What Is Your Passion?

What is your passion? What excites you to the point you cannot keep still? You have to share your passion with whomever is near whether they want to hear about it or not. All of us have passions.

I think about how many of us are passionate about our favorite ball team. We will sit out in the cold, wet weather for several hours just to watch them play. Yet, if we had to sit out in weather like that to hear the Word of God, how many of us would be in the bleachers?

Have you ever been passionate about Jesus? Is He important enough to your life that you can’t keep still about what He has done for you? I must confess that my passion for Jesus isn’t what it should be.

In order to be passionate about God, we have to follow Him. In order to follow Him, we must learn about Him. We must be with other believers who will encourage us and us, them. A passion is caught more than taught. Have you ever been around someone who is so excited about something, you are caught up in their excitement and the first thing you know, you become passionate about the same thing?

Do people know you because of your passions? How does your passion for your Savior compare to your passion for your favorite football team or for your hobby such as fishing, hunting, golf, shopping, etc. If we are passionate about something or someone, we will share our passion with anyone who will listen. If your passions are honorable, they have come from God. God wants us to enjoy our life here on earth; to be passionate about the things we enjoy. But, He also gave us passion in our lives so we can become passionate about Him to the point we will share Him with others everywhere we go.

In order to be passionate about God, we have to follow Him. In order to follow Him, we must learn about Him. We must be in His word and fellow shipping with other believers who will encourage us and us, them. A passion is caught more than tauht. Have you ever been around someone who is so excited about something, you are caught up in their excitement and the first thing you know, you become passionate about the same thing?

Will people become passionate about the God who saved you because they see the passion you have for Him.?

Will your passion in this life matter in eternity?

Think about it……………..

“Walking along the beach of Lake Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers: Simon (later called Peter) and Andrew. They were fishing, throwing their nets into the lake. It was their regular work. Jesus said to them, “Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I’ll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass.” They didn’t ask questions, but simply dropped their nets and followed.” Matthew 4:18-20 The Message

The Merry Go Round

Recess finally and there it was on the grade school playground. It was the most beautiful, new merry-go-round any child could imagine. The red wooden seats just invited every little child to come take a spin. And, spin we did! We went round and round, screaming with delight, our hair blowing in the breeze.

After a few days of spinning rather slowly and a few scraped knees trying to get off while the merry-go-round was still spinning, a few of the bigger boys decided to climb inside, grab the green metal bars and run as fast as they could while everyone held on for dear life! Some of the girls were crying for them to stop; some fell off; some threw up when they did stop and yet, at the next recess after a sharp reprimand from the teacher, most would climb back on for another wild ride, having been assured by the big boys that they wouldn’t push as fast as before.

How many “wild rides” have you taken because you couldn’t resist the thrill? How many times have you said “I’ll never do that again!" only to fall back into your old pattern?

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour”. 1 Peter 5:8 NIV

Time Moves On

Why is it that time moves at a different pace depending on what is going on in one’s life? If you are anticipating an exciting event, time moves so slowly. However, if you are trying to get your daughter to realize she is going to be late for school, time passes very, very fast.

So it was with sixteen year old Daughter # 2. Primping is a part of the teenage years..... all mothers understand that. Mothers understand also, that if much primping is going to take place before school, one must get up at a time that allows for said primping. Teenage daughters apparently have yet to realize that.

I remember walking down the hall, glancing in the open door of our bathroom and seeing Daughter # 2 combing her hair for what must have been the tenth time that morning.

“You are going to be late.” I said, looking at my watch.

“No, I’m not. I’m never late,” was the reply, not losing a beat with that brush.

“Well, there is a first time for everything and this may be the first time.” I said as I walked on down the hall.

Five minutes later, the ritual was the same; the hair brush had been replaced with a mascara brush and she was slowly swiping it against her eyelashes, stopping occasionally to bat her eyes to see if everything was just so. Time was racing but she was not. Yet it seemed that everything I said caused her to move at a little slower pace.

How are you handling your time? Are you wasting it thinking there will be plenty of time to do whatever you wish later on? I simply laughed at my Mother in her later years when she would tell me how fast time was passing. Now, as a senior adult, I can most assuredly tell you she was right. Making plans are good but only time will tell if they will be carried out so don’t waste your today just making plans for tomorrow.

“And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, “Today at the latest, tomorrow, we’re off to such and such a city for the year. We’re going to start a business and make a lot of money” You don’t know the first thing about tomorrow. You’re nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit to say, “If the master wills it and we’re still alive, we’ll do this or that.” James 4:13-15 The Message

Cleaning Out The Corners

I found myself once again mopping the floor and grumbling under my breath. There are a lot of things about housework I don’t mind doing but mopping floors is not one of them. Getting the dirt out of the corners with that little mop can be so frustrating. Often I find myself down on my hands and knees digging the dirt from those corners.

“Would you rather sweep dirt floors or perhaps have no floor at all?”

It was definitely His voice; not audible, but there nonetheless.

“Remember, this home is not yours; the floor you’re mopping is not yours; in fact, nothing you have is yours. It is loaned to you by Me.”

Do you find yourself down on your knees cleaning out the dirt in the corners of your home more often than down on your knees cleaning out the dirt that has found its way into your heart? When our hearts are clean, our lips will be also. Bad language and negative talk have not place in the life of a Believer.

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45 NKJV.

And cleaning up our mind is part of spiritual cleaning. My mother use to always say to me, “Garbage in; garbage out”. In the world we live today, we must be careful concerning what we see and read and this isn’t an easy thing to do.

“Throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5 WEB

When I begin to complain about mopping up the dirt in my home, I need to be reminded that my soul needs a good cleaning also.

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts; so I am helped, and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him.” Psalm 28:7 NRSV

It All Belongs to God

"The earth belongs to God! Everything in all the world is His! Psalms 24:1 TLB

Have you ever borrowed something and kept it so long or used it so many times you thought it was yours?

Or have you ever loaned something to someone; gone to get it and the person didn’t remember you loaning it to them and thought for sure it was theirs?

If you have children, you remember them taking another child’s toy and not wanting to give it back.

“It’s mine!” they would yell while gripping tightly to the toy.

“Is not!

“Is, too! It’s mine! You gave it to me!”

“Did not, I just said you could play with it for a while.”

“Well, too bad. It’s mine now!”

Our pastor reminded us yesterday that everything we have belongs to Him? Not only does God own our paychecks, but He owns our talent; He owns our children; He even owns our next breath.

