1 Cor 10:31 (1 Sep 2011)
"re:  Charles' letter:  a big con game"


Kudos, Charles!!   ~ on your letter:  http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/aug2011/charles831.htm
And a BIG AMEN to that!!
 
The Lord warns His followers in Luke 21 ~ that we NOT be carried away with "overindulgence", drunkeness, and cares of this life!! ~ or that may toss us into a mode where "the day" overtakes us unaware..... as it will the rest of the world!
 
We are also told in the N.T. to cast off the sin that so easily besets us.  For many (in fact, likely "most" Americans??).....  the sin that so easily besets us -- IMO, is not necessarily "bad" things -- but could just as easily be too many "good things".   I know, as a woman, (yet men can just as easily fall into this trap!) ~ how easy it is to constantly want "more things"!!  <-- advertisers see to that!!   More toys, more computer/electronic gadgets..... more, more, more, more...... till finally we need bigger houses to put it all in!
 
Or.... how many rent storage units "full of stuff" that is never even used?
 
Well, it is time to "cast off" things that are not used.... things we don't need... things that only take up our time (in dusting, maintaining, repairing, etc.) and REDEEM the TIME!! ~ time that can better be spent with the Father, reading His Word, doing His will....visiting widows & orphans in their distress (per bk of James) etc.  We are not to be hearers of the Word, ONLY ~ but also DOers.... otherwise we are deceiving ourselves!
 
I'd like to challenge those who are exceedingly lonely or otherwise down in the dumps, to take a couple hours out of your day and stop dwelling only on ourselves and our wants & so forth (or lack of) and do something kind for a widow you may know from church.  The surprise, the thoughtfulness will just reap such awesome blessings ~ not only to her, but also to us!  We cannot refresh others without ourselves being refreshed.
 
May we be living the kind of lives that are PLEASING to THE LORD  ~ when that trumpet sounds!  Amen!

~~