The Meaning of a Word

Language is fluid - ever changing.
The King James Bible is sometimes difficult to understand because a word has become archaic and is no longer used. For example: "chambering", in Rom. 13:13. What in the world is "chambering"? My "spell check" can't even find it!

In other instances, over the passage of time, a word or phrase may take on a completely different or totally opposite meaning. For example: In Matt. 13;21 the phrase, "by and by he is offended" would lead you to believe that "after some time he is offended", you know, as "in the sweet by and by". However, three hundred years ago, that phrase meant, "immediately he is offended". We've changed the phrase to mean the exact opposite of it's original meaning.

Gay used to mean happy.
Cool and hot used to refer to temperature.
Pot used to be a container.
Roach used to be a bug.
High was a position not a condition.
The list could go on and it would be a lot of fun.

All this to say "liberal" used to mean generous and tolerant. Yes indeed, generous with someone else's resources and tolerant of everything except conservative views.

The Pathways of the Wind

God's ways are as hard to discern as the pathways of the wind, and as mysterious as a tiny baby being formed in a mother's womb. Be sure to stay busy and plant a variety of crops, for you never know which will grow--perhaps they all will.

Ecclesiastes 11:5

Noses, Tongues, and Chicken Brains

Yesterday I mentioned a song I had once heard about how Americans will swallow almost anything (physically, mentally, and spiritually). The song is on an old cassette from about 25 years ago. A miracle that I found it and that it still works. It was written and sung by a young man, Grady Toland. here is one of the verses.

"My balony has a first name,
it's animal remains.
Like noses, tails and tongues and such,
probably even chicken brains.
But I love to eat it every day
and if you ask me why I'll say;
Because we Americans will eat about anything,
if you wrap it up just right."

Oh, please God, help us to see beyond the wrappings, the ads, and the "testimonials".

Check the Ingredients - Closely

I heard a cute song years ago (I'll try to find the words) about American eating habits. The point of the song was that Americans will eat anything if you put it in the right package. There is a lot of truth in it. I've found that usually tastiness and "addictiveness" is directly proportionate to the amount of dangerous ingredients in the product. Remember the ad ditty, "Jay's potato chips, can't stop eatin 'em."

For the past 50 years American consumption, driven by powerful advertising, has fueled the world's economies. We are a consumer oriented society. The advertisers hawk their wares and we swallow it with only a cursory glance at the ingredients.
"Hmm, wonder what that is? Never heard of it. Gulp.

Buyer beware!!! This has a strong application to American spirituality if you didn't catch it!!

Don't Look Down on Youth

In 1904 a spiritual revival broke out in Wales. God used a man named Evan Roberts. Within a year over 100,000 converts were added to the Welsh church. Evan was 26 at the time. The evangelistic team consisted of his brother Dan(20), Sydney Evans(20), Evan's sister Mary(20), and their singing group "The Singing Sisters" whose ages were 18-22. www.welshrevival.com

The Apostle Paul adomonished Timothy, "Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe." 1 Tim. 4:12

LET THE YOUTH ARISE!!!

False Hopes -- False Fears

Which is worse?

False hopes.....or false fears?

The end result of false fears is a nice surprise since they didn't come to pass.

The end result of false hopes is bitter disappointment.

Weighted Down?

Bear not
a single care
thyself

One is too much
for thee

The work is Mine
and Mine alone

Thy work -
to rest in Me.

author unknown