Monthly Archives: July 2017

The promise and power of faith

Posted on July 25, 2017 by vincentsmithauthor

Charles de Gaulle, the famous French leader during World War Two, had a child who was severely mentally handicapped. But he loved her dearly and, no matter how bad things were in France, he would always make time to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Death, Eternal life, Faith, Heaven, Hope of Glory, Life, Life's journey | Leave a comment

Dissolving into nothingness…or?

Posted on July 25, 2017 by vincentsmithauthor

In parts of Africa they have a unique funeral custom whereby mourners stand around the casket and then, on a given signal, put a piece of peppermint into their mouths. As it dissolves they are reminded that life for that … Continue reading →

Posted in Death, Eternal life, Eternity, funerals, Life | Leave a comment

Though I may not see and think of him, he never stops thinking of and loving me.

Posted on July 25, 2017 by vincentsmithauthor

Writer Philip Yancey found an old photo of himself as a small child, which his mother kept amongst her treasured memories. It puzzled him why she kept that one when there were so many better pictures. She told him it … Continue reading →

Posted in God's love, God's presence | Leave a comment

The only thing that really matters

Posted on July 25, 2017 by vincentsmithauthor

Years ago, Harvard University began a study that has tracked the lives of three hundred former male students, paying close attention to the various physical, relational, psychological and spiritual factors that have shaped their lives. And now this study, called … Continue reading →

Posted in love, Loving God, Loving other people, relationships | Leave a comment

God has given His word

Posted on July 25, 2017 by vincentsmithauthor

There’s an old Bedouin story of a young man who accidently killed another young man. Fearing retribution, he sought sanctuary in the tent of the tribal chief, who told him he’d be safe until the matter could be settled legally. … Continue reading →

Posted in Children of God, God, God's faithfulness | Leave a comment

God who suffers with us

Posted on July 25, 2017 by vincentsmithauthor

When disaster strikes we often ask why God doesn’t do something.Tim Keller reported that after the Nine-Eleven tragedy, eight hundred new people began attending his Manhattan church and most wanted to know what God had to say about it. Keller … Continue reading →

Posted in God, God with us, Suffering, Suffering love | Leave a comment

Takeovers

Posted on July 25, 2017 by vincentsmithauthor

In the world of business, it sometimes happens that a failing corporation gets taken over by another that’s not much better, and both of them go under. On the other hand, a strong company may take over one with serious … Continue reading →

Posted in Forgiveness, Jesus, New Life, New start | Leave a comment

Directions that get you lost

Posted on July 25, 2017 by vincentsmithauthor

Doug Lansky likes to collect photos of confusing road signs, like the one that says: Not a Through Street, but has below it a white arrow pointing straight ahead and the words: Evacuation Route; and another that says: Invisible Fence … Continue reading →

Posted in direction, Dogma, God's love, Seeing Jesus | Leave a comment

What is success?

Posted on July 25, 2017 by vincentsmithauthor

Malcolm Muggeridge was one of the most successful journalists of the twentieth century. For much of his life he was an agnostic, but an experience he had while making a documentary on the life of Jesus turned him into a … Continue reading →

Posted in Achievement, emptiness, Eternal life, Futility, Jesus, Success, Superficial judgements | Leave a comment

Look up

Posted on July 25, 2017 by vincentsmithauthor

If you put a buzzard in a small pen that’s open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will stay a prisoner. The reason is that buzzards always begin a flight from the ground with … Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, God, God's faithfulness, Prisoners | Leave a comment