Booze & Expensive Gas: A Dangerous Combination

Two Tennessee men are in jail today after a physical altercation. While walking to get gas for their empty car, the two acquaintances started fighting over who should pay for the gas. Police said both David A. Lundsford of Sweetwater, Tennessee and Roger Gifford of Athens, Tennessee remain in custody pending a court appearance today.

A police report shows Lundsford suffered a minor stab wound in the abdomen, apparently inflicted with Gifford's pocket knife early Wednesday. A witness told police that she saw Lundsford punching Gifford.

Lundsford told officers that he and Gifford were walking north on Congress Parkway after running out of gas and they started arguing about who should pay when they got to the pump.

Both men are charged with public intoxication, which pretty well explains this whole bizarre scenario. Just another example of the unmatched wisdom of God's word...

Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. (Proverbs 20:1, ESV)

Has any man in the history of the world been made better by the consumption of alcoholic beverage? No, not one. How many have seen their lives ruined by strong drink? Far too many to count.

We all know drinking on a "social" level is the "norm" in our time, but following norms is just one way among many that strong drink leads one astray (see verse above). Alcohol use is alcohol abuse.

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
(1 Peter 2:11, ESV)

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Watch That Temper!

When King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the Agagite to a position above all the other officials in the Persian kingdom (Esther 3:1), it was decreed that all the king's servants would bow down and pay homage to this new "head honcho" (3:2). When Mordecai refused to do so, Haman was "filled with fury" (3:5). Mordecai's refusal to worship this man proved to be the catalyst for Haman's plot to eradicate the Jewish minority from the Persian empire (3:6).

In the end, the very gallows that Haman prepared for the hanging of Mordecai were used against the man himself (7:9-10). The fury and lack of self-control Haman displayed drove him to his own downfall.

Uncontrolled anger is:

1. Evidence of fleshly desires (Galatians 5:19-20).
2. A characteristic of fools (Proverbs 12:16).
3. Forbidden by God (Matthew 5:22; Romans 12:19).

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down upon your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.
Ephesians 4:26-27, ESV

My friend, anger will arise from within every man from time to time. It is a lack of self-control in dealing with that anger which will inevitably lead to one's downfall. The 50-cubit-high gallows of Haman stood as a testament to that truth!

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Zip Those Lips!

We need more silence in the world.

Oh, there is a time to speak -- even times when the truth simply must be told.

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.....a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.
Ecclesiastes 3:1, 7, NKJV

By practical observation, however, it would seem that the vast majority of mankind seems to be under the distinct impression that silence only has a proper place when it comes to others. Sadly, the wisdom of maintaining one's peace appears to be a skill that is passing away.

According to an old Irish proverb, "The silent mouth is sweet to hear."

In what I personally regard to be one of the most insightful and desperately needed Proverbs of the Bible, the wise man said...

Whoever restrains his words has knowledge; and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
Proverbs 17:27-28, ESV

You may have heard this similar thought: 'Tis better to keep your mouth shut and have them think you a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.

Truly, we are a world in desperate need of a better appreciation for the power of silence!

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A Fourfold Folly

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
Galatians 6:7-8, NKJV

The fourfold folly here is...

1. The folly of trying to deceive God
2. The folly of expecting something different from what we sow
3. The folly of sowing to the flesh and and expecting to reap of the Spirit
4. The folly of expecting more or less than we sow

God is not deceived, but I truly believe many of us are! Our actions have consequences. If we live spiritually grounded lives, the consequence is spiritual reward. If my life is dominated by fleshly pursuits, my inner man follows the same course as the outer.......it passes away (2 Corinthians 4:16).

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Suing The Judge

(Cue The People's Court theme song)

Announcer, Jack Harrell: Now entering the courtroom, Nebraska State Senator, Ernie Chambers of Nebraska's 11th District. He has filed suit against the defendant for making terroristic threats against the senator and his constituents, inspiring fear, and causing "widespread death, destruction and terrorization of millions upon millions of the Earth's inhabitants."

(typewriter sound effect summarizing the charges)

Announcer, Jack Harrell: Meet the defendant.......God???

You heard right, ladies and gentlemen. An elected public official has filed a lawsuit against the Almighty. You can read more about this amazing story here.

Mr. Chambers claims he took action against the Creator of the universe to show how frivolous lawsuits can be filed against anyone at any time. It is probably safe to say that most Americans would agree that there are too many silly lawsuits being filed in our day and time. But is this really the most effective and wise way to demonstrate that point?

Ernie Chambers is an outspoken adversary of religion. It appears this was a way to "kill two birds with one stone." On the one hand, he has addressed the frivolity of many lawsuits; on the other, he is poking fun at the God he refuses to acknowledge.

The fool says in his heart, "There is no God."
Psalm 53:1, ESV

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Here's A Message For You: You're Fired!!

A Polish bus driver has been fired for sending 38,000 text messages on his company cell phone in a losing effort to win a contest jackpot.

Leszek Wojcik, a bus driver in the northwestern Polish city of Slupsk, ran up a tab of some 94,000 zlotys ($34,000) with his text messages while trying to win a 100,000-zloty ($36,000) SMS contest that ended June 30.

A city bus drivers' monthly company phone bill is supposed to be limited to 15 zlotys ($5).

Wojcik sent an average of 1,200 SMS text messages a day, each costing 2.40 zlotys ($0.86), on his work cell phone.

