| |
| |
|
Inspirational Information |
|
|
|
How Do You Read the Bible?
Here's a simple parable with an important moral. Each mirror, you see, has inspectors, who, acting as corporate protectors, must find any scratch, every unseemly patch. They're inferior mirror detectors. The head of this group is Pierre, who trains his formidable stare on each glass for an hour, and does he turn sour when finding some blemishes there! This man, so well-trained as a peerer, has no practical use for a mirror. His hair's such a tangle, seen from any angle. We wish that his mirror were clearer. "Pierre," I repeatedly mention, "Your hair's now a bone of contention. Now, sir, you just hush! I have bought you a brush, and some spray for your hairdo's retention." Do you think that such mild conversation will effect any quick transformation? Not until he observes what is fraying our nerves: his nightmare-hair irritation. Now we know there's been many a preacher, or a prideful, and self-proclaimed teacher, who's examined God's mirror, and cried, "Could be clearer!" but never saw what kind of creature the mirror to them has reflected. They must face what they never expected: if the glass is looked through, then so clear is the view, that the critics themselves are inspected. As James, the brother of Jesus writes, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it-he will be blessed in what he does." --James 1:22-25 NIV * * * Copyright 2005 Steve Singleton, All rights reserved. Steve Singleton has written and edited several books and numerous articles on subjects of interest to Bible students. He has taught Greek, Bible, and religious studies courses Bible college, university, and adult education programs. He has taught seminars and workshops in 11 states and the Caribbean. Go to his http://DeeperStudy.org for Bible study resources, no matter what your level of expertise. Explore "The Shallows," plumb "The Depths," or use the well-organized "Study Links" for original sources in English translation. Sign up for Steve's free "DeeperStudy Newsletter."
MORE RESOURCES:
Inspirational - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
A Bit Of Turbulence Direct Answers - Column for the week of July 1, 2002I'm a 26-year-old flight attendant engaged to be married in 10 weeks. Our wedding reception was to be held in a marquee in my in-laws' garden. Character is Whats Left When You Leave 1 Samuel 16:7".. Honesty Those who pride themselves on their honesty should also concern themselves with this principle: The effectiveness of honesty depends on a person's willingness to face the truth, which may conflict with this person's desires and provoke denial.In such a case, how can one promote this willingness, despite this conflict? The answer to this question could prove useful to anyone who seeks to be effectively honest with people in denial. Eight Choices You Can Make Today that Will Change Your Life Forever The direction of our lives is determined by the choices we make every day. They accumulate and add up to our ultimate destiny. Life After Death: The Story of the Green Donkey This is the true story of what Deepak Chopra would call a "Whopper". It is a story so touched with the hand of God it seems almost impossible to believe, and yet, there can be NO doubt for those of us who are believers that this really happened!My best friend passed into Spirit on May 15, 2004 at the age of 45, after a 10 year battle with HER-2 Breast Cancer. A Perspective on Life! All of our lives we always seem to direct our concern toward attempting to conclude our life path or destiny in this lifetime without really knowing or understanding what this means to us. In reality the importance lies not in trying to determine our life path or destiny, but, in effect of how much growth we accomplish within one lifetime. Jerrys Yo-Yo The blaring sound leapt under Jerry's skin and strangled him awake in an instant. His eyes popped open in terror and for a darkened moment he forgot where he was. The Most Famous Line I Never Wrote There is one line that can dramatically impact your life and I want to share this quote with you but first let me explain.. Computers and Internet: Inspiring Us to Create The Internet is sometimes criticized (usually by parents who think their kids need to be outdoors more often) as leading people to be sitting in front of their computers all day growing bulbous, lethargic and (depending on who you talk to) stupid. I think that the opposite can often be true. Practice Being Like a Child Remember the master teacher once said 2000 years ago, "Unless you can become like little children, your chances are zero, you haven't got a prayer." A major consideration for adults. The Power of Gratitude When my older son was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, my first reaction was relief - I finally knew the reason for his behavior. However, I was also overwhelmed with sadness, fear and anger. Letting Go and Letting Be In Corrogue it is frosty.The earth is hard and unyielding. Keeping Your Attitude Up When Circumstances Are Down Everyone knows that a positive attitude is key to the successful life. But what happens when things go wrong? What happens when circumstances deal us a blow? We have a tendency to let our attitudes take the dive along with our state of affairs. Selfish Beings Trouble, trouble, trouble. Nothing but trouble. America, A Depository Of The Gifts Of The World Wow, it's a new year and a new millennium! What a privilege it has been to come into your homes and offices around the world. Being able to share with you has been one of my great joys!As we enter this new millennium, one of the major challenges for all of us will be to learn to live together on this one planet we all share. Are You Tired of Being Stuck? All you want is a little more.More money, more love, more fun, more friends. Looking for a Better World - What Every Person Can Do! Each night, when I put my head on the pillow and turn my thoughts to things ethereal, I am hopeful that the world is a little better place than when I awoke that morning. I hope that the dissidents, extremists, murderers, plunderers, bigots, philanderers, cheaters, molesters and others of mean-spirit find that their chosen path is not a beneficial avenue. Let Change Be Your Friend, Mentor, and Inspiration People have a tendency of anticipating pending change on the assumption that it will be bad. Such focus on the negatives contribute to unnecessary fears of change, even when there is really not much, if anything, to fear. The River of Life I've always loved the awesome majesty of mountains. They are, however, the byproduct of the rivers that formed them: flowing, adjusting, carving, crashing and gently nurturing the land and animals along the way. Nuthin but Blue Skies "Welcome to Canada," Ken shouted to me over the roar of the rain and thunder. A constant downpour kept the photography workshop indoors.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
