going

The following is reported to have been seen in the window of an English company:

"We have been established for over one hundred years and have been pleasing and displeasing customers ever since. We have made money and lost money, suffered the effects of coal nationalization, coal rationing, government control, and bad payers. We have been cussed and discussed, messed about, lied to, held up, robbed, and swindled. The only reason we stay in business is to see what happens next."

As I read that sign, I couldn't help but think of the apostle Paul who listed all the trials that he experienced in his Christian life:

"I have worked much harder than they. I have been in prison more often. I have been hurt more in beatings. I have been near death many times. Five times the Jews have given me their punishment of thirty-nine lashes with a whip. Three different times I was beaten with rods. One time I was almost stoned to death. Three times I was in ships that wrecked, and one of those times I spent a night and a day in the sea. I have gone on many travels and have been in danger from rivers, thieves, my own people, the Jews, and those who are not Jews. I have been in danger in cities, in places where no one lives, and on the sea. And I have been in danger with false Christians. I have done hard and tiring work, and many times I did not sleep. I have been hungry and thirsty, and many times I have been without food. I have been cold and without clothes. Besides all this, there is on me every day the load of my concern for all the churches." (2 Cor. 11:23b-28).

You almost expect Paul to say, "The only reason I keep serving Christ is to see what happens next." But, a more accurate statement would be: "The reason I keep serving Christ is out of appreciation for all he has done for me."

I raise the simple question: Why do you keep serving Christ, even in the midst of trials and hardships? When things get tough and nobody seems to understand why you persist in your commitment, what keeps you going? Just something for you to think about!

breaking

How do you decide what information to hold back and what to share directly? How about a little story to help us NOT point the way?

Two brothers, John and Richard, lived in the same town -- John with

his 12-year-old cat, Richard with their 88-year-old mother. John's

whole life was his cat. He never went anywhere without her. One day

he was faced with a terrible decision. He had to go to England on

business for his company and he couldn't take the cat into England

with having to quarantine her for 14 days. He wouldn't do that so

he was faced with either losing his job or leaving his cat. Finally

he decided to trust his brother with the cat for the week he would

be gone. He gave Richard detailed instructions, schedules, food,

etc. He flew to London and called Richard every day to make sure

Gracie the cat was OK.

On the fifth day when he called, John asked Richard how Gracie was

and Richard told him. "Gracie is dead." Well, as you can imagine,

John nearly had a heart attack. When he recovered, he said to

Richard, "That was the most cruel thing I ever heard. You know how

much I loved that cat. Why couldn't you have broken it to me

gently? You could have something like, "Well, she's OK, but she's

up on the roof." And then when I called the next time, tell me, "Oh

oh, bad news, she fell off the roof and she's at the vet." And then

the next time break the news that she passed away. At least I would

have been a little prepared for the bad news."

"Yes, you are right John. I apologize for being so heartless." John

accepted Richard's apology for being so uncaring, and then said,

"Oh, by the way, how's Mother?"

Richard said, "Well, John, she's OK, but she's on the roof!"

There are some pieces of information that we just

shouldn't even try to hold back. Talking about Jesus falls into that category. I think of Peter and John who were told to stop preaching about Christ and they said,

We cannot keep quiet. We must speak about what we have seen and

heard. (Acts 4:20, NCV)

Paul said, "Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!" (1 Cor. 9:16b)

You can feel the urgency in their voices through the years and the language barrier! I believe that we need to use tact in talking to people about Christ. But sometimes, we are so worried about offending people that we never get around to saying anything at all!

Break the news. And break it gently if you wish. Just be careful that your message is not so "gentle" that it's of no value at all.

elijah

A couple of stories to illustrate how our children explain what happened in the Bible:

A Sabbath school teacher asked her class why Joseph and Mary took Jesus with them to Jerusalem. A young girl answered: "Because they couldn't get a babysitter."