Wojcik told TVN24 television he wanted to buy a second car with his possible winnings. "Now I'm without work," he said.

There is a Biblical principle to be learned by the unwise decisions of Mr. Wojcik. The Bible says...

Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty. A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.
Proverbs 28:19-20, ESV

God will bless the man who earns his wage. Activities that rob us of our time and resources (such as gambling) generally lead to some level of poverty, and often to a certain measure of compulsion.

Work hard and enjoy the fruit of your honest labor. To count on "easy money" is a fool's way of thinking.

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Pigs Must Be Careful

The following is a poem I recently ran across (the author being unknown) that exposes the folly of drinking alcohol:



One night in late October,
When I was far from being sober;
I was returning home with my load in manly pride.
When my feet began to stutter,
So I laid down in a gutter,
And a pig came near and laid down by my side.

A lady passing by was heard to say:
"You can tell who boozes,
By the company he chooses,"
And the pig got up and slowly walked away!



The Bible says, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise" (Proverbs 20:1, ESV).

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A Thousand "Thrones" Fit For A Thousand Kings

The Chinese are serious about their bathrooms. The city of Beijing recently opened a public restroom featuring 1,000 stalls spread out over 32,290 square feet and four floors.

"We are spreading toilet culture," said Lu Xiaoqing. "After they use the bathroom, they will be very, very happy."

Some of the urinals are uniquely shaped -- such as several crocodile heads, and several units that features a bust of the likeness of the virgin Mary. I'm not sure how or anyone else has any idea what Mary looked like, but I think it's safe to say that she never would have envisioned the day her supposed likeness was mounted on top of a toilet.

Officials have submitted paperwork to The Guinness Book Of World Records in an effort to be recognized as the largest public restroom in the world.

The first passage of Scripture to "pop" into my head as I read all about this "porcelain palace" was the first chapter of Ecclesiastes. In a book devoted almost entirely to declaring the vanity of "life under the sun," verses two through eleven (read them here) are especially applicable when we see useless, yet remarkably funny stories such as this.

All the work that went into constructing this facility and all the fanfare it receives will fade soon. As always, something bigger, better, more fancy, and more remarkable will come along soon enough.

The message is simple: In all our hustle and bustle and seemingly worthwhile pursuits in this life, remember what/Who is most important -- living for Christ and preparing oneself for judgment.

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Shades Of Jehoiakim In Chattanooga

Richard McCoy may not even know it, but he was virtually reenacting a scene from the book of Jeremiah.

Chattanooga fire officials say McCoy used pages from a copy of the Bible in his Best Western motel room to kindle several small fires. He even disconnected his room's smoke alarm to delay detection, thereby greatly endangering other guests.

Thankfully, no one was injured as a result of the "Biblical blazes," but McCoy was arrested and charged with counts of aggravated arson and vandalism.

When I first came across this strange story, the first thought that came to mind was the account of King Jehoiakim. In the 36th chapter of Jeremiah's prophecy to Judah, the childishly stubborn acts of this king are recorded for all to read; and, although Mr. McCoy may or may not have shared this king's motivation, his strange antics help us recall the actions of a foolish leader.

-- Click here to read the text --

Jehoiakim's hard heart compelled him to reject the very word of the Lord that was intended to mercifully warn Judah of impending disaster. His worldly wisdom deceived him into believing the burning of one scroll could prevent God's will from coming to pass. From observing the teaching and behavior of many in our own time (including many religious types), Satan still has the masses duped and deceived into believing that human effort can somehow thwart or alter the plans of the Almighty.

May we always hold God's word in utmost reverence.

"So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."
Jeremiah 55:11, ESV

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Passing The Buck

A sad story involving the loss of a human life has become even more sad. Josh Hancock, a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, was killed late last month when his vehicle crashed into a tow truck on the side of an interstate in the early morning hours. The first news reports indicated neither drugs nor alcohol played a role. However, when more details were made available, it was learned that Hancock had made not one, but a series of fatal decisions that led to his death.

Not only was Hancock’s blood-alcohol level approximately twice the legal limit, he was also speeding at the time of the impact. Furthermore, he was using his cell phone, was not restrained by a seat belt, and marijuana was found inside the vehicle. By my count, that is four illegal activities (alcohol, speeding, seat belt, and drugs). Clearly, this is a tragedy; but a tragedy that was quite evidently brought about by Hancock’s own foolish decisions.

Late last week, Hancock’s father, Dean Hancock, filed suit against multiple parties who were in some way involved with the death of his son. Those being sued by Dean Hancock include:

1. The restaurant that served his son alcohol that night
2. The restaurant’s manager
3. The tow truck company
4. The driver of the tow truck
5. The driver of the car who required assistance of that tow truck

This is one of those stories that might make you scratch the hair right off your head as you try to figure it out. Although this case is certainly extreme, this has sadly become all too normal in contemporary times. One has to wonder where the sense of personal responsibility has gone in our modern way of thinking. We sympathize with Dean Hancock’s loss, but we cannot condone his selfish attitude in blaming others for what was so obviously an outcome affected solely by his son.

Consider this timely counsel from the word of God…

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it.”

Proverbs 9:10-12, ESV

When my words or deeds are indicative of a scoffing attitude, I have a responsibility to take responsibility. "Passing the buck" merely adds to the folly.

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