THE GREAT PIG OUT

Be careful not to spend your time feasting, - Luke 21:34a (NCV)

      They call themselves the Graveyard Gang. A bunch of hooligans that are never up to any good. In fact, they make Harold look good. Thankfully there are only four of them, Butch, Bud, Chuck and Joel. On the Fourth of July they were up to no good again and unknown to the group, Harold, was in a tree above them and could see and hear everything they were up to.

     It was the loud sound of "Psst" Bud made as he called out to see if Butch was around that caught Harold's attention. "Yeah, I'm here." Butch answered as he stood up from his hiding spot in a bush a little ways away. "Did you find a spot for the Pig Out?" Bud asked him as he crept over.

     "No" Butch told him, "That was Chuck’s job. You gave me the job of stealing, I mean finding all the food." Well," Bud humphed, "Have you stolen, I mean found enough food for us yet?" "Maybe for me." Butch laughed, "I'm still working on the rest." "Well just remember its a pig out." Bud growled.

     As Harold sat in the tree listening he began to wonder if he should show up - well until he heard some one below him say "We eat until we puke, just like last year, just like old Chuck did with those hotdogs." "I don't want to eat that much Harold thought to himself. as he saw Chuck slither up behind Bud.

     "Did you find a spot yet?" Bud shouted as he turned and pushed Chuck on the ground. "And don't sneak up on me." "Spots?" Chuck snorted, "Yeah, I've found lots of spots but none will work, not even last years spot in the grave yard. The police are watching everything." What Harold heard next got pretty gross, even for him.

     "Are you going to try top 36 dogs this year?" Butch asked Chuck. "You eat." Chuck replied, "I'm doing something different." "Can't" Butch said, "I’m trying for 2 gallons of ice cream and brain freeze." "You don’t have a brain." Bud butted in, "You fried it out last year." "Oh, yeah!!" Chuck said with a grin.

     "I'm going for 100 meatballs covered in chocolate sauce." Butch told the gang. "Well, I've got some flame thrower salsa and two gallons of Mountain Dew." Bud spoke up, "That should give me a burp that will register on the Richter scale." As they continued to talk about tubs full of candy and stomachaches and chili beans and tooting and other gross stuff to gross to repeat, Joel came running up to the group "RUN!" he yelled at the top of his lungs, "The Police Are Coming!" and just like that the graveyard gang took off and Harold decided to climb a little higher up the tree.

     There is a scene from a Monty python film where there is a man over indulging himself with food to the disgust of the waiter. As the gentlemen eats he gets fatter and fatter to the point where he is absolutely full and he cannot eat anymore. His body looks like it will explode at any minute! Then the waiter encourages him to eat one more item, a wafer thin after eight mint, he refuses at first but then he is encouraged too indulge one more time... then upon eating the wafer thin mint he bodily explodes in the restaurant. That is a comical take on gluttony but it is an epidemic problem.

     Another illustration related to gluttony titled, "You Know You Overdid Thanksgiving When...." makes light of over eating for you know you overate when

• Paramedics bring in the Jaws of Life to pry you out of the EZ-Boy.
• The "Gravy Boat" your wife set out was a real 12’ boat!
• You receive a Sumo Wrestler application in your e-mail.
• Friday you set off 3 earthquake seismographs on your morning jog.
• Pricking your finger for cholesterol screening only yielded gravy.
• That rash on your stomach turns out to be steering wheel burn.
• Representatives from the Butterball Hall of Fame called twice.
• You consider gluttony your patriotic duty.

     Derived from the Latin gluttire, meaning to gulp down or swallow, gluttony is the over-indulgence and over-consumption of food, drink, or intoxicants to the point of waste. St. Thomas Aquinas list six ways to commit gluttony:

• Eating too soon.
• Eating too expensively
• Eating too much.
• Eating too eagerly
• Eating too daintily
• Eating wildly

     Gluttony as a form of greed is just one more of the seven deadly sins that is quite dangerous. When you read through the scriptures you find gluttony taking various forms such as drunkenness, feasting, partying, etc. Here's some of what the Bible has to say.