Another Sunday school teacher was carefully explaining the story of Elijah the prophet and his contest with the false prophets of Baal. She explained how Elijah built the altar, put wood upon it, cut the bull in pieces and laid it upon the altar. Then Elijah commanded the people of God to fill four barrels of water and pour it over the altar. He had them do this three times. "Now," said the teacher, "Can anyone in the class tell me why the Lord had Elijah pour water over the bull on the altar?" A little girl in the back of the room raised her hand with great enthusiasm. "To make the gravy."

It was a good question. Why DID the Lord tell Elijah to pour the water over the altar? The answer is obvious (and it has nothing to do with gravy). The Lord wanted to exhibit His power in an absolutely incredible manner. When God was finished, no one was going to say, "Well, maybe Elijah used a flame he kept tucked away in his cloak." No! The fire from the Lord burnt up the wet sacrifice, the soaked wood, and even the rocks used to build the altar!

If there is any lesson to be learned in this story, it is that our God is a powerful and awesome God!

Though we ourselves may not see displays of God's power like what happened on Mount Carmel, it is comforting to know that the God who hears and answers our prayers is the God who has such power.

"Be exalted, O LORD, in Your own strength! We will sing and praise Your power." (Psalm 21:13)

Praise be to our all-powerful and truly awesome God!

Elijah

A couple of stories to illustrate how our children explain what happened in the Bible:

A Sunday school teacher asked her class why Joseph and Mary took Jesus with them to Jerusalem. A young girl answered: "Because they couldn't get a babysitter."

Another Sunday school teacher was carefully explaining the story of Elijah the prophet and his contest with the false prophets of Baal. She explained how Elijah built the altar, put wood upon it, cut the bull in pieces and laid it upon the altar. Then Elijah commanded the people of God to fill four barrels of water and pour it over the altar. He had them do this three times. "Now," said the teacher, "Can anyone in the class tell me why the Lord had Elijah pour water over the bull on the altar?" A little girl in the back of the room raised her hand with great enthusiasm. "To make the gravy."

It was a good question. Why DID the Lord tell Elijah to pour the water over the altar? The answer is obvious (and it has nothing to do with gravy). The Lord wanted to exhibit His power in an absolutely incredible manner. When God was finished, no one was going to say, "Well, maybe Elijah used a flame he kept tucked away in his cloak." No! The fire from the Lord burnt up the wet sacrifice, the soaked wood, and even the rocks used to build the altar!

If there is any lesson to be learned in this story, it is that our God is a powerful and awesome God!

Though we ourselves may not see displays of God's power like what happened on Mount Carmel, it is comforting to know that the God who hears and answers our prayers is the God who has such power.

"Be exalted, O LORD, in Your own strength! We will sing and praise Your power." (Psalm 21:13)

Praise be to our all-powerful and truly awesome God!

....conquered

Here are some sayings that you may or may not be familiar with:

Veni, Vidi, Vici -- I came, I saw, I conquered

Veni, Vidi, Verily -- I came, I saw, I concurred

Veni, Vidi, Vista -- I came, I saw, what a great view!

Veni, Vidi, Venison -- I came, I saw, I ran over a deer

Veni, Vidi, Velcro -- I came, I saw; I stuck around

Veni, Vidi, Visa -- I came, I saw, I went shopping

Veni, Vidi, Vegi -- I came, I saw, I had a salad

Veni, Vidi, VCR -- I came, I saw, I went home and rented the video

Veni, Vidi, Vinny -- I came, I saw, I got an offer I couldn't refuse

Veni, Vidi, DaVinci -- I came, I saw, I painted the Sistine Chapel

Veni, Vipi, Vici -- I came, I'm a very important person, I conquered

Allow me to add one more:

Veni, Vidi, Dei Vici -- I came, I saw, God conquered

Remember the 12 spies sent into the land of Canaan? Ten came back and said, "There's no way we can conquer this land! The people are too big and too strong! Let's go back to Egypt!"

Only Joshua and Caleb had faith that God would keep his promise. Their attitude was, "We came, we saw, and we are confident that God will conquer."

"But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; and they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying: 'The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, "a land which flows with milk and honey."'" (Numbers 14:6-8)

How about you? Ever felt like a grasshopper compared to some of the obstacles you face? If the Lord is on your side (or more accurately, if you are on the Lord's side), though, the victory will be yours.

