ROSES: Watch out, a rose has a prickly stem.

“But David found strength in the LORD his God.” – 1 Samuel 30:6

At the Beach

People who are struggling with debt say ….

that they are under pressure.

that they are under a heavy burden.

that they have desperate thoughts.

That’s why the Bible says:

“LET NO DEBT REMAIN OUTSTANDING, …” (Romans 13:8)

“A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie.” – Tenneva Jordan

MOTHER’S DAY: Watch out, a rose has a prickly stem.

“My mother was the most beautiful woman. … All I am I owe to my mother. … I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.” – George Washington

“I remember my mother’s prayers and they have followed me. They have clung to me all my life.” – Abraham Lincoln

“The only book you need to lead you to success,” is written on the back cover of the book I picked up yesterday from my small library.

SUCCESS is a word we come across quite often. All of us love success.

Today in my reading of the Bible from cover to cover I arrived at 1 Samuel chapter 18. That chapter is telling me how successful David was. Should I be surprised about that?

DAVID WAS SUCCESSFUL: “because the LORD was with him.”

David climbed up the ladder, because he was successful. But why was he so successful?

The Bible tells us that the King “Saul gave him a high rank in the army.” (1 Samuel 18:15) Not only all the people liked that but also the officers of Saul

The Bible tells us also that “David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, …” (1 Samuel 18:30) Everybody was talking about David and he became very famous.

But the Bible has more to say about success at the beginning if the book of Joshua.

In order to be successful and prosperous we must obey the Bible. “Do not turn from it [the law] to the right or to the left, ….” it says in Joshua 1:7. “Do not let this book of the law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, …” we read in Joshua 1:8.

David was successful, “because the LORD was with him.” (1 Samuel 18:14)

The book I picked up from my library yesterday is called How to win friends and influence people.” The author is Dale Carnegie.

I bought it some tome ago second-hand for a Dollar here in New Zealand.

“1,000 Places To See Before You Die,”  is the book called. And I really don’t mind people talking about death. Do you?

The book is written by Patricia Schultz and “New York Times # 1 Bestseller” is written on the front page. I bought it second-hand not long ago at the Salvation store here in Kaitaia for one Dollars. New you pay $18.95 U.S. for the publication.

Residing in New Zealand I am straight away interested in what the book says about New Zealand. THE BAY OF ISLANDS is mentioned first of all and then LAKE TAUPO AND HUKA LODGE.

I am very familiar with the Bay of Islands, because we lived in Kaikohe for almost 25 years, working there as missionaries. From Kaikohe it is not far to the East Coast and the West Coast, because Kaikohe is in the middle. The Bay of Islands is beautiful, especially in summer.

BAY OF ISLANDS: Russell

I know also a little bit about Lake Taupo and Huka Lodge, having been there to do a little bit of sightseeing.

TAUPO: Craters of the moon.

Next I probably look up what the book says about Germany, because I was born in Germany.

You have probably seen a good number of the places mentioned in the book and probably are going to see many more before you die.

But have you seen (Hebrews 2:9) the Lord Jesus Christ, who created all things in heaven and on earth? (Colossians 1:16)