Do we gladly return a small portion from our earnings to God or do we, as I mentioned in an early post, bring Him the scraps?

If we give back to God the tithe; ten percent of what He has given us, not in order to receive a blessing, but because we love Him and are thankful for the blessings He has given us, He has given us a promise.

" Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so that there will be food enough in my Temple; if you do, I will open up the windows of heaven for you and pour out a blessing so great you won’t have room enough to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you! " Malachi 3:10 TLB

Alison Krauss sings a song that is so true.
The things that I love
I hold dear to my heart
They are borrowed and
Not mine at all
Jesus only let me use them
To brighten my life
So remind me, remind me dear Lord

After the Church Fire

We were meeting back in the big, red brick church building down the street from the post office after the lightning strike and fire that almost destroyed it.

“Hey, let’s walk down the hallway and get to church what way,” said a friend one Sunday night after training union as we walked out of our room.

“Are you crazy?” said another. “I wouldn’t walk down that hallway right now for anything! Can’t you see those boards up there?” she said, pointing to the beams that were hanging... from the cindered ceiling. “One of them might fall on me and kill me! You can walk through there if you want to but not me!”

Hearing my friend’s conversation brought about a sudden realization that she was right; if one of those boards fell on my head, it might kill me. And, for the first time in my almost 10 years, I realized that should I die, I would go straight to hell. Oh, I had heard about being saved and I knew Jesus died on the cross for our sins. But, for the first time that realization became personal. I knew that I was a sinner ‘cause I had been taught that we are born into this world a sinner and it didn’t matter if the sins we committed were just a little white lie or if we killed someone, to God it was all the same; it was a sin.

I could hardly wait for the closing prayer because I knew what I wanted to do; what I had to do. When the invitation began, I looked up at my mother and said, “I’m going, are you going with me?” I didn’t wait for her answer, I just stepped out and walked the few steps to the front and told Dr. E.P.J. Garrett, our visiting evangelist, who had preached that night about the cross, that I wanted Jesus to come into my heart. And, He did and He still lives there today.

Tragedy may be the very thing that God uses to get our attention and bring us to repentance. The tragedy of our church being struck by lightning was the very thing that brought my attention to my need of a Savior. Would I have received Jesus into my heart later if not that night? I don’t know. But, I do know that there are good things that can come out of a bad situation. Sometimes God allows tragedy of a church fire to teach us lessons we would never learn any other way.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Bringing Him the Scraps

A very dear and busy lady in our church loved giving what she could, including her time, and was diligent to see that everyone’s needs were taken care of.

Like most Baptist churches, we loved to have pot luck dinners. We had them for every occasion and even if it weren’t an occasion, we invented one.

So, it was on a certain Sunday, a bountiful dinner would be served when the worship service was over. This dear lady rushed around very early Sunday morning preparing a casserole. Sh...e covered it carefully with foil and set it on her cabinet while she finished preparing for church. She was running late so rushing out the door, she grabbed the dish, her bible and purse and hurried to the car thinking all the while that people would be so pleased to see their favorite casserole among the dishes served.

The final “A-men” was said and everyone gathered in the fellowship hall.

The men stood around visiting; all the kids were peering at the cakes and pies at one end of the table while the ladies bustled around setting out their contribution of food and uncovering them. As the dear lady uncovered her dish, she was horrified to discover that in her rush she had picked up the dish of scraps she had put into an identical dish over the last few days
.
As I recalled this incident, I wondered how many times we rush off to God’s house bringing Him the scraps. We are so busy tending to our own and other’s needs that we fail to bring our very best to Him. I’m reminded of the story of Moses leading the children of Israel out of the wilderness. God promised to provide manna for their needs daily telling them not to worry about gathering the leftovers. Did they trust Him to provide? Do we bring Him the leftovers of our lives?

“The people of Israel went to work and started gathering some more, some less, but when they measured out what they had gathered, those who gathered more had not extra and those who gathered less weren’t short…each person had gathered as much as was needed. Moses said to them, ‘Don’t leave any of it until morning’. But, they didn’t listen to Moses. A few of the men kept back some of it until morning. I got wormy and smelled bad. And, Moses lost his temper with them.” Exodus 16:18-20 The Message

The Church Fire

It was early one Sunday morning when I was a young child and we were just getting ready for Sunday School and church when it came. What thunder and lightning and pelting rain we were having! In the distance I heard the fire truck’s siren. Surely with all of this rain there wasn’t a fire somewhere. Daddy opened the front door and we could see and smell smoke. In a few minutes, our telephone rang. It was a fellow member of our church with the news; the big, red brick church down the street from the post office had been struck by lightning and it was burning. We hurriedly made our way to the church.

What a heartbreaking site with smoke bellowing out the windows and doors and under the eaves of the church. Firemen were frantically trying to put out the flames on the roof. Some people had carried out song books and bibles from the sanctuary and they lay soaked to one side. People were crying and praying and comforting each other. Why had God allowed this to happen to our beautiful church and on a Sunday morning even?

I later learned that the “church” is not the building. The church is the body of believers who inhabit the building. The word “church” comes from the Greek “ekklesia” which means “gathering” or “assembly”. So it’s not a building; it’s a group of believers who come together in one location to fellowship with each other, worship God and hear from His word, which is the bible. Christ is the head of the church and we are the body; the members.

Even though this big, red brick building would eventually be smoke and water damaged and part of its roof would fall and it would be inhabitable for a short time, the true church; the body of believers would still stay strong and once again meet together to the glory of God in that big, red brick building down the street from the post office. Even now, sixty-six years later, there is still smoke blackened evidence high up in the eaves of this church building. But, inside, there is still a body of believers meeting together each week to worship God.

God can allow material things to be destroyed but He will not destroy the hearts of His people. And, just as each member of our physical body is important, so are the members of the body of believers. God has given each member a special gift. If that member is missing, the body can’t function as well.
Is there a body of believers somewhere that needs the spiritual gift God has given you? As our visiting evangelist one time said, “You may be just that kid with the five loaves and two fishes but God can take even the smallest thing we possess and use it to His glory when we turn it all over to Him.”

“Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually”. 1 Corinthians 12:27 NIV

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but encourage one another…and all the more as you see the day approaching” Hebrews 10:24 NIV

Goin' to Sunday School

I stood on the sidewalk looking down the street at the old red pickup backing out of the driveway that Sunday morning. I knew they were going to Sunday School. I was about five years old and I wasn’t going to get to go.

