Garbage

 

There is an expression with computers, “Garbage in, garbage out.”  So, what does that mean?  Well, if you enter the wrong information into your computer, you will have errors in the solutions that your computer produces.  Hey, that’s the same with our minds.  If we want to have pure thoughts, we must put pure things into our minds.  If we dwell on porn, we will have wicked thoughts.  David said in Psalm 101:3, “I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes …”  And David should know.  He was at the wrong place at the wrong time looking the wrong way and ended up in an adulterous affair.  So, what should David have done?  Hey, what should we do?  Paul gave the answer in II Corinthians 10:4&5, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds, casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”  We must capture every thought and get them under control.  A tall order, but a necessary order.  Control your thoughts and you will control your mind.  And verse five says that the way to control your thoughts is to meditate (to think) upon Jesus Christ.  Good advice from the Bible.  Hey, take a few minutes to read it right now.  You’ll be glad that you did.

Honesty

 

In 1955, Richard lived next door to me in Henry Freuling’s trailer park.  He was one year younger than me and one year older than my brother, Phillip, so Richard fit right in with my family.  My mother baby sat Richard, and we had to take naps in the afternoon.  One particular afternoon, my mother heard noise back in the bedroom when we should have been asleep.  So she wisely said, “Are you boys asleep back there?”  And we naïvely answered back, “Yeah, we’re asleep.”  Gotcha!  Why is it so easy to catch children in their mischief?  Well, I think it’s because children are not so sophisticated and haven’t figured out how to get away with deceit.  It’s wise for parents to teach their little ones early on to be honest.  Solomon said in Proverbs 12:22, “Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.”  Hey, teach your children to be truthful.  Teach them to honor God.  You’ll be glad that you did, they will be glad that you did, and the dear Lord will be glad that you did.

Reminder

 

I read my Bible daily and memorize Scripture (as much as this old mind will allow).  I am faithful in church attendance and in giving.  I witness to pagans that I come into contact with, but I am weak in my prayer life.  I have asked the dear Lord to help me in this area of my spiritual life.  I don’t want prayer to be work; I just want to have closer fellowship with my Creator.  So, I have asked the Lord to give me ticklers to remind me to pray. and I had one this morning.  I like to eat sourdough bread with my 1 slice of bacon and two eggs for breakfast.  My daughter-in-law makes great sourdough bread which I buy (to support her, not the big box store), and it has cute packaging with her name on it.  An old pastor friend of mine once said, “The sizzle sells the steak.”  And Laura’s cute packaging reminds me to pray for her each morning that I eat a slice of her sourdough bread.  Paul said of his dear friends in Phillipi in Philippians 1:3&4, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy.”  I wonder if Paul ate sourdough bread?  Hey, if you are in the Chattanooga area, get some Laura Lu’s Sourdough Bread.  It’s good stuff!  And while you’re at it, say a prayer for Laura and for me too.