RECIPE FOR MISERY Here is a recipe which, if followed, is guaranteed to make one miserable. Think and talk about yourself. As often as possible use the personal pronouns, “I,” “me,” “my,” or “mine.” Mirror yourself continually in the opinions of others and listen greedily to what people say about you. Expect to be appreciated. A l w a y s be suspicious, jealous and envious. Be sensitive to all slights and mistreatments. Never for give a criticism and trust nobody but yourself. Insist on every consideration and respect; command agreement with your own views on everything. Then sulk and pout when people aren’t grate fu l to you for favors shown. Be sure never to forget a service you may have rendered. Don’t mind the desires of others and always be on the lookout for a good time for yourself. Shirk, or at least put off your duties if you possi bly can. Only do what you actually have to for others, and then do it grudgingly. Follow this recipe and you’ll have your life as a miserable mixture of failure and supreme un happiness. T h e Bible exhorts us, “Above all things have fervent love among yourselves: use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (I Peter 4:8-10). * » * Men may. draw the color line with black, yellow, red or brown, but God draws it only at scarlet! * * ^ ^ THE CYCLE H jw does the robin know 'tis spring? Who told the leaf to bud? Why is there life in everything, And singing ito the blood? Why do the bulbs lie dark, content Beneath the winter's snow? Ask them why life is never spent. Ask them because they know. Though Bird and bulb alike depend On Him, still hearts will harden. You say you have no faith, my friend. Then why do you plant a garden? — Ruth Coffee Hillis
things which he not as though they were” (Romans 4:17). This is a won derful message for a Christian heart. You do not need to have • something with which God can do something. You may have very few gifts or talents. You may think you have no ability whatsoever. Let the Holy Spirit have you in your weakness, and with your FAULT FINDING Pray don't find fault with the man who limps, Or stumbles along the road. Unless you have worn the shoes he wears, Or struggled beneath his load. There may be tacks in his shoes that hurt. Though hidden away from view. Or the burden he bears placed on your back, Might cause you to "stumble too! Don't sneer at the man who is down today, Unless you have felt the blow, That caused his fall, or felt the shame. That only the fallen know. You may be strong, but still the blows That were his, if dealt to you, In the selfsame way, at the selfsame time. Might cause you to stagger tog! Don't be too harsh, with the man who sins, Or pelt him with words or stones, Unless you are sure, yea, doubly sure That you have not sins of your own. For you know, perhaps, if the temp ter's voice, Should whisper as soft to you, As it did to him, when he went astray, 'Twould cause you to falter, too! emptiness come to Him. If you are a lost sinner, wandering in the dark with a heavy heart, you may come empty- handed and accept the Lord Jesus Christ to be the Lord of your life and the Saviour of youi; soul. Bring your problem to Him. In your extremity He can make something out of nothing.
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