No Accident! When a cowpuncher applies for an insurance policy the agent began quizzing him, "Have you ever had any accidents?" After a moment's reflection the applicant responded, "Nope, but a bronc did kick in two of my ribs last summer, and a couple of years ago a rattlesnake bit me on the ankle

A speaker held up a blank sheet of paper and asked, "What do you see?" The reply was, "A piece of paper." He then placed the paper on the podium, made a tiny dot in the center and held it up again. "What do you see now?" "A dot," was the unanimous reply from the audience. "Imagine this blank paper

The ways of the ant not only serve to illustrate the virtues of an energetic and productive life, but also show us the sad result of taking pleasure in things that are self-defeating and detrimental to others. Observers have noted that certain kinds of ants have a passion for the sweet, glandular su

Face the ElementsNature wonderfully testifies that adverse conditions are often valuable in the development of some types of trees and plants. While fire is one of the forest's great enemies, it actually helps certain kinds of seeds to grow. The cones of some pines do not open until they are touc

Opportunities Missed (or The Curse of Permanent Potential) There was a very cautious man Who never laughed or played He never risked, he never tried He never sang or prayed And when he one day passed away His insurance was denied For since he never really lived They claimed he never died.

Haddon Robinson tells about the young musician's concert which was poorly received by the critics. The famous Finnish composer Jean Sibelius consoled him by patting him on the shoulder and saying, "Remember, son, there is no city in the world where they have a statue to a critic."  

Formula for Spiritual Success If you want to be distressed - look within.If you want to be defeated - look back.If you want to be distracted - look around.If you want to be dismayed - look ahead.If you want to be delivered - look up!  

I recently heard of four scholars who were arguing over Bible translations. One said he preferred the King James Version because of its beautiful, eloquent old English. Another said he preferred the American Standard Bible for its literalism, the way it moves the reader from passage to passage with

The story is told of the Scottish minister who was serving communion to his congregation. He noticed a man reach for the elements and then draw his hand back. He could tell that he wanted to participate but was uncertain of his worthiness. The pastor smiled and gently said, "Take it, lad. It's f

A Pumpkin Tree? Oppressed by the noonday heat, a tired farmer sat under a walnut tree to rest. Relaxing, he looked at his pumpkin vines and said to himself, "How strange it is that God puts such big heavy pumpkins on a frail vine that has so little strength it has to trail on the ground!" And then