Money! Money! Money!

Does the name Charles Darrow ring a bell with you? Probably not, but it is very likely you are familiar with what he did. During the great depression of the early 1930’s, Mr. Darrow of Germantown, Pennsylvania was an unemployed heating engineer. With plenty of spare time on his hands, he began developing a new board game that he made and reproduced by hand. In 1935, Parker Brothers purchased the game called “Monopoly.” Since that time, more than 90 million Monopoly games have been sold. The object of the game is strictly capitalistic. The more financial gain you achieve, the better your chances of winning. That sounds a lot like the “real world” we live in today. He with the “most toys wins!” Things done by many people are tied to the acquisition of the next dollar. Often, the more lasting, valuable things are shoved aside. The problem with this kind of living? When you come to the end, you realize you have lost! 1 Timothy 6:7 says, “For we brought nothing into this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” Let’s remember today the really important things and keep our lives in perspective. I wish all the best to you, today and everyday.

~ Clark Sims

What is Love?

How was Valentines Day for you yesterday? Did you spend it with someone special? Last Friday the youth group at our church had a Valentines progressive dinner. At the conclusion of the dinner I asked them to give me a top 16 list of what they are or will be looking for in a date. We then discussed what they should be looking for in a date from I Corinthians 13 and what love is. The comparison of the teens top 16 list and the list of 16 things love is and isn’t from I Corinthians 13 are interesting to compare. Here they are.

The Top 16 Things the Teens at Cottondale church of Christ are looking for in a Date:

Compatibility

A Christian

Attention

Not Full of Themselves

Athletic

Intelligence

Fun to Be Around

Good Listener

Good Style

Good with Money

Not Jealous

Not Underweight or Morbidly Obese

Self Control

Positive Attitude

Physically Attractive

Clean

The 16 things I Corinthians 13 says love is:

Patient

Kind

Not Jealous

Does Not Brag

Not Arrogant

Does Not Behave Rudely

Does Not Seek Its Own

Not Provoked

Thinks No Evil

Does Not Rejoice in Unrighteousness

Rejoices with the Truth

Bears All Things

Believes All Things

Hopes All Things

Endures All Things

It Never Fails

If you are dating, I hope you will consider looking for the characteristics of the second list in the person you will date, love, and marry some day. If you are a parent, I hope both of these lists will help you in teaching your children what to look for in a future marriage partner.

~ Charles Steiner

In My Fathers Arms

Kelly is now in college. It is hard to believe. When he was a young boy, I would drive him and pick him up from daycare. If your life is like mine, you understand that everyday does not run smoothly. Pressures from job, family, life can sometimes get you down. That would be me as I drove to the daycare center to pick him up. When I walked into that center, carrying my burdens and troubles with me, there would be a moment, regardless of what he was doing, that Kelly would see me. At that moment, time would stop. He would run straight to me and jump into my arms. Even with all of life’s baggage, the world was ok! My son was in his father’s arms! I know everything does not always go like you would like. Don’t forget. A loving God longs to hold you “in His arms.” Then, and only then, the world will be truly ok! The Psalmist wrote, “Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live…Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe.” I wish all the best to you, today and everyday.

- Clark Sims

God Does Not Change! How Wonderful!

In April 1973, Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees stepped to the plate against the Boston Red Sox. With the first pitch thrown to him, major league baseball history was made. Mr. Blomberg had become the game’s first designated hitter. This was a rule change instituted by the American league that would allow someone to hit for the pitcher. This concept is not unique to baseball. Government, business, sports, you continue the list yourself, have all “changed the rules” for what they believed to be for “the good of the game.” Truthfully, that same concept has been a “dominant theme” in religion before the Bible was even completed. God told us it would be so. In the midst of an ever-changing world, isn’t it good to know our God does not change? The Bible says, “I am the Lord, I do not change.” We can completely trust his word, today and tomorrow! I wish all the best to you, today and everyday. 

- Clark Sims