Guidelines For Living Devotional

Is God Really to Blame

When British rock star Liam Gallagher’s father took a hammer and struck his mother, he blamed God.  “I stopped believing in God because of what happened to me,” he said, explaining that he and his mother and two brothers were forced to move into an apartment and start another life.

What a Way to Go

Peter Sedore got a hole-in-one at the Panorama Village Golf Course where he often played.  It wasn’t his first, either.  Actually, it was his eighteenth career hole-in-one, something which golfers recognize isn’t an everyday occurrence by a long shot.  Neither did Peter, age 83, realize it would be his last hole-in-one, either.  One hole later, he collapsed from an aneurysm in his brain, and was pronounced dead upon arrival at a local hospital.  “There was no other way he would have wanted it,” said Sedore’s son, Dennis, adding, “Maybe God wanted him to do it one more time before taking him.”

Can You Really Believe in the Bible?

“Are the Bible’s Stories True?” asks a Time magazine article.  “Was Abraham a myth?  Did the Exodus happen?  Did Joshua conquer the city of Jericho?  Was there a Moses?” ask segments of the article.  Typical of so many secular articles focusing on archaeology and biblical history, the author cites recent archaeological finds but leaves the reader with the impression that until science documents events in the Old Testament, this book had better be left in the category of religious myth.  Statements such as “There is no direct evidence, other than the Bible, to suggest that Abraham’s exploits… ever happened.”  And Abraham is not the only person whose historicity is questioned.  Unless there is undeniable confirming evidence from archaeology, some theologians and scientists refuse to accept any part of the Bible as history.

Could God Exist, Theoretically?

“I’m an atheist; I don’t need any religion to help me,” were the words of a young pilot as he brushed off the chaplain’s invitation to attend chapel.  The chaplain, however, held more than a half-dozen degrees including several from Oxford.  Not to be turned aside so easily, J. Edwin Orr asked, “Could I ask you a couple of questions?” Thinking this would be easy, the pilot said, “Sure, go ahead and shoot.”

What the Obituaries Tell Us

John always reads the obituaries—so he says--and then, not finding his name listed among the deceased, decides he is still alive and well, therefore, has to get up and go to work.   Right!
On the serious side, do you ever read the obituaries?  Janice Hume, an assistant journalism professor at Kansas State University, reads them.  In fact, her doctoral dissertation is based on a study of obituaries over the past couple hundred years and how they reveal something of our values.  In the 1800s, says Dr. Hume, obituaries focused on the character of the person and his relationships.  But in the 20th century, the focus is on the accomplishments of the deceased—his wealth, his family connections, and what he did as opposed to what he was.

Minutes to Midnight

When the Swiss Air flight went down off the coast of Newfoundland, the black box on the plane indicated that sixteen minutes elapsed from the time the pilot first recognized the plane was in trouble until the fatal crash.   Sixteen minutes—one minute more than a quarter of an hour.  Sixteen minutes to make peace with God.

The Tough Step of Obedience

A certain pastor was spending far too much time with a staff member in his church, and the man was honest enough to admit that he was attracted to her and considering leaving his wife and family for the other woman.  A doctor friend, who was distantly related to the pastor, confronted him over the issue.  “How can you do this?” she challenged, adding, “You know that what you are doing is wrong.” 

Making Smarter Decisions

It’s an old story but one worth repeating.  A young man who is being promoted goes in to talk to the CEO, who has been with the company for many years.  “What is the secret of your success?” he asks the old gentleman, who replies, “Making good decisions.”  “Yes,” answers the young man, “but how did you learn to do this?”  This time his answer was one word.  “Experience,” he replies.  “I understand that, sir,” replies the young man, “but I haven’t had the advantage of many years of experience as you have.  How do I gain the wisdom of your experience?”   “By making bad decisions.”  Well, so much for experience.

Making That Tough Decision

An old legend tells of a farmer who had a beautiful daughter who was courted by a variety of young men, all wanting to marry her.  So the farmer promised the hand of his daughter in marriage to the young man who could walk through his field of corn, never backtracking, and select the largest, most perfect ear of corn in the entire field.  And did it work?  No, the beautiful daughter, so goes the myth, ended up unmarried.  Here’s why.

Making Smarter, Safer Decisions

A college professor was striving to motivate his students to make quick evaluations followed by good decisions.  To illustrate a point, he calls on a student who drove a truck in his spare time and asked him to respond to this situation.  “You are a truck driver with a fully loaded semi-truck coming down a steep decline.  On your right is a 500-foot drop off with no guardrail.  On the left side of the road is a mountain bluff.  A few hundred yards distant is another truck.  Suddenly, a passenger car attempts to overtake the truck coming toward you.  Quickly you step on your brakes and your foot goes to the floor.  No brakes at all.  You have three seconds to make a decision.  What will you do?”