Companionship
On the topic of marriage, The Rev. Gunn writes, "A true wife delights more in her husband's companionship than in any success he may achieve. The apostle Peter offers excellent counsel to husbands; he says, 'Likewise ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife as being heirs together of the grace of life.' The husband who accepts this counsel has a happy wife and a happy home."
Routine Life
In this episode of Be Still and Know on the subject of routine, The Rev. John R. Gunn writes, "Let not those of us whose destiny it is to move in the same circuit year after year become weary of the monotonous trudge or feel that our life is not worthwhile. Perhaps the new year does not promise any great advancement in position or fame. But let us face it with the high resolve to make it the best of all our years."
A New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve - tradition has made it the day of the new chance; the good resolution. The chance for new things, perhaps even a new life; to plan anew. The Rev. John R. Gunn asks, "What do you propose for the New Year? A better life? A kinder word? A greater effort? Or more of the same old you?"
Deliverer From Sin
In speaking of the story of Mary and Joseph bringing the Jesus into the temple, The Rev. Gunn states, "This is the real story of Christmas; this is the reason we celebrate the day and rejoice all the year. This babe is indeed our deliverer from sin and the fear of death. In Him is God's light filling all of our lives in this day and in the coming year."
Christian Light
In this episode of Be Still and Know, The Rev. Gunn states, "The lights of the Christmas candles and the lights of the Christmas tree are gone now, but the great light, the light of the world remains. And will remain with us throughout the year, for Jesus said, 'I have come into the world as light so that no one who has faith in me should remain in darkness.'"
Christmas Spirit All Year
In this episode of Be Still and Know, The Rev. Gunn states, "The Christmas light is the true spirit of Christmas - the remembrance that Christ came into the world on this day for us and for all men. We need this idea in our hearts throughout the year; not just once a year on Christmas Day."
Sincere Good Manners
The Rev. John R. Gunn asks, "What are the qualities which do most to sweeten life? Surely we would name good nature, sincerity, generosity, a sense of humor and good manners. You may be a paragon of virtue, but if you disregard the common amenities of life, you will make yourself a common nuisance."
God's Guidance
The Rev John R. Gunn writes, "God has given each one of us a heart, which can pick up the beam of His guidance, if we keep tuned to Him. If we listen to the sound of His voice, we can fly our plane of life safely and not get lost amid the storms and fogs of the world, but there are certain factors which may cause us to lose His voice."
Marriage the Divine Ideal
In this episode of Be Still and Know, The Rev. John R. Gunn writes, "Marriage, as God intended it to be, is a union of two souls. It is a union so spiritual that it was used by the apostle Paul as a symbol of the mystical union between the heavenly bride-groom and his bride, the Church. Marriage is serious, more serious than death."
Sacrificial Love
"What suffers so long and so much as love? What bears so much; what else imposes such heavy burdens? What way is so bleak and steep and rugged as that way out into the wilderness and up the mountainside on which love takes the shepherd in search of his lost sheep?" asks The Rev. Gunn in this episode of Be Still and Know.
Value of Music
A psychiatrist in a state hospital once said, "We have found that appropriate music not only tends to tranquilize the unsettled emotions of the mental patient, but it arouses his interest as nothing else will." The Rev. John R. Gunn replies, "The power of music to turn psychological confusion into order is not a new discovery. We find an ancient instance of its use in the scripture when David came with his harp to play for King Saul - to relieve his mental depression and restore his distracted mind to its normal state."
Democracy
In a letter addressed to the Christian Jews in Asia minor, the apostle Peter wrote, 'Honor all men; love the brotherhood.' "In these two brief sentences", notes author John R. Gunn, "we find the two basic principles of democracy. Honor all men - this is what the founders of the American Republic had in mind when they declared that all men are born equal.
Jesus Exalted His Work
In referencde to Jesus as a carpenter, The Rev. John R. Gunn writes, "We can be sure that His work was well done. That He never mad a shoddy table or plow. That He never made a yoke that would gall the neck of an ox. If all workmen would follow His example in this respect, it would elevate and dignify their trades. The man who turns out an honest piece of carpentry is as honorable as the man who makes a poem or a sermon."
Business of Life
In this episode of Be Still and Know, The Rev. John R. Gunn writes that, "Greater than all other enterprises is the business of life. Here, as elsewhere, none of us is so all knowing and all wise that he does not need the counsel of others. Although it is well that we should think for ourselves, it is not safe to be too secure in our own wisdom and judgment."
Man's Will
In this episode of Be Still and Know, The Rev. John R. Gunn states, "Man meets temptations and difficulties of every sort, but with God's power and his own will to follow God, man can overcome each difficulty. Hate becomes love, weakness turns to strength, sin to holiness and the mystery of death into the mystery of eternal life."
Sit Still Awhile
In this episode of Be Still and Know, the Rev. Gunn says "All activity is not achievement; all motion is not progress - sit still awhile. Take time to get your bearings and your motion and activity will count for more. Hurry flusters and upsets; haste makes waste - sit still awhile. Learn to take things more calmly and you will soon find yourself working more efficiently and effectively."
Whither Bound?
In this episode of Be Still and Know, The Rev. John R. Gunn asks, "Where are you bound? Do you know? Do you sail without compass or chart? You carry precious cargo - do you know to what port? Are you just drifting, leaving the winds and tides to take you where they will?"
Inward Beauty
In this episode of Be Still and Know, the Rev. Gunn speaks to a person's character, saying, "We admire unspoiled beauty, but vain beauty soon ceases to be attractive. We frequently hear mothers say to their children, 'beauty is as beauty does.' Inward grace and beauty of soul enhance outward charm and attractiveness and make them genuine."
Man in the Mirror
In this episode of Be Still and Know, The Rev. Gunn asks, "Do you really know the person in your mirror? Have you ever taken the time to get acquainted with him? Ask him what he believes in, what he lives for. Look him straight in the face while you're doing it. You need not hesitate; you will not regard it as impertinence; you'll not in the least resent it - not from you."
Delight of Discovery
In this episode of Be Still And Know, The Rev. Gunn states, "If everything could be obtained without searching, without effort, life would become superficial - we would miss half the fascination of living. We have to search for the rarest treasures; the things of greatest worth cannot be attained without sacrifice."