Guidelines For Living Devotional

How Do I Know God Really Exists?

"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 You Can Learn From An Obituary

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!

Why Is Obedience So Hard?

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.

Why Is Obedience So Hard?

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." 

This Is The Truth About Decision Making

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.

6 Guidelines To Making A Hard 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.

How To Make 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?" 

Why Does Hope Matter?

"Hope," said Thales, the Greek founder of philosophy, "is the most universal thing in the world, for hope stays with those who have nothing else."

This Is The Healing Power Of Hope

It happens every day in every major city of the world.  A car is proceeding down the highway when another vehicle pulls directly into its path.  There is the screech of tires as brakes are jammed on, but it is too late.  The sickening thud is followed by the tearing of metal and the shattering of glass, punctuated with the screams of suffering.  A broken, bruised body is pulled from the twisted wreckage, and soon an ambulance is racing towards the hospital with siren wailing and lights making eerie designs on the inside walls.  The victim is unconscious and unaware of reaching the hospital; but upon his arrival a team of specialists go to work to save the life of the accident victim.

Start Everyday With Courage

Ernest Hemingway, when confronted with despairing in his own personal life, took the path of least resistance, and took his own life. In my file is an anonymous quote where somebody wrote, "It takes more courage to be faithful in routine things than to risk one's life in a moment of spectacular danger."  Do you believe that?  Yes, it is one thing to dash into a burning building to snatch a child from the jaws of death, and it is another thing to stand by your sick wife month after month, or to face the routine of a job you don't particularly like.