for granted. There is time for every thing else but for God and His Word. So, remembering the tradition of these African people, that thankfulness means to sit down on the ground before God, may we dwell on the thought the Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Colosse, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as you teach and ad monish one another . . . w ith thankful ness in your hearts toward God.” * * * Don't expect too much from the man who talk* more about what he'* done in stead of what he's doing. * * * WHAT THE JOCKEY DISCOVERED An earnest soul-winner was eagerly trying to win a retired jockey to Christ. The horse racer finally attended church with him on Palm Sunday. The lesson concerned Jesus entering Jerusalem. As they were leaving the services together, the jockey spoke to his Christian friend, “What a rider the Lord would have made! 1 realize now what He was on must have been a Syrian colt. I was thrown by one of them when I was younger. They’re almost impossible to ride until broken. Jesus took One that had never been ridden before. W ith all those youngsters running in front wav ing palms, and in the noisy excitement, the horse didn’t seem to indicate any different temperament. I was just thinking, if God could bring peace to a bit of horse flesh, I reckon He can do something w ith me as well.” The man was led to Christ in this unusual way. So it is with each of us today. Your life may seem to be in turmoil, but God wants to bring satisfaction to your troubled soul. The Psalmist wrote, “He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are stilled. Then are they glad because they are quiet; so he bringeth them into their desired haven. 0 that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his won derful works to the children of men!” (Psalm 107:29-31). * * * If Christ is the center of our lives, the circumference will take care of itself. 28
me the face of Christ and then I w ill do my best. I must know this One better about whom you have made these rules.” Thoughtfully, the artist agreed. The aspiring student, so the story goes, studied the perfect beauty and grace of the divine face. As he eagerly began, the master craftsman read the Bible to him, and before many days he had become personally ac quainted w ith the Lord Jesus Christ as his own Saviour. Thinking of his old life and sinfulness he was struck ipith God’s great love and grace for him. Setting aside the canvas which he sought to copy, the young artist now painted from his heart for he had truly seen the Lord. His theme was as the Psalmist David who declared, "I w ill praise Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I w ill show forth all Thy marvelous works. 1 w ill be glad and rejoice in Thee: l w ill sing praises to Thy name, O thou most high” (Psalm 9:1-2). * * * Temper is a funny thing, while it may strengthen steel, it will spoil children and ruin man. * * * HOW TO BE THANKFUL Missionary translators have found interesting ways by which native tribes around the world express certain spirit ual truths. For instance, in French Equatorial Africa the idea of “thank fulness to God” means actually “to sit down on the ground before God.” The way this interesting translation was discovered was as a result of seeing the Karre people strangely show their gratefulness to one another. Without speaking a word the one who wants to offer thanks goes to the hut of his friend and simply sits on the ground before the entry way. His silent pres ence gives eloquent testimony of his personal praise. So, one who is thank fu l to God is encouraged just to sit down quietly before Him, enjoying His presence and sharing His communion and fellowship. How often do we, who name the name of Christ, take the time to do this? So frequently by our care less actions we seem to take the Lord
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