One of my wife’s third graders was wearing a Fitbit watch, which prompted my wife to ask, “Are you tracking your steps?”

“No,” said the little girl. “I wear this for Mommy so she can show Daddy when he gets home.”

                                                                   —James Avery Readers Digest

Lying seems to be becoming a national pastime, not just for preachers and politicians anymore. You’re right, the Bible has a lot to say about it.

Proverbs 26:28

A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, and a flattering mouth works ruin.

1 Timothy 2:7

for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

I like “Snopes” which is a well-regarded reference for sorting out myths and rumors on the Internet. The site has also been seen as a source for both validating and debunking urban legends and similar stories in American popular culture.

Give it some thought.

Gary

“You’ll never be criticized by someone who is doing more than you. You’ll always be criticized by someone doing less. Remember that.” 

A handful of motivational speakers have misattributed the following quote to film actor, Denzel Washington. However, Snopes found no evidence that Washington ever said those words.

The fact is that, more often than not, it’s the truth. What does the Bible say? Read on.

James 4:11-12 

Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

Be careful as to what comes out of your mouth. Give it some thought.

Gary

No matter how many times a snake sheds its skin it will always be a snake. Remember that before allowing certain people back into your life.

                                                                                           – Author unknown

The meaning is that outward change that doesn’t affect the heart is a useless show. When there is a change of heart, you have a new person. Let me quote from Jesus:

John 3:1-3 

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.  This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 

The new birth is the real thing. It is not just turning over a new leaf.

Give it some thought.

Gary

When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on.                                                                                                            – Franklin D. Roosevelt

There has to be more to life than that kind of philosophy. The Creator must, of necessity, be actively involved in the chaos taking place around us. He must have a hand in all of this confusion. If not, why hang on? Just let go. How many of us have reached out for the hand of God when we came to the end of our rope and found He held on to us tightly! Having only a knot just wouldn’t suffice.

Ephesians 2:10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Isaiah 46:10
Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things that are not yet done,
Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
And I will do all My pleasure,’

Give it some thought.

Gary

“The evolution of the drawing in comic strips is something that you’re not even aware of. I’m not aware that Charlie Brown gets a little fatter, he gets a little thinner.  Snoopy’s nose gets longer, narrower, fatter or shorter . . .”

                                                                           —Charles M. Schulz

We were brought up reading “Peanuts” and didn’t realize the creator was changing things. The comic strip appeared on the scene in 1950 and was a success. Sometimes I identified with Charlie, especially when I messed up or took advice from someone I shouldn’t have and suffered the consequences.

It was created by Charles M. Schulz and entertained us. However, we were created by God and not for entertainment.

Revelation 4:11 

“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they existed and were created.”

We are a wild cast of characters but exist for an eternal purpose. This isn’t funny.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Russia ditches nuclear security amid China visit, ‘dangerous decade’ ahead, expert warns. The headlines can be scary. There was the war to end all wars, WW1. Then some twenty years later there was WW2. Now we look down the barrel of WW3.

Jesus had something to say about wars:

Matthew 24:4-8

Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you.  For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.  You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.  Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.  All these are the beginning of birth pains.

Don’t fear war but serve Him who is in control of it all.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Bob: “Looks like you’ve been missing a lot of work lately.”
Peter: “I wouldn’t say I’ve been missing it, Bob.”
—Bob (Paul Wilson) and Peter (Ron Livingston), Office Space

Unfortunately, for some, work seems to be a problem, but for the child of God, work has an eternal purpose. It can’t save us, but it can give us a better life and an eternal investment that can never be taken away.

1 Thessalonians 4:11

that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12

For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.

For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.

Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.

Work was created by God for you. Adam was told to work.

Genesis 2:15

The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.

Think about it.

Gary