Greg Laurie is the pastor and founder of the Harvest churches in California and Hawaii and of Harvest Crusades. He is an evangelist, best-selling author and movie producer. His newest book Lennon, Dylan, Alice & Jesus
I've seen a number of celebrities in person over the years, and they always seem a little smaller or different than what I expected. It's funny how certain people actually look better in pictures than they do in real life—or look better in real life than they do in pictures. It's strange the way the camera reads people.
If we have learned nothing else from our culture telling us what we should do to be happy, we have learned this: It is just not true. We have realized where happiness isn't.
I think we could safely say that so many of the problems we deal with are because of our selfish human natures. Selfishness is at the root of many sins.
Have you ever noticed there are some people who like to fight? They like to argue, and they are unhappy when they are happy. So they find something to get worked up about, something new to debate. They love conflict. It's a sad way to live.
Years ago during a visit with Billy and Ruth Graham, I noticed while we were outside that their dog was continuously going around in circles.
Years ago during a visit with Billy and Ruth Graham, I noticed while we were outside that their dog was continuously going around in circles.
Have you ever been gripped by fear? You know the feeling. Your blood goes cold. You get a shiver down your spine. Your stomach sinks. Your hair stands on end (in my case—that is singular, not plural). All of these are emotions associated with fear.
Has there ever been a more pleasure-mad culture than ours today? It seems that we can't be entertained enough. We have continuous media coming our way with constant imagery and sounds, all things that are supposed to bring us pleasure.
Have you ever been to a really beautiful place that stayed with you long after you returned home? Maybe you have a picture of it as your screensaver, and you just sit and gaze at it. You love that place. That is how Paul felt about heaven.
The apostle Paul was the kind of guy who liked to get out and get things done. He took action and went out and accomplished things for God. But as a prisoner in Rome, Paul found himself stuck . . . immobilized . . . unable to move. Perhaps you are immobilized in some way right now.
