Paul W. Powell Legacy Library

1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou migh...

A lady said to me, “My husband has an elephant memory.” He never forgets anything—especially things she says to him in the heat of an argument. In times of anger we oftentimes say the most cutting and hurting things. We do not live together as husband and wife very long before we know what really hurts each other. Then when an argument comes up we us...

  27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, 28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. 29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also. 30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him tha...

12 And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 13 And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him. 14 And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and s...

Edward Gibbon, the English historian, defined history as “the register of the crimes, follies, and misfortunes of mankind.” You need not read very far in history to see that there is much truth in this analysis. While in sports, technology, and a few other areas man has made magnificent advances, in personal and international relations his record is one of...

One of the most unique things in all the world is a person's memory. Many years ago Dr. Wilbur Penfield, the eminent Canadian brain surgeon, discovered that the human mind stores a permanent record of every experience, and when the brain is electrically stimulated, it can call up in vivid detail all of these experiences. This marvelous ability to remember is both a b...

Newspaper accounts told of a famous playwright (who had given the entertainment world some of its most filthy literature) joining a church. He explained his actions by saying, “I wanted my goodness back.” There are many people like him today. We start our lives with such innocence and purity, but gradually, through our sins and mistakes, there comes over...

Ancient Sparta was a warlike nation that emphasized discipline and hardship and sacrifice. A king once wrote the Spartans a threatening letter, saying that they had better do what he told them to do, for if he came and took their country he would destroy their city and make them all slaves. The Spartans sent a messenger back with their answer, and when the letter was...

I visited with a young lady to invite her to church. We had talked for only a few moments when tears welled up in her eyes and she became very emotional. It was clear that she was deeply distressed. I shared with her what Christ meant to me and how through faith in him I had found peace and happiness in life. She replied, “I really could use some of that.&rdqu...