Veni, Vidi, Dei Vici!

..............candle

A circus owner walked into a restaurant to see everyone crowded around a table watching a little show. On the table was an upside down pot and a duck tap dancing on it.

The circus owner was so impressed that he offered to buy the duck from its owner. After some wheeling and dealing they settled for $10,000 for the duck and the pot.

Three days later the circus owner runs back to the restaurant in anger, "Your duck is a rip-off! I put him on the pot before a whole audience and he didn't dance a single step!"

"So?" asked the duck's former owner, "did you remember to light the candle under the pot?"

Well, that might be one reason that someone would put a lighted candle under a pot, but that's not what candles are for! As Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, candles are meant to "give light to all who are in the house." In like manner, our Christian lives are to "shine before men." (Matt. 5:16-17). The reason is that we are to be a positive influence on others around us.

We sometimes speak of a "secret Christian" as if that's a possibility. The truth is, unless our lives are reflecting the light of Jesus Christ, we're not living Christian lives at all. If we don't influence the world around us for Christ, the world will influence us.  

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth)." (Eph. 5:8-9).

Did you remember to light your candle?

......merry

The following story is reported to be true, but cannot be verified:

After the "Cold War" was over, a squadron of Russian pilots was invited to participate in tactical war games at a U.S. Air Force base. A gala dinner was planned by the Base Commander. Thinking to relax the guests, he offered a WW II toast to open the meal. Smiling, he lifted his glass and said, in Russian, "Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow you may die."

The Russian pilots became very quiet and they hardly ate; most left quite early. Thinking they didn't care for the food, the Commander asked a Russian pilot what went wrong.

"Well, comrade commander," he said, "I thought it was going well until your toast. I don't know what you were meaning to say, but what came out was 'Feast, drink and make happy, for tomorrow we will kill you'."

No matter how you translate it, it doesn't make for good advice to live by, though it certainly fits in with our culture's view of the purpose of life. "Live it up! We're all going to die soon, and you can't enjoy anything beyond the grave, so just focus on bringing yourself pleasure without regard to what is right or wrong."

It sounds very modern, but it's been around a long, long time. In fact, Paul said it was a philosophy that might make sense if there was no hope of a resurrection for us.

"If the dead do not rise, 'Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!'" (I Cor. 15:32b)

But knowing that there will be a resurrection and a judgment and an eternity to follow, we know that there has to be more to guide our lives than just the satisfaction of personal pleasure.

So go ahead and eat and drink (and even make merry), but be careful not to take God out of the picture, for tomorrow you may die.

? rain

A store manager overheard a clerk saying to a customer, "No, ma'am, we haven't had any for some weeks now, and it doesn't look as if we'll be getting any soon." 

Alarmed, the manager rushed over to the customer who was walking out the door and said, "That isn't true, ma'am. Of course, we'll have some soon. In fact, we placed an order for it a couple of weeks ago." 

Then the manager drew the clerk aside and growled, "Never, never, never, never say we don't have something. If we don't have it, say we ordered it and it's on its way. Now, what was it she wanted?" 

"Rain."

As much as we'd like to think that we can provide everything that others might need, the truth is we cannot. There are some things only God can provide.

Maybe you've been in one of those situations lately. Perhaps you have a family member who has been going through a serious illness. Or maybe you have a child away at college who is experiencing some trials and is feeling very alone. Or maybe you have a friend who is going through some tough times in her marriage.  

There are some small things you can do to help, but ultimately you feel helpless because you can't provide what they really need. And so you pray to God, because there are some things only God can provide. We sometimes make the mistake of thinking, "That's the least I can do." No, that's the most we can do. We have a God who can provide what we cannot. Keep that in mind today if you're feeling inadequate to meet the needs of everyone around you.  

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us...." (Eph. 3:20).

diversity

How many dogs does it take to change a light bulb?

Golden Retriever: The sun is shining. The day is young. We've got our

whole lives ahead of us. And you're inside worrying about a stupid,

burned-out light bulb?

