http://www.rbc.org/ http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/07/devotion.aspx @/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/07/devotion.aspx It was high-school concert season, and the music students were preparing for the big Christmas extravaganza. The teacher had clearly communicated every detail to the students and to the parents—on two different occasions—and the time for mandatory rehearsal was clearly spelled out. Dave Branon Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/06/devotion.aspx @/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/06/devotion.aspx The movie Night at the Museum portrays the humorous experiences of a security guard at a natural history museum. The excitement begins for him when the displays come to life at night. Dennis Fisher Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/05/devotion.aspx @/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/05/devotion.aspx Our dog, Dolly, is a 7-year-old West Highland Terrier. She loves to dig in the dirt, which means she gets very dirty. We bathe her every week or so at home, but occasionally she gets so grimy and tangled that we have to take her to a professional groomer. David H. Roper Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/04/devotion.aspx @/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/04/devotion.aspx I read a fable about a man who was browsing in a store when he made the shocking discovery that God was behind a sales counter. So the man walked over and asked, “What are You selling?” God replied, “What does your heart desire?” The man said, “I want happiness, peace of mind, and freedom from fear . . . for me and the whole world.” God smiled and said, “I don’t sell fruit here. Only seeds.” Joanie Yoder Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/03/devotion.aspx @/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/03/devotion.aspx Fear means different things to different people. To professional golfer Padraig Harrington, it is a motivator to help him perform his very best. In 2008, when he won both the British Open and the PGA Championship, Harrington said, “Yes, fear is a big part of me. I’d like to say that I have all the trust and patience and I’m relaxed. No, that’s not my makeup. [Fear] pushes me on. Keeps me getting to the gym. I have to work with it and use it.” Bill Crowder Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/02/devotion.aspx @/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/02/devotion.aspx A 2008 report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime said, “At any given time there are more than 10 million people imprisoned worldwide.” Since some prisoners are being released while new ones are being sentenced every day, there are more than 30 million total prisoners worldwide each year. Statistics like these have caused many people to work for prison reform and a reexamination of sentencing laws. David C. McCasland Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/01/devotion.aspx @/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/01/devotion.aspx The urge to misbehave and the desire to be anonymous always visit me together. Like partners making a sales call, they do their best to convince me that I can afford to do something wrong because I won’t have to pay. Julie Ackerman Link Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/10/31/devotion.aspx @/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/10/31/devotion.aspx The word hallow isn’t used much anymore, and when it is, the uses have a broad range of meaning. Christians use the word when we say the Lord’s prayer, as in “Hallowed be Thy name.” Often the word is associated with the last day of October, which we in the US refer to as Halloween, a shortened form of All Hallows’ Eve. Julie Ackerman Link Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/10/30/devotion.aspx @/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/10/30/devotion.aspx Western novelist Stephen Bly says that in the days of America’s Old West there were two types of friends (and horses): runners and standers. At the first sign of trouble, the runner would bolt—abandoning you to whatever peril you were facing. But a stander would stick with you no matter the circumstances. Unfortunately, you wouldn’t know which kind of friend you had until trouble came. And then it was too late—unless your friend was a stander. Bill Crowder Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/10/29/devotion.aspx @/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/10/29/devotion.aspx A Wall Street Journal article by Jennifer Saranow chronicled the extraordinary efforts of middle-aged American men who are trying to find the favorite car they once owned and loved, but lost. They are searching on-line car ads, phoning junkyards, and even hiring specialists who charge $400 an hour to help them search for an automobile that once symbolized their youth. These men want the actual car they owned, not one just like it. David C. McCasland Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/10/28/devotion.aspx @/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/10/28/devotion.aspx Radovan Karadzic, once the leader of the Bosnian Serbs and accused of genocide, had been one of the most wanted men in the world. By growing a long, white beard, carrying false papers, and practicing alternative medicine, he fooled everyone—for a while. After 13 years in hiding, he was finally arrested. C. P. Hia Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/10/27/devotion.aspx @/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/10/27/devotion.aspx Among the wonders of Jamaica is a body of water called Luminous Lagoon. By day, it is a nondescript bay on the country’s northern coast. By night, it is a marvel of nature. Dave Branon Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/10/26/devotion.aspx @/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/10/26/devotion.aspx As I walked into church one Sunday morning, a little boy looked at me and said to his mother, “Mom, is that Jesus?” Needless to say, I was curious to hear her response. “No,” she said, “that’s our pastor.” Joe Stowell Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/10/25/devotion.aspx @/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/10/25/devotion.aspx Mitch Albom, author of The Five People You Meet in Heaven, said that he got the idea for his book when he speculated: What would heaven be like if it were a place where some of the people you impacted on earth explained your life when you met them in heaven? Dennis Fisher Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST