A store manager hears his clerk tell a customer, “No, ma’am, we haven’t had any for a while, and it doesn’t look as if we’ll be getting any soon.”

Horrified, the manager came running over to the customer and said, “Of course, we’ll have some soon. We placed an order last week.” Then the manager drew the clerk aside. “Never,” he snarled, “never, never, never say we’re out of anything–say we’ve got it on order and it’s coming. Now, what was it she wanted?”

“Rain,” said the clerk.

                                              (Source: James Dent, in Charleston, W.V. Gazette.)

Proverbs 12:22 

Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are His delight.

Psalm 101:7 

No one who practices deceit shall dwell in My house; no one who utters lies shall continue before My eyes.

Proverbs 12:19 

Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

Tell the truth even when it hurts. Give it some thought.

Gary

A young woman said to her pastor, “I have become aware of a sin in my life which I cannot control. Every time I am at church I begin to look around at the other women, and I realize that I am the prettiest one in the whole congregation. None of the others can compare with my beauty. What can I do about this sin?”

 The pastor replied, “Martha, that’s not a sin, why that’s just a mistake!”

                                                                                 (Source: Family Times)

Being haughty is a sin that appears in the Scripture and in all places where human beings congregate.

Numbers 16:3

And they assembled against Moses and Aaron, saying to them, “You take too much upon yourselves, seeing that the whole community is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the community of the Lord?” 

Proverbs 6:16-17

There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to Him:    haughty eyes…,

Give it some thought the next time you believe yourself to be the sharpest knife in the drawer.

Gary

He knew it was coming, so he made a plan concerning his tombstone. It read, “Death is just one more thing to cross off my to-do list.”

One of my friends said, “Gary, I want you to have my funeral.”

 I replied, “You do your part and I’ll do mine.”

This is a sure thing so plan ahead.

Ecclesiastes 12:7 

And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

Hebrews 9:27 

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,

Psalm 146:4 

When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish.

Are you ready? Give it some serious thought.

Gary

We were driving through town when I saw a contraption containing a motor with a seat and a parachute strapped on it. I said, “Hey, Paula, can I buy that thing?  Look it has a for sale sign.” I can’t remember her exact words, but it translates to, “Grow up and act your age.” You have a position in this community.” I was deflated, but as usual, she was protecting me from myself.

When my grandsons were young, they would sing the song, “Dumb Ways to Die.” If I had bought that contraption, they could have sung that at my funeral service.

How should we die? Good question.

Romans 14:8 

For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. 

Psalm 116:15

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”

No, I don’t want to go to my eternal rest because of a failed parachute, but I desire to go in service to the Lord.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Cribbage was my game of choice in high school. It was an afterschool time-killer which I played with a girl in the neighborhood. On many a ball trip, the cribbage board was on a seat in the bus with someone yelling,” I will take on the winner.” It was one game I was well-above-average in. What did the game accomplish in my life? Nothing, I guess. Like so many games in life, it is just a way to waste time. I still play some of them and often feel bad about the time wasted.

Does the Bible address the subject? Glad you asked.

Ephesians 5:16-17

Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Psalm 90:12

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Hosea 10:12

Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.

Let’s cut down our time with foolish games and get into the real game of faith.

Think about it.

Gary

I’m not weird; I’m a limited edition.

Genesis 1:27 

So God created man in His own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female He created them.

Psalm 139:13-14 

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well.

Isaiah 43:7 

Everyone who is called by My name, whom I created for My glory, whom I formed and made.”

Give it some thought.

Gary

I couldn’t believe the statement he made, “Here I am! What are your other two wishes?”

Listen carefully to me; there are individuals whom you just don’t want in your life. They will rob you of your potential. They will consume your energy. They are not your friends.

Psalm 57:6 

They set a net for my steps; my soul was bowed down. They dug a pit in my way, but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah

Psalm 71:10

For my enemies speak concerning me; those who watch for my life consult together 

Psalm 23:5 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Give it some thought and be watchful.

Gary