Border Collie: Just one. Not only that, but I'll replace any wiring that's

not up to code.

Dachshund: I can't reach the lamp!

Toy Poodle: I'll just talk sweet to the Border collie and he'll do it. By

the time he finishes rewiring the house, my nails will be dry.

Rottweiler: Go ahead! Make me!

Lab: Oh, me, me!!! Pleeeeeeze let me change the light bulb! Can I? Can

I? Huh? Huh? Can I?

Malamute: Let the Border collie do it. You can feed me while he's busy.

Doberman Pinscher: While it's dark, I'm going to sleep on the couch.

Chihuahua: Yo quiero Taco Bulb.

Pointer: I see it, there it is, right there...

Greyhound: It isn't moving. Who cares?

Australian Shepherd: Put all the light bulbs in a little circle...

Old English Sheep Dog: Light bulb? I'm sorry, but I don't see a light bulb.

Hound Dog: ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

It's obvious that dogs are different. They have different personalities, they excel in different areas. Some have great hunting skills, others have great herding skills, still others are ideal playmates for our children.

It's also obvious that Christians are different. We have different personalities, we excel in different areas. Some have great leadership skills, others have great communication skills, still others are ideal teachers of our children.

Our goal is not to be exactly like every other Christian. Our goal is to take whatever gifts God has given us and use them to His glory.

"But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be? But now indeed there are many members, yet one body." (I Cor.

12:18-20)

Praise be to God for his ability to use our diversity within the body of Christ!

-alan smith

....obvious

A woman had a problem -- her husband was a loud snorer and kept her awake at night. So she called the doctor one morning, and asked him if there was anything he could do to help out with the problem.

"Well, there is one operation I can perform that will cure your husband, but it is really rather expensive. It will cost $1000 down, and payments of $450 for 24 months, plus payments for extras."

"Oh my!" the woman exclaimed, "sounds like leasing a new sports car!"

"Hmm," the doctor murmured, "too obvious, huh?"

Some things are rather obvious and can't be hidden. Do you recall what the Jewish leaders said when they saw "the boldness of Peter and John"? At first they were confused because they realized that these were "uneducated and untrained men." But then it came to them:

"They realized that they had been with Jesus." (Acts 4:13)

It was pretty obvious. In fact, it stood out like a sore thumb. I merely raise this question for you to think about this weekend -- is it obvious to folks around you as to why you behave the way that you do? Is it readily to apparent to others that you are someone who "spends time with Jesus"? May you live in such a way that it is all too obvious!

understands

There's a man trying to cross the street. As he steps off the curb, a car comes screaming around the corner and heads straight for him. The man walks faster, trying to hurry across the street, but the car changes lanes and is still coming at him.

So the guy turns around to go back, but the car changes lanes again and is still coming at him.

By now, the car is so close and the man so scared that he just freezes and stops in the middle of the road.

The car gets real close, then swerves at the last possible moment and screeches to a halt right next him.

The driver rolls down the window.

The driver is a squirrel.

The squirrel says to the man says, "See, it's not as easy as it looks, is it?"

There have been times when I've discovered that experiencing something is more difficult than it looks. For example, when I was younger, I was full of ideas on how parents ought to be raising their children. However, after having three of my own, I've discovered that "it’s not as easy as it looks."  

Maybe there was a time when you thought someone ought to be handling a divorce or a death in the family better than they do. But after experiencing it for yourself, you found out that "it's not as easy as it looks."

Sometimes there's no way to know what it feels like to go through something without actually experiencing it yourself. That's why the incarnation is so important. There's no way we can say to God, "Living here on this earth -- it's not as easy as it looks!" God knows. He's taken on flesh and blood and walked this earth. He's experienced temptation, frustration, persecution, disappointment and a host of human emotions. He knows how tough it is. He understands. And that's why He is in a position to be of help to us.

