A ROCKY FOUNDATION

                                                     A group of soldiers visited a certain town to raise funds. They came to a splendid mansion and the owner, an old man, took them round to see his riches. He pointed to a little town, "that is mine; it is called by my name. This grand hall I have built is called by my name; there is my insignia on it”. He showed them his fertile fruitful farms. He took them into his house, showed them his costly golden utensils and jewels. “And yet I was once a poor boy. I have made it all myself" he said. After taking them round, one soldier looked at him and asked "Well, you've shown us all your earthly riches, now tell us what have you got up there?” "Up where?" said the old man. "Up in heaven" replied the soldier. "Well, I'm afraid I haven't got much up there." the man said sadly. "Ah," said the soldier, “but you...

  In the fourteenth century two brothers fought for the right to rule over a dukedom in what is now Belgium. The elder brother’s name was Raynald and he was horribly obese. After a heated battle Raynald’ s younger brother led a successful revolt against him and assumed the title duke over his lands. But instead of killing Raynald, Edward devised a curious imprisonment. He had a room in the castle, build around Raynald. The room had only one door which was not locked and the windows were not barred. Edward promised Raynald that he could regain his land and his title anytime he wanted to. All he would do is leave the room. The obstacle to freedom was not in the doors or windows but with Raynald himself. Being grossly overweight he could not fit through the door, even though it was a near normal size. All Raynald needed to do was diet down to a smaller size and then walk out a freeman, with all he had before the fall. However his younger brother kept sending him an assortment ...

                    Stuart Holden (1874-1934), the author of "Prevailing Intercessory Prayer", was in Egypt and met a sergeant in a Highland regiment. He asked this bright Christian how he was brought to Christ. The sergeant responded: "There was a converted private in my company in Malta and I gave him a terrible time. I remember one night in particular when it was rainy and he came in wet and weary from sentry duty. Yet, as usual, he still got down on his knees before going to bed. My boots were covered in mud and I threw them both at him and hit him twice on the head. He kept kneeling and praying. The next morning when I woke up I found my boots beautifully cleaned and polished at my bedside. This was his reply to me and it broke my heart. That day I was brought to repentance." In Psalm 1:1-3, we are told that a person who delights in the law of the Lord is like a tree planted by s...