Ecclesiastes 12:11             It’s time, again, for some more of the wise sayings I’ve collected over the years.  Read, reflect, learn and enjoy!   >                    God cannot lead a man who stands still.  – Gerald Paden   >                    We don’t change the message; the message changes us.   >                    You don’t have to believe everything you think.   >                    Christ came not to tell us how to walk the golden street, but the dirt roads and nar

John 6:26-27             Over the years, people have sought after God for various and sundry reasons, many of which were self-centered and for personal gain.  In our text, Jesus speaks with the crowd of five thousand whom He had just fed with the loaves and fishes.  They had followed Him back to the other side of Lake Galilee and were perplexed about how He had made the trip across to the other side.  Jesus ignores their inquiry about His traveling methods and answers with th

1 Timothy 6:17-19             Sometimes (no doubt too often), God gets a “bad rap.”  He is railed upon for not preventing more of the suffering which goes on in the world.  He is seen as an egomaniac who wants humanity groveling at His feet.  He is thought to be too demanding in His expectations of those who would serve Him.  Hell is too severe, the cross too extreme, and “love your enemies” is just out of touch with real life.  It seems that we get an “out of balance” view o

1 Corinthians 9:19-23             Having purpose in life is important.  Many people who believe they have no purpose for living become depressed and often give up on living meaningful lives.  They can sink into further depression and despair, often turning to drugs and other escape-from-reality mechanisms.  Some resort to suicide.             There are a wide range of “purposes” for living which run from the honorable to the vile.  Many people find purpose in altruistic endea

Deuteronomy 15:7-11             We have all seen the neon signs in store and restaurant windows with the blue neon border and words in red which say “OPEN.”  Such signs express more than the current status of the establishment.  The sign says “Come on in,” “We are available,” “You are welcome here,” etc.  They are visually inviting.             The Bible has much to say about people being “open.”  In our text, the Lord is giving instruction about the poor: “...you shall not h