motivation, may explain the lack of inclination.  The question is, as they grow older (note that I did not say, “as they mature…”) do the adolescents and adults into which they grow, do a good deal better? They should.  Even the least patient among us can see rather steep social downsides to voicing one’s every need…

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