Responsibility

I subscribe to one magazine, it comes out eleven times a year, after you read four or five issues they all start sounding the same. I still like it, the back issues pile up and since they all are basically the same, they always seem new. Deep reading it is not, but as I said I like it.

Recently they sent me a postcard to inform me that a. my subscription is do for renewal and b. the last time I subscribed I registered for automatic renewal at a significant savings off the cover price. So far so good right? Knowing things are not always as they appear, I called the company to find out how they defined significant. The cover price is $38.50 per year, my significant savings off cover price renewal offer was $21.95. 43% savings is significant indeed. Funny thing is though, inside of the magazine there is an offer to renew one year for $15.00 which represents a savings of 62%, I'd call that more significant. Funnier yet, they offer a three year renewal for $10.00 per year, or 75% off the cover price, now that's highly significant... The best part of the phone call, when they asked me where I got that savings certificate. Could have heard a pin drop when I told them to open to page 27 and they could read it themselves.

My church is currently doing a series called "text", it's all about getting into the bible and checking it out for yourself, and that's important. As I learned from my magazine ordeal it's important to check things out for yourself, because if you don't you could miss something highly significant. That's called responsibility, check things out for yourself. Read the bible, study God's word, train yourself to hear his voice, learn the significance of Christ firsthand. You see, often times the best offer is found after doing a little reading.

Auditing or Applying

So... ever have one of those moments with a friend when you innocently ask something and they proceed to tee off on you? You're completely caught off guard, you're biting down hard on that tongue of yours and trying not to say anything that will add fuel to the fire, and you're hurt. It's kind of a drag, I was recently in that spot.

Let me paraphrase the wise sage Dr. Seuss, "Oh the thoughts you'll think", in my shock, I also discovered most of those thoughts should never be uttered, nope not even once. Some people have good days and bad days, others have good days and better days. I lean towards good days and better days myself. What happens when someone decides to make their bad day yours also? You have to respond, you really only have two choices.

Choice number one, you choose to audit the bible. You know what the bible says, you know what you should do, and your gonna do just that, next time. Cuz this time someone needs to be put in their place and your just the person to do it.

Choice number two is application. Nehemiah 5:15... "But out of reverence for God I did not act like that." Out of reverence we hold our tongues, out of reverence we honor God, out of reverence we live our faith. This time I applied the bible, I hope I do next time also.