Basic Truths | Finding God in Everyday Life

  We had wine and a few different cheeses before our Thanksgiving dinner. It’s interesting that we age certain foods so that they reach their best potential, while many foods spoil after a relatively short period of time.   We are meant to age like a fine wine or cheese, and not spoil like last week’s milk. How do we bring this about? We create the proper conditions.   Wine and cheese are made under the guidance of someone experienced in the process. They have often devoted their whole lives to the work and many come from families who have been doing it for generations. They are trusted to know what is best. God knows everything about us. We can trust Him to guide us along the best path when we place our lives in His hands.   Wine and cheese are kept under strict temperature regulation. It’s true for us as well. We should never lose our cool. When we allow ourselves to remain angry over things that have happened to us, we run the risk of developing bitter...

  I enjoy watching sports on TV. I’m heartened when I hear athletes, when they are congratulated on their accomplishments, begin by giving thanks and praise to God. They are a witness to us as to how we should be living our lives.   Ten lepers came to Jesus asking to be healed. He told them to go to the priests. They were healed while they were on their way. One of them immediately came back to thank Jesus. When Jesus saw the man who returned, He said, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”(Luke 17:17-18). Jesus said to the man, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well” (Luke 17:19).   Luke doesn’t say anything about the nine lepers who didn’t return. We assume they saw the priest, were pronounced cured, and then went off to celebrate. They were probably even grateful to Jesus for their healing but they didn’t make giving thanks a priority for them.   Jesus wasn’t p...