"For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Heb. 4:15-16)

It's true. Living life on this earth is "not as easy as it looks." But may you find comfort today in knowing that God understands that more that you can begin to imagine.

owe

Here are some sports quotes reported from England:

"And here's Moses Kiptanui, the 19-year-old Kenyan, who turned 20 a few weeks ago." (David Coleman)

"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite." (Murray Walker)

After playing Cameroon in the 1990 world cup finals: "We didn't underestimate them. They were just a lot better than we thought." (Bobby Robson)

"I was in a no-win situation, so I'm glad that I won rather than lost." (Frank Bruno)

"The lead car is absolutely unique, except for the one behind it which is identical." (Murray Walker)

"There have been injuries and deaths in boxing, but none of them serious." (Alan Minter)

"Just under 10 seconds for Nigel Mansel. Call it 9.5 seconds in round numbers." (Murray Walker)

"I'll fight Lloyd Honeyghan for nothing if the price is right." (Marlon Starling)

"If history repeats itself, I should think we can expect the same thing again." (Terry Venables)

"The Queen's Park Oval, exactly as its name suggests, is absolutely round." (Tony Crozier)

"I owe a lot to my parents, especially my mother and father." (Greg Norman)

Like Greg Norman, we all owe our parents a great deal. We're mindful not only of the physical needs which they met, but such things as the love they have shown, the example they have set, and the chastisement they have administered (yes, even the chastisement). I owe my parents all of these things, and so much more. Perhaps most meaningful were the words of wisdom which guided me in the right direction (though not always appreciated at the time). The words of Solomon speak to me:

"My son, keep your father's commands, and don't forget your mother's teaching. Keep their words in mind forever as though you had them tied around your neck. They will guide you when you walk. They will guard you when you sleep. They will speak to you when you are awake. These commands are like a lamp; this teaching is like a light. And the correction that comes from them will help you have life." (Prov. 6:20-23, NCV).

Say a special prayer of thanks to God for your parents -- especially your mother and father!

-alan smith

push

A man is in bed with his wife when there is knocking on the door. He rolls over and looks at his clock. It's half past three in the morning.

"I'm not getting out of bed at this time," he thinks, and rolls over.

Then, a louder knock follows. "Aren't you going to answer that?" says his wife.

So he drags himself out of bed, and goes downstairs. He opens the door and there is a man standing at the door. It doesn't take the homeowner long to realize the man is drunk.

"Hi there," slurs the stranger, "Can you give me a push?"

"No, get lost, it's half past three. I was in bed," says the man and slams the door.

He goes back up to bed and tells his wife what happened and she says "Dave, that wasn't very nice of you. Remember that night we broke down in the pouring rain on the way to pick the kids up from the baby-sitter and you had to knock on that man's house to get us started again? What would have happened if he'd told us to get lost?"

"But the guy was drunk," says the husband.

"It doesn't matter," says the wife. "He needs our help and it would be the Christian thing to help him."

So the husband gets out of bed again, gets dressed, and goes downstairs. He opens the door, and not being able to see the stranger anywhere he shouts, "Hey, do you still want a push?" and he hears a voice cry out, "Yeah, please!"

Still being unable to see the stranger, he shouts: "Where are you?"

The stranger replies: "I'm over here, on your swing."

There are times we all need a little push from one another. In fact, that's one of the reasons that we gather together in worship. We could praise God alone, but we have the opportunity to encourage one another every time we meet together.

"And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." (Heb. 10:24-25)

It's not just reserved for Saturdays, though. 

Know anybody that needs a push today?

-alan smith

left

ittle Bobby was spending the weekend with his grandmother. His grandmother decided to take him to the park on Saturday morning. It had been snowing all night and everything was beautiful.

His grandmother remarked, "Doesn't it look like an artist painted this scenery? Did you know God painted this just for you?"

Bobby said, "Yes, God did it and he did it left-handed."

This confused his grandmother a bit, and she asked him, "What makes you say God did this with his left hand?"

"Well," said Bobby, "we learned at Sunday School last week that Jesus sits on God's right hand!"

Indeed he does! "[God] worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come." (Ephesians 1:20-21)

The Hebrew writer tells us that such is an indication that Christ is far greater than any of the angels (1:3-4).

