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THREADBARE!

2/26/2023

I have a confession to make. Having grown up on a farm where I learned to be a “Jack of All Trades and Master of None”, I still fancy myself quite good at certain tasks. Among them is construction – at least the form of construction I was taught.

And what form of construction was that? To build most anything necessary out of most anything handy! We’ve all heard the old adage about all that is needed on a farm is a pair of plyers, a roll of duct tape, a can of WD-40, and some bailing twine. For my part, I lived that!

But back in the day, we did more than repair things; we also built things. Things like hay barns and livestock corrals and cattle chutes and horse stalls and chicken coops and hog pens. And along the way, I became quite skilled at the use of things like tape measures and skill saws and hammers and nails, not to mention vice grips, plyers, wrenches, and screwdrivers.

Thus it is that these days, I find myself unafraid to tackle various projects around the house and barn where we live. There is one thing that has changed though. My sons keep charge of the tools. And they are now more modern. So, when I construct things, I now use cordless power tools, such as drills and saws. I also utilize screws far more than nails.

Hence, it was with some alacrity that I plunged ahead with a recent project, wherein I constructed some small wooden supports in order to add a short concrete walkway that would provide all weather access to a side door of the barn. After measuring and cutting the boards, I placed them in position and prepared to drill them into the previously placed supports.

I grabbed a handful of screws and began assembling the assortment of lumber into a recognizable concrete support brace when, about halfway through the process, one of the screws was anything but cooperative. I slapped the head of the screw, configured as a Phillips Head, into the bit on the drill and drilled away. Only, unlike what had happened with the previous ten or so screws, this time nothing happened.

Drill as I might, with as much pressure as I could apply, the screw would simply not bite into the wood. More perturbed than puzzled, I paused to investigate. The problem was soon evident enough. What had purported to be a screw was in fact more of a nail than a screw. Sure it was long and cylindrical. And sure, it had the standard Phillips Head configuration on its head. But that is where the similarities ended!

To begin with, its long sleek sides were quite smooth. It lacked any threads. What is more, the bottom of the so-called screw was as flat as the proverbial fiddle. It had no point. The long cylindrical sides ended abruptly in a flat, round bottom. As such, it could not bite the wood. Nor could it ever hope to penetrate if it did. In short, it was a nail in screw’s clothing. And not even a good one at that!

And what do you suppose it did with it? That’s right! In the heat of the moment, I cast it aside and went on with the task at hand, quickly replacing it with another, more fitting and suitable screw in order to get the job done!

But later, I retrieved it. And I’m sure glad that I did. For it will forever remind me of the difference between the real thing and a pretender!

Jesus spoke often about such things. Not so much in terms of construction (although He was carpenter). Instead, he talked about the difference between sheep and goats and between wheat and tares. His point in all of this is that not everything that purports to be something else is in fact what it claims to be!

And the same is true of people. To quote Him exactly (from His famed “Sermon on the Mount” in the New Testament Gospel of Matthew, chapter 7, verse 21-23):

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”

Ouch! Talk about threadbare! If we purport to be followers of Jesus, then we had very well better be authentic and genuine with regard to both our calling and our character! Otherwise, we are mere pretenders whose deception is destined to be revealed in the Lord’s own time and way!

Given all of this, I pray I am found to be a genuine and authentic follower and servant of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Do you?

SCRIPTURE SOURCES:

https://biblehub.com/niv/matthew/7.htm.

PICTURE SOURCE:

https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinteresting/comments/fb5cdv/this_screw_didnt_come_with_threads/. Apparently, I am not the only one to encounter this problem.

SEE ALSO:

Jesus on Sheep and Goats: https://biblehub.com/niv/matthew/25.htm;

Jesus on Wheat and Tares: https://biblehub.com/niv/matthew/13.htm.

ABOUT THE SIZE OF IT!

2/21/2023

Years ago, I once heard a preacher use an illustration about a billiard ball that I have never forgotten. He made the point that most of us consider a cue ball to be one of the smoothest objects known to mankind. Most of them are made of either ivory or some form of polymer plastic that has then been polished to an incredible state of smoothness.

