READ, THEN STUDY IT

"Within the covers of one single book, the Bible, are all the answers to all the problems that face us today - if only we would read and believe." - Ronald Reagan 

 Martin Luther said, "I study my Bible like I gather apples. First, I shake the whole tree that the ripest may fall. Then I shake each limb, and when I have shaken each limb, I shake each branch and every twig. Then I look under every leaf. I search the Bible as a whole like shaking the whole tree. Then I shake every limb--study book after book. Then I shake every branch, giving attention to the chapters. Then I shake every twig, or a careful study of the paragraphs and sentences and words and their meanings."

When John G. Mitchell, was pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Tacoma, Washington, he heard Dr. G. Campbell Morgan preach. The man knew his text, and young Mitchell was impressed. In fact, he asked the visiting Bible teacher how he

ROLL THE STONE

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

What's is Faith? It's having complete trust or confidence in someone or something. Or having a strong belief in something or someone, based on spiritual conviction rather than proof.

There was once a small village, which had suffered from a severe drought for a long time. Their crops were dead, the villagers and their animals were dying and they had very little water to drink. Having tried all else and nothing seemed a solution to the drought, the village head called the villagers to gather at the village square to pray to God together for rain. Scornfully, but respectfully the villagers agreed to the request; many murmuring about how that was the solution to the problem. The villagers gathered at the square as agreed on the said day. They all prayed aloud as required. Sure enough, within a few moments it began to rain. The whole was overjoyed and danced happily in the rain. The chief noticed that among the joyous crowd was a little boy, clutching an umbrella as a token of faith. The chief admired this little boy, who had brought an umbrella in total faith that the Lord would surely hear his prayers and send rain. Out of curiosity, the chief approached the boy, "why did you come with an umbrella", he asked. "My mummy just

He Who Laughs, Lasts

Wisdom Nugget: “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones”

“The human race has only one really effective weapon and that is laughter.” - Mark Twain

Laughter is a convulsive physiological response to psychological stimuli, such as humorous material, or physical stimuli, such as tickling. The sudden release of tension during laughter causes a decrease in skeletal muscle tone, literally rendering the body “weak with laughter.” The diaphragm contracts and relaxes rapidly, often leading to hiccups or coughing. Some people double over and shake uncontrollably as though they were having seizures (“a fit of laughter”).
Scientists have been studying the effect of laughter on human beings, and have found, among other things, that laughter has a profound and instantaneous effect on virtually every important organ in the human body.

Laughter reduces health-sapping tensions and relaxes the tissues as well as exercising the most vital organs. Laughter, even when forced, results in a beneficial effect on us, both mentally and physically. Physicians have noted that laughter acts as an anesthetic by distracting the patient’s attention from pain - by reducing tension, by changing the patient’s expectations and by increasing the patient’s production of endorphins, which are natural painkillers (Peter and Dana, pp. 7-9).

Psychologists note that clowns and their regressive form of humor can coax people out of a state of withdrawal (Moody, pp. 27, 111-15).

 
Next time you feel nervous and jittery, indulge in a good laugh. Laughter is the best medicine for a long and happy life. He who laughs lasts.

 
It is said that Dr. Theodore Cuyler and Mr. Spurgeon were once out in the fields enjoying God's sunshine and the beauties of nature. Dr. Cuyler told a story at which Mr. Spurgeon laughed until his sides shook. Suddenly Mr. Spurgeon said, "Theodore, let's get down on our knees and thank God for laughter." And these two happy Christian preachers knelt in the field and thanked God for His great gift of laughter.
Martin Luther wrote "If you're not allowed to laugh in heaven, I don't want to go there".