Annoying Air Bags

BlowhardDue to safety and environmental concerns, Toyota has recalled 3.37 million cars.  The recall involves 2.87 million cars due to faulty emissions control units. Another 1.43 million vehicles are included to repair air bag inflators that could be ineffective.  Of the 3.37 million, Toyota thinks 930,00 of them may be affected by both defective units.

Several years ago I witnessed an event that led me to a conclusion:  Most defective air bags have faulty emissions control units.

While I was in college, I was a frequent spectator at the Texas Rangers games.  At one of these games, a rude air-bag-of-a-man strutted by me, and He was wearing a shirt with an imprint that was much too vulgar to be worn in public.  This defective airbag had some real problems with his emissions control system, and he turned the air blue with his profanity.

Before the second inning started the security guards were recalling this air bag.  He was ushered out of the stands with blood gushing from a gaping wound that was the result of a frustrated father’s attempts to preserve the innocence of his son.

Defective air bags are characterized as a person who is foolish or boisterous:

  • The woman of folly is boisterous, she is naive and knows nothing (Proverbs 9:13).
  • A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son, heartache to his mother (Proverbs 10:1).
  • The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive, but the mouth of fools blurts out foolishness (Proverbs 15:2).

The need for emissions control predates the advent of the auto.  Paul admonished the church at Ephesus to manage their manners and to watch their words: “Don’t let even one rotten word seep out of your mouths. Instead, offer only fresh words that build others up when they need it most. That way your good words will communicate grace to those who hear them (Ephesians 4:29).”

I’ll leave you with a thought that might help you with your emissions control: Profanity is the weapon of the witless and a weak device to support an even weaker argument.

In God We Trust

In-God-We-TrustIt jingles and jangles in a jar, and it rattles around in your pocket or coin purse.  It bears the message, “In God We Trust.”

While you are well-aware of the inscription on your coins, is that motto your life theme?  Do you trust in God?

Let me rephrase the question:  “Can you trust in God?”  Is the character of God worthy of your trust?

When you read the Psalms, it is very clear that the writers of Scripture believed in the trustworthiness of God:

  • Psalm 9:10: Those who know your name trust you, O Lord, because you have never deserted those who seek your help.
  • Psalm 13:5: But I trust your mercy. My heart finds joy in your salvation.
  • Psalm 37:3,5: Trust in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness . . . Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.
  • Psalm 56:4: In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?

After you have given some consideration to the verses above, the next question for you is, “Will I trust in God?”

Solomon said that you are to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).”

When the wise sage said you are to “lean not” he was saying that you are not to prop yourself up with you own wisdom.  Instead you are to “acknowledge” or trust God and allow Him to “direct your paths.”

The next time you pull a coin out of your pocket, take the time to read the inscription: “In God We Trust.”  Then examine your life and ask yourself:  “Am I trusting God?”

Signs of the Times

The sign to the right is one I see when I stop at Sam’s to purchase gasoline.  Every time I see it,  I think of the way it is worded.  Evidently the pumps have the ability to see.  Look at the directive words: stay outside of the vehicle in view of fueling nozzle.

The ability to see and comprehend were synonomous with Sam Walton.  While he was creating his empire,  his competitors thought the Wizard of Walmart was all seeing and all knowing.  What was hyperbole concerning Sam, is an accurate depiction of God.

There are three terms that define God, and each begins with the prefix omni.  They are:  Omnipotence:  God is all powerful;  Omniscience:  God is all knowing; and,  Omnipresence: God is fully present everywhere at the same time.

These characteristics of God are comforting to me.  They tell me that God has all power, all knowledge, and He is always present.

Let me pose a question about our never absent God:  Has it ever occured to you that nothing has ever occured to God?  He is aware of all things; comprehends all things; and, He never has a need to acquire new knowledge.

There are those among the naysayers who would try to refute my beliefs with a question:  What happens when an irresistible force meets an immovable object?  While they suppose this hypothetical event would limit God, their argument collapses on itself.

If an irresistible force ever met an immovable object and the object moved, it would not be immovable.  On the other hand, if the object did not move, the force would not be irresistible.

The more I come to know God, the more I find myself agreeing with MosesOur God is awesome!  With this attribute in mind, I encourage you to take a moment to listen to this song:  Our God is an Awesome God.

This song always blesses me with thoughts worth thinking.