From the Heart by B.Demaere

  We need more teenagers…No, let me rephrase this…We need more teenagers (and adults) that will hear God and what He has to say to us and for us. The prophet Daniel was just an ordinary teenager who had desires like any others.   Little is known about his personal history or upbringing, aside from the fact that he was among the Jews exiled to Babylon and likely received comprehensive instruction in the Law, which was traditionally committed to memory. We find him along with his three companions ready to be trained by the officials of the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar.   In the first chapter of the book of Daniel he along with his friends are given new names along with other strange foods fit for a king.   But they refuse to eat it because they do not want to defile themselves. So, they can arrange for a diet of strictly vegetables.   I suppose, this fast would allow them to gain spiritual insights and strength in obedience to their God.   Here, I believ...

  Just imagine being in a valley called "Life"... On one side is 'gold' and on the other is 'truth'. It seems that our society is in a critical position and ready to decide about challenging issues like values and authenticity . A decision has to be made between idols that we have and God who is ready to accept us the way we are. What is an idol?  Anything that stands in front of us and replaces God. In Psalm 115:1-8 , we see clearly that God and idols are contrasted... "Not to us, O Lord, not to us, But to Your name give glory Because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth and faithfulness. Why should the nations say, Where, now, is their God? But our God is in heaven; He does whatever pleases. The idols [of the nations] are silver and gold, The work of man's hands They have mouths, but they cannot speak; They have eyes, but they cannot see; They have ears, but cannot hear; They have noses, but cannot smell; They have hands, but cannot feel;...