Ecclesiastes 12:10

   Have you noticed how many people are getting in trouble for things they said?  The modern media has become an attacking watchdog for what people say.  If you slip up and say something that doesn't fit into the current thinking, be prepared to face the consequences.  Sports stars, celebrity cooks, politicians, clothing designers, radio hosts, and comedians have all recently been vilified for their comments.  For a country with a founding principle of free speech, it seems we like making people pay when they say something they shouldn't .     Freedom to speak does not however mean freedom from the consequences of speech.  We may have a legal right to say what we want but that doesn't mean our speech will not cost us .  Jesus told us in Matthew 12:36-37, " But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment.  For by yo...

Would you rather go to a party or to a funeral?  Pretty easy choice you might think.  Now before you answer let us consider the scriptures. Ecclesiastes 7:2-5 says  “It is better to go to a house of mourning Than to go to a house of feasting, Because that is the end of every man, And the living takes it to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, For when a face is sad a heart may be happy.  The mind of the wise is in the house of mourning, While the mind of fools is in the house of pleasure.  It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise man Than for one to listen to the song of fools” .     Here we are told that we might be better served at the funeral.   The house of mourning reminds us that our days are few; while the house of feasting just entertains .  Those that surround themselves only with pleasure, never consider that the party might end sooner than they think.      This passage remind...

Quick question, what other name was Thomas the disciple also called?     The Bible tells us that Thomas is also called Didymus (John 11:16, John 20:24, John 21:2).  I would hazard a guess that the first thing that came to your mind however was Doubting Thomas.  That moniker isn't in the scripture but has been given to him because of the events Of John 20:24-29.  Here Thomas refuses to believe that Jesus was resurrected until he sees the physical proof that the other apostles received (John 20:20).  Jesus does appear and shows him just what he asked for.  Because of this event, Thomas has been singled out as a Doubter.  I’m not sure that this is all that fair[1].  Other disciples were not so sure even when they had met the resurrected Jesus (Luke 24:37-40).  In fact, all the apostles got scolded for not believing the witnesses to his resurrection (Mark 16:13-14).  So why then does Thomas get the “doubting” nickname? ...

  It was my parents fault.  The doctor told me it was OK.   That preacher is unfriendly.  I ’ m just big boned.  The ref blew the call.  It ’ s all those food additives.  Someone must have sent me computer virus.  My clubs are old.  The sun was in my eyes.  Those teachers must not be doing their jobs.  They must have sent the wrong thing.  The dog ate my homework.  It must have got lost in the mail.  The elders upset me.  If I only had better players.  If we only had a better coach.  It the Demolicans (or Rebblicrats) fault.  It’s not my fault.   Excuses.  Everyone has one.  Some excuses are good, some not so much.  Some excuses are valid.  Others not so much.  But let me tell you something: No matter how good your excuse is it won ’ t do you any good.   Your excuse won ’ t win you the game, get your assignment in on time, or correct yo...

Monday morning scattershooting while wondering, if Walker Texas Ranger was the first reality television show?     My friend Monte Ginnings often would say to me, “ there is no right way to do the wrong thing; however there is a wrong way to do the right thing” .  That axiom is very true when it comes to church work.  I see a lot of us trying to do the right thing but the wrong way.  When we attempt to spread the Gospel but do it harsh and disrespectful way.  When we try to correct error but rather that teaching in a patient way we grow angry and lash out.  When we let personal attacks hit us in such a way that we feel justified in returning “fire with fire”.  Our cause is just but our methods are anything but. Paul mentions that “wrong way right thing” mindset in Philippians 1:15-17. “Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am a...