UNITY/DISUNITY The following is one of those “generic” stories in which you can fill in your own denominational bias, depending on the circumstances: It seems six men were marooned on a desert island. Two were Jewish, two were Catholic and two were Baptist. The two Jews founded “Temple Immanuel.” The two Catholics organized “The Church …
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IT’S STILL NIGHT — WHEN It was an ancient rabbi who asked his students how they could tell when night had ended and day was on its way back. “Could it be when you see an animal in the distance and can tell whether it is a sheep or a dog?” “No,” answered the rabbi. …
PRECEDENTS Jefferson Davis insisted on being recognized by his official title as commander or President in the regular negotiation with the U. S. Government. This Mr. Lincoln would not consent to. Mr. Hunte thereupon referred to the correspondence between King Charles the First and his Parliament as a precedent for a negotiation between a constitutional …
THE CHURCH Sid Gunter, Pastor of Nazareth Presbyterian Church sends us these two on the church in all of its weakness: I have been told that when the wild donkeys of the great Northwest are attacked by wolves, they circle in, put their heads together, and kick outward until the wolves are either driven off …
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WISDOM FROM HELEN KELLER I believe that we can live on earth according to the teachings of Jesus, and that the greatest happiness will come to the world when man obeys His commandment “Love ye one another.” I believe that we can live on earth according to the fulfillment of God’s will, and that when …
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CAN WE WAVE THE FLAG TOO MUCH? Is it possible to wave the flag too much? Provided, of course, that you wave it with integrity? Is it possible to study Lincoln or Shakespeare too much? Is it possible to read the Bible too much? The great, the good, the true, are inexhaustible for inspiration, example …
LET’S GET TOGETHER In his book Wind and Fire, Bruce Larson tells of a friend of his who lives near Hoyt Park in Madison, Wisconsin and who happens to be a great bird lover. Invariably, his yard is full of all kinds of birds in all seasons. However, the squirrels plague his bird feeders continually. …
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A PASTOR’S DREAM CONGREGATION Pastor, do you ever dream about the ideal congregation? Richard Moore of Grace Presbyterian Church of Vista, California sent in these thoughts based on a familiar old Arab proverb: Friendship — “Ah, the beauty of being at peace with another. Neither having to weigh thoughts or measure words. But spilling them …
ONE HOUSE VERSUS TWO HOUSES Laboulaye said, in one of his lectures, that Jefferson, who had become so completely imbued with French ideas as even to admire the unicameral system of legislation, one day visited Washington at Mount Vernon, and, in the course of the conversation that ensued, the comparative excellence of the two systems …
TIME FOR FORGIVENESS Some years ago, after a vigorous brotherly and sisterly disagreement, our three children retired only to be aroused at two o’clock in the morning by a terrific thunderstorm. Hearing an unusual noise upstairs I called in to find out what was going on. A little voice answered, “We are all in the …
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OUR WIDER READERSHIP Among our subscribers are included a number of Rabbis. Though they write to tell me they can’t use all that we publish, they do read Parables, Etc. and appreciate being included in our subscription list. Rabbi Samuel Press of Dayton, Ohio, wrote and shared these thoughts: “I have recommended your journal and …
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THE SPIRIT OF LIBERTY What is the spirit of liberty? I cannot define it; I can only tell you my own faith. The spirit of liberty is the spirit which is not too sure that it is right. The spirit of liberty is the spirit which seeks to understand the minds of other men and …
ARE THE TATES IN YOUR CHURCH? Do you know how many members of the TATE FAMILY belong to your church? There is old man Dic Tate who wants to run everything. While Uncle Ro Tate tries to change everything. Their sister Agi Tate stirs up plenty of trouble, with help from her husband Irri Tate. …
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WHICH AM I? I watched them tearing a building down . . . A gang of men in a busy town, With ho-heave and lusty yell They swung a beam and a side wall fell; I asked the foreman, “Are these men skilled And the men you’d hire if you had to build?” He gave …
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PEACE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC O Lord, our God, Thy mighty hand Hath made our country free; From all her broad and happy land May praise arise to Thee. Fulfill the promise of her youth, Her liberty defend; By law and order, love and truth, America befriend! The strength of every state increase In Union’s …
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COVENANT LOVE My daughter Kelly (age 6) grew to be close friends with Michelle (age 11). Michelle had recently learned about covenant love and persuaded Kelly to become a covenant sister. They got all excited about “having all things in common,” i.e. toys, games, secrets, etc. But then they realized that in order to become …
THE ULTIMATE ANSWER TO LOSTNESS An elderly gentleman was out walking with his young grandson. “How far are we from home?” he asked the grandson. The boy answered, “Grandpa, I don’t know.” The grandfather asked, “Well, where are you?” Again the boy answered, “I don’t know.” Then the grandfather said good-naturedly, “Sounds to me as …
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OUR ONENESS IN CHRIST I was at the 120-year- old institution to speak (Indiana State Prison). Only weeks earlier, Stephen Judy had been electrocuted there. An execution always creates a special tension in a prison, and I could sense it that day. It was in the air, in the voices of the guards, in the …
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HONKING ENCOURAGEMENT Maggie Kuhn, head of the Grey Panthers, tells of some interesting facts about sandhill cranes. It seems that these large birds, who commute great distances and traverse continents, have three remarkable qualities. First of all they rotate leadership. No one bird stays out in front all the time. Second, they choose a leader …
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WORKING TOGETHER Two men were riding a bicycle built for two and they came to a big steep hill. It took a great deal of struggle for the men to complete what proved to be a very stiff climb. When they got to the top the man in front turned to the other and said, …