Tracking Packages

Not so very long ago, the phrase “Shop early with this soon-to-expire coupon” was a tag-line incentive to get us into a particular store before moving on to the inevitable competitor. The theory was sound; capture the customer with the coupon and statistically, the customer will be spending more money at the first stop than the second.

I suppose that still works, but I’ve noticed that today’s incentives also include an element of fear. I am seeing this to be quite powerful.

We still see the ‘Shop early with the soon-to-expire coupon’ but are also threatened (is that too strong?) with the notification that global supply shortages and shipping delays could prevent your package from arriving on time for Christmas! 

Shriek! I mean - SHRIEK!

SKIPPY vs JIF

 I always buy Skippy Peanut Butter.  As a snack, it goes quite well with bananas.  

I tried buying another brand once.  I peeled the banana and then opened the jar.  There was a shimmering pool of oil (or some viscous substance) floating above what I assume was the peanut butter.  The sight made me think I should be 'Oreo-dunking' the banana.  Still, after many years, the thought makes me well, gag a little.

It was not difficult to promise myself that I would never experiment again. I deduced it was not good to fool with Mother Nature.  Sorry, scratch the word ‘Nature’ in favor of ‘Taylor’.

Impossible to Know

Can you really know if today, yesterday or tomorrow is, was or will be a bad day?

I’ve complained about work-days on frequent occasions. I’ve made numerous comments indicating what kind of day I’ve experienced.  I might even do it every day, come to think about it. Maybe you’ve voiced similar statements;

• Today was OK.  
• Yesterday was horrible.  
• Tomorrow will be a disaster.  
• Last Saturday was amazing.  

Too Heavy

On one occasion, I remember being re-introduced to my first grand-daughter with the words, “Hi.  Have you met the Question Factory?”

We still believe she may be a lawyer in her upcoming years.  Perhaps she’s mellowed a bit – I’m not certain.  Perhaps it’s only that an introspective analysis of her world allows her to ask only tough questions.  Her parents would know.

UnSplash.com

Corrie ten Book’s father was a German watchmaker.  From all over the country, people brought their timepieces to him as he was revered for being an accomplished repairman.

Once a week, he made the trek to Amsterdam for a variety of purposes, one being to check the most accurate timepiece of the era at the Naval Observatory. 


On this day, according to the recollections of Corrie in her book, The Hiding Place, she accompanied her father.

Far from the Home I Love

YouTube Link:  The Fiddler on the Roof: Far from the Home I Love

Tevye and his daughter Hodel are talking.

So you are leaving your home to join that hero of yours?
But why won't you tell me where he is now, this Joseph of yours?

It is far, Papa, terribly far.
He is in a settlement in Siberia.

Siberia? And he asks you to leave your father and mother to join him in that frozen wasteland?
And marry him there?

No, Papa, he did not ask me to go, I want to go.
I don't want him to be alone.
I want to help him in his work.

Bounci"full"

A toy.  A simple ball introduced way back in 1965.  Yes, the Wham-O Superball.

Acting normally on its way down, it lands.
Compresses.
Then it leaps upward with energy exceeding all anticipations.

This ball seemed to bounce forever.  It was a powerhouse of energy.  I wish I could say that.  I seem to run out of energy all the time now.  There are reasons for this of course - none of which I'll discuss here!

Today, I saw more than a bouncing ball.
Today, the ball taught me a lesson.

• Trust God on the way down.
• Allow the compression
• Experience the gift; incomprehensible energy, peace and hope for the future.

Lord, help me to be more like a Superball. Help me to trust you in difficult times knowing that soon, you will be the reason that I am able to bounce forward.

May every one of you experience this bouncifull" relationship.

(I know, right? Sometimes, I just don't know where this stuff comes from...)

01010011 01100101 01110001 01110101 01100101 01101110 01100011 01100101

Those ones and zeros spell Sequence.  It's kind of fun!  Pick a word and try it!  Click here

A couple of years ago, I heard, read, or was in some way exposed to the idea of the"Word of the Year". It's much more than a New Year's Resolution.  It's a commitment to live more positively based on just one word.  Although I thought, "impossible" I gave it a shot. 

Last year, my word was Sequence. Listening to a lot of sermons, I found one that seemed to speak more loudly than others.  Knowing I have only two minutes of reading time here, I'll condense my comments as much as possible.

There were images and explanations of the differences between Psyche and Zoe (two Greek words for life) explaining how important it is to remember distinctions between the two especially as it relates to John 12:25. 

(Honestly, this verse always confused me.  If I hate my life I get to keep it forever? What!?)

Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone 

who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

Hesitation

Guilty.

Efforts to;

• be prepared, 
• make sure all ducks are in the row, 
• make sure there are no typos, 
• work towards finding the right audience, 
• discern what topics should be addressed, 
• make absolutely certain that content appears rational rather than foolish,