Illustration: Happiness

People have their own various interesting takes on happiness. Don Marquis was reported to have said, "Happiness is the interval between periods of unhappiness." Schweitzer said, "Happiness? That is nothing more than health and a poor memory."

Illustration: God, Creator

The leaf cutter bee cuts a round piece of leaf to line a nest. Then she cuts oval pieces for the sides. Here she lays an egg and places near it a paste of pollen-nectar to feed the larva that will hatch. Then she cuts another round piece to close the opening. She makes some of the pieces round and some of them oval. How does she know to do that? Can this be explained in natural terms alone? Those who have eyes to see can perceive evidence of a designer and creator.

Illustration: Commitment

Max Hickerson tells a wonderful story about guitar phenomenon Les Paul. Paul was known as the "Architect of Rock and Roll" and for inventing the solid body electric guitar. In 1948, Paul's passion for the guitar almost came to a tragic end. While driving on a bridge in Oklahoma, his car skidded off into a river and his arm was shattered. Doctors told Paul they could save his arm, but he would never play the guitar again.

Illustration: Church

At the Korean DMZ, you can see into North Korea far enough to see the largest flag pole in the world. The flag by itself weighs 300 kilograms. In Seoul, South Korea, by contrast, you can see churches everywhere, each with a neon cross lighted at night. Sometimes we are prone to wonder if the church makes any difference. It does.

Illustration: Bible

It has been said that the green sea slug survives by eating only once in its entire life. That doesn't seem to work for any other creatures, especially humans. It wouldn't be much fun either. We need regular meals to stay healthy, even to stay alive. It is especially true that spiritually we cannot survive or thrive in the Christian life without regular sustenance from the Word of God.