The Holy Bible Vs. TV Guide

On the table side by side:
The Holy Bible and the TV Guide.
One's well worn but cherished with pride
(Not the Bible, but the TV Guide).
One's used daily to help folk decide,
Not the Bible, it's the TV Guide.
As pages are turned, what will they see?
Oh, what does it matter, turn on the TV.
Then confusion reigns, they can't all agree
On what they will watch on the old TV.
So they open the book in which they confide
(Not the Bible , it's the TV Guide).
The Word of God is seldom read --
Maybe a verse e'er they fall into bed,
Exhausted and sleepy and tired as can be
(Not from reading the Bible: from watching TV).
So then back to the table, side by side,
Are the Holy Bible and the TV Guide.
No time for prayer, no time for the Word.
The way of salvation is seldom heard.
Abiding in Christ so full and free
Is found in the Bible, not on TV.

-- Anonymous

More poems and Christian information about television: http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/tv.htm

Why Me?

Why NOT Me?

Jer 9:8 - Their tongues are deadly arrows-they speak deception.
With his mouth a man speaks peaceably with his friend, but inwardly he sets up an ambush.

Often we hear the elders state that the Word of God addresses every possible trial that we may face.  We’ve head that the Bible is a Road Map for us to follow in life.  The book of Ecclesiastes proclaims that there is “nothing new” under the sun.  So why do we react as we do when we are wronged?

          Years ago I was responsible for taking care of all publications for my little country church.  On one Sunday in particular, I had settled down to begin the worship service when for no reason, my head turned to look back at the choir that was getting ready to process.  I looked just in time to read the lips of a “Christian sister” as she lied to the pastor about something that involved me.  I know that it was nothing but the Holy Spirit that allowed me to see that exchange as it happened.

          Time has progressed, and the trials continue, and the tears have welled up more times than I care to count.  I find myself asking, “Why” or “Why me” or “What have I done” to cause people to treat me as they do.  Then I remember that there is nothing new under the sun.  The Word of God is there to shore us up in times of heartache.  We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities.  So, instead of "shooting the messenger” (in this case, the person who bears false witness against you), we have to use that armor of God that is encased around us, and fight the good fight against the enemy (Satan, the defeated foe!).  Only then can we look beyond our brother’s (and sister’s) actions when we are hurt, and love them as we are supposed to love them....in spite of!

          Eph 6:12 

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.