Riotous Suggesting

Today’s Thought Riotous Suggesting G. Ward

“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message.

⁴⁵ All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. ⁴⁶ For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, ⁴⁷ “Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” Acts 10:44-47

Amazingly, we’ve run amok with selfish innuendo (that can lead to heresy) concerning 2 sets of passages found in Acts chapters 10 & 19 that found some believers lacking full insight of Jesus’ sacrifice unto man. To place everything in a better perspective, we’ll need to remember the prefacing by the Apostles provoked a question; “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed” (Ac.19:2)? The potential converts replied, “No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”

³ And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” And they said, “Into John’s baptism.” ⁴ Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” ⁵ When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Ac.19:2-5).Many theologians of today exacerbate a notion presented at a revival meeting held in 1906; (The Azusa Street Revival was a historic Pentecostal revival meeting that took place in Los Angeles, California and is the origin of the Pentecostal movement. It was led by William J. Seymour, an African American preacher. It began with a meeting on April 14, 1906, and continued until roughly 1915. The revival was characterized by ecstatic spiritual experiences accompanied by miracles, dramatic worship services, speaking in tongues, and inter-racial mingling. In 1905, William J. Seymour, the one-eyed 34 year old son of former slaves, was a student of well-known Pentecostal preacher Charles Parham and an interim pastor for a small holiness church in Houston, Texas. Neely Terry, an African American woman who attended a small holiness church pastored by Julia Hutchins in Los Angeles, made a trip to visit family in Houston late in 1905. While in Houston, she visited Seymour's church, where he preached the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, and though he had not experienced this personally, Terry was impressed with his character and message. Once home in California, Terry suggested that Seymour be invited to speak at the local church. Seymour received and accepted the invitation in February 1906, and he received financial help and a blessing from Parham for his planned one-month visit.
Seymour arrived in Los Angeles on February 22, 1906, and within two days was preaching at Julia Hutchins' church at the corner of Ninth Street and Santa Fe Avenue. During his first sermon, he preached that speaking in tongues was the first biblical evidence of the inevitable baptism in the Holy Spirit. On the following Sunday, March 4, he returned to the church and found that Hutchins had padlocked the door. Elders of the church rejected Seymour's teaching, primarily because he had not yet experienced the blessing about which he was preaching. Wikipedia – The Free Encyclopedia)
Jesus completed all the work necessary for us to have a loving relationship with the Father, why is anyone suggestive of Holy God awaiting the early part of the 20^th century to introduce this new theology, thus disenfranchising my great-great grand-parent’s opportunity in surrendering to this level of spiritual empowerment (sounds cultic!)? Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. Acts 17:11
Are you noble-minded? Happy Thursday!

Strength In the Moment

Today’s Thought Strength In the Moment G. Ward

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9

 

Peter’s message to the church is timeless. It was a source of encouragement then and continues as inspirational now. We were never promised that life would be a cake walk, just that Holy God’s presence would never depart (Ps.46:1, Heb.13:5) from us. We most certainly view the chronicles of many (very particularly those believers in the days of the Apostle Peter) persecuted for their faith in Christ; dipped in tar, burned while alive (serving as fire lit lightposts in Nero’s garden, while he entertained others), dragged through the city streets via Nero’s chariots until they died, thrown to the lions (being ripped apart), gathered in human sized leather bags to be immersed in water  (being squeezed to death), lied upon( suggested by non-believers) maintaining that Christians were cannibals because it was said they drank someone’s blood and ate of their flesh (i.e. the Lord’s Supper) and that they greeted each other with holy kisses, sharing “love feasts” and innermost feelings; surely this was viewed as the essence of sexual orgies?

