WOULDN’T YOU LIKE TO BE ABLE TO READ MINDS? I mean, if you could, you could make a fortune in a very short time! But the truth is, we can’t. Only God can do that. Psalm 94:11 says, “The Lord knows the thoughts of man; he knows that they are futile.” And in Luke 5:22 we read, “Jesus knew what they (Pharisees) were thinking and asked, ‘Why are you thinking these things in your heart?’”

But wait a minute! Perhaps it wouldn’t be so great if we could read minds. I’m not so sure we could handle it. That would mean that we would know every negative thought that someone else had about us. Yikes! That’s frightening.

Although we can’t see into a person’s heart, we can learn how to size up someone rather quickly if we can find the answer to three questions. All we need to know is three basic things about a person. Knowing this will help us to understand what it is that is behind their feelings and actions. So, here they are—the three questions—in first person.

First, what do you dream about? All great men and women throughout history were great dreamers. Abraham saw his seed as numerous as the sand on the seashore. Moses saw Israel living in freedom. Joshua saw the walls of Jericho coming down. Nehemiah saw the walls of Jerusalem going up. Paul saw the Gentiles embracing Christianity. And so it goes.

Never give up dreaming! Dreams motivate and inspire us to strive for something great. They also keep spurring us onward when the going gets tough. Dreaming drives us to our knees and that is always good.
T.E. Lawrence once said, "All men dream but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds awake to the day to find it was all vanity. But the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for the many act out their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible..."

Secondly, what do you cry about? What breaks your heart? What burdens you, moves you to action? If I knew I would begin to know what you are like on the inside as it relates to compassion.

I read a news report about a woman who hadn't shed a tear in 18 years. The reason for her dry eyes was physical, not emotional. Doctors said she was a victim of a rare condition called Sjogren's syndrome. For some unknown reason, antibodies attacked her tear glands as if they were undesirable foreign organisms.
This reminds me of a spiritual problem among the people of God—people who should and could cry, but don't. They need to learn what Jesus meant when He said, "Blessed are those who mourn" (Matthew 5:4).

Sometimes we think tears are a sign of weakness. But if this were the case, why did Jesus cry? (Luke 19:41). Why did James tell Christians to weep over their sins? (James 4:9). True, people differ in the way they express their emotions. But literal tears aren't the real issue. What's important is the attitude of the heart. The real issue is how deeply we sense the implications of our sins. Are we filled with Godly sorrow? Are we pained by the tragic consequences our sin creates in our relationships with others? I'm not talking about putting on a phony show of sorrow, but do we feel some of the same sorrow God feels about evil? Are we willing to turn from it? Or do we have dry eyes? — Mart De Haan, Our Daily Bread.

Thirdly, if I know what you sing about, I will know somewhat the depth of your ability to rejoice, even when the storms of life assail you. Singers are positive, optimistic, faith-filled folks—like Paul and Silas who sang one midnight, even though they were locked away in a dark, dank, smelly prison cell. There they were, with hands and feet in stocks, having been severely beaten. But they still had a song in their heart—a song of praise.

There’s something about a song for the Lord that stirs the heart within.
That reaches out to touch a life burdened down with sin
It’s the Spirit of God breathing on the words and flowing through the tune,
That captures the soul and brings relief to those headed for sure doom.
O, sing a song of worship and praise to the One seated on the Throne,
For His love and care have reached us here to assure that we’re never
alone.
Let our voice be raised in endless praise to the Grandest Composer of all
He has set us free, we are not the same, we have answered His loving call.

WHILE WATCHING THE INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT BARAK OBAMA on television, I was struck by the important role that prayer played in the events of that historic day. The invocation and benediction were very moving, as was grace before the lunch hosted by the Congress in Statuary Hall. Thank God we have not booted prayer entirely out of government yet, even though there are those who, if given the opportunity, would do so.

It is my earnest prayer that our elected officials will seek the Lord often and sincerely. After all, who would face the dilemmas of our day without consulting Wisdom personified? Wise is that leader who realizes that help is available from above. And that Almighty God delights in assisting those who look to Him.

