I Object

"I object", were the words of an acquaintance that was in divorce court. He had just heard something from his estranged wife that he didn't like, so he objected. Everyone in the courtroom was surprised. The judge, both lawyers, friends and family in the courtroom - all surprised. The judge reminded him that he could not object. That is reserved for those who are lawyers. She had not violated procedure or law. She had just said something that he didn't like. The good news is that the divorce did not go through and they are together with their kids. Thanks to God they are still together.

On reflecting on this incident, I was thinking about the day all of us stand before the Judge. We will be in His courtroom. He will have the final say. We will not be able to object. His verdict will be final. Should that not cause us to serve Him now? Give your life to Him and hear in that day - "enter in"!

There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus!

Thank God for his grace and mercy!

Sid

What Do We Do Now!

This is a real story. It shows sin, repentance and forgiveness. I have permission from the author to relay this story:

She was arrested Saturday morning and released Monday afternoon after a weekend locked up at the Juvenile Detention Center. Today we received a letter written by her on Monday morning before she came down and was released. I thought you might want to know what she said.

8/21/06

“Dear Mom & Dad,

Hey, I’m really sorry. Mom was right. She asked me if this was the way I wanted to spend my life. I decided it wasn’t. I was sitting in my room & decided that I wanted to get out of here to go to school. I want to make the grades this time so I can play a sport then I’m going to college on a sport scholarship.

All I want is to make you guys happy & I know that I’ve definitely disappointed you. Do you think that it could be a possibility that I could get out & be put on probation or do community service or whatever they want me to do? I just can’t stay in here. I only have 8 days until I fail the grading period. I only have 5 excused days and 3 unexcused. I just hope I get out of this mess & I hope you guys can forgive me.

Tell my brothers and sister that I’m sorry. I’ve set yet another bad example, but I didn’t get into anyone’s car & I didn’t take anyone’s stuff. I just hope they’ll believe me. I’ve got the other 3 boys backing me up. I should have listened to dad when he said, “Stay safe”. I think this happening was a message from the Lord reminding me that I really do need you guys. I say that I don’t need you & that I don’t like you but being here has reminded me of how much I love you & how much you love me.

I just want to come home today. I’ll see you later today in Court.

I love you!

Love,

A couple of lessons:

Good kids make mistakes.
Bad companions does corrupt.
Your sin will find you out.
Good parenting doesn't mean that you hide your mistakes.
Sharing your hurts with others builds relationships.
No one is perfect except God.
Crime does not pay.
God is good and godly parents forgive - they did.

Sid

Good Evening Mr. Phelps

"Good Evening Mr. Phelps"....

.... is exactly how one of my favorite shows began while I was growing up. You may remember it - "Mission Impossible." The line was delivered by a tape player which explained Jim's impossible mission.

The tape concluded by assuring the man with the mission that if he was caught, any knowledge of him or his mission would be denied and the tape would self-destruct in normally five seconds. This too would be a way of denying the existence of the mission.

The plan unfolded with lots of clever disguises and twists to the plot. Each member of the team had a different specialty and played a different role. But no matter the role or the unexpected drama all were totally committed to the mission.

God has given us a mission. The mission isn't impossible, but we like the television cast are to be totally committed to this mission. The mission: To serve God and to tell others of this God who has graciously saved us. And He will save them too, if they serve Him. What is your mission?

Sid

What Are You Looking For?

There was a small boy who when walking down the street one day found a bright copper penny. He was so excited that he found money, especially because it didn't cost him anything. This experience led him to spend the rest of his days walking with his head down, eyes wide open, looking for treasure.

During his lifetime he found 296 pennies, 48 nickels, 19 dimes, 16 quarters, 2 half dollars and one crinkled dollar bill, for a total of: $13.26

He got money for nothing, except that he missed the breathless beauty of 31,369 sunsets, the colorful splendor of 157 rainbows, and the fiery beauty of hundreds of maples nipped by autumn's frost. He never saw white clouds drifting across blue skies, shifting into various wondrous formations. Birds flying, sun shining, and the smiles of a thousand passing people are not a part of his memory.

What are you looking for? Are you so busy that the beauty of life and communion with God passes you by? Look to heaven - God is there in all of his glory and majesty. Set your eyes on Jesus - a pursuit that will give you eternal life.

Sid

Whose Stuff Is This?

I have an acquaintance that was involved in a traffic accident recently. The car in front of him had his turn signal on making a right turn. To the surprise of my friend the car made a quick u-turn as he was passing the car on the left. Needless to say there was an accident. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured. But now the interesting part of the story comes to life. The front car was given a ticket by the officer that was on the scene because the driver had made a illegal u-turn. Then car registrations and insurances were swapped and my friend took this information to his insurance agent.

The agent asked him if he knew who the title said owned the car. He said no. The agent then showed him the title that had the owner of the vehicle as "Jesus Christ", then in small letters - "church of latter day saints". My friend had hit two Mormon missionaries. And the car that they were driving was owned, registered to the church.

What I found that was funny was the way the registration read. It made me think. Maybe that is the way that mine ought to read: owner - Jesus Christ. In that way I would be reminded that all of my stuff is really his. I wonder if I would take better care of it? I wonder if I would be a better stewart? I wonder if I would drive differently?

For the first time this car probably reflected the truth about our stuff. It is all God's. We all need to remember whose it is.

Sid

Do You Know God?

Two football players, Bubba and Tiny, were taking an important exam. If they failed, they would be on academic probation and not allowed to play in the big game the following week. The exam was "fill in the blank" and the last question read, "Old MacDonald had a_____." Bubba was stumped -- he had no idea how to answer, but he knew he needed to get this one right to be sure he passed.

Making sure the professor wasn't watching, he tapped Tiny in the shoulder.

"Tiny, what's the answer to the last question?"

Tiny laughed, then looked around to make sure the professor hadn't noticed. He turned to Bubba and said, "Bubba, you're so stupid. Everyone knows that Old MacDonald had a FARM."

"Oh yeah," said Bubba, "I remember now." He picked up his No. 2 pencil and started to write the answer in the blank. Then he stopped. Tapping Tiny on the shoulder, he whispered,
"Tiny, how do you spell farm?"

"You are really dumb, Bubba. That's so easy," hissed Tiny, "farm is spelled 'E-I-E-I-O'."

Where are you in knowing the Bible? Too many just learn the facts of the Bible and don't get to know God. But don't be mistaken. You have to know what the Bible says so that you get it right about God. Read, learn, study His Word and develop an eternal relationship with the King!

Sid