Howbeit that now while sharing the  same status as those Christians in trusting God as Savior, is now being predominantly promulgted as without strife and terribly de-contextualized as being the “head and not the tail, lender, not a borrower, blessed coming in and going out” and so forth? My misinformed charismatic friends are up in arms now! They’re saying Greg, that’s scripture! My reply is yes it is, but stop pulling excerpts to fit your narcissistic behavior and view the scriptures contextually. In Deuteronomy 28 where that is revealed, ISRAEL is admonished, “Now it shall be, if you diligently obey the Lord your God, being careful to do all His commandments” (Dt.28:1a). Following are 13 verses that seek to establish victorious living with a total compliance given by God’s elect. We fail to notice the 53 verses immediately following to indicate the Consequences of Disobedience (“But it shall come about, if you do not obey the Lord your God, to observe to do all His commandments and His statutes with which I charge you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you”  - Dt.28:15).

Swallow the hype of today or present faithfulness to the entirety of the script (Ac.17:11)! Happy Tuesday!

Servitude

Today’s Thought Servitude G. Ward  “But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”30 Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. 31 And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, 34 and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.’ 36 Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” 37 And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.” Luke 10:29-37 Florence Nightingale was a celebrated English nurse, writer and statistician. She came to prominence for her pioneering work in nursing during the Crimean War, where she tended to wounded soldiers. She was dubbed "The Lady with the Lamp" after her habit of making rounds at night. Nightingale laid the foundation of professional nursing with the establishment, in 1860, of her nursing school at St Thomas' Hospital in London, the first secular nursing school in the world, now part of King's College London. The Nightingale Pledge taken by new nurses was named in her honor, and the annual International Nurses Day is celebrated around the world on her birthday. The name (Florence Nightingale) has become synonymous with servitude. While many seek fortune and fame, there are some who find a need and determine that their helping is necessary. I believe that rendering any level of help must begin with a need vs. individualized promptings. Sure, the convalescent center’s inhabitants need an encouraging word and homeless shelters need your goods, but let’s not forget the words that Jesus our Lord spoke; “The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me” (Mk.14:7). By the Spirit, needs are forever presented; more imperative then to adopt is spiritual vision (i.e. an ability to see beyond what appears as actual).When we search for varied benevolent opportunities, I believe our natural inclination is to purse those economically depressed ones (cf. Mt.6:21), forgetting that the rich need Jesus also (cf. Jas.2:1-9). Now don’t you go thinking your name will remain in infamy because of great surrender as Florence Nightingale exemplified, but more importantly, make yourself available to the need because the Savior recognized ours. Happy Wednesday!

Unsettling

Today’s Thought Unsettling G. Ward

“But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.” 1 Peter 3:15

Recent news headlines read; By Laurie Goodstein

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — A historian of early Christianity at Harvard Divinity School has identified a scrap of papyrus that she says was written in Coptic in the fourth century and contains a phrase never seen in any piece of scripture: "Jesus said to them, 'My wife …'"

The faded papyrus fragment is smaller than a business card, with eight lines on one side, in black ink legible under a magnifying glass. Just below the line about Jesus having a wife, the papyrus includes a second provocative clause that purportedly says, “she will be able to be my disciple.”

Historically, so many have sought to destroy the greatest sacrifice given man (Jesus Christ). The perplexity (many of us share) in tampering with a perfect account seemingly is irrefutable. It however substantiates how a matchless grace and marvelous mercy stands overwhelmingly incomprehensible (“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!” Ro.11:33).

The implication of these recent findings (although seemingly innocent) would delineate our Savior as an ordinary man who would (contrary to what scripture reveals) succumb to temptation, but we know what scripture says; “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Heb.4:15).

Furthermore, as believers be sure to maintain great dignity as many will oppose you on this. Holy God said it would happen (“But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, ² by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron.” 1 Ti.4:1-2).

I’m inclined towards the gospel as the panacea for man’s uncertainty. The very reason the philosophical giants and bad theologians seek re-inventing the wheel, is because believers nearby failed to share TRUTH (cf.Jn.14:6). One common bond we all share; every man across cultural, racial, socio-economic status and educational prowess, need Jesus! Go and get them, quickly! Happy Thursday!