From the beginning of our nation, there were those in positions of power that confessed their dependence upon God. A stranger once asked at Congress how he could distinguish George Washington from the other members. He was told, “You can easily distinguish him when Congress goes to prayer. Washington is the gentleman who kneels.” In fact, you may read in American history how Washington found rest and relief in prayer during the trying times he and his soldiers passed through at Valley Forge. With all the cares and anxieties of that time weighing down upon him, he used to have recourse to prayer. One day a farmer approaching the camp heard an earnest voice. On coming nearer, he saw George Washington on his knees, his cheeks wet with tears, praying to God. After he had returned home, the farmer said to his wife, “George Washington will succeed! George Washington will succeed! The Americans will secure their independence!” “What makes you think so, Isaac?” asked his wife. The farmer replied, “I heard him pray, Hannah, out in the woods today, and the Lord will surely hear his prayer. He will Hannah; thee may rest assured He will.”

We, as citizens have a role to play as well. It is incumbent upon us as followers of Christ and Americans to support our new president through prayer. May God grant us the will and desire to do so. Ps 33:12,16,18: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.”

IF THE BIBLE COULD SPEAK, I wonder what it would say? Actually, in a sense, it does speak. It informs, testifies, proclaims, and inspires. Sometimes, in the right environment, the Scriptures seem to whisper words of comfort. At other times, when the need arises, they scream words of warning. And wise is that person who pushes the pause button and listens.
Suppose a Bible miraculously was given the power to communicate its thoughts through a diary. Let’s peek into the pages and see what one year in its life reveals.

June 2 I have been resting quietly for about a week. The first few nights after campmeeting my owner read me regularly, but now it seems as though I have been forgotten.

July 10 Clean-up day! I was dusted off, along with some other things, but was placed back on the shelf. I long for human hands to touch me…for this I was created.

July 17 Owner bought me a new leather cover with a zipper; makes me feel secure and important, but haven’t been unzipped lately.

July 24 Owner used me for a short time today, after dinner. He looked up a few verses; went to Sunday school today.

August 8 Dusted off today and put on the center table in the sitting room. The minister came for a visit. After he left I quickly found myself back on the shelf again.

September 3 Busy day. My owner had to lead a devotional lesson and had to look up some references…had quite a time finding me and then hunted and hunted to find the references.

October 12 I’m in Grandma’s lap now. I love it here. Its so warm and comfortable. I feel needed. She’s here on a visit. Hope she stays a long time. She let a tear drop on Colossians 2:5-7: “For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” I love it when she handles me---with such gentleness. She turns my pages as though they were made of the finest silk.

October 13 In Grandma’s lap again. She has spent most of her time reading I Corinthians 13.

October 14-16 I have been in Grandma’s lap each afternoon. Its such a comfort to be loved and appreciated. She reads me as though I was a personal love letter to her.

October 17 Grandma is gone and I am back in the same old place. She kissed me before she left.

November 9 Had a couple of four-leaf clovers stuck in me today. What’s that about?

December 1 Packed in a suitcase today with some clothes. Off on a vacation, I guess.

December 8 Still in suitcase.

December 11 Still in suitcase, although everything else has been in and out several times. Wish they would take the dirty socks off me.

December 13 Home again and on the shelf. Quite a journey…don’t know why I went along.

December 24 Was carried to church this evening for the candle-lighting service.

January 10 Owner read me every day for the first seven days of the new year—something about a resolution.

February 9 Stuffy and hot. Two magazines, a novel and an old hat are on top of me. I am suffocating for lack of use!

March 16 Carried to church today and held up to be counted. Something about a contest.

April 7 Dusted again. Sure do get lonely. Wish Grandma would visit again. I love to feel her warm embrace.



May 18 Thought about my cousins today---they are so blessed. One is in a prison library---gets lots of use. Another is in a courtroom and is the object of much respect. Still another lies in a motel room and is referenced often. I do envy them.

May 22 Annual Spring revival at church—owner took me every night this week. Made a commitment to read me daily, just as he did last year.

June 10 Owner’s father died yesterday. The whole family is taking turns reading me, especially the Psalms. Sure does feel good to be used.

June 15 Owner loaned me to his teenaged boy for summer camp. He is so rough with me—throws me around like I was a sack of potatoes. Spent a lot of time stuffed in his knapsack, but he reads me every night by the light of a flashlight and I can tell that he is changing for the good.

June 22 Back home again. Owner has given me to his son for good.


August 27 Son took me to first day of school today and placed me on top of his other books on his desk for all to see. He is a courageous young man. Things are really beginning to look up now!