Paul tells us in Romans 8:34 that Christ makes intercession for us while he is there at the right hand of God.

Jesus sits on God's right hand. That doesn't mean God is left-handed, but it does tell us just how magnificent Christ is!

-alan smith

? mine

It was the usual muddy day in the country. The first grade teacher, Miss Brown, had just finished putting the 36th boot on the 18th pair of little feet and was anxious to finish the last pair so she could go to lunch.

The last pair of boots was for little Johnny Smith, a quiet boy. Miss Brown had a very difficult time getting his boots on as they were a bit too small for his growing feet, but she finally won the battle.

To her dismay, little Johnny looked blandly up into her face and announced, "Teacher, these boots aren't mine." In a hurry, but 

wanting to be kind, Miss Brown groaned, but with grim gentleness removed the boots and straightened her aching back.

Whereupon Johnny continued, "They're my little brother's, but Mommy said I could wear them to school today."

I feel like little Johnny because I, too, can say, "These aren't my boots. These aren't my clothes. This isn't my house. This isn't my car." As a child of God, I recognize that everything in my possession belongs to Him, and He has merely allowed me to use them for a while.

"For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills." (Psa. 50:10)

The word the Bible often uses to describe this relationship is the word "steward." In the first century, a steward was a servant who was left in charge of the household. Everything in the house was his to use, but he was also held responsible and had to give an account for what had been done with it.

It makes a tremendous difference in my perspective to realize that all I have belongs to God. He has merely given me these things to use for a while (and then I have to give an account). Listen to these words by William How which we often sing:

"We give Thee but Thine own,

Whate'er the gift may be:

All that we have is Thine alone,

A trust, O Lord, from Thee."

"But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, and of Your own we have given You." (I Chron. 29:14-15)

mind

In an effort to comply with the Humor Fairness Board, the joke used in today's TFTD has been "adjusted." We hope that this adjustment will prevent complaints from those of you who may have a certain hair color. :-)

A preacher is driving down the road. He notices that he's low on gas so he stops at the gas station. While he's pumping his gas, he notices that he has locked his keys in the car. So when he goes inside to pay, he asks the attendant for a coat hanger so he can attempt to open the door himself.

He goes outside and begins to jimmy the lock. Ten minutes later, the attendant goes outside to see how the preacher is faring.

The preacher outside the car is moving the hanger around and around, while the preacher inside the car is saying, "A little more to the left... a little more to the right!!"

I've seen the same thing happen, and I suspect you have as well -- in the workplace or in the church. There always seems to be someone who sits back and says to everyone, "Do it this way" or "Do it that way". And you wonder, "Why doesn't he get up and lend a hand? The work would get done a lot faster if he would help out instead of just giving instructions!"

Encouraging others can be valuable, but there comes a time when we need to stop encouraging with words and start encouraging by rolling up our sleeves and joining in.

Nehemiah had an awesome task of trying to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. He faced many obstacles, but one of the keys to his success is found in Nehemiah 4:6: "So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work."

The people had a mind to work! What a great spirit! Half of them stood guard while the other half worked in construction, but everyone pitched in.

May you be seen by those around you as one who truly has "a mind to work"!

?tongue

It was a particularly tough football game, and nerves were on edge. The home team had been the victim of three or four close calls, and they were now trailing the visitors by a touchdown and a field goal. When the official called yet another close one in the visitors' favor, the home quarterback blew his top.

"How many times can you do this to us in a single game?" he screamed. "You were wrong on the out-of-bounds call, you were wrong on that last holding call, and you failed to say anything about a late hit in the first quarter."

The official just stared. The quarterback seethed, but he tried to suppress language that might get him tossed out of the game. "What it comes down to," he bellowed, "is that YOU STINK!"

The official stared a few more seconds. Then he bent down, picked up the ball, paced off 15 yards, and put the ball down. He turned to face the steaming quarterback. "And how do I smell from here?" he asked.