That Name

Today’s Thought That Name G. Ward

“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

It’s happened! The cat is out of the bag! The attendees of the gym that I attend Monday through Friday were without knowledge of my occupation and my desire was to keep it that way. Not because I’m ashamed of the calling to fulfill, it’s because I need to express the Savior via exemplary behavior vs. promulgating position.

Each day upon my arrival, I seek a treadmill (as there are about 10) to occupy. Interestingly, there are 10 televisions aligned directly above each treadmill. Generally they are tuned in to a news show of sorts. Most share a common expression of disgust concerning the many issues plaguing our society. Although I echo (internally) a similar sentiment, mine can’t be disquieted (cf. Eph.5:1-2). Potentially, I could very well ruin a witnessing opportunity with someone desiring an eternal perspective.

I’ll have you know that on today came such an opportunity. Over the last 7-8 months, I’ve developed a real kinship with a lady who is as serious about her physicality as I. Like me, she is gregarious enough to not be construed as mean, but vigilant. Both of us have experienced tremendous weight loss and have compared techniques as we have diet also. Our routine allows us to finish close enough whereby we vacate the premises together (fully engaged on issues of diet and exercise – gentlemen). On today she asked me the six million dollar question; “Greg, what do you do for a living?” Her astonishment arrived with a smile, yet contained a line of questioning (not exactly interrogative, but interestingly intriguing) that served as no imposition, while yet affording me opportunity to express my disconcerting view of religion. She was utterly perplexed in this view considering I was a Pastor. I neglected to share that she is a practicing Jehovah’s Witness. My experience with this organization is vast and I know of their religiosity (legalisms), therefore (by the Spirit), I know my attack to this must be unadulterated and administer patience (through tremendous prayer). Is our purpose to tear down, or build up? This religion is most certainly to be condemned (cf. 1 Jn.4:1-3). Any religion that expresses salvation found solely in their organization is the antithesis of what scripture represents (Ac.4:12). I’d love to see Michelle’s surrender unto the Lord. Would you begin praying for her? Happy Wednesday!

A New Song?

 

Today’s Thought “A New Song?” G. Ward

“And also the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man that He should change His mind.” 1 Samuel 15:29

I’m absolutely abhorrent towards religion, it stinks. Generations are constantly seeking ways to alter true meaning. They affix Holy God to the measurement of man (cf. Isa.55:8-9). Modern conveniences enable that perspective and although the words from God refer to Him as immutable, we refuse to adhere.

God is often called “The Ancient of Days” to refer to His being without parameters of time. In pragmatic terms, how then would He allow generations prior to endure such arduous tasks and conditions? Those tasks and conditions certainly in our estimations would have justified those oppressed, to distance themselves from worship. I say that because so many of this modernity can awaken to a sneeze on Sunday morning and preclude worship with others (forever looking for an excuse).

Modern conveniences (i.e. internet, religious programming, etc.) shouldn’t dictate diluted theology and most certainly cannot be an adequate substitute for the practicality of great prayer and study. In-authentically, many are yet reliant on a perceived work ethic from other theologians to substantiate their own walk in faith. Rev. Jim Jones (was the founder and leader of the Peoples Temple, which is best known for the November 18, 1978 mass suicide of 909 Temple members in Jonestown, Guyana along with the killings of five other people at a nearby airstrip. Over 200 children were murdered at Jonestown, almost all of whom were forcibly made to ingest cyanide by the elite Temple members.) became exceedingly successful because of this approach.

At the final call, your account unto the Lord will say exactly what regarding the relationship intended for Him and you (cf. 2 Co.5:10)?  Moreover, how’s that working for you? Happy Tuesday!