After having gone to country churches since they were teenagers my mother and daddy weren’t accustomed to the big town church. I remember slowly walking back into the house with my head down and tears running down my cheeks. Mother didn’t have to ask what was wrong because this wasn’t the first Sunday morning I had looked longingly at my friend driving away with her parents headed to the big, red brick First Baptist Church down the street from the post office.

A few weeks later after my Saturday night bath in the big galvanized washtub, Mother told me we were going to Sunday School the next morning at the same big, red brick church down the street from the post office where my friend went. I was so excited I hardly slept that night. My friend had told me what they did in Sunday School and I could hardly wait to see it for myself. I loved the flannel board lady who told a bible story using paper figures. I loved the little, folded paper booklet we were given as we left the room. It had a picture of Jesus and a little lamb on the front and a bible story in the middle when it was opened.

It wasn’t long before my mother and daddy were singing in the choir and I was setting with my friend while they sang. I loved listening to them and watching the piano player plunk out the songs that eventually became familiar. And, I loved that when we left the preacher always shook my hand and told me to come back.

A few years later, I was saved and then baptized in that big, red brick church’s baptistery. And, a several years after that, I was married in that big, red brick church down the street from the post office. Both of our daughters were saved and then baptized and married in that big, red brick church down the street from the post office.

Parents, listen to your children when they ask to go to church. Go to church with them. It will make all the difference in the world in their lives and in your life.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 9:14 NIV

"You'll Never Believe it!"

When the girls were small, we tried to have our evening meal together as a family.

So it was one evening when Daughter # 2, then four years old, looked up from her plate with a question that caught her dad and me off guard.

“Where do babies come from?” she inquired.

Her dad and I looked at each other. Where had THAT question come from and how would we begin to answer it right at that moment? Before either of us could speak however, Daughter # 1, with all the knowledge she had gained in her almost eight years, rolled her eyes, laid down her fork, took a deep breath and looked straight at her sister.

“Don’t even ask ‘cause you’ll never believe it!”

Are there things in our lives that are just difficult to believe? I remember when I found out the truth about Santa. I couldn’t believe it ‘cause hadn’t I just seen him up on the square? In school, it was hard to believe some of the facts about different countries; difficult to understand how far away the moon was when it looked so close in the night sky. As a mother, it is difficult for me to understand how a mother could abort her own flesh and blood. Or why would anyone want to murder a school room full of young children? Or why a so-called religious group would want to murder those they believe to be infidels?

It was difficult for me to believe the crucifixion the first time I heard it as a child. Why would any father allow his son to die on a cross for what I had done? And, yet, because He loves us so much; because we are His children and because we have all sinned, Someone had to pay for those sins in order for us to go to Heaven for eternity. As a parent, it is still difficult for me to grasp that idea but I accept it by faith and thank Him every day for His love for me.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Lady in Telephone Booth

“If you don’t believe me just ask that lady over there in that telephone booth. Now laugh, Silly!” I said as I pointed to the lady lying in the hospital bed across from mine. “Quit talking to me and get out of here. Just go home……..now!”

I was just now coming out from under anesthetic and my husband was asking me questions then laughing hysterically at my answers. I knew the answer to the questions, yet I knew when I opened my mouth, something entirely different was going to come out. Had I been thinking straight, I would never have talked to my husband like that.

How many times do we as Believers allow Satan to control our minds and our tongues and say things we never would have normally said?

“Beasts, birds, reptiles and all kinds of sea-creatures can be, and in fact are tamed by man, but no one can tame the human tongue. It is an evil always liable to break out, and the poison it spreads is deadly. We use the tongue to bless our Father, God, and we use the same tongue to curse our fellow-men, who are all created in God’s likeness. Blessing and curses come out of the same mouth..surely, my brothers, this is the sort of thing that never ought to happen!” James 3:7-10 Phillips Translation

Jealousy and the birthday party

“ A relaxed attitude lengthens a man’s life; jealousy rots it away. Proverbs 14:30 TLB

“Why did I have to be born in the middle of summer?” It seemed every few weeks during school someone in my class was having a birthday. Now, this was all well and good for the kid whose birthday was being celebrated by the whole class but it surely was difficult when you knew yours would never be.

Back when I was in grade school, if someone had a birthday, the teacher let them be first in line at recess; first in the lunch line and always first in line at the water fountain after recess when everyone was dying of thirst. Not only that but some years the teacher had a special birthday crown the birthday kid got to wear all day. I have to admit that sometimes I had this awful urge to knock that crown right off “Birthday Kids” head.

Now to top it off, “Birthday Kid’s” mother always brought cupcakes and kool-aid to be served the last period of the day. And, there were those fancy birthday plates and cups for each kid. Oh, and napkins, of course, were always matching. The treats were placed on a little table and everyone sang “Happy Birthday” to the always smiling “Birthday Kid”. And, I admit the cupcakes were always delicious when washed down with strawberry kool-aid. The only problem was……….I wasn’t ever the “Birthday Kid” or would I ever be during all those elementary years.

Jealousy in a child is very common; especially among siblings when one child feels the other is the parent’s favorite. Or, like in my case, jealousy is brought about when there is something you know you can’t have.

But what about jealousy in adults? It’s probably the leading cause of many of the problems we encounter every day. Jealousy happens in romantic relationships; work relationships, friendships and in families. Jealousy occurs in almost any human interaction in our world today.

The bible shares many stories about tragedies brought on by jealousy. King David killed Bathsheba’s husband because he was jealous and wanted Bathsheba for his own. Cain killed his brother Abel in a fit of jealous rage.

Each of us needs to examine our lives and see if we are harboring some kind of jealousy. If we are, we need to ask God to remove that from our hearts before we do something we are ashamed of. Our Christian witness can be damaged sometimes beyond repair because of jealousy.

“And by all means, don’t brag about being wise and good if you are bitter and Jealous and selfish; that is the worst sort of lie. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, inspired by the devil.” James 3:14-15 TLB

Little John and the Cats

“Okay, Son, your mom and I are goin’ to California on vacation. You know we ain’t never had a vacation and after 40 years, I think it’s time that we do. So, I’m trustin’ you and your cousin, Little John, to look after things while we’re gone. Main thing you gotta do is be sure you get those twelve cows milked mornin’ and night just like we’ve been a doin’.”

The next day bright and early, the boys headed to the barn. Milking then was all by hand. There weren’t milking machines to be hooked up to each cow while you stood by and watched.

