the ice box. We were enthused at 8 :00 p.m. after dinner, but back again in our old ways at eleven. Isn’t this the trouble with us spiritually, too? It is BEGINNING AGAIN I wish that there were some wonder ful place called, "The Land of Beginning Again," Where all our mistakes and all our heartaches and all our poor, selfish grief Could be dropped like a shabby old coat at the door and never be put on again. I wish we could come on it all un awares like the hunter who finds a lost trail. And 1 wish that the one to whom our blindness had done the greatest injustice of all, Could be at the gates like an old friend that waits for the comrade he's gladdest to hale. We would all find the things we in tended to do but forget and re membered too late, Like praises unspoken, little promises broken, and all the thousand and one little Duties neglected that might have brightened -the day for one less fortunate. It wouldn't be possible not to be kind in the land of beginning again and the ones We misjudged and the ones whom we grudged their moments of vic tory here would find In the grasp of our loving handclasp more than penitent lips could explain. For what had been hardest we know had been best and what had seemed lost would be gain. For there is not a sting that will not wing when we've faced it and laughed it away; And I think that the laughter is most what we're after in the land of beginning again. necessary to make a decision and then to stick by the choice. In Philippians 2:7 and 8 Paul re-
Dr. Everett S. Graffam (right), execu tive director of the Evangelical Founda tion, Philadelphia, congratulates Dr. Ralph L. Keiper, the organization’s re search director. cords the discipline of the Lord Jesus who realized the mission for which He had come into the world. Many times He had the opportunity for dis traction and Satan tempted Him in every way like as we are tempted. He hewed to the line and didn’t move an inch. “But He made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled him self, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” But is it possible for us to be obedient in life; to emulate the beauty of the Lord Jesus Christ? He did the dying that you and I might do the living. We must die to ourselves to become alive to His will. We must come to the point spiritually where we will say, “This I am going to do and I am going to do it now!” Once we have made this decision then we are in a place where God truly can bless us. He will bless us with that superna tural beauty, which we all should seek. The renewing of our minds is a day by day, hour by hour, moment by moment process. We can be trans formed with His beauty, but we must allow Him to lead us step by step. We must take our cross daily and follow Him! 13
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