However, if someone were to blow that cue ball up to the size of Planet Earth, the question becomes: "Which would be smoother, the earth or the pool ball?" He then asserted that, surprisingly, the Earth would be far smoother than the pool ball.

We tend to think of the earth as anything but smooth. After all, the distance between the top of the nearly six mile tall Mount Everest to the bottom of the nearly seven mile deep Mariana Trench is around thirteen miles! And yet, while we cannot see them with the naked eye, the microscopic variations on a pool ball would prove far greater if it could indeed be magnified up to the size of the earth.

Should this happen, one might see mountains on its surface that were twenty, thirty, or even fifty or more miles high, as well as trenches and/or canyons that were fifty or sixty miles in depth.

His point in all of this was that we often view the problems others are facing as negligible. We do this because, from our perspective, they appear miniscule. And yet, from the perspective of the person actually addressing them, they are seen as tremendous!

It behooves us, therefore, neither to discount nor to downplay the issues faced by others. Indeed, until we have walked a mile in their shoes, we should never even presume to assess, let alone to dismiss, the difficulty of their circumstances.

Instead, the Apostle Peter tells us to be sensitive to the circumstances of others. In fact, in the eight verse of the third chapter of his First New Testament Letter, he encourages us to be sympathetic and compassionate toward others. The Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment when he tells us (in chapter 12, verse 16 of his New Testament Letter to the Romans) to “be sensitive to each other's needs”.

As I have reflected on these matters, I have been reminded that the problems I face may well be considered by some as insignificant. And conversely, they may be seen by others as insurmountable. And yet, the important thing in all of this may well be that, from God’s perspective, they are neither. For He has promised to see me through whatever circumstances I face, irrespective of their size or ferocity.

More to the point, He has called me to be there for others as they face whatever circumstances come their way. And in truth, I am never more like Him than when I help others to do this, whatever the size or the amount of the difficulties they face.

In either situation, the size of the Lord’s response is intended to be, not just equal to, but superior to, the difficulty being faced.

And when all is said and done, isn't that about the size of it all?!

NOTE: The internet seems to be divided over the veracity and/or viability of this whole assertion. Below, I have cited examples of each side of the argument.

EXAMPLE OF SUPPORTING SOURCE:

https://www.worldatlas.com/space/how-smooth-is-planet-earth.html.

EXAMPLE OF DISPUTING SOURCES:

https://ourplnt.com/earth-smooth-billiard-ball/.

SCRIPTURE SOURCES:

https://biblehub.com/1_peter/3-8.htm;

https://www.biblestudytools.com/cjb/romans/passage/?q=romans+12:16-21.

“TALLY-HO!”

2/17/2023

The British have a cry: “Tally-ho!” We are told that it is the traditional cry made by the huntsman (in fox hunting) to tell others that the quarry has been sighted. It was later adapted by the Royal Navy in World War Two to signal when the enemy fleet was spotted. From there, it found its way into the Royal Air Force, and eventually even to NASA as a way for astronauts to announce that they had acquired visual contact of some desired objective.

Here in the States, most of us use the term tally to signify counting, adding up, and/or totaling an amount of something. Given this, perhaps it is fitting that NASA astronauts should have adopted “Tally-ho!” After all, what better perspective to sum things up from than their vantage point, which allows them to gaze down upon the length and breadth of the whole world.

I thought about all these things today after I came across an article in the news declaring that the nation of Japan actually has twice as many islands as it previously thought. It seems that a recent recount has now found more than 14,000 islands.

According to the article, sources tell Kyodo News that the newest official count will more than double the number of the country's islands, from 6,852 to 14,125. In the last count, about 35 years ago, the Japanese coast guard counted by hand all the islands shown on paper maps with a circumference greater than 100 meters (328 feet), and didn't include islands in lakes.

But in the latest count, the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan—GSI—used digitized maps to count islands automatically, as well as aerial photos to cross-reference the results. They actually found over 100,000 islands, but only the ones with a circumference of 328 feet or more are included on the official list.

I was struck by the summary observation made by the reporter: “For an island nation, Japan appears to have been very bad at counting islands for a very long time.” More than struck, I was convicted by a sudden realization. Like so many people, I tend to look at my life, my relationships, my accomplishments, my accumulations, etc… all from a single given perspective. But in truth, that perspective is inherently limited.