“Get outta the way, cat. You’ll get your fill in time. Just get back over there with the rest of them cats and hang on ‘till Little John and me gets these stools pulled up here and sits down.”

So, they herded in the cows one by one. The cats raced over like always and gathered around waiting until one of the boys poured some milk in a little pan setting nearby. The cats eagerly lapped it up and waited for more.

It was about that time that the wheels in Little John’s head began to turn.

“Hey, would you like to have some fun? I gotta idea,” Little John said, turning to his cousin.

“I guess so. What’cha got in mind?” replied his cousin.

“I’m gonna pull the old tractor up here by the door. Then, we’ll hook up a wire to one spark plug . Then, we’ll put the other end in the pan you’re puttin’ the milk in for them cats. It’s gonna be fun!” said little John.

So, out he went giggling to himself. He could just see how those cats were going to react. He drove the tractor up by the door and his cousin helped hook up the wires just as Little John had said.
“Now watch this,” said Little John.
 
As soon as the cats started lapping the milk, Little John started the tractor. When the cats tongue touched the milk, out the door he flew and headed over the hill.

The boys laughed until they cried. As soon as another cat lapped at the milk, Little John hit the starter again and the same thing happened. Soon, all ten cats were nowhere to be seen.

About two weeks later, Little John’s aunt and uncle returned and things were pretty much back to normal.

“Hey, you know, I haven’t seen those barn cats since we got back. Were they here when you and Little John were doin’ the milkin’?" inquired Little John’s uncle.

“Yea, Dad. We fed ‘em just like we always did in that little pan over there.” said Little John’s cousin.

“Well, I guess they’ll turn up in a few days. Probably not use to me not bein’ here to help milk. Shucks, they're probably out lookin’ for me.” laughed Little John’s uncle.

“Probably so, Dad,” said Little John’s cousin, “they were probably shocked because you weren’t here milkin.”

These two boys really didn’t mean to harm the cats. They just wanted to have fun. Little John didn’t realize that electric shock wasn’t a good thing for a poor little cat. However, the big problem in this situation was telling an untruth. A lie is a lie whether it be a big lie or a white lie. To God, all untruth is forbidden.

”Do not lie to each other. You have put out of your life your old ways.” Colossians 3:9 NLV

Out Came Those Tonsils!

And, so it was…….despite my protests, there I was in a hospital bed in the next town over waiting for the doctor to come in for me.

“Good morning! How are we feeling this morning?” asked the doctor. He was a new doctor and he wasn’t smiling and calling me young lady like Dr. C. did. I wasn’t sure I was going to trust this man to take out my tonsils. I didn’t say a word. I hadn’t decided whether or not I was going to like this man.

I was in a big room and in another bed on the other side of the room was a boy about my age. Apparently, his tonsils were poisoning his system just like Dr. C. said mine were.

“And, how are you doing, young man?” inquired this new doctor. The boy just looked at him and, like me, didn’t say a word. The nurses came for the boy first. She was pushing this bed on rollers.

“Just climb over on this gurney”, she said to the boy, “I’m gonna roll you down the hall to the operating room.”

“I don’t want to ride on that thing. I’ll just walk.” And, he promptly jumped down off his bed and started striding across the room toward the door. He must have felt the cold air on his little behind after a few steps because he hadn’t gotten to the door until he reached his short little arm around clutching where his pants had been before they had put that awful split tailed gown on him. He stopped; bewildered and still clutching his gown behind him, he began to walk slowly back toward the table.

“I guess I’ll ride after all”, he said, “if somebody would help me up on this thing.”

Next, it was my turn. The ride to the operating room was scary. I didn’t like the nurses with masks on their faces. I didn’t like the big lights but most of all, I didn’t like the smell. The nurses lifted me gently over onto the operating table; smiling and talking all the while. The next thing I knew, they were putting this big black mask over my nose and mouth and telling me to take a deep breath. I don’t know how they expected me to breath. That stuff smelled awful and I wasn’t about the breathe it. I wanted down off that table right then and I didn’t care who knew it. As I began to struggle, the nurses gently took my hands and held them to my sides and held the black mask on my nose and mouth. Soon my struggling began to subside.

The next thing I knew I was dreaming I was in this sunny pasture and there were these little rabbits all driving these funny little cars ever so fast and ever so carelessly around and around and up and down until I was so dizzy I could watch them no longer.

When I woke in my room, my mother and daddy were there. I opened my eyes and they were the first persons I saw.

“How are you doing, Sweetheart?” My Daddy asked. I tried to answer him but nothing would come out. My throat hurt more than it had ever been before. I couldn’t talk……..I couldn’t swallow. I was ruined and I just knew I would never be the same again. And, to this day, every time I use finger nail polish remover, the smell takes me back to the smell of that ether in the big black mask the nurses held over my nose.

All of us I think, have things happen to us that take us back to something in our past. We see someone who reminds us of someone we knew years ago. Or, we smell a distinct odor , like I did, that remind them of a place.

“God gave us roses so we can have memories in December,” is a quote I have often heard. I think that means that we can have the memory of the beauty and the scent of roses when December comes to cheer us up when the weather is bleak. When we have bad things happen, we can go back to the good memories God has placed in our memory bank and those will get us through the bad times.

“Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God’s Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.” Philippians 1:3-6 The Message

Those Tonsils Have to Come Out !

Oh my, I was SO sick! My temperature was 104 and I was lying lifeless on the bed when our family doctor came walking in the bedroom, black bag in hand. This was back in the day when a doctor was a real family doctor; didn’t specialize in anything in particular and doctored everyone in the family. And, he made house calls even in the middle of the night.

That day, he punched and probed and examined. Every time he touched my skin I would cringe.
“Looks like tonsillitis to me again, young lady.” He finally declared. “I think when you get over this bout we better consider having those old tonsils removed.” I was too sick to care; too sick to even comprehend what he was saying.

He removed a big bottle from his black bag and poured some into a big, brown bottle.

“Give this to her every four hours, day and night”, he said to my Mother. Then he turned and patted me on the head.

“You’ll be well in no time. You take the medicine for your Mother like a good girl and I’ll be back to see about you tomorrow on my way to the office.”

Out the door he went; this Miracle Worker in his dark brown jacket and clean white shirt with a tie. His dark pants were almost the color of the doctor bag he carried in his right hand. He was such a kindly doctor. He always wore a smile and even though his hair was getting thin on top and he was getting up in years, it didn’t seem to slow him down at all. He was the doctor who delivered me and had been our family doctor ever since.

