Lying

By Ron Adams

"But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." (Revelation 21:8)

It may seem strange that liars share the same punishment as murders, immoral people, sorcerers and idolaters. Is lying that bad? Yes it is.
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Lying conceals hatred.

He who conceals hatred has lying lips, and he who spreads slander is a fool. They are an abomination to the Lord. (Proverbs 10:18_
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Lying hurts others.

A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth works ruin. (Proverbs 26:28)
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Lying is detestable.

Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those
who deal faithfully are His delight.
Proverbs 12:22
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Lying paves the way for destruction.

The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death. (Proverbs 21:6)

Truthful lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only for a moment. (Proverbs 12:19)

- "Thursday's Thought" is edited by Ron Adams, who preaches for the North San Diego Church of Christ, San Diego, CA. To subscribe to "Thursday's Thought," write Ron at nsd@san.rr.com Visit their website: http://thursdaythought.homestead.com (c) All rights reserved 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009

20 Ways To Say “I’m Sorry”

By Steve Singleton

Sometimes your heart is in the right place, but it is tremendously difficult to move up ten inches from heart to lips. When you want to apologize but can't seem to find the right words, scan this list for an appropriate line:
1. Please forgive me (Gen. 50:17; 1 Sam. 25:28).
2. I am sinful and stubborn. I need forgiveness (Exodus 34:9).
3. Since I've done this, I hate myself. I won't do it again (Job 42:6).
4. I was unaware of how I was hurting you (Ps. 19:12).
5. Don't withhold your mercy from me. I need it (Psalm 40:11).
6. Have mercy on me (Ps. 51:1; 57:1; 86:3).
7. I know I can count on you to forgive (Ps. 57:1).
8. I'm begging for mercy from you (Psalm 86:6; 130:2; 143:1).
9. I know you are a forgiving person. That's why I plead with you to forgive me (Psalm 130:4).
10. It was wrong, and I will never do it again (Proverbs 28:13).
11. Don't hang up! I'm calling to apologize (Lam. 3:56).
12. I'm not asking forgiveness because I deserve it, but because you have a lot of mercy in your heart (Daniel 9:18).
13. I can't bear to have this between us (Amos 7:2).
14. I know you forgive quickly. You don't stay angry for long. You enjoy forgiving someone. Let it be me (Micah 7:18).
15. I've sinned before God as well to you (Luke 15:21).
16. I don't deserve to be your ________ (friend, spouse, parent, brother/sister, child) (Luke 15:21).
17. You're rich in mercy, and I need plenty of it (Ephesians 2:4).
18. You know what it's like to be forgiven. Now I need your forgiveness (Matt. 18:26-29; Col. 3:13).
19. I'm sorry. I didn't know what I was doing (Luke 23:34).
20. I did it out of ignorance. I apologize (1 Tim. 1:13).
Perhaps you can add a few of your own Sorry Lines. Any said sincerely may start the process of communication and reconciliation. How much is that worth?

- via The Central Message, the weekly bulletin of the Central church of Christ in Paducah KY. Jim Faughn serves as an elder and preacher for the congregation. He may be contacted through the congregation's website at : http://www.centralchurchofchrist.org

Choose Today

by J. Randal Matheny

== Introduction ==

A trip to the U.S., a working visit from a friend, a touch of the flu, kept me away from UPLift. But back to our Choose series!

This issue, let's consider the choice of our time, living today. Remember, for the gluttons, there's more of the article, quotes, and verses on the website. http://YourDaytoShine.com

== Choice Thought ==

I have Today, now, this moment. I will make the most of it, without regrets or pining for yesterday, or worrying about tomorrow. Time is my friend.

== Choose Today ==

Conan O'Brien, whoever he is, said, "In Florida a 96-year-old woman is running for mayor. When asked if she knew who she was running against, she said, 'Time.'"

We see time as the enemy. Something we work against. Something that works against us, robs us of life, cheats us out of youth, health, and happiness. Milton called time "the subtle thief of youth."

Yesterday holds a log of lingering woes and fading memories. Tomorrow appears a gathering storm or the bottomless pit of our good intentions. Today we fight a fog of uncertainty clogging along in our daily routine.

But our despair about time wastes it. The Now is where we live. This moment is not merely "all we have," as if it were little enough, but the gift of God to enjoy, the plenitude of life's possibilities, the flower in full bloom.

The choice, then: to fritter time away by the minute and hour, or to choose today as my day to live, to shine, to love, to laugh.

== Choice Quotes ==

"Defer no time, delays have dangerous ends." --Shakespeare

"Every moment is a golden one for him who has the vision to recognize it as such." --Henry Miller

"Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you." --Carl Sandburg

== Choice Scripture ==

Matthew 6:11 - Give us today our daily bread, ...


Ephesians 5:8 - for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light – (All citations are from the [NET Bible])


== Think, Choose, Do ==


1. How do I think of time, as a friend or enemy?

Why?