• Gluttony Is The Way Of The Godless - 1 Peter 4:3 - You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols. (NLT)
• Gluttony Leads To Poverty - Proverbs 23:19-21 - Listen, my child, be wise and give serious thought to the way you live. Don't associate with people who drink too much wine or stuff themselves with food. Drunkards and gluttons will be reduced to poverty. If all you do is eat and sleep, you will soon be wearing rags.(TEV)
• Gluttony Keeps One From Being Prepared
  • Luke 12:45-47 - "But if the man begins to think, `My Lord won't be back for a long time,' and begins to whip the men and women he is supposed to protect, and to spend his time at drinking parties and in drunkenness-- well, his master will return without notice and remove him from his position of trust and assign him to the place of the unfaithful. He will be severely punished, for though he knew his duty he refused to do it. (TLB)
  • Luke 21:34-35 - “Be careful not to spend your time feasting, drinking, or worrying about worldly things. If you do, that day might come on you suddenly, like a trap on all people on earth. (NCV)
• Gluttony Brings Humiliation - Proverbs 28:7 - He who keeps the law is a discerning son, But he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father. (NAS)
• Gluttony Ends In Eternal Loss - Philippians 3:18-19 - For I have told you often before, and I say it again now with tears in my eyes, there are many who walk along the Christian road who are really enemies of the cross of Christ. Their future is eternal loss, for their god is their appetite: they are proud of what they should be ashamed of; and all they think about is this life here on earth. (TLB)

     With those dangerous in mind keep these word of advice in mind as well

• Proverbs 23:1-3 - If you sit down to eat with a ruler, notice the food that is in front of you. Control yourself if you have a big appetite. Don’t be greedy for his fine foods, because that food might be a trick. (NCV)
• 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. (NIV)

     Here's Something to Ponder

• Are you given to over indulging yourself
• Are you able to say "That's enough." and than stop

A HAY RIDE INVITE

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have - Hebrews 13:16a (ESV)

      It was a beautiful afternoon as Helen Gray and Tracy McDonald strolled through the park. “Won’t it be nice when spring finally gets here?” Helen asked Tracy. “I can’t wait.” Tracy told Helen, “I love helping my Dad drive the tractors around in the field.” “Will you get to drive the tractor this weekend?” Helen asked as they turned to walk back towards the picnic area.

     “No, my Dad is going to.” Tracy responded, “I want to stay on the hay wagon with the rest of the kids.” “It sure is nice of your dad to offer to host a hay ride.” Helen told Tracy, “It will be a good way for the people of the church to get to know the two of you better, and for you to know them.”

     “We’ve been here for months.” Tracy said, “And there are still lots of kids I haven’t met yet. I know I saw that orange haired boy standing over there in church last Sunday but I have know idea who he is.” “I’ve have no idea either.” Helen told Tracy, “I’ve never seen him before.” “It sounds like he’s crying” Tracy said, “Maybe we should go see if he’s okay.”

     As the two of them walked over to Joel, Helen called out to him to see if he was okay and ask why he was crying. “I’m not crying. Coooool kids don’t cry.” Joel cried out, “I got something in my eye.” “Can I look at your eye?” Helen asked as she walked over to him. “NO!” Joel shouted at her, “Go Away! I can do it myself!”

     “Why aren’t you with your friends?” Tracy asked “Because, I...I...I...I... Don’t have any friend.” Joel said and started to cry some more. “You don’t!” Tracy said a little surprised, “Would you like to make some? You could come to a hay ride next Saturday afternoon. It will be a lot of fun and you might make some friends.”

     “That would be a great idea.” Helen piped in, “There is going to be lots of kids there and games to play and food to eat, and” “FOOD! Did you say FOOD?” Joel interrupted. “So, you like food,” Helen responded. “Maybe you’ll like my Grandson Harold Peterson!” “I think I already met him.” Joel said, “By the way, I’m Joel Brady and I’m a coooool dude.”

     For the next hour, Helen and Tracy shared a little more about themselves, learned more about what a “dude” was and told Joel how he could get to the hay ride. When Joel left he was no longer crying and was definitely thinking about going to the hay ride.

     Then Jesus said to the man who had invited him, “When you give a lunch or a dinner, don’t invite only your friends, your family, your other relatives, and your rich neighbors. At another time they will invite you to eat with them, and you will be repaid. Instead, when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.

Luke 14:12-13 (NCV)

     As Christian's we have much to share with the world and the Bible reminds us that we are to be a sharing people:

• Isaiah 58:7 - Share your food with the hungry and bring poor, homeless people into your own homes. When you see someone who has no clothes, give him yours, and don’t refuse to help your own relatives. (NCV)
• 1 Timothy 6:18 - Tell the rich people to do good, to be rich in doing good deeds, to be generous and ready to share. (NCV)
• Hebrews 13:16 - Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. (ESV)

     Many time people will go out of their way to host an event such as a hay ride so as to be able to invite, to share with, people who are not christian in a way that creates opportunities to share even more.