In a few days, I was well enough to go to Dr. C.’s office. His office was on the square in our little town, just above the drug store that his sister-in-law owned. We trugged up the stairs and sat in the waiting room until he came to the door and called my name.

Inside the office was a big examining table right in the middle of the room. There were tall cabinets here and there; some had glass and you could see pill bottles on the shelves. Some contained instruments with plenty of clean white cotton towels nearby. . I was a skinny thing and he was always concerned I wasn’t eating enough. So after standing me on the scale to see how much I had gained, he would say,

“Are you eating good for your Mother?”

I’d shake my head up and down and he would reach in a big drawer in one of the tall cabinets in his office.

“I think you better take these vitamins anyway.” And he handed them to my mother. “Now, hop up here, little lady, and let’s have a look see.” He looked down my throat after inserting an instrument that felt as big as a shovel. “Now, say ‘Ah’”.

I was going to gag, gag, gag! I hated that instrument and I hated anybody invading the privacy of my throat. I didn’t care if my throat looked red. After all, red was my favorite color.

“Well, it does look better. But, I think in a few days, we better consider getting those old tonsils out of there.” Now I was more alert; did he say take my tonsils out? Over my dead body would some old doctor take out my tonsils! No one; not even this kindly old doctor that I loved was going to take my tonsils out……..NO ONE!

The next week or so was quite an experience for a little nine year old girl who had never been inside a hospital.

We all know that Jesus is the Great Physician. However, He also heals through doctors. God not only heals those who are physically ill, but He heals those who are sick in spirit. He is truly The Great Physician.

“But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, they that be whole need not a physician but they that are sick.” Matthew 9:12 KJV

Great Bobcat Spirit

I apologize for the length of this post but, this past weekend once again our high school reunion took place. What a great time we had reminiscing with friends from the past. Sadly, we have lost several members but, we continue to meet and enjoy retelling the stories of our school years.

Several years ago, I was ask to read the poem below that I wrote for a homecoming assembly, where Daughter#2, who was a teacher at BHS, was speaking; granddaughter # 1 was the little attendant and my mother received the flower for being the oldest graduate. Four generations of us and all proud to be a part of BHS.

So, I'm reprinting this for those who remember the good times at our alma mater:

When I look at my life these past fifty plus years,
I see much happiness along with heartache and tears.
I see memories before me of memories of the past,
But most of all what I see are that memories will last.

I see myself a small girl who had never been far,
Being taken to school in my daddy's big car.
I see the CCC building that was provided for me,
To begin education; the A,B's and C's.

I recall how I cried the first morning there,
For these teachers were strangers and I didn't care.
In all my six years, I had always had mom,
And, all I could think of was "I want to go home!"

But somehow I managed to stay through the year,
I had different teachers coming from far and from near.
We suffered through winter wind blowing through cracks,
An the old wood stove puffing through it's "smoking attacks".

When third grade came along I was ecstatic you see,
For we had a new building that was fine as could be!
The floors were all shiny; the big windows so bright,
I didn't have to squint now......I could see how to write.

The first big event I remember that year,
Was the grade school operetta and how we shivered with fear.
As we each took our turns and performed twice that day.
We grew in our confidence.......what can I say?

With twelve of my friends; six boys and six girls,
We practiced and practiced and knew all our twirls.
To the music of "Sweet Little Alice Blue Gown",
We all twirled and bowed and danced all around.

And when it was over we felt, oh so fine,
As our parents came up and they all got in line..
They shook our hands and they said we did great,
And I look back with pride when I think of that date.

The games that we played were jump rope and jacks,
And kick ball and hop scotch....don't step on the crack!
At recess we slid down the old metal slide,
That's still on the play ground......out that way just outside.

I remember one day as we played at recess,
My very best friend slid down the slide and her dress,
Caught right at the top of that great big, old slide,
And as she got to the bottom, we saw nothing but hide!

Such excitement we had as we neared Halloween
We'd vote with pennies for a King and a Queen.
People came to our carnival from near and away,
And, we'd make big 'ole scarecrows and stuff them with hay.

The parade was the highlight of homecoming back then,
We'd work nights on our floats while teacher's patience wore thin.
And, what an experience to ride through our little town,
With the Queen and her court dressed in long, flowing gowns.

There was no Bobcat stadium for the players those days,
The fairgrounds was the place where coaches called their plays.
But never the less the whole town would turn out,
Player's dad's walked the sidelines and mothers would shout.

These buildings may fall or blow away as in the past,
But the friendships we built there are the ones that will last.
As each generation walks down hallowed halls,
The memories will linger within those old walls.

Students who find yourselves seated here today,
Your the next generation who are passing this way.
So, never forget even when you are old,
There's the "Great Bobcat Spirit" that you have to uphold.

Jo Ann Swofford
Copyright 1996

"Yes, to the Dress"

When we were photographing weddings before retirement, I sometimes watched the TV show “Say ‘Yes, to the Dress’ “. For those who are not familiar with this show, a bride goes into a dress shop usually bringing 4-5 people; mothers, bridesmaids or occasionally a father. She tries on different dresses; parading in front of those people while they comment on how she looks. Finally, after trying on endless dresses, she finds “the dress” and says “Yes, to the Dress”.

While watching... the show, I recalled a small wedding we were to photograph at the Worship Center on the grounds of Thorncrown Chapel. When time is of the essence, we always liked to take some photographs beforehand. Having spoken with the bride by phone, yet never seeing her, we were not familiar with how she looked. As we waited patiently for someone to show up, a young lady dressed in a tea length white gown, complete with white gloves, a pillbox hat and white shoes came from the direction of the dressing room.

“Hello”, my husband said, “I’m John, your photographer and this is my wife, Jo Ann. If you’re ready, we’d love to take a few pictures of you before the wedding.”

The young lady smiled , “Okay, the bride will be here in just a few minutes. She is just finishing up dressing. She probably would like to have some pictures made with me.”

John and I glanced at each other. Here was a young lady who looked much like a bride, yet she wasn’t. In a few minutes, another young lady came around the corner, smiling.

“Hi! I’m (and she gave us her name). You must be the photographers. I’m ready for pictures when you are.”

Indeed, we were perplexed! Here was the bride dressed in a bright red tea length dress, red hose, red shoes, red gloves, a pill box hat and carrying a bouquet of beautiful red roses! Looks can be deceiving for sure.

