Holey Socks are Good for the Soul

By Hally Franz –

Crayons, colored pencils, erasers… Scissors, rulers, pencils… Backpacks, lunch boxes, and so on. Each year, I anxiously await the August school newsletter, which provides the year’s calendar and, more importantly, the school supply list. Since Missouri offers a tax-free weekend for school shopping, I eagerly listen for the announcement of that fabulously-fun weekend. Procuring the supply list and shopping on the tax-free weekend—it doesn’t get much better!

Not a shopper by nature, I shop primarily for two reasons: preparation for Christmas and formal events requiring something new to wear. Other than that, school shopping is the biggie of the year for the Franzes. It’s an event, involving adrenaline-charged supply searches, restorative lunches out, and nail-biting sizing challenges. In addition to the classroom supplies and requisite clothing, my custom has been to purchase new socks and underwear for both my children.

This year I broke tradition. Instead of robotically getting each supply item listed, we did something wacky. My daughter and I examined the list and began going through the numerous pencil boxes accumulated over the years. We explored desk drawers and pencil cups for supplies with lots of life left, soon finding perfectly good rulers, calculators, scissors, obviously, pencil boxes, and more that could be used. We greatly reduced our lists without suffering a bit.

While on a roll, I inventoried the kids’ socks and underwear needs, and found that those customary new whites weren’t really warranted this year. I recall how my sister and I sorted through my father’s clothes after his sudden passing in 2003. Dad’s drawers contained a fair number of socks, falling into one of two categories of condition. They were either well worn, nearly thread-bare with the occasional hole. Or, they had hardly been worn. In his closet, we found dozens of company-provided personalized work shirts still in packages, while he wore the same ten or so as long as possible. He was never cheap, but never wasteful.

Today’s economy requires that most of us be a bit more conscious of our spending. God approves when we wisely use the resources He generously provides. On those days when I’m not feeling as appreciative as I should be, perhaps God will lead me to a random pair of holey socks. And, perhaps a chilly and protruding little toe will remind me of my blessings and my responsibility to be a good steward.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for the abundant blessings You have given me. Remind me, when I fail to remember, to be appreciative of and conscientious in my use of those gifts.

“Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom the lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing” (Luke 12:41-43, KJV).

Today’s devotion is by Hally Franz. Hally is a former teacher and high school guidance counselor, turned homemaker. She enjoys volunteering at her childrens’ school, teaching Bible classes, leading 4-H projects, writing, reading, scrapbooking, and rousing (though, sometimes, not pretty) zumba classes.

This Column Brought to You by…

By Darren Marlar –

I’ve decided that starting immediately my monthly humor column will be sponsored by the highest bidder.  And why not? Everything else in the world is sponsored to the hilt. Take a look around and you’ll find just about every area of NASCAR with some corporate entity’s logo.

And is it my imagination, or do the Olympics seem to have an “official” sponsor for every product and service on the face of the earth? “The Official Orange Juice” or “The Official Vitamin” of the U.S. Olympic Teams would actually make sense. But what’s with “The Official Soft Drink of the U.S. Olympic Teams”? Do we really need the most finely tuned athletes on the planet endorsing a consumable with no nutritional value whatsoever? Are we soon going to see “The Official Tattoo Parlor of the U.S. Gymnastics Team” and “The Official Body Piercing Supplier of the NFL?”

Now I hear that the high cost of players’ salaries is causing major league baseball to come up with some creative ways to come up with cash – including placing advertising on not just all of the walls and displays, but now on the equipment as well. Yep… bats, balls, helmets, all going to the highest bidder.

So, in an effort to help the ideas flow for baseball ownership, I’m making a few of my own suggestions of sponsor placements.

The Presbyterian Church can sponsor the umpires’ chest protectors, with the slogan, “Thou Shalt Not Steal.”

The Catcher’s Mask could easily act as an educational tool by local law enforcement. “Write a bad check, and you, too, could be looking through bars.”

Because of the obviously prime placement, the pitcher’s mound would likely have a wealthy sponsor – perhaps Applebee’s advertising their drinks with, “Our pitchers are even bigger!”

First, Second, and Third Base each sponsored by Chickletts because, well, c’mon, that’s what they look like from the upper deck.

And finally (and I’m sure this has already been finalized), home plate will be sponsored by, of course, American Express. After all, you “don’t leave home without it.”

Darren Marlar is a stand-up comedian specializing in clean comedy.  He welcomes your comments through his website at www.DarrenMarlar.com.

Winning the Lottery

By James Pence –

Have you ever wondered what you would feel like if you won a million dollars in the lottery? Or came into a huge inheritance? Or discovered oil on your land?

I don’t play the lottery. I have no millionaire relatives. And I don’t own the mineral rights to my land. Thus, none of these windfalls are likely to be coming my way. However, I do have an imagination. And from time to time I have allowed myself to fantasize about how I would react if I suddenly came into a huge amount of money.

I can see myself now, outside, dancing in my front yard, shouting “Woohoo!” until the 100+ degree Texas heat causes me to keel over from heat exhaustion. In other words, I suspect I would act like a crazy person.

With that in mind, I cannot help but feel guilty when I read in the Psalms: “I rejoice in the lifestyle prescribed by your rules as if they were riches of all kinds” (Psalm 119:14, NET).

Hmmmmmm. When was the last time I was outside, dancing in my front yard and shouting “Woohoo!” about the Christian life? When was the last time I was so overwhelmed with joy in God’s commands that I looked and acted like a crazy person?

Yet repeatedly, the Scriptures declare themselves to be a treasure far surpassing the most opulent worldly wealth.

