Think About It

Last Saturday night, there was a lot of scary stuff.   On Halloween night there were a lot of really odd and some pretty disturbing characters walking around on our streets.   While I realize Halloween was, mostly, a community sanctioned good time, it got me to thinking about some of the real scary stuff that happens in our communities.   The violence, injustice and oppression that can pop up in our neighbors is not innocent fun and should not be encouraged.   I find it interesting that the restoration of the Jewish nation thousands of years ago was closely affiliated with avoiding the dangerous living that seems to have played an influence in the exile of God’s chosen people.   The Lord promised, “For if you truly amend your ways and your deeds, if you truly practice justice between a man and his neighbor, if you do not oppress the alien, the orphan, or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, nor walk after other gods to your own ruin, then...

How important is the 1 st Amendment to the United States Constitution to us?   Several things are protected by this addendum to the constitution – including freedom of the press, the right to free speech, freedom to assemble and a chance to freely confront the government.   Yet, there is one more liberty that is covered – the freedom of religion.   The text of the document actually states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof …”.   That sounded good to the revolutionaries and it feels good today.   However, I want to ask something – are we practicing this freedom?   I know a lot of people who practice the freedom NOT to worship, but what are we missing out on when we don’t openly and frequently worship the Lord?   Please do not misunderstand my point – I am not taking some political side in a debate, I am encouraging us to get out there and do something that is protected by law...

Would we consider ourselves joyous people?   That seems like a rather odd question, but I think it is one that is worth pondering.   Are we people of joy? It is tempting to look at our surroundings and assess our demeanor by our circumstances, but I was reminded of the proactive nature of this quality when I read, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4).   In essence, joy isn’t something that comes to us, it is something we can go out and find.   While it can be something that may need some substantial work, I think there are some quick and simple things we can do to enhance our joy      Smile.   When we look in the mirror, do we see a smile or a grimace?   Not only will a smile help others, it will set the tone for our own demeanor.      List our blessings.   Periodically, each day, stop and just take an inventory of the good that we see around us. ·      ...

I don’t really know too much about William Penn – other than they named a state after him – but the other day I came upon a quote of his.   Now, please be a bit patient with me because I will quote the saying as it was written by the 17 th Century Quaker, “In marriage do thou be wise: prefer the person before money, virtue before beauty, the mind before the body; then thou hast a wife, a friend, a companion, a second self.”   Mr. Penn has been gone for over 300 years, but I think his insights are still as applicable today as they were three centuries ago.   We live in a world that tends to value superficial qualities and those preferences are tempting in every aspect of life, even our relationships.   It is easy to assess things and people by exterior qualities, but all too often these things are superficial.   The qualities that make the best impact are those that are often found by looking deep beneath the surface.   What are we teaching the next g...

What talent has the Lord given you?   It is easy to just kind of breeze past that question – kind of thinking, “Yeah, okay, I guess I have a talent.”; but for a moment I’d like us to go back and give some serious consideration to that question.   What can I do?   Now, just in case you might be wrestling with this quandary, I would like us to remember what the Bible tells us, “For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.   Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.” (Romans 12:4-8).   The reason I bring th...

Do you ever get stressed out?   There are some of you who might not have a clue as to what that feels like, but others of us are well-aware of the feeling.   If you are one of the non-stress folks, you might dismiss the feeling and even offer a bit of biblical advice, “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34).   I realize that is not only good advice, it is also godly advice; but that may be easier for some than others.   So what can we do to temper those stressful moments?   Here are a couple thoughts: ·        When you start to feel the pressure of stress – go find something to take your mind off of the stressor.   It might not alleviate the problem, but it might divert (and calm) your mind for a bit. ·        Stay away from reminders of the stressor.   For example if you are waiting on word about something...