New Pet Peeves

Here are a few of my new pet peeves:
1. When you buy a new clothes' dryer, you have to PURCHASE the "right" cord as well
2. When someone besides you picks the length for the cord, it will inevitably be too short
3. Laying on the ground, screwing (or unscrewing) in the new cord, is not one of the "acceptable positions" when you have bi-focal lenses--> you might as well be doing it by feel
4. Wondering how you could misplace a screw right in front of your eyes (see # 3 above, apparently) AND how that screw could be different from the other 20 screws on the dryer
5. When you can immediately find several of the "right" screwdrivers, you should consequently realize that you really won't need them--> you will, however, need another tool that has conveniently disappeared
6. People who swerve into your lane because they are "texting" while driving
7. People who turn left (suddenly) from the center lane
8. People who, though they are in the left turn lane by the library, really want to take the next right, AND expect you to get out of their way when they make a mad dash for it

Hope you had a good morning too!

Be Content With What You Have

I was talking with a friend last night about a past situation at church that is bothering him quite severely. It crowds out the things that he should be thinking or praying about at times (Phil. 4:8). My counsel to him was to look at the good things that are going on in the life of the Body.

• We have reunited in the bond of Christ with a number of believers. Some, of whom, I never thought we would have fellowship in Christ with again
• There is a pervasive atmosphere of love, care, grace, mercy, and freedom flowing throughout the whole Body
• The AWANA ministry is flourishing, with many new children hearing and responding to the good news about Jesus Christ
• Evangelism is happening, with many non-believers hearing the Word of God concerning salvation
• A brother is able to use and sharpen his gifts, including teaching the Word and the gift of administration
  
• "Stuff" is getting done without scolding, nagging, micromanaging, or ADMONITION from the pulpit
• We are able to focus on ministering to our brothers around the world through mission organizations, instead of worrying about building an edifice to our personal glory

We have many responsibilities to accomplish as a Body. One of them is NOT to worry about what God has promised to take care of. We need to strive to bring Him glory in all that we do and let him take care of that which is now outside of our scope.

For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory forever (Rom 11:36).

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God (1 Cor 10:31).

Just wanted to post a few pictures of the work that I did this morning in the garden: Planted a few white onion bulbs, planted some potatoes, planted some lettuce (not pictured), and turned under two of the raised beds.

In the picture to the left, along with a partial of my left shoe, lies a garden de-chlorinator. Chlorine in city-water can kill beneficials in the soil, so I thought I'd try one of these this year. I don't know how I'll measure its benefits because there are so many other variables that affect plant growth.

All you gardeners remeber, Keep your spade fork in the ground! And remember my mantra...I will not plant tomatoes, squash, etc., until after the last frost date...ditto, ditto, ditto... :)

Hindsight

You know, we really don't have hindsight. Yes, we can say, "I would have done thus and such had I the knowledge that I have today!" That, however, does little to fix the current situation.

We were in a situation in which many have now had hindsight. Let me tell you, if I knew then what I know today, I never would have gotten into that mess at all--would have steered clear of it like the plague. You know, though, something else would have cropped up--that seems to be the human condition. What do we do when that "something" else crops up? Do we wait for that new batch of hindsight to brew up? No!

He has show thee, o man, what is good and what the Lord requires of thee: But to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8).

If you find someone who is not doing the above, you don't need hindsight, you need foresight...deal with it, and if you can't, then get out of it.

My measure of hindsight is full of foresight when I see someone still wanting to lord it over others, someone who continues to scheme and whisper behind people's backs (They need prayer so let's talk about them!), someone who can't walk around town without seeing people they have offended...

Hindsight NOT needed...Just proceed with caution.

(Read 3 John for an example of someone to avoid like the plague)