Postcards from the Fast Lane

Ecclesiastes 10:1 “Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour,” is the source of the phrase, “a fly in the ointment,” which can best be described as a small but irritating flaw that eventually spoils the whole thing.

The fly in this phrase can be compared to one small, unobtrusive sin when allowed into our lives can lead to more sin…thereby eventually “spoiling” our eternal life. Let’s compare the two.

1.    THE NATURE OF A FLY.

• It can enter through the smallest crack.
• A fly is a pesky insect.
• A fly is attracted to a sweet fragrance.
• A fly will search out unguarded food.
• A fly is hard to swat.
• A fly is a contaminant.
• A fly is small but dangerous.
• A fly is attracted to chaos.
• A fly will soon become a swarm
• One fly can mess up a lot of ointment.

2.    FLIES HAVE DESTROYED MANY LIVES.

• A fly turned Solomon’s heart.
• A fly messed up David’s life.
• A fly turned Sampson into a wimp.
• A fly has pulled preachers down.
• A fly has destroyed political giants.
• A fly has destroyed the lives of many athletes.

3.    HOW TO KEEP THE FLIES OUT?

• Keep your area clean.
• Keep your house secure.
• Change your dirty laundry.
• Spray your life with the Word.
• Watch out for the small stuff.
• Stay away from garbage.
• Kill him before he lands.

4.    THERE IS A CALL TO CHECK YOUR OINTMENT.

• Prayer life is your ointment.
• Praise life is your ointment.
• Anointing is your ointment.
• Witness is your ointment.
• Walk with God is your ointment.
• Faith life is your ointment.

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Dear readers, be sure that a fly is not hampering
your Christian life.

Is the idea of “time traveling” so outrageous? I don’t think so. If you just think about it, the Bible takes us back to ancient times using such vivid descriptions that we can imagine being there.

For example, God spends a great deal of time in Job describing dinosaurs. I know…I know… the posting on September 16 is about dinosaurs. But I reread in the Bible when God is talking to Job and His descriptions of dinosaurs are so detailed that I can actually imagine myself there…looking in the face of those fierce monsters. Why don’t you try it yourself? Job 40: 15-24 and Job 41: 1-34.

Then there are the detailed instructions to David for building God’s temple. Can’t you just imagine traveling back through time to stand in awe of the majesty after Solomon completed the task?

And Noah’s Ark…imagine yourself standing on one of the decks looking out over the animals…you can almost hear the mix of the different sounds: roars, cheeps, squawks, screeching, barking, crowing…need I continue?

Of course, there’s always the trip back to the belly of the great fish. We find ourselves in the company of Jonah…both of us covered with Yuk!  That’s worth repeating…Yuk!

But the most poignant trip that we, as Christian time travelers, embark on is the trip to the cross and our Lord Jesus Christ. It will change your life.

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Dear reader, were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Today represents the most solemn day in the history of America. No one will ever forget the scenes that flashed across the airwaves into our homes on that fateful day.

Disbelief, horror, and gut-wrenching terror all filled our souls as we watched in shock as two planes controlled by terrorists, attacked the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001. Followed by a third terrorists attack on the Pentagon in Arlington Virginia just outside Washington, D.C. A fourth plane crashed in a rural Pennsylvania field instead of reaching the planned target by the terrorists…thanks to the heroic efforts of the crew and passengers onboard.

There were no survivors from any of the flights.

The New York Fire Department headed the Twin Towers rescue and recovery effort with every emergency unit imaginable joining in to help…many lost their lives.

They are America’s heroes and heroines.

The death toll reached 2,996 including the nineteen hijackers plus the overwhelming number of casualties.

President Bush, with the support of the entire United States, quickly responded by launching the “War on Terror” campaign.

There was only one other time that I can remember when America banded together with such fervor…World War II.

As I sit peaceably in my home…recalling the terrible events etched in my heart forever, I have to stop to wipe the tears clouding my eyes. My heart is broken.

I will never forget…

America will never forget…

Jeepers creepers…
where’d you get those peepers?
Jeepers creepers…
where’d you get those eyes?

Recognize those lyrics? Well, in case you don’t, “Jeepers Creepers” is a popular 1938 song by songwriters Harry Warren and Johnny Mercer. The song was featured in the movie, Going Places starring Ronald Reagan. How apropos for Ronald Reagan…he really did “go places.”

But I digress…back to the subject at hand…peepers.

Check out Luke 11: 34  Amplified Version: Your eye is the lamp of your body; when your eye (your conscience) is sound and fulfilling its’ office, your whole body is full of Light; but when it is not sound and is not fulfilling its’ office, your body is full of darkness.

Sometimes, we get sidetracked and ignore our conscience to the point that it’s not fulfilling its’ office. Consequently, our bodies become filled with darkness. The distraction could be something as familiar as family, career, or even church. Please don’t misunderstand…all these things are very important and deserve our attention. But our Heavenly Father is most important in our lives…or should be. “Going Places” with God should be our top priority.

