Analyzing That Misbehaving Toaster

The toaster in the kitchen conked out.  Oh, well.  Just buy a new one.
The computer printer put out a wrinkled page torn on the upper left hand side.  Was the problem with the device or the paper or how it was loaded? What to do?
“When you can identify the problem and assess the device that’s misbehaving that’s the first step,”  Craig began. “The challenge then is to sort out and recall any info you already have tucked in your brain.  Next you evaluate the advice you get from others.  Are they experienced, qualified to do the fixing?”
Who hasn’t needed these little reminders from time to time? Keeping all our household and automotive devices happily running is one thing.  The procedure that brings you success is the one to keep on doing.
What about the intangible things in life?  
Your success in the overall scheme of things is important to your peace of mind, and your future success builds on your earlier success.  This is why it’s important to settle issues for yourself, and then as a parent or friend of a friend, to be able to assist others.  Children need to learn to deal with problems without tears or angry words.  
Even grownups give in to childish behavior at times.  Maybe the bad word is now “Oh, crap,” instead of a swear word.  Whatever.  It does reveal to the bystander something about your maturity.
What’s wrong with the angry driver on the freeway who cuts in and out of traffic?  Does anger in return bring a teachable moment?  It’s time to claim your cool.  
What if I --- ? What if he --- ? What if they --- ?  What matters is looking ahead.  Wisdom is achieved, not delivered with your pizza order.
Craig was a teacher at Sunnyslope Elementary School.  His class —

God Speaks

To some, God speaks in storms or surf or mountain stream;

they hear His voice outdoors where His majesty is seen.

Others seek to hear in many different ways,

as they’re pondering the meaning of life’s days.

God does speak; He has not left us or turned away. . . 

Things Got Worse, Before They Got Better

Things got worse, before they got better,

But God’s blessing made all the difference to this man.

Maybe something of this will speak to you. 

Can We Just "Get By"?

      Many people believe in hard work and good luck, but not in God’s wisdom and supernatural intervention.  Maybe you know someone like this?

     Many people don’t get serious about who God is; they generally ignore what He says. Their philosophy of life is “get by.”

     Jesus got to the crux of the matter when He told His disciples, “. . .You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37).

                        What does God really expect of me?

     Nothing less than complete obedience will do.  If we don’t obey His requirements for salvation we will be lost.  If we don’t obey His requirements for living we are wasting our life, and we are being a stumbling block to others who need to know Him as Lord.  Getting by is never good enough.

                                 What’s holding us back?

1. Tradition, culture
2. Apathy
3. Misunderstandings in the past
4. Beliefs that take the place of worshipping only the God of the Bible
5. Rebellion against God — what we think He caused to happen, what we don’t like about the Bible, what we don’t like about His plan of salvation and His way of life for us.
6. We think we’re doing OK and don’t want to appear to be fanatic.
7. Peer pressure from people around us
8. We may have convinced ourselves that we are Christians because we used to go to Sunday School when we were kids.
9. (Can you add to this list?) . . . 

     Does God allow people to make up their own rules? 

For Such a Time as This

Perhaps you are where you are today . . . 

Because it was a mistake you made,

But there’s some reason why you are where you are;

Something to learn?  Something to do?  Something to say?

Perhaps you are where you are today

Because of someone else’s fault,

But there’s a reason why you are there;

Something for others to observe? A reason to pray?

Perhaps you are where you are today

Because it’s a detour to something better,

But there’s a purpose in God’s plan for you;

Something to be thankful for? Something today?