• Galatians 6:10a - When we have the opportunity to help anyone, we should do it. (NCV)
• Colossians 4:5-6 - Be wise in the way you act with people who are not believers, making the most of every opportunity. When you talk, you should always be kind and pleasant so you will be able to answer everyone in the way you should. (NCV)

     The ultimate goal for sharing with others, I think, should be to create opportunity to be a witness for Christ, to lift up Christ so He may draw others to Himself.

      Here's Something to Ponder

• How do you share what you have?
• What purpose do you have in sharing with others?

BEING COOL IS COOL

For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Galatians 1:10a (NAS)

      There was a new kid in town and Harold was following him in hopes of finding out who he was. As Harold climbed over fences and hid behind trees, you could hear him muttering to himself “This is sure hard work trying to follow that kid with the orange hair. He just keeps going and going and going. I wonder if I’ll ever catch up to him.”

      After following him for more than two hours, the orange haired kid stopped moving. “Finally,” Harold said, “Maybe now I can catch him.” As Harold snuck up behind him, he heard the kids says something about what a coooool day it was. As Harold stood hiding behind a tree only a few feet away, he suddenly sneezed.”

“Who are you my man?” came a voice from the orange haired kid. Shaking and scared from being caught, Harold squeaked out his name and asked the orange haired kid his name. “Everybody knows who I am.” came the response, “ I am Joel Brady, and I’m the coolest dude, around my man.”

      “I saw you at our church on last Sunday. Are you a Christian?” Harold decided to ask. “A Christian?” scoffed Joel, “Who needs to be a Christian when your as coooool as I am. Do you have a light my man?” “A what?” Harold asked “A light, my man. It’s time to go and have a drag.” Joel told him

     “I still don’t know what you’re talking about.” Harold told him. “The kind of light I want is a match so I can light up my cigarette to smoke.” Joel said with a grunt. “What!” Harold shouted in surptise, “You shouldn’t be smoking.” “All coooool kids smoke.” Joel responded, “ If you don’t smoke than you’re not coooool.”

     “You’re not coooool” Harold snapped back. “You’re just a loser. The only coooool people are those who know Jesus and have given their lives to Him. Smoking doesn’t make you coooool, it makes you stink, turns your teeth yellow, fills up your lungs with bad stuff and it could even kill you. If you really want to know how to be coooool you need to read your Bible.”

     “Read a Bible to find out how to be coooool?” Joel scoffed back, “I can find out from my friends how to be coooool.” “Friends?” Harold laughed, “I bet you don’t even have any.” and with those words Harold stuck his nose in the air and walked away. “Friends! I don’t need friends. I’m so coooool,” Joel hollered at Harold and than he started to cry

      When one goes to the dictionary to find out what "cool" means you find that it means to be - very good, excellent, all right, fashionable, hip. Like Harold and Joel, we each have different ideas on what it takes to be coooool and those ideas are often based on who we want to impress with our coooool-ness.

     There are in the world those who are people pleasers those who would want to be cool in the eye of those around them.

• John 12:42-43 - But many believed in Jesus, even many of the leaders. But because of the Pharisees, they did not say they believed in him for fear they would be put out of the synagogue. They loved praise from people more than praise from God. (NCV)
• Acts 12:1-3 - About that time King Herod cruelly attacked some who belonged to the church, and he killed James, John’s brother, with the sword. When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter too, during the days of Unleavened Bread. (HCSB)

     There are those who are here to please God those who would be cool in the eyes of God like the apostle Paul

• 1 Thessalonians 2:3-4 - Our appeal does not come from lies or wrong reasons, nor were we trying to trick you. But we speak the Good News because God tested us and trusted us to do it. When we speak, we are not trying to please people, but God, who tests our hearts. (NCV)

      The same apostle tells us to be a God pleaser rather than a man pleaser. To do what it takes to please God

• Ephesians 6:5-6 Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. (NAS)
• Colossians 3:22-23 - Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, (NAS)
• 1 Thessalonians 4:1 - Brothers and sisters, we taught you how to live in a way that will please God, and you are living that way. Now we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus to live that way even more. (NCV)
• Hebrews 13:16 - Do not forget to do good to others, and share with them, because such sacrifices please God. (NCV)

     Here's Something to Ponder

• Do you want to be coooool in the eye’s of people or in the eyes of God.
• What are you doing to be cooool

THAT WEIRD LOOKING KID

Do not judge according to appearance... John 7:24a (NAS)

      It was Monday morning and Mindy and Stella had gotten together at the park to talk. As they strolled over to the swings sets, Stella caught a glimpse of someone on the far side of the park and froze. Grabbing Mindy’s arm she whispered “Do you see him?”