Attitude Adjustment

Today’s Thought “Attitude Adjustment” G. Ward

“And walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” Ephesians 5:2

I have a dear friend with credentials that could land her an exorbitant salary with tremendous perks and notoriety. She however maintains a position within a corporate structure that fails miserably in recognizing her worth both monetarily and ethically. Many would say that her settling for mediocrity is indicative of her personality type (perhaps a low achiever). I say re-focus and stop with improper assessments (judgment) by equating success with occupational packaging (i.e. salaries, etc.). Chasing dollars and cents is the most unnecessary compelling existent for the plight of man. Why, because we’re never satisfied. Therefore, a better perspective is understanding that every moment is temporary and that should have any of us under the scope of examining our motives. Citizenry in the heavenly realm demands early preparation for what eternity is soon to present (cf. Ps.90:10). Moreover, this perspective realizes that Holy God will forever be looked upon as King and celebrated for His merciful ways. Like my friend, many who attach themselves to this position will be looked upon as merely complacent and out of touch with the blessings of God (cf. Ro.8:18). There certainly is nothing wrong with demanding remuneration for work accomplished, and particularly when one’s educational prowess substantiates their proficiency therein. My friend once demanded that and made a great salary. Her spiritual aptitude has now increased enough to realize that HE is All Sufficiency (cf. Jn.15:5) and I’ll trust Him regardless (cf.Php.1:6)!

You’ll need to know that my friend (since having lost a substantial salary with prestige and great perks), hasn’t been late on any payments, is still able to save and make weekly contributions at her church. Happy Monday!

Multiple Personalities

Today’s Thought Multiple Personalities G. Ward

“Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.” Philippians 2:1-2

Sybil is a 1977 drama film that originally aired as a made-for-television miniseries. It was based on the book of the same name. It featured a most excellent actress (Sally Fields), portraying a young graduate student plagued with multiple personality disorder (13 different personalities to be exact). Ultimately this portrayal was determined as being the essence of psychosis.

Many I’ve encountered have conveyed a similar disorder without a technical prognosis. In the marketplace their garbs are meticulously selected to portray a higher socio-economic status, that others would seemingly be impressed. Vocationally, they yield very little transparency so their contemporaries stand perplexed at how aloof one could be. Then there’s home; everyone within those walls pray for a day to which those common frayed garments would be trashed and that you’d be less transparent so they wouldn’t have to listen to your constant nagging and bickering!

We’ve introduced on today just 3 personalities perhaps in your repertoire. Does that make you psychotic? You’re catching Sister Sybil quickly! Remember the scripture lesson text? Read it again. Happy Friday!

Righteous Endeavors

Today’s Thought Righteous Endeavors G. Ward

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Colossians 3:23

My brother and I were very enterprising while growing up. We lived in a predominately Jewish community and on the main highway there existed 2 major bakery shops (for those recipients from the Detroit NW area = Zeman’s and Star Bakery). Passing these shops was absolutely tragic if you were without the means to purchase the many delicacies they offered. Moreover, in that day asking your parents for money to buy these items would have afforded you a Jap slap of sorts (Amen somebody!), because the struggle to buy enough food was always an issue. I would imagine that all the children of that day were told about starving children in the uttermost parts of the world to get you to eat those horrific vegetables.

My brother was quite the entrepreneur. During the spring and summer he would enlist me as an amateur horticulturist (i.e. grass cutter), while fall and winter allowed our raking leaves and shoveling snow business to flourish.  It generated enough to purchase candy and baked goods from those bakeries I mentioned earlier. The competition was fierce, in that many of our friends endeavored the same. It placed great limitations within our immediate scope; therefore we decided to venture out some to endeavor working where our friends wouldn’t consider (*If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, again!). On one particular day we secured what appeared to be a goldmine several blocks away. Upon knocking at the door of the most quaint bungalow, we were greeted by an older lady of eighty plus. She expressed that the job was ours however her son (who facilitated her budget) would remunerate us in several days from then. We promptly endeavored the work with a manual (push) mower and an old trimmer (needing oil terribly) and hedge clippers (rusted from the 50’s). I neglected to share that this era rarely found gas mowers and electric accessories for yard care (Thank the Lord for presence in this modernity!). During the course of our working, there was great micro-management from this elderly lady that had us there beyond our intentions. We certainly didn’t worry because the latter part of the week we were to collect $10 for this work from her son. Ten dollars in that decade bought what appeared to be an unlimited amount of candy, etc. Our objective was to order dentures soon afterwards, in that we would rejoice with all the sugars ingested. We worked in that yard for what seemed like 6 or 7 hours. Upon finishing, this lady assured us the money would be there in a few days. Needless to say, my brother and I equated that wait with anticipating Christmas Day. When that day arrived, we arrived at her doorstep to see the door open, whereby this woman issued a quarter to my brother and the same to me; suggesting that’s all her son had to give (True Story).