It did Japan good to look down upon herself from above. Once she did, she undertook a little reassessment and discovered that she had twice as much as she previously thought she had. Similarly, I am reminded that if I step back from my limited perspective and consider things from God’s viewpoint, I just might be surprised at what all I see differently about myself and my life.

Surely I am not alone here. If we would be honest, how many of us get caught up in seeing what all we do not have, what all we have not done, where all we have not been, who all we do not know, etc… when we should focus instead on what all we do have, what all we have done, where all we have been, and who all we have known?!

Back in the day, it was customary to sing an old hymn by Johnson Oatman titled “Count Your Blessings”. Do you remember these familiar lyrics?

When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, ev'ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by. [Refrain]

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high. [Refrain]

So, amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end. [Refrain]

These words remind us that our Lord is a good and gracious and loving God. The Psalmist clearly understood how Mr. Oatman felt. In chapter 40, verses 5-6, he declared:

“Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders which You have done, and Your thoughts toward us; there is none to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of them, they would be too numerous to count. Sacrifice and meal offering You have not desired; my ears You have opened; burnt offering and sin offering You have not required.”

And there it is - having one’s ears opened to the testimony bespoken by blessings far too numerous to count! So, my friend, “Tally-ho!” Tally away, tally long, tally hard, tally well, and when you have tallied some things up, you too will soon hear and see just how good God has been to you!

STORY SOURCE:

https://www.newser.com/story/331672/report-new-count-doubles-the-number-of-japans-islands.html. Posted by Rob Quinn, February 16, 2023.

SEE ALSO:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tally-ho.

HYMN SOURCE:

https://hymnary.org/text/when_upon_lifes_billows_you_are_tempest.

SCRIPTURE SOURCE:

https://biblehub.com/context/psalms/40-5.htm.

EYES IN THE SKY!

2/13/2023

As of late, a lot of attention has been drawn to and by the multiple objects recently shot down by the United States military after having been observed floating over North America. While it is reasonable to conclude that their purposes in being there were nefarious, China, who is known to have launched at least two of them, nonetheless continues to claim that these orbiting platforms were merely there for scientific research.

Time will tell as their remains are even now being collected and studied. This much is for certain – it will be hard to deny the evidence that the U.S. and Canadian authorities are sure to retrieve from these devices once they are thoroughly analyzed. Once this happens, as it very likely will, methinks someone is then likely to have a lot of explaining to do!

Intrigued by this entire state of affairs, I became a little curious about just who all might be looking down upon me from up above, as well as to what extent they are able to do so. Imagine my surprise when I looked up my address on Google Earth and saw an overhead image of my own vehicle parked in my own driveway! (The only consolation is that this was the address I lived at before I retired and relocated. Doubtless, though, it will soon be re-photographed, and updated to reflect the new owners’ presence.)

Further intrigued, I then did a little more research on what may be considered “eyes in the sky”. To my amazement, I found out that, as of 04/30/2022, there were a total of 5,465 operational satellites known to be orbiting earth. Of these, the U.S.A. had 3,433, China had 541, Russia had 172, and all other countries combined had 1,319. Given that these facts are nearly a year old, the number is almost certainly higher by now.

Of the 3,433 satellites being operated by the U.S.A. at that time, 31 were Civil, 2,992 were Commercial, 172 were Government, and 237 were Military. One can only presume that the number of those operated by China and Russia, being communist and not capitalist countries, wound have been slanted much more toward military than commercial.

The point of all of this is that there are clearly a great many “eyes in the sky” looking down on me (and you) even as I write this. It is apparent these can see my property. One can only hope that their designers have not yet developed and employed the ability to see through the roof of my dwelling and/or outbuildings.

After all, I do try to practice a little modesty. What is more, while I do not necessarily have all that much to hide, I do appreciate a little personal privacy. As does my family; and, I am sure, as do you and your family also.

Still, there is one more set of eyes up above looking down on me that I dare not try to hide from. To begin with, it is futile to do so. And secondly, it is ultimately in my best interest to be seen by them. I am referring, of course, to the eyes of the Lord.