“Then Moses led the people of Israel on from the Red Sea, and they moved out into the wilderness of Shur and were there three days without water. Arriving at Marah, they couldn’t drink the water because it was bitter (that is why the place was called Marah, meaning “bitter”).” Exodus 15:22-23 TLB

Here were the Children of Israel having marched for days through the desert land finally coming upon what looked like perfectly good water. But, as they tasted it, they discovered they were deceived; the water was bitter.

Have you ever been deceived? Satan is The Great Deceiver. Nothing pleases him more than to deceive people; particularly God’s people. One of the big deceptions being some teachers and preachers who distort God’s word. They want to make His word pleasing to our ears so they preach and teach a “feel good” gospel rather than the true gospel of Christ. In order not to be deceived by such teaching, we need to be in God’s word; searching the scripture for ourselves and praying to Him for discernment of each verse.

“Beware of false teachers who come disguised as harmless sheep, but are wolves and will tear you apart.” Matthew 7:15 TLB

Class Reunion-2015

I apologize for the length of this post but, this past weekend once again our high school reunion took place. What a great time we had reminiscing with friends from the past. Sadly, we have lost several members but, we continue to meet and enjoy retelling the stories of our school years.

Several years ago, I was ask to read the poem below that I wrote for a homecoming assembly, where Daughter#2, who was a teacher at BHS, was speaking; granddaughter # 1 was the little attendant and my mother received the flower for being the oldest graduate. Four generations of us and all proud to be a part of BHS.

So, I'm reprinting this for those who remember the good times at our alma mater:

When I look at my life these past fifty plus years,
I see much happiness along with heartache and tears.
I see memories before me of memories of the past,
But most of all what I see are that memories will last.

I see myself a small girl who had never been far,
Being taken to school in my daddy's big car.
I see the CCC building that was provided for me,
To begin education; the A,B's and C's.

I recall how I cried the first morning there,
For these teachers were strangers and I didn't care.
In all my six years, I had always had mom,
And, all I could think of was "I want to go home!"

But somehow I managed to stay through the year,
I had different teachers coming from far and from near.
We suffered through winter wind blowing through cracks,
An the old wood stove puffing through it's "smoking attacks".

When third grade came along I was ecstatic you see,
For we had a new building that was fine as could be!
The floors were all shiny; the big windows so bright,
I didn't have to squint now......I could see how to write.

The first big event I remember that year,
Was the grade school operetta and how we shivered with fear.
As we each took our turns and performed twice that day.
We grew in our confidence.......what can I say?

With twelve of my friends; six boys and six girls,
We practiced and practiced and knew all our twirls.
To the music of "Sweet Little Alice Blue Gown",
We all twirled and bowed and danced all around.

And when it was over we felt, oh so fine,
As our parents came up and they all got in line..
They shook our hands and they said we did great,
And I look back with pride when I think of that date.

The games that we played were jump rope and jacks,
And kick ball and hop scotch....don't step on the crack!
At recess we slid down the old metal slide,
That's still on the play ground......out that way just outside.

I remember one day as we played at recess,
My very best friend slid down the slide and her dress,
Caught right at the top of that great big, old slide,
And as she got to the bottom, we saw nothing but hide!

Such excitement we had as we neared Halloween
We'd vote with pennies for a King and a Queen.
People came to our carnival from near and away,
And, we'd make big 'ole scarecrows and stuff them with hay.

The parade was the highlight of homecoming back then,
We'd work nights on our floats while teacher's patience wore thin.
And, what an experience to ride through our little town,
With the Queen and her court dressed in long, flowing gowns.

There was no Bobcat stadium for the players those days,
The fairgrounds was the place where coaches called their plays.
But never the less the whole town would turn out,
Player's dad's walked the sidelines and mothers would shout.

These buildings may fall or blow away as in the past,
But the friendships we built there are the ones that will last.
As each generation walks down hallowed halls,
The memories will linger within those old walls.

Students who find yourselves seated here today,
Your the next generation who are passing this way.
So, never forget even when you are old,
There's the "Great Bobcat Spirit" that you have to uphold.

Jo Ann Swofford
Copyright 1996

A Bouquet of Wildflowers

"Wonder when the florist will be here?” said the anxious Mother of the Bride, ‘They said they would deliver the flowers at least twenty minutes before time for the wedding.“

“I’m sure they will be here if that’s what they told you,“ I said, trying not to show any anxiety. “You did tell them the Worship Center and not the Chapel, didn’t you?” I ask.

“Yes, I did.”

“Did you talk with them yesterday to confirm delivery time?” I inquired.

“No, should I have?” The Mother of the Bride was beginning to be more and more anxious.

It was an evening wedding and, as I looked at my watch, I realized the shop had already closed for the day. I hoped that they had closed the doors and headed this way.

A few more minutes past………..no florist. By now, the bride was in a bigger tizzy than she had been. She was in the dressing area; frantic because no flowers had arrived.

Well, what is a bridal consultant to do? Although we were just the photographers for this wedding and I wasn’t the consultant, I knew I had to do something to save the day…………..but what?
I went back outside hoping to see the florist drive up with bouquet, corsages and boutonniere but there was no one other than the remaining guests who were arriving. It was then I spotted them; there on the hillside beside the drive to the Worship Center were wild flowers waving in the breeze just beaconing me to help myself.

“John, give me your pocket knife………quickly.” He proceeded to pull out his knife, open it and hand it to me. Onto the hillside I climbed amid the flowers. I began to cut them as fast as I could until I thought I had a sufficient amount. I clambered back down; rushed in and found a rubber band in the trusty case I always carried with me for those last minute needs of a bride. I hurriedly twisted the band around the flowers; fluffed them a bit and carried them into the bride.

“Honey, I guess these will have to do since it’s about five minutes before time for the wedding to begin.”

The bride was crying by then and I think if I had handed her a handful of weeds, she would have been thankful.

“Oh, thank you, thank you,” she said, amid her tears. “They are beautiful!”

The Mothers had no corsages; no boutonniere for the groom or fathers. But, the bride had a bouquet to carry that day.

I am glad I wasn’t within hearing distance at the flower shop the next day when the bride’s mother walked in. But, I was glad that God had placed those wildflowers there just when they were needed. I could have done without the chiggers that nested among them though. I itched for a week!
Isn’t it amazing how God provides for our needs? These weren’t the flowers the bride had planned for but for some reason, God provided what was necessary at the time. God doesn’t always fulfill our desires; He doesn’t always provide us with flowers and sunny days. Sometimes, there are the showers and the wildflowers, but there is always a reason for those. Perhaps, it’s so we will enjoy the things in life that we had overlooked.

