(Under his breath he may even curse.) Bitter, and filled with hatred for life in general, he swears to find some vain satisfaction. I f such has been, or per haps now is your lot, say as did the prodigal son of old to his earthly parent, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” With such humil ity of heart and purpose, God is able to deal with you in love. Remember that blessed promise of Scripture, “Whom the Lord loveth, He chasteneth, and scourg- eth every son whom He receiveth.” * * * If we find ulcers coming it may be because we aremountain climbing over our mole hills. * * * STOPPING CR IT IC ISM A skilled carpenter teaches his appren tice, as one of his first lessons of build ing, how to hit a nail in such a way so that it can be kept from splitting the wood. Too often we offer so called “friendly criticism," and seek to hit the nail that bothers us. The friendship or fellowship is quickly splintered. Have you heard of the woman who declared she made it a practice never to repeat gos sip? She explained to friends, “Listen carefully when I give it to you the first time.” Gossip is basically criticism. Do you want ta try a most blessed experi ment? The next time someone says some thing to you about another, turn the tide. Try to think of something good about everyone you can. There was a woman like this who was a delight to know. A t a gathering of women friends in her home, she might be heard to say, “Yes, I’ve heard that Mary is looking a little ragged lately, but I’m sure it’s be cause she’s a working widow and has to send her three children to college." This good Christian might agree with another friend, “Yes, that Jones boy seems pretty wild. He’s probably just like his Uncle Harry who was the same way years ago. Today, however, he’s one of our most responsible citizens.” So try to approach criticism on a positive basis, even as the apostle Paid suggested when he wrote, “Brethren, if a man be over taken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meek ness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1). * * * A gossip is one who keeps a "swivel" tongue in his head. 30
FIND ING DEATH The English poet, Chaucer, tells the ancient legend of three men who were determined to find out what death was like. The first one they met was a wise old man. He told them that if they would follow a certain pathway through the woods they would encounter death very shortly. So, they set off and in a little distance came upon a large pile of gold. They quickly forgot about death in the light of their new discovery. Because there was so much there they agreed that two of them should remain guarding the fortune while the third went back to town to find a means of carting it all away. While he was gone the two who stayed back in the woods immediately tried to figure out a plot whereby they could get rid of their partner. This way they could divide the treasure between them. What they didn’t know was that the third was devising a similar con spiracy. He decided to get some food for the others, and unbeknown to them, he poisoned it. When he got back to Ms friends, no sooner had he put down the wheel barrow and greeted them that they set upon him, brutally beating and kill ing him. Satisfied with their evil deeds, they sat down to enjoy the food he had brought before they tried to cart away the treasure. Death struck them as they fell upon their pile of gold. So, what appeared to be a thing of great bless ing, turned out to be their destruction. They found death through greed and selfishness. This is a good lesson for any of us to learn. Our Saviour has told us, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these 'things shall be added unto you.” * * * A right spirit at the center of your being will easily control the circumference. * * * D ISC LA IM IN G GOD There was a little three-year-old boy who had to be scolded and spanked for being bad. When his dad was finished, the tot exclaimed bitterly, “You’re not my daddy any more, and I ’m not your little boy any more.” In fearful defiance, he demanded an unnatural break with his parent. So much like us, isn’t it, when the Lord doesn’t do things the way we think He should. In man’s natural, sin ful state, God seems to stand in the way of his personal desires. When a person is frustrated, he may even rebel and de clare, “I’m going to do as I please."
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