The Bible tells us much about these eyes. Proverbs 15:3 tells us that “The LORD is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.” More than just watching us, the Lord is scrutinizing us. Proverbs 5:21 says: “For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and the LORD examines all his paths.”

And why does the Lord do this? According to Scripture, He does this in order to hold us accountable. Psalm 11:4-6 says: “The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.” The word translated here as “try” comes from the Hebrew term “baw-khan'”. It comes from a root word meaning to examine the purity and/or adulteration of precious metals.

We live in a time of heightened awareness to the possibility (or should I say “probability”) of our being viewed and assessed by others from their vantage point high up above us. We might do well to be concerned about such things, as they could arguably be used to put us in a position of vulnerability.

But that other set of eyes – the ones belonging to our Heavenly Father – are not necessarily observing us with evil intent. In his First New Testament Letter (chapter 3, verse 12), the Apostle Peter tells us that “the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their prayer.”

In other words, it is ultimately a good thing for our Heavenly Father to be observing us from above. If we have embraced Christ, then we are His children. As such, He looks down upon us as a loving, caring, and compassionate Heavenly Father. For this reason, the Word of God assures us that we can call Him, not just “Pater”, or “Father”, but also “Abba”, best translated as “Daddy”. Indeed, He careth for His own!

Given all this, I echo the words of the hymn-writer of old who once said: “Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! Search me and try me, Savior today!” Perhaps you should do so as well.

NEWS SOURCE:

https://www.foxnews.com/us/us-heightened-alert-increasing-scrutiny-airspace-downing-unidentified-object-lake-huron.

SATELITE TATISTICS SOURCE:

https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/satellite-database.

SCRIPTURE SOURCES:

https://biblehub.com/proverbs/15-3.htm;

https://biblehub.com/1_peter/3-12.htm;

https://biblehub.com/galatians/4-6.htm.

HEBREW EXEGESIS:

https://biblehub.com/text/psalms/11-4.htm;

https://biblehub.com/hebrew/yivchanu_974.htm;

https://biblehub.com/hebrew/974.htm.

HYMN SOURCE:

https://hymnary.org/text/have_thine_own_way_lord.

LIGHT ME UP!

2/9/2023

I recently went to the dentist to have some composite fillings replaced. The ones in question had been there for several years; but apparently the wear and tear of slicing and gnawing my way through tons of fried chicken had adversely impacted them to the point that they simply had to be replaced.

So, I resolved myself to the fact that I had to go under the drill and marched forth to meet my fate. Imagine my surprise to discover that the worse part of it was right up front. I received a shot or two in my gum line; and in short order, it was quite numb. Thereafter, about all I felt was a little tugging. I also managed to hear a lot of drilling and grinding; though I felt none of the effects.

Still, beyond what I felt and what I heard, there was what I saw. Every so often, a light blinked. At first, I thought the lights in the dental office had flickered. After the process repeated itself, and hearing no comment on that possibility from either the dentist or the technician, I pondered other explanations.

It eventually crossed my mind that the numbing agent might have perhaps affected a nerve; and that this was somehow causing me to see the proverbial stars, as it were. But I discarded this thought once I picked up on an unfolding repetitive parallel. Shortly before the light appeared, each and every time, the dentist would say the word “Cure”. Thereafter, the light would flash.

Now, anyone who has endured such a procedure knows that it can be hard to talk under the circumstances. My gums were numb; cotton or some such material had been packed into my mouth to hold my lips apart; and, along with two pairs of hands, an entire array of dental equipment was constantly entering and/or departing my mouth.

Nonetheless, inquiring minds want to know! And so, I raised my hand to indicate I needed a pause, and was given the opportunity to speak. I then inquired as to the origins and purpose of the mysteriously recurring flashes of light.

The explanation was simple and straightforward. Whatever substance the composite fillings were comprised of was “cured” by the ultraviolent light. In some way, the light stimulated the materiel at a molecular level, agitating the particles and causing them to bond in a way that they otherwise would not have been able to accomplish.

Who’d a thunk it?! Light cured! Light bonded! Light made whole that which was broken! Light made strong that which was weak!

