Ecclesiastes 12:10

   Samaria was under siege. The city was cut off from resupply. Prices for fuel and food skyrocketed. Things that would not be considered food became meals, even children (2 nd Kings 6:24-29).   It seemed all hope was lost.   Yet God had a plan. The army that threatened would be gone. Food would be cheap. However, nobody could see how that would happen.   The promise was there, even if the people in the city couldn’t see it.   Yet there were four men in even a worse spot. Lepers trapped out of the city but trapped by the invading army. With nothing to lose they stumble into the enemy camp expecting death but finding it empty. No soldiers but plenty of food, supplies, and bounty. At first, that grab all they can, reveling in the great gain they have discovered. But then they come to a realization.   Then they said to one another, "We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, but we are keeping silent; if we wait until morning lig...

  A man was about to take some time off, so he called his workers into a meeting. He delegated responsibilities to each person with what he thought they could handle. Everybody had their assignments and got to the tasks at hand. Well almost everybody. The first two employees took their many tasks and did what they were supposed to but the third guy stuck his one task on the back burner and did nothing.   Well, the boss comes back from vacation and calls each one into his office to see how things have been going. The first guy says here is what you gave me and I did it all. The boss scowls, ”What do you want a medal? “You did your job, it is nothing special”. The second man comes in and explains he got his task done as well. The boss looks at him and says, “Well, I must have not have given you enough to do. Go do your job! That guy over there did twice as much as you did, why are you not like him?   Finally, the last guy comes in and passes the incomplete task ...

  In my imagination, He is setting in his cell considering his fate. The charges have stacked up against him. Robbery, Insurrection Murder. The soldiers have been preparing for the crucifixion. He’s watched as the wood been gathered to assembly the crosses. He heard that a hill outside of town has been selected. It’s only a matter of time now.   Suddenly soldiers appear and start unlocking the door. It’s sooner than he thought it would be. They drag him as he walks, his steps too slow for them.     But then who’s in a hurry to get to his own execution?     Then he notices something is wrong. They are not taking him down to the roadway but rather up to the Praetorium. As they come out into the dawning sunlight, it blinds his eyes. He can’t see much but he does hear a crowd. His trial is over, his guilt is set, what more could they be doing with him?   That’s when he hears the voice of the governor. He’s talking about how he is oblige...

  Dean Holloway was having a bad day. Dean was the bus driver for Merle Haggard and his band. Dean and Merle were both Okies that grew up in California as their parents fled the Dust Bowl. Merle was in LA to record 23 songs in 48 hours for his label. Dean had spent the better part of the days outside with the bus with no air conditioning waiting. So when Merle came out to let him know they were almost done he wasn’t happy.   Merle asked how his friend if he was doing all right, He replied, “I hate this place. I’m tired of this dirty old city”.  As a songwriter, Merle was always listening for interesting ways people put things and something about. “This dirty old city” caught him. Merle said, “Mr. Holloway “I can see you’re upset, but why don’t we take that anger out on a piece of paper?   So Dean ranted and Merle wrote. Merle said to Dean, “You’re in the middle of Los Angeles now. Where would you rather be?” Dean said, “If it were up to me, it’d be ...