Ain’t this a hoot! This craziness of the song in my head every day has hit a new low: as soon as I awoke this morning, here’s what was coming to mind — “When the evening sun goes down, you’ll find me hangin’ round, oh, The Night Life ain’t no good life, but it’s my life” — that makes my laugh out loud. Willie Nelson wrote that song and about a week ago, I saw a video of him when he was probably 30 years old, singing a montage of his songs and this was one of them. And this morning, SMH(shake my head), this is the SIMH.
Several life principles were discussed at the B&J square table meeting this morning. I think we’re both tired of people not doing what we want them to do or be what we want them to be! Our conclusion was that the way people act, raise their kids, spend their time, spend their money, and conduct themselves in public is their business, not ours. We’ve known those things were true, but from time to time we just have to rant! Glad we do that at the square table. Perhaps the world could learn something from our talks: mind yourself, and let others mind themselves.
The above paragraph reminds me of another of my Dad’s favorite sayings at the conclusion of a discussion. He would often say, “I think the whole world’s gone crazy but you and me,…and sometimes I wonder about you!” I never knew where he got that line, but after being gone from home a few years I heard other people say that—still don’t know from whence it came; a book, a movie, a song??
We just heard of the death of an old friend, a wonderful & loving lady. She and her family have been very dear to Barb and me since the middle 70s. My first Sunday as a pastor, she and her husband invited me to eat with them before going home. I accepted and when her husband said can you follow me to the house, their son who was 5 years old at the time spoke up and said, “I’ll ride with the preacher!” His dad said you think you can show him the house? And he assure his dad he knew where they lived. So, we got in my car and started to their home. The boy said, “preacher, can I ask you a question?” I said, sure. He said, “Are you saved?” Shocked me! Then, I thought how great is this!! I said yes, would you like to hear my testimony? I can’t remember now if he said yes or no, but heck, I’ve told this story a hundred times! Think of the worth of that for a young preachers’ sake.
Out of a young boy’s mouth comes the things which are important to his parents, generally speaking. So this story tells of how they were conducting their home life; what they were instilling into the minds of their children. The holding to the principle behind the priority of foundational truths. Keeping the the main thing the main thing. All of the above, from a simple question posed by a very young mind. And it speaks to the wisdom of this recently departed lady and her husband. May today’s parents of youngsters cling to these values.
Thanks for reading, the Elder
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