It has been said ”Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.“ Some social scientists at a Stanford University and the University of California at Berkeley are currently researching that subject. They have conclude that the phrase “Drunk with power” is an accurate description. Psychologist Cameron Anderson, who has studied power dynamics says, “It explains why powerful people sometimes act rather like gorillas.” There is nothing new about the lust for power and its devastating results. Nations are guilty of it when they seek to expand their borders. Individuals cause havoc and heartache when they grab for power. How different is our God. Isaiah wrote of those who seek cleansing and strength to live successful lives. “God gives power to the weak and to those who have no might he increases strength.”
Tag Archives: God
August 31 – A very smart dog!
George is a dopey two year old Bassett hound from West Yorkshire, UK. But George became tangled in a phone cord at home and wound up with it wrapped around his neck. Somehow George managed to dial 999, the British equivalent of 911. The emergency operator heard gasping on the other end and alerted the authorities, who entered the house. They saw the dog choking, and ripped the cord from the phone to save him. A neighbor said, “Incredibly you could see his paw print on the phone to ring 999. He literally saved his own life.” Only a dog, but it had sense enough to call for help. Strange isn’t it that many people, though in desperate need of God in their lives are in denial, and never reach out for help. God, in the Bible, urges “Call to me and I will answer, and show you great and mighty things which you do not know.” He is there!
August 29 – Valuable baseball card found in attic
Karl Kissner of Defiance, Ohio picked up a cardboard box which had been in his grandfather’s attic for years. In the box he found hundreds of baseball cards bundled with twine. Some of the names were familiar: hall of famer’s Ty Cobb, Cy Young and Honus Wagner. The cards are from an extremely rare series, issued around 1910. There are about 700 cards. In all experts believe they will sell for two or three million dollars. This family had a regular treasure trove in the attic of their home and did not know it. But an even greater treasure, often not evident to people, is the truth that God offers us a home in heaven. Jesus warned of laying up earthly treasures that don’t last. And he urged that we lay up a treasure worth more than money. He said, “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” That treasure is ours when we receive Jesus by faith.
August 27 – Wedding Ring Found in Garden
Colleen Christensen of Saskatoon made an unusual discovery while working in her garden. Wrapped around the roots of some lilies, she discovered a wedding ring engraved with the letters J & J 8/19/62. Although she is conducting an exhaustive search, she has not yet found the owner. It’s always a happy day when you find something you have lost isn’t it? But more serious than losing a valued object is when you lose such things as peace and hope for the future. While some things can be restored, only God can restore our souls. Remember David’s words in the famous 23rd Psalm, “He restores my soul.” He is indeed, “A friend who sticks closer than a brother”, and He can restore peace and hope to our lives. All we need do is enter into a personal relationship with Him by faith, and sincerely ask for restoration. Have you done that?
August 24 – Justin Bieber’s Advice
Justin Bieber, the famous young singer recently sang on the steps of the Avon theatre in Stratford Ontario where he was born, like he did before he was famous. He also paid tribute to his early days on Twitter, saying, “Always remember where you came from.” Good advice we should all heed. There is no point in trying to hide our past, or declaring we are something we are not. We are who we are. We don’t fool anyone, least of all God, who knows us best of all. In the 139th Psalm, David spoke truth for us all, writing, “Lord you have searched me and known me. You know my thoughts and are acquainted with all my ways, you covered me in my mother’s womb.” Justin Bieber’s advice was good. “Remember where you came from.” God made us all, he knows all about us and it is to him we must give account one day. Are you ready for that inevitable meeting?
August 13 – False kindness to children
A high school in Bedfordhire England has a policy of not correcting any more than three spelling errors in students’ work for fear that such an action would damage their self-image. Local MP Andrew Selous called this “a false kindness to children” – and he is surely correct. It seems we will go to any length to pretend unpleasantness doesn’t exist. We pretend we are not sick and fail to get needed medical help. We pretend that death ends all. We pretend that sin is just an error in judgment. But the pretense with the most far-reaching and most tragic results is pretending there is no God and no life after death. But truth is never changed by pretense. In the book of Galatians Paul wrote, “do not be deceived. God is not mocked. Whatever a man sows he will also reap.” Isn’t it time you got our head out of the sand?
August 8 – Attacked by Chimpanzees
Chimpanzees at a sanctuary for animals in South Africa pulled an American researcher into their enclosure, bit him severely and dragged him nearly half a mile, leaving him in critical condition. The event underscored the unpredictable nature of wild animals. But it can also remind us of dangers that beset us daily – such as temptations to have unscrupulous business deals, to indulge in immorality, to dabble in harmful addictions, or more seriously, to reject and revile the God who made us. These may appear attractive at the beginning, but in the end their bite is more vicious than that of the chimps that day, and can carry us into dangerous territory. Jesus said “the truth shall set you free” – so that when we are properly related to God, through faith in Christ, we have the strength to resist and be victorious over such powerful enticements.
August 3 – Hand Sanitizer Recalled
A hand sanitizer, meant to protect people from germs, has been recalled because of bacterial contamination, Health Canada announced. This is one of the latest of announcements which come with alarming regularity – contaminated food, water, unfit for humans to drink, cosmetics that are unsafe, and so on. A lot of this confusion is probably due to human error. How reassuring it is to know that, while we cannot always trust supposedly safe products on the market, we can always trust the God of the Bible. He is all knowing, all powerful, He never makes mistakes and He never changes. His word is true and available. David the psalmist wrote of that wonderful book, “your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Please- read the bible – the world’s all-time best seller.
July 23 – Teacher Fired for giving Zeros
Lyndon Dorval, an Edmonton physics teacher, has been suspended for giving zeros to students who have not completed assignments. But the theory is that a zero is unfair, because most students have some understanding of what is taught. Dorval believes it is wrong to coddle students and allow them to graduate – especially when poorly prepared for college. His superiors seem to be saying, “Ignore the unpleasant and pretend all is well. There is no right or wrong – everyone should do that which is right for him or her.” But wrong actions still produce undesirable consequences. They produce people who are not prepared for this life – or the next. God says, “whatever a man sows, that he will Also reap.” Let’s face the unpleasant truth – we need changed hearts, and only God can do that.
Tools for HOPE 