Many modern novels are strictly entertainment. I was told in one writing class, “Don’t write to get across a message. Write to tell a story. If there is a message, it will come out.” What is the point of writing if there is no message?

Prov 27:17 states, “Iron sharpeneth iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” But this, like so many proverbs, has conditions.

Jesus taught that there are two paths, the narrow way that leads to life, and the broad way that leads to destruction. (Matt. 7:13-14) In Philippians 3:17-21 Paul tells us more about these two paths and the characteristics of those who follow each.

This message could also be titled, How was Joseph's Body like the Lord's Table? Do you know in what three ways these two events are similar?

The story of the rich young ruler has, over the years, intrigued me, yea, even haunted me. It is filled with theological and practical lessons that apply to every person, whether lost of saved.

Two significant events took place when Jesus was about 20. They initially impacted six lives but millions since it took place.

Our bodies have a wonderful defensive system called antibodies. When we get certain diseases, our bodies build antibodies to keep us from getting them again. But there is a sad spiritual application of this principle.

I am taking care of Paul this week. Paul is 22 but has the mental age of one. So he is constant care. I can imagine someone saying, “You should not waste your talents on someone so unresponsive.” Indeed, Peter said, “It is isn’t fitting that we should wait tables. Let others do that while we preach the Gospel.” On the other hand when the shipwrecked crew landed on Malta, Paul, who had just saved everyone’s lives, joined the others to gather firewood. Who was right? Of course, both were right. Peter is speaking of a major calling in life. But even while we are ministering the Word, we need to take time to pick up sticks. This might involve shoveling snow, mowing the lawn, taking care of a baby, visiting someone. Jesus washed the disciples’ feet. He said we should do likewise.

Several times a week I take our special needs son Paul to the YMCA so he can splash in the big pool. I usually swim half-lengths until I get tired, which isn’t very long. Then I do resistance walking, trying to get exercise walking widths and keeping an eye on Paul. It was while walking in circles in the shallow end that I noticed something. Though the entire pool was rippled with waves and counterwaves, the area in the middle of the circle I formed was calm. As a teacher I had to know why. The answer was simple- the waves I made from one side of the circle collided with those from the other side and cancelled each other out. “That is a good definition of peace,” I said to myself. Peace is not the absence of waves, but it is the result of the presence of counterwaves. When our problems meet with God’s power, peace results. We don’t need all His power, though it is all available. We only need enough of it to counteract the power of the problems. ”God is able to make all grace abound toward you.” (2 Cor. 9:8) ”My grace is sufficient for you.” (2 Cor. 12:8)

We have probably all heard the story of the artists who were assigned the task of drawing a picture depicting peace. Many drew tranquil lakes, sunsets, and the like. The winner drew a raging waterfall and a bird nest in an overhanging branch. I am suggesting that is not quite what God’s peace means either. The raging waterfall is normal and constant. The bird learns this is not a threat to its tranquility. But waves are those unexpected events that come into our lives to drive us either to despair or to God. When we turn to God, His power cancels the power of the event, and peace results.