“For he knows we are but dust and that our days are few and brief, like grass, like flowers, blown by the wind and gone forever.” Psalm 103: 14-16 TLB

Mr. Spider......Again.

If I didn't dislike spiders so much I might actually feel sorry for Mr. Spider. I mentioned him a few days ago but noticed the next day, the web was there, tattered and torn, but he wasn't. And, unlike last year, there were no unsuspecting insects entangled in his web.

"I guess Mr. Spider gave up and has spun another web somewhere else. After all, he's gotta eat", I thought.

Then, yesterday morning as I was at the kitchen sink, I noticed Mr. Spider had returned. His web stil...l looked tattered and torn. And still , there were no insects for a tasty meal. As I peeled potatoes and watched, Mr. Spider began to repair his web. He worked fast and furiously, spinning the silky threads and filling in the gaps and holes. I returned just now to see his progress. His web is nicely patched, glistening in the sun, looking very beautiful and there he is, right in the middle of it patiently waiting for an unsuspecting prey.

Isn't this just like Satan. Mr. Spider didn't give up. He just disappeared for a while; rethought his plan; returned and began to lay another trap. Satan doesn't give up easily. Like Mr. Spider, just because Satan wasn’t able to snare us with his last move, he will continue to maneuver until he hits upon just the right temptation for each of us.

What is your weakness? Where can Satan get a foothold in your life? Just like Mr. Spider, you can bet Satan has not given up. He is lying in wait for your moment of weakness. The good news is this; we have a Savior Who is there to defend us from the evil one. All we need to do when Satan knocks on our door is ask our Lord to answer.

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 NLT

Gettin' the Hay to the Barn

When you're seven years old, you think you are as big as any man in the hayfield.

So it was one summer when Little John was helping his dad in the hayfield. Little John's dad had no hay bailer so the hay was pitched up onto the wagon, then hauled to the barn to be put in the barn loft.

"Okay, Son, I'll pitch this hay up there and you stack it toward the middle and tromp it down."

So, while Dad pitched hay up with the pitchfork, Little John wrapped his arms around it, moved it to the middle of the wagon and tromped it down. As the hay stack grew, Little John stacked higher and higher stomping and stomping until the stack was at least six foot high. He sized up the situation and thought he had done a fine job.

"Okay, Son, let's get this load to the barn."

So, Little John sat down in the middle of the hayload for the ride to the barn.
What neither had realized was that while the hay was being loaded, the wagon itself was not setting on level ground. As the team of horses pulled the wagon and headed for the road, the wagon tilted the opposite way and, down came Little John tumbling to the ground, hay spilling on top of him!

"Well, Son, look what we've done," his dad said, laughing, "Get yourself up and let's get this team and wagon to a level place so we can start stackin' that hay again."

Little John was fortunate that day. He was fortunate that if he was going to fall, he fell on soft ground and not a road. Little John had stacked the hay right but his dad had failed to take into consideration the pitfalls that were there from the beginning; that wagon on unlevel ground.

How many of us look at something we want to do and don't consider the consequences? How many never consider the consequences of that first drink? How many never consider the consequences of that flirtatous move in the office? How many never consider that driving well beyond the speed limit or texting while driving could lead to death? There are many things we as Believers need to consider in our daily walk with the Lord. Unlike restacking the hay, too many times we are never given that second chance.

"There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death." Proverbs 14:12 NKJV

What is Your Purpose?

What is your purpose in life? Why did God put you where you are now rather than bringing you to this earth 50 or 100 years ago?
 Is your purpose in life to gain riches, satisfaction, joy? None of these are bad but if they are your only purpose in life, you are missing the point of your birth. You are not put here to serve yourself but to serve others. It's difficult for anyone to say what your purpose in life is other than for the believer, it's to honor God; to do His will.

What is your purpose for this very moment? Life isn't given to us all at once but in small increments of seconds, minutes......moments. But, what is your purpose for this moment; the moment you are reading this.

Are you setting by your phone? Is there someone that needs a call?

Is there a pen ...and some paper on the table beside you?

Does someone need to hear from you with an encouraging word or perhaps a word of sympathy?

Maybe you are homebound but God has placed a name of someone on your heart that you are to pray for.

Are you at your work desk? When you look up, do you see another person? Do you need to invite that person to lunch with you ? Perhaps they need to unload their burdens on a listening ear. Or maybe they are unchurched and they need an invite from you to attend your church?

Are you working in a day care where a little child needs that extra hug they didn't get before they were placed in your care for the day?

Is there an elderly person who is lonely; who has lost a mate recently and has no one to share their grief?

Is there a student in your classroom that is dealing with a difficult home environment? Or maybe they are being bullied and afraid to let anyone know ? Do they need your smile and just a word to let them know that they are important to you and that you are proud of them?

What about that person who walks into your store? Do you have time for them or do you just let them browse and maybe walk out when what they really needed was some conversation?

What about your own family? When you are together in the evenings are you preoccupied with catching up on the latest news on TV or maybe answering your e-mail or checking your Facebook? Remember, those children God has given you won't be in your care always. This moment you have to give them your undivided attention will not come again.

Time is precious. Each moment that passes leaves us with that much less of it. We all have the same amount of time. God knew that 24 hours and 7 days a week was plenty of time to accomplish what He wants each of us to do. It's up to us to determine how we are going to spend those moments because we will never have them back.

A Time for Everything
For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven.
A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to harvest.
A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
A time to cry and a time to laugh.
A time to grieve and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
A time to search and a time to quit searching.
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear and a time to mend.
A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
A time to love and a time to hate.
A time for war and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 NLT

The Spider and Satan

There he was.......motionless except for the wind blowing on the web that was highlighted by the sun.

When I was a little girl, I hated anything that creepy crawled on four legs or more; slithered, hopped or buzzed. I loved catching lightening bugs but as soon as I had them in my hand and they began to move, I couldn’t get them in the jar fast enough! If a mosquito swarmed around my head at night after the lights were out, I pulled the covers over my head even if the weather was hot and there was no breeze. Seeing a tick climb up my leg threw me into a running fit, swiping at it until it landed away from me somewhere; anywhere.