2. Do I think more about the past or the future?

How does this keep me from living in the present?


3. When was the last time I remember really enjoying the moment?


- J. Randal Matheny edits and writes UPLift, an inspirational ezine. He
may be contacted here: http://randalmathenycom/. When reprinting this
material, please include the following: Copyright (c) 2009 J. Randal
Matheny. All rights reserved.

Extra Quotes

If people are sleeping during the sermon the preacher may be the one who needs to wake up.

When the church finds out that it cannot compete with the world on the world’s terms perhaps it will try the religion of Christ again.

The church is not a distribution point for spiritual aspirin.

The less true religion a church has the more fellowship suppers and entertainment programs it needs to keep going.

- via The Encourager, the weekly bulletin for the Dongola church of Christ, Dongola, IL. Gerald Cowan serves the congregation as minister. He may be contacted at Geraldcowan1931@aol.com

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While we’re giving quotes, here’s another for you to contemplate:

“Life cannot be divided into compartments in some of which God is involved and in others of which He is not involved; there cannot be one kind of language in the church and another kind of language in the shipyard or the factory or the office; there cannot be one kind of conduct in the church and another kind of conduct in the business world. The fact is that God does not need to be invited into certain departments of life, and kept out of others. He is everywhere, all through life and in every activity of life. He hears not only the words which are spoken in His name: He hears all words; and there cannot be any such thing as a form of words which evades bringing God into any transaction. We will regard all promises as sacred if we remember that all promises are made in the presence of God.” (William Barclay)

- via THE SOWER, a weekly publication of the Arthur church of Christ, Arthur, IL. Ron Bartanen, who serves as minister and editor, may be contacted through their website at http://www.arthurchurchofchrist.com

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"An idealist is one who, on noticing that a rose smells better than a cabbage, concludes that it will also make better soup. [H. L. Mencken , 1880 - 1956)

"You don't have to suffer to be a poet; adolescence is enough suffering for anyone." [John Ciardi]

"I'm astounded by people who want to 'know' the universe when it's hard enough to find your way around Chinatown." [Woody Allen]

"By the time I'd grown up, I naturally supposed that I'd be grown up. " [Eve Babitz]

I Can't See Any Harm In It

by Harry Middleton

Consider these guidelines when determining whether a practice is right or wrong.

THE PERSONAL TEST: Will doing this make me a better or worse Christian?

THE SOCIAL TEST: Will doing it influence others to be a better or worse Christian?

THE PRACTICAL TEST: Will the results of my doing it be desireable?

THE UNIVERSAL TEST: If everyone should do this, would it improve or degrade society?

THE SCRIPTURAL TEST: Does the Bible endorse it, or is it expressly forbidden by the Word of God?

THE STEWARDSHIP TEST: Will my doing this constitute a waste of talent God gave me?

THE CHARACTER TEST: What will be the influence of my moral and spiritual stamina?

THE FAMILY TEST: Will it bring discredit and dishonor to my family, and will it embarrass them?

THE PUBLICITY TEST: Would I be willing for friends, fellow Christians, the elders, and the preacher to know about it?

THE COMMON SENSE TEST: Does it agree with just plain, everyday, ordinary common sense?

THE FAIRNESS TEST: Is it honest, and is it practicing the golden rule?

"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearances of evil." (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22)

- Harry Middleton serves as one of the ministers for the Lebanon Road church of Christ in Nashville, TN. He may be contacted through the congregation’s website at: http://www.lebanonroadchurchofchrist.org

You Tell Me I Am Getting Old

by Dora Johnson

You tell me I am getting old,
I tell you that's not so!
The "house" I live in is worn out,
and that, of course, I know.
It's been in use a long, long while;
It's weathered many a mile;
I'm really not surprised you think
it's getting some what frail.
The color's changing on the roof,
the windows getting dim,
The walls a bit transparent
and looking rather thin,
The foundation's not so steady
as once it used to be-
My "house" is getting shaky,
but my "house" isn't ME!
My few short years can't make me old,
I feel I'm in my youth;
Eternity lies just ahead,
A life of joy and truth.
I'm going to live forever there;
Life will go on-it's grand!
You tell me I am growing old?
You just don't understand.
The dweller in my little "house"
is young and bright and gay;
Just starting on a life
to last throughout eternal day.
You only see the outside,
Which is all that most folk see.
You tell me I am getting old?
You've mixed my house with ME!

Waiting Until the Last Minute?

A minister waited in line to have his car filled with gas just before a long holiday weekend. The attendant worked quickly, but there were many cars ahead of him. Finally, the attendant motioned him toward a vacant pump. "Preacher," said the young man, "I'm so sorry about the delay. It seems as if everyone waits until the last minute to get ready for a long trip." The minister chuckled, "I know what you mean. It's the same in my business."

- Selected; via The Lantern, Highway church of Christ, Sullivan, IL Visit their website as http://www.highwaycofc.com