A young man preached his heart out. He was barely 23 years old and this was his first gospel meeting. How his heart did beat when he received the invitation to come and preach for the small group of brethren in this little community. Visions of huge crowds, high excitement, lots of responses filled his head as he contemplated the coming event. When the time came he was almost out of breath with excitement.

What comes to your mind when you hear the word extra? Maybe as a student, you were able to do some assignments or additional homework for extra credit. Perhaps as an athlete, as punishment, you had to run extra laps. As a parent putting together a toy, have you ever had some extra pieces after you thought you had finished? Extra simply means, “over and above what is usual or normal” (Webster). We live in a world of normality. People want to do just what is required and as little as possible to get by when it comes to work.

Fifty people over the age of 90 were once asked this question: “If you could live your life over again, what would you do differently?” Three answers appeared most frequently: 1. I would reflect more, 2. I would risk more (take more chances), and 3. I would do more things that would live on after I died.

One of the many attractions in Boston, MA is located at Harvard University. In Harvard Yard is a statue of John Harvard, credited with starting the school in 1638. However, the statue is also known by another name, “The statue of three lies.”

Nearly all medicines have a label on them which reads, “use only as directed”. Any rational person has no difficulty understanding and heeding this warning. He understands that the warning is for his own good and that failure to heed it could result in dire consequences.