Then there were the spiders. I didn’t care if they were just garden spiders that were supposed to eat all the bad bugs; a spider was a spider and unless it was the jumping kind, I would stomp on it, crushing it into a little greasy spot. I’m not any better as an old person. I still avoid creepy crawly things as much possible.

As I continued to watch from my kitchen window, an unsuspecting bug flew into the web and stuck. Mr. Spider didn’t move. I figured he would jump on his catch and begin to devour it immediately but he didn’t. Mr. Spider seemed to enjoy watching the struggle of that helpless little bug. When the writhing of the bug stopped, Mr. Spider slowly moved in for the kill.

I began to think how Mr. Spider and Satan are very much alike. Satan can spin a beautiful web of temptation in unsuspecting places. Then he crawls to one corner and watches as his prey is caught in the trap of sin. Just like the bug that was caught in Mr. Spider’s web, people are caught because they didn’t see the trap for what it was or they thought they could dabble in sin a bit and then break free. Satan doesn’t seem to be in any hurry. I think he enjoys watching that person, who is trapped, no matter how they struggle to free themselves. Yes, they are caught in Satan’s web of deceit and destruction and Satan has conquered mankind once more. The only hope of freedom from the power of Satan’s web of sin is through the blood of Jesus Christ.

“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:11-12

HELP!!

I have heard of people having the big head but my husband probably takes the cake.

When he was four years old, he was playing in the yard when he spied the iron wheel wagon that his dad used. The rear axle had two 2x4's coming to the coupling pole at an angle.

"Wow! I think it might be fun to just crawl down between those boards and that bar."

So, climb he did; feet first. What he didn't realize was his head was too big to go between the 2 x 4's and he couldn't manuver his shoulders back up. He was stuck; good and stuck. He kept trying to get out and it was no use. Finally he gave up.

"Mom, Mom, I'm stuck ! Come get me out, Mom!"

Finally, Mom heard her son calling for help so out she ran.

"Oh, my Lord, Son! What on earth have you done?"

"Get me out, Mom! I'm stuck!"

There was nothing Mom could do to unstick him try as she might and John's dad was working out in the field.

Off Mom ran hoping to find Dad so he could get his Son out of this mess. Find him she did and they both ran back to the wagon, where Son was still stuck. Both Mom and Dad were so excited about Son being stuck, Dad didn't take time to find a buck saw but ran for his ax and begin chopping away at the 2 x 4. Mom was screaming all the time,

"You're gonna cut his head off!! You're gonna cut his head off!"

Fortunately , for all concerned the 2 x 4 was cut into and John dropped down to the ground.

"Boy, I'm never gonna do that again!", he said, sobbing, and he never did.

How many of us have done something that we shouldn't do? How many of us have been "stuck" in a situation we wish we had never tried? How many of us have said to God, "If you'll just get me out of this situation, I'll never do it again."

There was a time when David was in trouble. Possible it was a time when he was being hunted by King Saul, who wanted to kill him. During that time, David cried out to God to save him; to remove him from the trap he was in. In our time of trouble, do we cry out to God or do we try to take care of the matter ourselves?

“As I sink in despair, my spirit ebbing away,
you know how I’m feeling,
Know the danger I’m in,
the traps hidden in my path.
Look right, look left—
there’s not a soul who cares what happens!
I’m up against it, with no exit—
bereft, left alone.
I cry out, God, call out:
‘You’re my last chance, my only hope for life!’
Oh listen, please listen;
I’ve never been this low.
Rescue me from those who are hunting me down;
I’m no match for them.
Get me out of this dungeon
so I can thank you in public.
Your people will form a circle around me
and you’ll bring me showers of blessing!” Psalm 142:3-7 The Message

"All That and A Bag of Chips!"

"Don’t think only of yourself. Try to think of the other fellow, too, and what is best for him." 1 Corinthians 10:24 (TLB)

"All that and a bag of chips!"

Do you know anyone who thinks that of themselves? You know, that one that has "It's all about me!" written on their forehead.

I have just enough college psychology to make me dangerous but I did learn a little. Babies are born with an egocentric behavior...... Crying when they have a physical problem is common. However, crying just because they want attention? They don't care that mom has a million chores to tend to....all they care about is their perceived need at the time. They don't understand anyone's need but their own.

While outside playing a child can hear the phone ring. In they come needing something........anything that will get mom's attention. They will get in mom's face telling her what they need never mind mom is talking. If that doesn't work, they will lay down in the floor, kicking and screaming until mom says

"I'll have to talk to you later. My child is needing something."

"I'm the apple of Mom's eye" they say to themselves as mom hangs up the phone
.
 Ever Christmas shop with a six year old? The present they want to buy Mommy or Daddy is usually something they themselves want; a doll or a baseball glove. They can't distinguish their needs or point of view from that of others.

You would think that one would outgrow this childish behavior as they mature but a lot of teens are self conscious and that leads to egocentric behavior. They feel every eye is on them because, after all, they are more important than anyone else. And, heaven forbid, should they trip and fall in front of the class or spill a coke down their front.

"Oh, my gosh!! I am ruined. Everyone in the room will be talking about this from now on because after all, I am more important than anyone else in this room"

Then, there are the adults. Don't you love talking to an adult who is forever interrupting your conversation because the story they have is much more important than the one you are telling. After all, they are "awesome sauce".

How about the adult woman, who just has to have a new dress for every occasion because, heaven forbid, their friends should see them in the same dress they have ready worn.

"I can't wear this again because everyone saw me in it once and , of course, they will remember because "I'm all that and a bag of chips!" and, "How I look is noticed by everyone." Or the one who is always the last to show up at a gathering because they were spending time in front of the mirror to be sure they looked better than everyone else there.

And, we will not enter the political world of egocentric behavior. I could fill a notebook with that.
I'm sure all of us have known and loved people who exhibited altruistic behavior. My mother was a prime example. She put her family's needs and the needs of her friends well before her own. She never thought of herself as being more important than anyone else. She never worried about how she looked or what her friends thought of her.

Wouldn't our world be wonderful if there were less people who feel they are "all that and a bag of chips" and behaved in an altruistic manor; behavior that thinks more about the needs of others than their perceived needs. What if there were more Mother Teresa's in our world? What if we lived our lives the way Jesus lived His? What if when we leave this world, those who knew us could say, " I have never known a more caring person" rather than "They were the most self-centered human being I have about ever seen!"

"Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don’t just think about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and in what they are doing." Philippians 2:3-4 (TLB)