Stay on track…keep your eyes on the Father.

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Postscript: Eyes are the windows of our souls… Do we take time to really see into another’s soul when eye contact is made? We casually look but do we really see. Today, take the time to gaze deeply into the eyes of your spouse, children, or grocery store checker. Is your “window” reflecting love and light? What is their “window” reflecting? You might be surprised.

Here’s lookin’ at you!

Photo: Jerry Colonna

Today, we’re delving into the fascinating world of string…yes, I said string. Believe it or not, there are extraordinary uses for ordinary string.

Did you know that you can use string to water your plants while you’re out-of-town? Fill a large container with water and set it next to your potted plant. Cut several pieces of water-soaked string, one end of each string reaching to the bottom of the water container and the other end of each string buried a few inches in the soil. As the soil begins to dry, capillary action will draw water from the reservoir to the pots through the strings.

For all you Einstein types out there, there is also a “String Theory” floating around. Here’s goes…this theory supports the idea that electrons and quarks within an atom are not 0-dimensional objects but 1-dimensional strings and indirectly describes our universe. Whew! Glad that’s over.

Actually, I believe that Jesus is our Superstring and whether He created the atom to contain 0-dimensional objects or 1-dimensional strings is strictly His business.

I leave the atom and the universe in His hands…

String can be used to make string curtains, tie packages for gifts or mailing, pulling a child’s loose tooth, rolling into a string ball for a playful kitten, or flying a kite on a windy day.

The world of string can be fascinating…even to Christians.

With Jesus, our Superstring, tied around our finger, we’ll never forget the One who created the universe and everything in it…plants, electrons, quarks, atoms, and don’t forget…us.

Remember: He loves you…no strings attached.

Penelope’s eyes widened as she held the spiral-shaped conch shell to her ear. “Yes, I hear it…I actually hear the ocean!”

Nana smiled. “Close your eyes, Penny….”

“The sound of the ocean is even louder!” cried Penny.

Five-year-old Penelope and her Nana were scavenging in Nana’s old trunk in the attic when they found the forgotten conch shell.

Handing the conch back to her grandmother, Penelope asked, “Do you miss the ocean Nana?”

“Yes, but the truth is that I’d miss you more if I still lived back in Maine.”

That evening, all alone in her bedroom, Nana prayed, “Lord, I pray that you’ll allow me to see the ocean one more time before you call me home.”

The years passed and Nana grew older…well into her nineties…but still her prayer had not been answered even though Nana would beg to differ. Her prayer had been answered according to her…the answer was no.

Reconciled with the Lord’s answer, Nana continued to live a contented life. Frequently, Nana would hold the conch shell against her ear and close her eyes. It was almost as good as being there in person.

Then one evening as she closed her eyes and held the conch shell to her ear, the sound of the ocean was intensified somehow. She could see the blue/green ocean with the white waves crashing against the rocks…she could feel the spray of the salty seawater as it splashed off the rocks onto her face. She could hear the call of the sea gulls as they swooped down to the water’s surface to grab the prize before another gull got there first. She could hear the clang of the buoy bells…the road markers of the sea…as they issued warnings of obstacles and danger to any nearby water traffic.

Suddenly, she saw the bright light of the lighthouse as it warned seamen to steer clear. But somehow, Nana was compelled to run toward the brilliant light. The light got brighter and brighter.

The conch…forgotten…fell to the floor as her body slumped slightly in the cushioned chair.

A beautiful smile illuminated her face as she ran into the light.

Mr. Ford, would you repeat those specifications for the wooden boxes that will house the transmissions when they’re shipped to your factory?”

Henry Ford was speaking to the last company who had submitted a bid to build the transmissions for his first motor vehicle, the Model T. (The Model A came after the Model T. Go figure.)

After repeating the precise specifications for the wooden boxes even down to the exact location of the screws, Mr. Ford asked, “Think you can handle that? Remember, I’m as adamant about the transmission shipping boxes as I am about the transmissions.”

Eager to win the bid, the owner assured Mr. Ford, “Yes of course Mr. Ford. I understand…and I guarantee you that the shipping boxes will be the exact measurements that you requested.”

“And what about the placement of the screws?”

“Absolutely! Mr. Ford…I guaranteed satisfaction or I’ll redo the transmissions.”

“You’ll also redo the shipping boxes if they’re not exactly what I’ve set before you…right?”

After sealing the deal and hanging up the phone, the owner of the company scratched his head. “That’s crazy…why in the world would Ford be so concerned about the wooden shipping boxes…and crazier still…the placement of the screws holding the boxes together? No matter, I’ll be happy to cater to his whimsical eccentricity. We have to ship the transmissions in something anyway.”

Lighting up a cigar, Henry Ford called his foreman into his office. “Johnson, the transmissions are being shipped in the floorboards for the Model T. Specification precut…screw holes already bored…plus the screws…and all for free…”