At one point, the psalmist declares God’s words to be, “of greater value than gold, than even a great amount of pure gold” (Psalm 19:10a, NET). In another place, the psalmist writes, “The law you have revealed is more important to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver” (Psalm 119:72, NET).

At this writing, gold is selling for just under $1,200.00 an ounce; silver is a bit cheaper at about $18.00 per ounce. But which of us would turn up our noses if someone offered us thousands of pieces of silver and gold? Yet often my Bible gathers dust while I watch TV or devote my attention to matters that have no eternal significance. Often I place a greater priority on the things of this world rather than on things above.

Do I really believe that God’s Word and my relationship to Him are more valuable than great riches?

If so, how should my life reflect that?

Just wondering.

PRAYER: Lord, help me to value You as the ultimate treasure, of supreme worth. And grant that my life, priorities, and choices may reflect that value.

“The law you have revealed is more important to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver” (Psalm 119:72, NET).

Today’s devotion is by James H. Pence. James is an author, speaker, singer, and gospel chalk artist, but prefers to be known as a follower of Jesus and a storyteller. To learn more about James and how he draws the stories of your heart, visit his website at: www.jamespence.com.

Rest in Peace

By Kathy Carlton Willis –

Shh—don’t tell anyone I said this, but—I slept really well last night because Russ happened to be out of town. Yep, I said it! I sleep better when I’m “sleepin’ single in a double bed” (well actually a queen size)! I do less tossing and turning, and do more of the deep slumber needed for restorative sleep.

You may ask, “Kathy, that’s all fine and good, but I thought I was going to read an inspirational message today. What does your sleep pattern have to do with my spiritual life?”

I think there are several thoughts for us to consider today. As seen in today’s verse, Jesus promises rest from our labor and our burdens when we come to Him.

Unfortunately, sometimes we bring things to bed with us that hinder our sleep—like our worries and concerns. Our minds are consumed with thoughts not conducive to rest. We bring our anger or our hurt feelings, and lick our wounds rather than seeking rest for our souls. When we bring something with us, to try to come to Jesus, we won’t find rest. It’s a form of rest, but not the good restorative sleep like when we leave it all behind.

Rest is defined as: freedom from activity or labor; peace of mind or spirit; a rhythmic silence in music; something used for support; free of anxieties. When I look over that definition, and realize Jesus promises rest, I yearn for it. I long for Him to give me even more peace of mind, and freedom from activity.

Curious that the definition also includes the musical term “rest.” It means a silence or pause. I like that. Jesus can silence the thoughts and feelings whirling around in my head. I realize I have to do my part in creating the environment for that to take place. I wonder what my wandering thoughts would do if I barked out the order, “Silence!”

Would my thoughts shake in their little boots or would they laugh at me and say, “You don’t really mean it!”

AUTHOR QUOTE: Let your thoughts and attitudes know you mean business. Drop all your bags at the door, as you run into the arms of your loving Savior.

“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28, KJV).

Today’s devotional is by Kathy Carlton Willis, with a communications firm by the same name. She spins many plates as a publicist and writer. She belongs to Christian Humor Writers, CLASSeminars and the local plate-spinners union. Learn more about how she shines the spotlight on others at: http://kcwcomm.blogspot.com/ or http://www.kathycarltonwillis.com/.

Bravery and Fear

By Donna McCrary and Sherri Holbert

“Bravery and fear are the same emotion.” I heard that statement on the radio. Immediately I chuckled. I was thinking of my children’s faces as they walked down the long corridor, snaking through the iron barriers to the entrance of Space Mountain. This was their first trip to the Magic Kingdom! They had a swell of adrenaline and emotions inside them: excited, scared, confused.

My daughter, nine, is the inquisitor. How fast will it go? Will it be fun or scary?  What happens if it breaks?  Mommy, do you like roller coasters?  Daddy, have you even been on Space Mountain before? She was preparing for the unknown. We continued to tell them few details of the ride. We would repeat over and over to her relentless questions, “Trust us! It’s fun. You’ll like it.”

My son, seven, who lives at a speed of mach 3 on normal days, was running around at mach 10! He was bouncing, swinging on the poles, tugging at our arms. He was bopping around so fast he was only hearing half of the answers to his sister’s questions. He would swing into the conversation and hear the question, “Is it safe?” Then he would swing the other direction as we answered. You can imagine our difficulty in reassuring him when the answers he was hearing sounded like: “Will…break…will…hurt…roller coaster… Space Mountain.”

As our space shuttle ride vehicle arrived, it hit them; frozen and silent they stood. This was the moment where bravery and fear were the same emotion; the moment they had to take the step of bravery and experience the thrilling, pitch black ride into the unknown. With panic in my son’s eyes, in all his innocence he whispered, “I’m scared!”

His honest confession was followed by his sister’s, “Me too.”

We reassured them again, “You are supposed to be a little scared—that is part of the thrill.”

Are you frozen by your fear? Are you asking God question after question to prepare for the unknown? Are you bee-bopping through life so fast that you can’t hear God?

Your walk of purpose will be full of fearful moments. God is telling you, “Trust Me. It will be worth the ride.”

AUTHOR QUOTE: Turn your fear into bravery… it is the same emotion. Will you stand frozen or step out in faith?

“In God I will praise His Word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me” (Psalm 56:4, KJV).

Today’s devotion is by Donna McCrary and Sherri Holbert. As Life Coaches, they equip women to discover their life purpose. Learn more about their study DIVAS of the Divine: How to live as a Designer Original in a Knock Off World at www.walkofpurpose.com.

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