By Frank Barker. How seriously should we take prayer requests? If Jesus made a prayer request of you as he did of the three, would you take it seriously? Jesus said, "Inasmuch as you did it unto one of the least of these rny brethren, you did it unto me."

By Calvin Miller. Gifts are more blessed to give than to get, says the cliche’. But gifts are seldom given so freely that they don’t result in some bondage.

By Bob Sweet. In our zeal to simplify and reduce things to easily remembered formulas, diagrams, acro­nyms, perhaps we have distilled out the most important ingredient - the heart.

The Bible makes clear that obedience has to do with relationships. Love God. Love my neighbor. And how do I show that love? By obeying what God has said.

By Russ Korth. The proof and value of discipleship is in the reproducing done by those you disciple.

By Bob Sweet. Our percep­tions are not always in sync with reality. Can it be that some of the things we consider “good’’ may not be good - at least for us? And some of the “bad,” could they be good for us?

By Donald E. Hoke. Are you proud of your church? Do you enjoy it, promote it, praise it, defend it? You should! For it is the one institution that Jesus Christ Himself established - it is the only eternal organization in the world. You will spend eternity with its mem­bers.

By David and Kate Kiersten Apple. Philadelphia is a city of contrasts. There is wealth and there is poverty; there is joy and there is sorrow; there is laughter and there is mourning and the area surrounding Tenth Presbyterian Church in Center City Philadelphia is a micro­cosm of these contrasts. The Christian community of Philadelphia is no more immune to the problems of the city than the non-Christian community. Poverty, illiteracy and homelessness exist within the evangelical churches in Philadelphia.

By Debbie Dortzbach. Like a boulder thrown into the calm waters of an alpine lake, the effects of AIDS are rippling to every edge of the worldwide church. As its influ­ence spreads, the impact will not likely be a gentle swell lapping our ecclesiastical shores but rather a tidal wave rushing upon humanity.

By Carl W. Wilson. The matter of personal disciple building in the New Testament manner is also a major part of Christian education that has been neglected but desperately needed. This kind of ministry is hard work and is unappreciated in our world of present values. It is easy to produce spiritual babies, but raising them properly is the hard part.