GOSSIP
By Ken Blue
I emptied feathers out a window
They drifted carelessly on the wind
I searched throughout the neighborhood
To get them back again
My efforts were all futile
My searching was in vain
The feathers had disappeared
Down endless winding lanes
So it is with gossip
And every idle tale
Efforts to retrieve them
Are destined all to fail
So let your words be few
Don’t toss them on the wind
For as we’ve clearly seen
We can’t get them back again
LITTLE BY LITTLE
By Ken Blue
“By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land.” Exodus 23:30
It’s difficult to be patient when you have promises like those in this chapter. You would think forty years was long enough to wait, but it wasn’t, there was still a need for protection and growth.
If we fail to grow, we fail to receive that which God has for us. Each person believes he is more mature than he really is. If only we could get the breaks others get; if we were in a different location or had different people we would do much, much better. However, the truth may be that we have all we are able to minister to.
Little by little we grow, and as we do are given greater responsibly. It may be a year or two, but most likely, it will take decades. If you apply yourself by learning all you can about the ministry, you too will increase and “little by little” inherit that which God has for you.
THE SCENT OF SAUSAGE
By Ken Blue
I have a beautiful Chocolate Lab who follows me to the end of the fence line each morning and greets me when I arrive home at the end of the day. My wife gives him a cup of Science Diet as we leave and when we get home.
Yesterday morning she placed a leftover Jimmie Dean Sausage in the bottom of his dish and poured the Science Diet over it. I noticed as we left he could not make up his mind whether to run the fence or follow the scent back to the feeding dish. He would run a little, then halt and look back where the dish was. Finally, he bolted and ran back to the sausage.
When we arrived home, I noticed that he had nuzzled the Science Diet out on the ground and only eaten the sausage. The scent of sausage caused him to loose his appetite for the best Dog food money can buy. We must be careful that the scent of the good doesn’t ruin our appetite for the best.
By Ken Blue
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18T
Today is December 23, 2008, and as I look out my kitchen window at about two feet of snow, which is unusual for the Seattle area, I am reminded of what God said about it in relation to our sins. I am trying to imagine something whiter than the snow, and I find it impossible to do.
I honestly doubt that we can comprehend what God has done for us in Christ. Although my reasoning with God leaves me speechless and without an excuse, His Word assures me that I have been made whiter than snow in Christ Jesus. That too, leaves me speechless, except to praise Him for His mercy! Therefore, I will put His Word above my understanding and His Truth above my reasoning. As I dwell on the beauty and whiteness of the snow, I see God’s message to me and I am blessed. I hope you are too.
MY NAME IS SAMARITAN
By Ken Blue
My name is Samaritan; I was traveling the Jericho Road
With a beast of burden, my only companion, who carried my daily load.
I happened upon a stranger, who’d been robbed and left for dead
And pouring in wine and oil, “I’ll help you, good neighbor” I said.
I put him on my beast and brought him to an inn
I gave the host two pence and said, “Let his care begin”.
“I travel this road often, nearly every day
I will return again and his debts fully pay”.
The stranger looked up and said, “I didn’t get your name”
“Just call me neighbor”, I said, “perhaps we’ll meet again”.
Religion did not help him, religion does not care
Compassion is more God-like, and His nature you will share.
You ask, “Who is my neighbor?” His name you may not know
But, we can be good neighbors no matter where we go.