As I sat there reclined within the confines of the dental chair, the words of the Apostle John (in chapter 1, verse 7, of his First New Testament Epistle) kept coming to my mind: “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

Amen! And amen! He Who claimed to be the light of the world came into the midst of darkness and made whole the brokenness we all suffer. He came also to make us strong, not in our own strength, but in and through the strength and power He alone possesses and provides.

Given all these things, my plea to my dentist was a simple one: “Light me up, Doc!” My weakened and broken teeth needed what he alone could do for them. Likewise, my plea to my Heavenly Father is exactly the same: “Light me up, Lord! As only You can do, come and fix my broken soul and make me strong!”

In the words of the hymn writer of old…

I heard an old, old story,
How a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary
To save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning,
Of His precious blood's atoning,
Then I repented of my sins
And won the victory.

I heard about His healing,
Of His cleansing pow'r revealing.
How He made the lame to walk again
And caused the blind to see;
And then I cried, "Dear Jesus,
Come and heal my broken spirit,"
And somehow Jesus came and bro't
To me the victory.

O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.

Amen! And again I say, Amen!

SCRIPTURE SOURCE:
https://biblehub.com/1_john/1-7.htm.

SEE ALSO: Jesus’ words in the Gospel of John as found in John 8:12, John 9:5, John 12:46, all available at the same website.

HYMN LYRICS SOURCE:
https://hymnlyrics.org/mostpopularhymns/victory_in_jesus.html.

ORDER UP!

2/5/2023

By now, perhaps, many of my readers will have heard about what happened up in Michigan when 6-year-old Mason Stonehouse was playing on his dad's phone before bedtime and used his father’s Grubhub account to order $1,000 in food from local eateries, all while generously applying tips of 25% per order.

It seems that the food started arriving at the Chesterfield Township family's home near Detroit around 9 pm. Thenceforward, a virtual parade of pizzas, chili cheese fries, and chicken pita wraps continued on into the night.

First came some shrimp from Happy’s as an appetizer, then a few chicken sandwiches from Shawarma Yes, and to top it off, ice cream from Leo’s (which just happened to be his dad’s favorite). To this initial selection, he added a slew of other delicacies including jumbo shrimp, salads, shawarma, sandwiches, and other foods.

Imagine the dad’s surprise when his Ring camera footage suddenly caught delivery after delivery coming to his front door. As he told the local new affiliate: “I’m picking up more food, and it happens again and again... Cars are coming in the driveway, while cars are leaving the driveway.”

At first Mason's dad, Keith, was bewildered. But he soon figured out what had happened. “I looked at my phone, and it said ‘Chase fraud alert: $439 for pizzas’.” Keith said. Once he figured out what had happened, he immediately tried calling the various restaurants involved to stop the orders; but they told him he would need to contact Grubhub.

Mason’s mom, Kristin, said her husband had just used the Grubhub app on his phone to order dinner before she left; and probably just left the app open. Thereupon, her son took the phone, hid in the basement and proceeded to order his feast.

Fortunately, things did not turn out all that badly. It seems that, following the ordeal, Grubhub reached out to the Stonehouse family and offered them a $1,000 gift card.

As I read this story, I was reminded of what it means to have a father who has the ability to provide above and beyond our needs. Psalm 50, verse 10 tells us our Heavenly Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills!

Little wonder then that the apostle Paul reminds us of what God is capable of when he writes (in Ephesians chapter three, verses 20-21): “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

And yet, how many of us fail to avail ourselves of what all our Heavenly Father is capable of and willing to provide for us? The Apostle James reminds us (in chapter four, verse 2 of his New Testament Letter) that, all too often, we do not have what we desire simply because we do not ask God.

This is not to say that God is like some cosmic genie Who is available at our every beck and call merely to satisfy our every whim. After all, the Bible records numerous instances where God did not give individuals what they wanted. But wants are one thing and needs are quite another.

Thus, after affirming that God has met all his needs and more, and that he was generously supplied, the Apostle Paul affirms to the Philippian Christians (chapter 4, verses 18-19), and thereby to us, that “This same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”

I suppose a 6-year old kid can be forgiven for presumptuously ordering a thousand dollars’ worth of food, and providing a generous 25% tip to boot, all at his father’s expense. As a child of God, I have no desire to take advantage of my Heavenly Father’s goodness or generosity. And yet, I fully recognize, and appreciate His ability to provide all I will ever need and more - exceedingly, abundantly more than I could ever hope or even dream!

