In one of the “All in the Family” episodes that aired some years ago, Edith and Archie are attending Edith’s high school class reunion. Edith encounters an old classmate by the name of Buck who had now become excessively obese. Edith and Buck have a delightful conversation about old times and the things that they did together, but remarkably, Edith does not seem to notice how extremely heavy Buck has become. Later, when Edith and Archie are talking, she says in her whiny voice, “Archie, ain’t Buck a beautiful person?” Archie looks at her with a disgusted expression and says, “You’re a pip, Edith. You know that? You and I look at the same guy- you see a beautiful person, and I see a blimp.” Edith gets a puzzled expression on her face and says something unknowingly profound, “Yeah, ain’t it too bad?”

The Bible is very clear about not looking on the outward appearance. Case in point is the choice of David for the future king of Israel.

1 Samuel 16:6-7

When they entered, he looked at Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before Him.” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

His picture was included in his obituary and I recalled how many had made fun of him. He was a good person and loved people much more than they loved him. It’s too bad everyone didn’t see what a good person he was.

Think about it.

Gary

According to John MacArthur, some years ago, the Mayo Clinic stated that statistically 80 to 85 percent of their total case load was ill, either in reality or artificially, due directly to mental stress. Also, according to MacArthur, not too long ago, there appeared an article in a leading medical journal entitled, “Is Stress the Cause of All Disease?” in which the author says that at the beginning of the century, bacteria were considered to be the center of attention. Today, however, mental stress has replaced bacteria.

Some hope is found in Scripture for such malady:

Isaiah 26:3

You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.

Rom. 8:6

For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Proverbs 12:25

Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression,
But a good word makes it glad.

Control your head by giving God access to your heart.

Think about it.

Gary

I always wanted to tell jokes, but I had pretty severe social anxiety. So, I wrote the jokes down on pieces of paper and taped the paper to frisbees. Then, I threw the frisbees at passersby so they could read my jokes.

The trouble was, most of them flew right over their heads.

–       Unknown author

Here is a list of verses that revealed how much went over the head of the listener:

Matthew 22:29

But Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God.

John 21:23

Therefore this saying went out among the brethren that that disciple would not die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but only, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?”

Look up; there might be something important going right over your head.

Think about it.

Gary

A professor asked one of his students by the name of Ralph why he was so considerate of others.

“Oh,” Ralph said, “during the war, I guess.”  Then he told the professor about his tour of duty in Vietnam, about how it was his job to clear mine fields, and how he watched his friends blow up before his eyes, one after another.  “I learned to live between steps,” he said.  “I never knew whether the next one would be my last, so I learned to get everything I could out of the moment between when I picked up my foot and when I put it down again.  Every step I took was a whole new world, and I guess I’ve just been that way ever since.”

The abundance of our lives is not determined by how long we live, but how well we live.  Christ makes abundant life possible if we choose to live it now.

         Barbara Brown Taylor, Clarkesville, Georgia

The Bible is full of information about a world seeded by landmines. They can come in the form of alcohol, drugs, relationships, failures, unbelief, and calamities beyond one’s control. However, here are some thoughts on steps from God’s Word:

Psalm 37:23

The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in His way;

2 Samuel 22:37

You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip;

Job 34:21

“For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees all his steps.

Let the Lord in on what you’re doing because your next step could be your last.

Give it some thought.

Gary

A group called A Point of Grace did this song in 2010.

“A Good Place to Turn Around”

Devil’s highway he’s right beside me,
Whispering in my ear.
He drew the map and set the trap,
But I’m the one that got me here,
Made a mess of my whole life,
Burned every bridge I crossed.
Am I too far gone? Which way is home?
How did I get so lost?

I’m looking for a good place to turn around
And get off this road that I’m headed down.
I’ve gotta find some peace of mind.
Lord, send a sign somehow.
I just need a good place to turn around.

The Bible answers that terrible situation experienced by so many on our planet.

2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

2 Timothy 2:25

in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,

Romans 2:4

Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

Get off that road. Turn around and face God.

Give it some thought.

Gary

A few years ago I was captivated by a book title and ordered the book.  It was called, The Contagious Congregation by George Hunter.  I wanted to be a part of that kind of church that was so infected with the love of God in Jesus Christ that we would be contagious and others would catch what we have.  I looked forward with anticipation to reading the book.  Ironically, when the package arrived, I opened it quickly, only to discover a mistake.  The bookstore did not send the book The Contagious Congregation; they sent a book titled, The Contentious Congregation!  What is on the book cover of our lives: CONTAGIOUS or CONTENTIOUS?

Ronald J. Hipwell, Westmont United Methodist Church, Johnstown, Pennsylvania July 98

The Bible says a lot about that particular malady infecting the churches:

2 Corinthians 12:20

For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults;

Proverbs 18:19

A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a castle.

Like Barney Fife would say, “We need to nip this in the bud.”

Give it some thought.

Gary

“You’re So Vain” is a song written in 1971 by American singer and songwriter Carly Simon. Unfortunately, the song was popular because many of that generation thought it referred to us or someone we knew. Here is a stanza. (I’ve given you the meaning of a word I was unfamiliar with.)

You walked into the party like you were walking onto a yacht
Your hat strategically dipped below one eye
Your scarf it was apricot
You had one eye in the mirror, as you watched yourself gavotte (a medium-paced French dance, popular in the 18th century)

And all the girls dreamed that they’d be your partner
They’d be your partner and

You’re so vain
You probably think this song is about you

Over 3000 years before the ink was dried on this song, Solomon had something to say about the subject of vanity:

Ecclesiastes 1:14

I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.

Ecclesiastes 11:10

Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.

How do you measure the amount of vanity in your life? Let the spirit of the book of Ecclesiastics scan it. You’ll see the results.

Think about it.

Gary