There are so many times when it is hard to "bite the tongue" and say nothing. The urge to say "something" seems so overpowering that the words sometimes erupt before we have a chance to think them through. Unfortunately, those words have consequences. The minor offenses result in 15-yard penalties. The more serious offenses result in years of regret and heartache, or perhaps broken relationships that take years to rebuild. No wonder James had such strong words of praise concerning the person who is always able to control what he says (James 3:2).

"He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive." (Prov. 17:27-28)

May your words today be few, calm, and carefully thought out.

hear

A Native American and his friend were in downtown New York City, walking near Times Square in Manhattan. It was during the noon lunch hour and the streets were filled with people. Cars were honking their horns, taxicabs were squealing around corners, sirens were wailing, and the sounds of the city were almost deafening. Suddenly, the Native American said, "I hear a cricket."

His friend said, "What? You must be crazy. You couldn't possibly hear a cricket in all of this noise!"

"No, I'm sure of it," the Native American said, "I heard a cricket."

"That's crazy," said the friend.

The Native American listened carefully for a moment, and then walked across the street to a big cement planter where some shrubs were growing. He looked into the bushes, beneath the branches, and sure enough, he located a small cricket. His friend was utterly amazed.

"That's incredible," said his friend. "You must have super-human ears!"

"No," said the Native American. "My ears are no different from yours. It all depends on what you're listening for."

"But that can't be!" said the friend. "I could never hear a cricket in this noise."

"Yes, it's true," came the reply. "It depends on what is really important to you. Here, let me show you."

He reached into his pocket, pulled out a few coins, and discreetly dropped them on the sidewalk. And then, with the noise of the crowded street still blaring in their ears, they noticed every head within twenty feet turn and look to see if the money that tinkled on the pavement was theirs.

"See what I mean?" asked the Native American. "It all depends on what's important to you."

What's important to you? What do you listen for? Are there times that you fail to listen to God or see what God is doing in your life because you are focused on other things that are more important to you?

Jesus said, "For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear." (Matt. 13:15-16)

trade

Another of those “stupid criminals”:

A man walked into a convenience store, put a $20 bill on the counter and asked for change. When the clerk opened the drawer, the man pulled a gun and asked for all the cash in the register.

The man took the cash from the clerk and fled, leaving his $20 bill on the counter.

So how much did he get from the drawer? Fifteen bucks.

How often have we done the same thing, given up something of value in an attempt to get something else of even more value, only to be disappointed in what we ended up with?

Remember Esau? He left his birthright on the counter as he grabbed a bowl of stew and ran! Not a smart trade!

Any time we trade God's favor for the popularity of men, we do the same thing. Any time we trade an eternity with God to "live for the moment", we do the same thing. Any time we trade our character and reputation for a few minutes of passion or pleasure, we do the same thing.

"Be careful that no one fails to receive God's grace....Be careful that no one takes part in sexual sin or is like Esau and never thinks about God. As the oldest son, Esau would have received everything from his father, but he sold all that for a single meal." (Hebrews 12:15a,16, NCV)

Don't make any foolish trades today. Hold on to that which is most important.

trees

The following article is entitled "All I Need To Know About Life I Learned From Trees" (author unknown)

It's important to have roots.

In today's complex world, it pays to branch out.

Don't pine away over old flames.

If you really believe in something, don't be afraid to go out on a limb.

Be flexible so you don't break when a harsh wind blows.

Sometimes you have to shed your old bark in order to grow.

If you want to maintain accurate records, keep a log.

To be politically correct, don't wear firs.

Grow where you're planted.

It's perfectly okay to be a late bloomer.

Avoid people who would like to cut you down.

Get all spruced up when you have a hot date.

If the party gets boring, just leaf.

You can't hide your true colors as you approach the autumn of your life.

It's more important to be honest than poplar.

Those are some good lessons. They reminded me of some other lessons taught in Psalm 1:

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper." (Psalm 1:1-3)

The godly man, like a tree, is planted -- he's got his roots put down deep, he's fortified, stable. Second, he bears fruit -- he develops godlike qualities in his character and life. Third, he doesn't wither -- he is able to survive under all circumstances, even days of difficulty.

May your spiritual life take on the qualities on a tree