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Acts 10:34-43
When I came to this country from Canada eight years ago, the US was still reeling from the effects of 9/11. The need for security was at its height. Armed soldiers were seen in every airport. Whether this played a role in my process or not, I can't say, but I can say that my immigration process was very extensive. Interviews, biometrics, medical exams, immunizations, providing every record I could think of -- it was a harrowing, expensive process. Thankfully, I can say I got through it and am now enjoying life in America with my wife as a permanent resident. But I know that when I start applying for my citizenship, there will be piles of red tape to wade through again.
Praise God that the requirements for entering the Kingdom of heaven aren't nearly as taxing! All it takes is faith in Jesus: "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him" (vv. 34-35).
Craig K.
Colossians 3:1-4
As Peter Pan reminds Wendy, John, and Michael, we must "think happy thoughts!" before we can fly. Henry Ford, the great Model T producer and the man who popularized the assembly line, gives similar advice: "Whether you believe you can do a thing or not... you are right." There is a strong connection between thought and reality. If we cannot have faith in ourselves, who can have faith in us? Many successful business people will give similar advice: be confident! Don't think that something is too difficult; for if you think it, it will be so. Focus on the positive. Focus on the things above -- the good things, the best things, the great things. Remember your high school coach? "Eye on the prize." Picture yourself where you want to be... and then do everything in your power to get there.
Leah T.
Colossians 3:1-4
Lou Holtz, the renowned coach of Notre Dame, concluded his autobiography with this message: "God answers prayers." As a youth he was an altar boy for his church. Each day he would pray that God would make him bigger and quicker and faster so he could be a star football player. Remaining slim and small, each morning he wondered why his prayer went unanswered. When Holtz's life was directed into coaching, he realized that God had answered his prayer. The Lord directed his life in a way that allowed him to have an even greater impact upon the sport and society. Holtz wrote that God "has more than amply answered all those prayers that I didn't think he had answered." Holtz thought his only contribution could come from physical strength; the Lord intended it to be from wisdom and virtue.
Lou Holtz understood, from a young child into adulthood, Paul's words, "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." If we can keep our thoughts heavenward, there is no telling the blessings we will receive in our earthly journey. And as Holtz very openly testifies to his faith and as Paul never shrank from sharing the gospel message, we must always be mindful to share our blessings with others.
Ron L.
John 20:1-18
I remember once as a kid, my family went to the West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton, Alberta. This is the largest mall in North America, even eclipsing the Mall of America in Minnesota and the King of Prussia Mall in Pennsylvania. Well, I don't remember all the details now, but I do remember being mad about something my mother said (she probably told me I couldn't do something) and I walked off in anger. What followed was, according to my mother, one of the most harrowing experiences she's ever had. Here she was, in the largest mall on the continent, and she couldn't find her son. It turned out that I was fine, looking at Star Trek videos in the corner of a music store. But in that half hour or so, my family was in full-fledged panic mode.
Sometimes I think back to that incident when I read about Mary's reaction to the empty tomb. She stood outside this tomb weeping for a man she thought was dead. The amazing thing is that she wept not because he was dead, but because she couldn't find the body. She loved Jesus so much she couldn't even think about anything bad happening to his dead body. What turned those bitter tears into joyous ones was seeing her Lord risen from the dead.
Craig K.
When I came to this country from Canada eight years ago, the US was still reeling from the effects of 9/11. The need for security was at its height. Armed soldiers were seen in every airport. Whether this played a role in my process or not, I can't say, but I can say that my immigration process was very extensive. Interviews, biometrics, medical exams, immunizations, providing every record I could think of -- it was a harrowing, expensive process. Thankfully, I can say I got through it and am now enjoying life in America with my wife as a permanent resident. But I know that when I start applying for my citizenship, there will be piles of red tape to wade through again.
Praise God that the requirements for entering the Kingdom of heaven aren't nearly as taxing! All it takes is faith in Jesus: "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him" (vv. 34-35).
Craig K.
Colossians 3:1-4
As Peter Pan reminds Wendy, John, and Michael, we must "think happy thoughts!" before we can fly. Henry Ford, the great Model T producer and the man who popularized the assembly line, gives similar advice: "Whether you believe you can do a thing or not... you are right." There is a strong connection between thought and reality. If we cannot have faith in ourselves, who can have faith in us? Many successful business people will give similar advice: be confident! Don't think that something is too difficult; for if you think it, it will be so. Focus on the positive. Focus on the things above -- the good things, the best things, the great things. Remember your high school coach? "Eye on the prize." Picture yourself where you want to be... and then do everything in your power to get there.
Leah T.
Colossians 3:1-4
Lou Holtz, the renowned coach of Notre Dame, concluded his autobiography with this message: "God answers prayers." As a youth he was an altar boy for his church. Each day he would pray that God would make him bigger and quicker and faster so he could be a star football player. Remaining slim and small, each morning he wondered why his prayer went unanswered. When Holtz's life was directed into coaching, he realized that God had answered his prayer. The Lord directed his life in a way that allowed him to have an even greater impact upon the sport and society. Holtz wrote that God "has more than amply answered all those prayers that I didn't think he had answered." Holtz thought his only contribution could come from physical strength; the Lord intended it to be from wisdom and virtue.
Lou Holtz understood, from a young child into adulthood, Paul's words, "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." If we can keep our thoughts heavenward, there is no telling the blessings we will receive in our earthly journey. And as Holtz very openly testifies to his faith and as Paul never shrank from sharing the gospel message, we must always be mindful to share our blessings with others.
Ron L.
John 20:1-18
I remember once as a kid, my family went to the West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton, Alberta. This is the largest mall in North America, even eclipsing the Mall of America in Minnesota and the King of Prussia Mall in Pennsylvania. Well, I don't remember all the details now, but I do remember being mad about something my mother said (she probably told me I couldn't do something) and I walked off in anger. What followed was, according to my mother, one of the most harrowing experiences she's ever had. Here she was, in the largest mall on the continent, and she couldn't find her son. It turned out that I was fine, looking at Star Trek videos in the corner of a music store. But in that half hour or so, my family was in full-fledged panic mode.
Sometimes I think back to that incident when I read about Mary's reaction to the empty tomb. She stood outside this tomb weeping for a man she thought was dead. The amazing thing is that she wept not because he was dead, but because she couldn't find the body. She loved Jesus so much she couldn't even think about anything bad happening to his dead body. What turned those bitter tears into joyous ones was seeing her Lord risen from the dead.
Craig K.
