[geologist]

I am an only child, my Dad was a driller in the oil business, I had moved to 17 different schools by the time I was in the 10 grade. Always the new kid in class. Never for long. The one stable thing was my habit of attending church with a friend. Joining the Methodist church as a junior in high school.

I was blessed to go the last 3 years of high school in one place. My Mom and Dad moved away during my senior year. I begged to be allowed to stay and finish my senior year. Actually rented a room from a retired nurse and was several months there. Did not attend my senior prom. Strange how things work out.

It does effect the rest of life. More than one realizes.

Do we see who and what we are becoming.?

Mainly I knew God was with me wherever I was.

We are all sinners in need of a savior ...

[The Mayor]

Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list

No Loose Laces
May 15, 2013

One person’s actions can affect an entire group. This truth became clear to journalist Sebastian Junger as he followed a platoon of soldiers. Junger watched a soldier accost another soldier whose bootlaces were trailing on the ground. He didn’t confront him out of concern for his fashion. He confronted him because his loose laces put the entire platoon at risk—he couldn’t be counted on not to trip and fall at a crucial moment. Junger realized that what happens to one happens to everyone.

Achan’s “bootlaces were loose,” and we learn from his story that sin is never private. After the great victory at Jericho, God gave Joshua specific instructions on how to deal with the city and its loot (Josh. 6:18). The people were to “abstain from the accursed things” and to put all the silver and gold “into the treasury of the Lord” (vv.18-19). But they disobeyed his command to them (7:1). The interesting thing is, not all of Israel sinned; only one person did—Achan. But because of his actions, everyone was affected and God was dishonored.

As followers of Jesus, we belong to one another and our individual actions can impact the entire body and God’s name. Let’s “tie up our laces” so that we may individually and together give God the honor He deserves.

Lord, we know our sin is never private, though we
may try to hide it. Help us to remember that we
belong to You and to one another and that what we do
individually grieves You and impacts fellow Christians.

Private sins will inevitably have public impact.

Read: Joshua 7:1-12

The children of Israel committed a trespass regarding the accursed things, for Achan . . . took of the accursed things. —Joshua 7:1

Bible in a Year:
2 Kings 22-23; John 4:31-54