      Slowly Mindy turned her head to see who Stella was talking about but she didn’t see anyone. “You must be seeing things again.” she told Stella, “There’s no one there.” “But I’m sure I saw him.” Stella told Mindy, “And he looked just as weird as when I saw him yesterday at church.”

      “Yesterday at church?” Mindy thought out loud. “You’re not talking about that weird looking kid that sat in the back are you?” “I sure am.” Stella told her. “I always thought Harold was weird but that kid was really weird. Did you see what color his hair was?” “You’re right, Stella.” Mindy told her, “He is weirder than you brother, not even Harold would dye his hair orange.” 

      “Are you talking about me?” came a familiar voice. It was Harold who had snuck up behind the girls and was listening to their conversation. “Hi, Harold, Bye Harold.” came his sister’s reply. “We’re talking about that weird kid in church on Sunday.” Mindy told Harold. “You mean the weird one with orange hair and sunglasses?” Harold asked.

      So, you saw him too?” Mindy asked Harold. “Of course I did,” Harold told her, “How could you not see him?” “Did you find out who he was?” Mindy asked. “No,” Harold told her, “He left too quickly after church.” As Harold and Mindy started talking about how weird the kid was, Stella started waving and pointing “There he is, There he is.”

      As everyone turned to look, Stella yelled out “Hey, what’s your name?” When the weird kid heard Stella he quickly disappeared. “Who does he think he is?” Stella said with anger in her voice, “No boy walks away from me without telling me his name.” “I’ll go see if I can catch him.” Harold said and took of following him.

      “Are you going to follow him too?” Mindy asked Stella. “Are you crazy?” Stella replied, “I don’t want to be any where around him.” “But,” Mindy replied, “I thought you wanted to know his name.” “I do,” Stella answered, “It’s Harold I don’t want to be around.”

      How do we see the people around us? Suppose someone comes into your church meeting wearing nice clothes and a gold ring. At the same time a poor person comes in wearing old, dirty clothes. You show special attention to the one wearing nice clothes and say, “Please, sit here in this good seat.“ But you say to the poor person, “Stand over there,“ or, “Sit on the floor by my feet.“ What are you doing? You are making some people more important than others, and with evil thoughts you are deciding that one person is better. - James 2:2-4 (NCV)

      Many time in the Bible we are cautioned about judging others.

• James 4:12 - God is the only Lawmaker and Judge. He is the only One who can save and destroy. So it is not right for you to judge your neighbor. (NCV)
• John 7:24 - "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment." (NAS)
• Matthew 7:1-2 - "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. (ESV)
• Romans 2:1 - Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. (ESV)

      Samuel was a prophet in the Old Testament who looked at someone and thought he looked good enough to be king but he forgot to look at the person the way God does. Now the Lord said to Samuel, “You have mourned long enough for Saul. I have rejected him as king of Israel, so fill your flask with olive oil and go to Bethlehem. Find a man named Jesse who lives there, for I have selected one of his sons to be my king.” But Samuel asked, “How can I do that? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” “Take a heifer with you,” the Lord replied, “and say that you have come to make a sacrifice to the Lord. Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you which of his sons to anoint for me.” So Samuel did as the Lord instructed. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town came trembling to meet him. “What’s wrong?” they asked. “Do you come in peace?” “Yes,” Samuel replied. “I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Purify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” Then Samuel performed the purification rite for Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice, too. When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”- 1 Samuel 16:1-6 (NLT)

      I found this poem in my Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations by C. R. Hembree.

I dreamed death came the other night:

And heaven's gates swung wide.

With kindly grace an angel

Ushered me inside.

And there, to my astonishment,

Stood folks I'd known on earth.

Some I'd judged and labeled

Unfit or of little worth.

Indignant words rose to my lips,

But never were set free;

For every face showed stunned surprise...

No one expected me!

      Here's Something to Ponder

• In what way would you like to be judged?
• How are you seeing those around yourself?