That was the first victim of the string of murders my brother and I committed. Happy Thursday!  

Pseudo Living

Today’s Thought Pseudo Living G.Ward

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20

As I go, I feel a compelling to represent heaven’s society. More than often I hear from other believers how they too desire conveying the same, but they however cannot be fake in all their expression. Which then is it? Are they realizing that out of their mouths they declare Jesus while proclaiming ungodliness (cf.1 Jn.1:6)? Jesus exemplified what altruistic unselfishness should convey; “Who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men” (Php.2:6-7). Read that again. I believe what we all need is an attitude adjustment. Our Savior was/is guiltless, yet He loves the worse that society offers, dying for the entirety of mankind. Listen, you’re called to be fake (cf. Mt.5:16, *Mt.16:24)! Identifying what you feel is needed and being insatiably driven until you get it, is the worst kind of faking existent (cf. Pr.3:5-6, Mt.6:33). The message of the cross is more than your picking and choosing who deserves grace – it fully understands that sin (including my own) placed Jesus on that cross. Furthermore, it demands reciprocal behavior (Php.2:5). The violations you receive until then, you deserve! He (Jesus) endured all things, so that we would know how (cf. Ro.1:16).

“But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also” (Mt.5:39). Fake it, till you make it! Happy Wednesday!

Direct Intervention

Today’s Thought Direct Intervention G. Ward

“In my trouble I cried to the Lord,
And He answered me.” Psalm 120:1

Many days I pray to Holy God regarding the struggle within. Unlike most of you who awaken with a spiritual hymn on their mind, mine own will often rise with something more applicable, perhaps even secular. This morning it was Joe Cocker’s rendition of Up Where We Belong Lyrics: Who knows what tomorrow brings In a world where few hearts survive. All I know is the way I feel When it's real, I keep it alive

The road is long
There are mountains in the way
But we climb a step every day

[Chorus]
Love lift us up where we belong
Where the eagles cry
On a mountain high
Love lift us up where we belong
Far from the world we know
Up where the clear winds blow

Some may not regard this spiritually, but I believe it’s that in the absolute. The chorus demands that Love lift us up where we belong. Who then is love? Listen to the Apostle John’s definition of who Love really is; “We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him” (1 Jn.4:16).

Please remember on today that Love can take you unto righteous paths. You’ve tried time and time again (cf. Jn.15:5). Let your aim fully comprehend that this journey is ongoing (Php.3:12-13). Moreover, know that on today our Savior stood in the gap for you (Ro.8:26) and so did I (Jas.5:16). Happy Tuesday!

Busybody

Today’s Thought Busybody G. Ward

“For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.” Romans 7:15

We should be reminded that Holy God can/will use broken people for His glory. I believe not feeling worthy for the cause of Christ is the essence of great surrender (i.e. humility). Amazingly, our familiarity with numerous bible expressions of brokenness leaves us more perplexed on how after seeing Holy God part their Red Sea they could return to selfish thinking. This sort of castigation never admits to being delivered from a Red Sea, then abandoning God’s righteousness (cf.Ro.3:10). It always presumes no one is at watch, so as long as privacy continues who then will it cause to stumble? News flash – it enables further regression within us (the offender of the worse kind).