And so, when it comes to having my needs met, I’ll gladly just keep ordering up and up!

STORY SOURCE: https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/michigan-6-year-old-uses-dads-grubhub-to-order-1000-in-food-tips-25-per-order. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

SCRIPTURE SOURCES:

https://biblehub.com/psalms/50-10.htm;

https://biblehub.com/niv/ephesians/3.htm;

https://biblehub.com/james/4-2.htm;

https://biblehub.com/nlt/philippians/4.htm.

WONDERFUL THINGS!

2/1/2023

Each month of the year has its special days on the calendar. January, of course, provides us with New Year’s Day, the NCAA Football CFP National Championship Title Game (Won this year, for the second straight time, I might add, by my beloved Georgia Bulldogs!), and Dr. Martin Luther King Day, to name but a few.

February too has its share of holidays. President’s Day comes to mind, as does Groundhog Day. But perhaps chief among this coming month’s emphases is Valentine’s Day. And this year, I am especially aware of this due to my precious wife.

She surprised me by giving me a special present Valentine’s Day present as the month of February prepared to unfold. She gave me the complete “THE WONDER YEARS” television program on DVD, and we began watching these together in chronological order last night. Suffice it to say that she made me very happy!

If you are unfamiliar with the (Emmy and Peabody among other) award winning show, which originally aired from January 31, 1988 until May 12, 1993, here’s the premise. Kevin Arnold, a teenager growing up in a suburban middle class family in the late 1960s and early 1970s, faces the ups and downs of life, including the daily challenges of home life, school life, social life, and love life while getting through, first, Junior High, and then, High School.

While I grew up on a rural Georgia farm and not in a suburban California subdivision where the show is set, I find I can completely relate to virtually every situation that the lead character, Kevin Arnold, faced as a child of the 60s and 70s. In this sense, every single episode is a trip down memory lane!

Outside of immediate family, the primary relationship young Kevin struggles with and through is the one involving the love of his life, Winnie Cooper. They get together, go steady, break up, and then make up and get back together in a never-ending roller coaster ride of adolescent love!

As we have watched the program together, I have been reminded of many a girlfriend I had back in the day during my formative years. But every time the show includes a slow-motion montage wherein Kevin sees Winnie and is swept off his feet yet again, I have also been reminded of the day I walked into a tenth grade Sunday School class and first laid eyes on the young lady who was destined to become my beautiful wife!

Spoiler alert! The highly praised series finale (which I first saw years ago) reveals that, in the end, Kevin and Winnie did not ultimately get together. Alas! He married a different girl. But I praise God that I did not suffer the same fate.

Rather, I had the blessing of winning and marrying the genuine love of my life. That girl I fell instantly in love with in the tenth grade later consented to marry me, to bear me three children, and then to stick it out with me through thick and thin.

I love “The Wonder Years”. But more than this, I love the woman who has given me forty plus years of wonder!

In the Old Testament Book of Proverbs (chapter 18, verse 22), the Bible tells us that “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing.” I praise God that, in His perfect timing, He allowed me to find my precious and beautiful wife. As I tell her every opportunity I can that apart from the day I received Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior, she is the best thing that has ever happened to me in this world!

I wonder at that. Just as I do at all the years and blessings God has given the two of us together!

SOURCES:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wonder_Years;

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094582/.

SCRIPTURE:

https://biblehub.com/proverbs/18-22.htm.

THREADBARE!

ABOUT THE SIZE OF IT!

“TALLY-HO!”

EYES IN THE SKY!

LIGHT ME UP!

ORDER UP!

WONDERFUL THINGS!

Cleo E. Jackson, III

Archives

Categories

THREADBARE!

​ABOUT THE SIZE OF IT!

“TALLY-HO!”

EYES IN THE SKY!

LIGHT ME UP!

ORDER UP!

WONDERFUL THINGS!

Cleo E. Jackson, III

Archives

Categories

ABOUT THE SIZE OF IT!