[OESY]

"Here at the Phone Company we handle eighty-four billion calls a year. Serving everyone from presidents and kings to scum of the earth. (snort) We realize that every so often you can't get an operator, for no apparent reason your phone goes out of order [snatches plug out of switchboard], or perhaps you get charged for a call you didn't make. We don't care. Watch this [bangs on a switch panel like a cheap piano] just lost Peoria. (snort) You see, this phone system consists of a multibillion-dollar matrix of space-age technology that is so sophisticated, even we can't handle it. But that's your problem, isn't it ? Next time you complain about your phone service, why don't you try using two Dixie cups with a string. We don't care. We don't have to. (snort) We're the Phone Company!" -- Ernestine, the Telephone Operator (a.k.a. Lily Tomlin from "Saturday Night Live: The First 20 Years", 1994 Cader Company)

[The Mayor]

March 10, 2005

Rabbit-Hole Christians

Read:
Luke 19:1-10

Jesus . . . said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house." -Luke 19:5

Bible In One Year: Deuteronomy 32-34

Rabbits are timid creatures that pop out of their holes every morning, try to avoid everything (except other rabbits), eat their food, and jump back into their holes in the evening. "Whew! We made it through another day," they'd say if they could talk.

Rabbit-hole Christians are a lot like that. They eat lunch with other Christians at work and relate almost exclusively with fellow-believers in their church. They avoid socializing with unbelievers and wouldn't think of accepting an invitation to one of their parties. No wonder unbelievers equate being a Christian with a kind of aloof self-righteousness.

No one could say that about Jesus. He actually invited Himself to the home of Zacchaeus, a notorious tax collector. His congeniality among disreputable people earned Him the title of "a friend of tax collectors and sinners" (Matthew 11:19). He reached out to such people because He knew He couldn't help them without becoming their friend. Jesus never said anything He shouldn't have said, nor did He laugh at off-color stories. He won people's respect by caring for them.

Jesus has equipped us with the Holy Spirit and assured us that He'll be with us so we can follow His example. Let's guard against being rabbit-hole Christians. -Herb Vander Lugt

Help us, O Lord, to live our lives
So people clearly see
Reflections of Your caring heart,
Your love and purity. -Sper

Jesus leaves us in the world to be a witness to the world.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
The Compassion Of Jesus

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

So we'll celebrate telephone day with the humor of Lily Tomlin, and the telephone company can celebrate money day!

; )

[JustAmy]

3-10-05
Graphic by MamaBear

Feathers

Somehow feathers seem just right,
For ladies’ dreams of taking flight,
Soaring swoops without a care,
And daring pirouettes in air.

The dance is one of ancient moves,
And its long history only proves,
If we can get our wings just right,
We’ll strap them on, and we’ll take flight!

NicknamedBob . . . . . March 2, 2005

[JustAmy]

Good morning, Everyone.
Happy Telephone Day!