Ecclesiastes 12:10

    I noticed over the last few years people like to be shocked when worldly people behave worldly. Now don’t misunderstand me, some things happening in our modern world that make me shake my head. We have seen a decline in morality and basic decency in the public forum on a rapid level. A growing disdain for traditional values and established norms. Christians it seems are the only group acceptable to mock.  Yet I wonder if we should be so quick to gasp and decry.  Since the Bibles say we are not supposed to be so shocked. 1 st John 3:13   “ Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you .” 2 nd Timothy 3:12   “ Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted .” 1 st Peter 4:12   “ Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you ;” 1 st  Peter 4:4   “ In all this, they are surprised that you do ...

  Not all sermons are humdingers. Some bible classes could also be used for general anesthesia. There are lessons that make watching paint dry seem more entertaining. That doesn’t however mean we can’t get something out of them.  Greek philosopher Plutarch is credited with saying, “ Know how to listen and you will profit even from those who talk badly. ”  So, what are some ways we can make the less-than-ideal lesson one we get something out of? 1. Ask questions   Even if the teacher isn't letting you, you can still come up with your own questions for you to study. I know I have gotten some good learning just trying to figure out what some folks have said. Check out if what the person has said is true is a good practice, even for good lessons (Acts 17:11) 2. Consider the source   If a Bible class has any Bible in it, it has real learning potential. Read the scripture and see what you can pull from them on your own. 3. Exercise patience  ...

  The Prohibition of alcohol was the law in 1920, but one candidate wasn’t so sure about it. Democratic nominee James M. Cox wasn’t for the use of alcohol but believed making alcohol illegal only benefited criminals and bootleggers.   His opponent Warren G. Harding however didn’t respect this distinction. He attacked Cox for being pro-liquor and ridiculed him with the slogan “Cox and Cocktails.” Harding would go on to win the election in a landslide.  The irony was Harding was the drinker, not Cox. He was known to enjoy stiff drinks in the comfort of the White House.  In Romans 2:3 Paul writes, “ But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God?” Just because a person says the right things does not mean they do the right things. Those who are quick to jump on others are often doing the very things they are ridiculing others for.  We must be bette...

    Lewis Keseberg was tired of all the accusations against him so he filed a defamation lawsuit against Ned Coffeemeyer the man he saw as responsible for the rumors. The court found that Ned had indeed called Keseberg a “thief and murderer” without any proof but it didn’t rule very strongly in his favor by only imposing a fine of one dollar.  Maybe they were lenient because Ned Coffeemeyr had earlier rescued Lewis Keseberg from a terrible situation.  Maybe it was because the accusations while not proven were highly likely.  And maybe because Lewis Keseberg had admitted to eating people.   Lewis Keseberg was one of the members of the infamous Donner Party, a wagon train that got caught in the Siera Nevada mountain and resorted to cannibalism to survive. Keseberg wasn’t known as a very good person before those events and they certainly didn’t help improve his image. But to sue the very person who saved you seems to define the kind of person he was....

  It is hard to find a place in New York City to park unless you are a United Nations diplomat. They park wherever they want.   It’s not that they are allowed to but their diplomatic immunity keeps them from paying the cost. In one year alone the diplomats racked up 143,508 parking summonses, which would have cost them $15.8 million. Yet, because of the immunity, the punishments they incur are not enforced. So, they tend to park very badly   Solomon recognized this tendency. In Ecclesiastes 8:11he writes; “ Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil .” If we do not pay for our wrongs quickly, we tend to think they are OK.  This however is a terrible practice to have in our lives. In Romans 2:4-6, Paul warns us about the danger when we look at God’s tolerance and patience of our sin as acceptance. He warns it will make things worse for us in judgment since God wi...