Some time ago I had an interesting conversation with a service station attendant. We were discussing how beautiful it was in California, and he responded, "This is the closest we'll ever get to the Garden of Eden". I added, "in this life". He returned, "in any life".

The popular radio news commentator Paul Harvey announced that an automobile with Tennessee plates was sporting a bumper sticker that read "only volunteers get to Heaven". Because of the fact that Tennessee is known as the volunteer state, one might overlook the Biblical truth of this statement.

Educational conferences leave me limp. My practice is to avoid attending all of them that are not absolutely essential to my work at the college. But on occasion, a conference speaker will present a thought in an unusually arresting manner.

Such was the case at a presidential leadership workshop that was held a few years ago in Houston. A gentleman made this observation: "We work at our play; we play at our worship."

Jesus said "anyone who tries to gain his life shall lose it and anyone who loses his life for my sake shall find it." (Matthew 10:39). In this verse, our Lord points out at least two categories of people that are among the "living dead".

The man of the world is seeking to live for the here and now. Such expression as "this is the life", and "now, that's living" in regards to earthly activities are a testimony in living for this life with little or no concern for the next. That person is "dead while he (or she) liveth" (I Timothy 5:6)

This was the question Cain posed to God, (Gen. 4:9). In other words, am I supposed to keep up with my brother's whereabouts? In the spiritual realm the Bible answers the question sufficiently.

Paul told the church at Galatia, "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ . . . as we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith," (Galatians 6:1,2,10).