The Apostle Paul recognized that in his letter to the Romans. He knew struggling with sin as natural; however he also understood how imperative it was that his pursuit in righteousness must be expressed through a freedom message – the gospel. Sharing this message with others obscured a selfish plight intended. Moreover, it exacted reciprocity (of gratitude) for having received forgiveness of selfish pursuits in the first place. Rather than seek to understand what it was that was plaguing Brother Paul (Ro.7:15-20), identify your own struggle and do like the author, win souls (Pr.11:30)! Happy Monday!

Tracking

Today’s Thought Tracking G. Ward

“For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13-14

There’s a contemplative review that disables sorrow and life frustration. This review recalls days of gloom and doom in the past where it appeared no way out. It can be comparable to a child awaiting Christmas day for the joy it may present, even though the month is September…

Despair is synonymous with loneliness. No matter the aesthetic decorum a room might present, the surroundings might appear dismal. Unfortunately, in a world where revealed emotion is perceived as weak, many are quick in reluctance to never seek aid. In times past when transparency from a victim of despair presented itself, traditional messages like, “get up, and be strong” have impetuously become resolve from the un-compassionate (that is until they need comforting). There is however ONE who will listen and respond affectionately, no matter the day or hour (Ps. 46:1, Php.4:6-7, 1 Pe.5:7). Deciding to surrender every pitfall unto HIM, will shun despair, while kicking gloom and doom to the curb! Happy Friday!

Thin Line Between Love and Hate

Today’s Thought Thin Line Between Love and Hate G. Ward

“Not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:25

Hanna-Barbera Productions was huge in the 60’s and 70’s. They were instrumental in producing cartoons like the Flintstones, Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show (1971) and Scooby-Doo. Saturday mornings were most certainly exciting watching these cartoons with a large bowl of sugary cereal.

On the Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show, there appeared a little strange fellow by the name of Bad Luck Schleprock (whose favorite catchphrase was, "Oh wowsie wowsie woo woo. Miserable day, isn't it?"). Bad Luck Schleprock epitomized the essence of pessimism; no matter the endeavor pursued by his friends his reply was always, “it will never work!”

I’m convinced that many attending church (regularly) are synonymous with Bad Luck Schleprock concerning their view of this church culture. Many friends and constituents (particularly un-churched) are faced with incessant complaining emanating from us regarding how deeply troubled our frequenting church has become to say without verbalizing, “that’s why I don’t attend regularly!”

Our portrayal lends very little hope to those in search of peace and joy. Perhaps we’ve become so dull to our impacting the world for Christ that we feel this imagery is a gross exaggeration, is it? Happy Wednesday!

But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness. 2 Ti.2:16

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Eph.4:29

Salutations

Today’s Thought Salutations G. Ward

“Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23

Americanism is representative of generosity. Whether through calamity or celebration, the desired expression of continuity is heartfelt with so many. There is however a disingenuous spirit yet prevalent outside the realm of destruction and gaiety. It’s those three words echoed transcendent of geographic boundaries here in the good ole U.S.A., “how are you?” It more involves traditionalism than demanding a response. Furthermore if someone were to share with you the actuality behind their day or circumstance, it would most certainly be intrusive on our productivity. If we’re not prepared to hear the many woes in life with others, we’ll need to adjust our salutation. Hello or good day would do. Along with that try smiling, while remembering, “This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Ps.118:24). Happy Tuesday!

“Listen to the Exhortation of the Dawn! Look to this Day! For it is Life, the very Life of Life. In its brief course lie all the Verities and Realities of your Existence. The Bliss of Growth, The Glory of Action, The Splendor of Beauty; For Yesterday is but a Dream, and To-morrow is only a Vision; But To-day well lived makes Every Yesterday a Dream of Happiness, And every Tomorrow a Vision of Hope. Look well therefore to this Day! Such is the Salutation of the Dawn!” Kalidasa