March 17, 2025: EVERYONE IS DOING IT


"But mom, all the other kids are doing it!” Remember saying that? Do you remember this response, “Well if they all jumped off a cliff, would you do that too?” What the kids wanted to do might not have been as extreme as jumping off a cliff, but it still needed to be filtered through reason and experience by the parents. Perhaps it is a matter of not enough information like, “Can I go to the movies with some friends?” The normal parental response would be…”Who are you going with, do I know them and/or their parents, whose driving, what movie are you seeing, when will you be home etc. , right? We try to keep an eye on what our kids are learning and what their influences are, but are we monitoring ourselves? Is it really necessary now that we are, “adults”?


It is easy to become a product of our environment. What we see and hear through cell phones, T.V., the radio and computers has always, in some way shaped our culture and as a result, some of us. Now that we have media 24/7 in the palm of our hand from thousands of sources, there is literally a world of opportunity for our children and ourselves to be affected. When our kid’s grades slowly decline, we usually notice it and try to identify the cause, right? What not long ago might have been an “R” rated movie is now, “PG 13”. What are we watching, listening to, and filtering? Do we have or take the time? Can we trust, “The world’s” filter? Have we allowed a media with a big microphone to implement things that at one time would not have passed our own personal, “filter” to become acceptable? I am bringing this up because I wonder, if our filters have become clogged, allowing us to slowly, “Jump off the cliff.”


God has from the very beginning had a plan for us and principles by which we should live, successfully! His filter does not change or get clogged. The truth is, our nation was founded through His filter and He, (along with effort and obedience on our part) is the reason we have been as prosperous and successful as anyone in human history. Have you recognized the downhill change? It’s not too late to live your life as God intended you to. Look into what He says, and learn from the best. Like for example, Proverbs 14:12 states, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Something to think about…


Moses, Jesus, and an old man were enjoying a friendly round of golf together. Moses stepped up to the tee and hit the ball. It went sailing over the fairway and landed in the water trap. Moses then parted the water and chipped the ball onto the green. Jesus stepped up to the tee and hit the ball. It went sailing over the fairway and landed in the water trap. Jesus just walked onto the water and chipped the ball onto the green. The old man stepped up to the tee and hit the ball. It went sailing over the fairway and headed for the water trap. But, just before it fell into the water, a fish jumped up and grabbed the ball in its mouth. As the fish was falling back down into the water, an eagle swooped down and grabbed the fish in its claws. The eagle flew over the green where a lightning bolt shot from the sky and barely missed it. Startled, the eagle dropped the fish. When the fish hit the ground, the ball popped out of its mouth and rolled into the hole for a hole-in-one. Jesus then turned to the old man and said: “Dad, if you don’t stop fooling around, we won’t bring you next time.”


Are you skeptical of God? Come and let Him prove Himself. Impact Church, 141 E. Main St. in Canton, (across from Kwikfill Mkt). Services are Sun. at 10:30 am. Call 570-673-5912 or visit www.impactministries.life Until next time, look up and smile!

MARCH 09, 2025: Jr. High Thinking


Wasn’t puberty great? Can you remember what was important to you when you were in Junior High? If you can, how many of those things still matter today? I know that it was an age of, “sorting things out” but as life changes, those priorities now seem silly and misdirected, don’t they? I wonder if some of the other, “important” things of our past now also appear senseless in today’s light? I’m not saying that they weren’t relevant and significant at the time, but things change, don’t they? What’s important now? Will it be in the future?

How about the distant future…like eternity? Eternity is hard to grasp, all I can say about it is that it is a long… long…time. If I knew in Junior High what I know now, I might not have taken things so seriously. In the end, it didn’t really matter so much, did it? The question is, do I have, “Junior High” thinking today? Do you? Let’s see.


Jesus says in Matthew 6, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” What does this mean? It means that if you are living for yourself here today, then your heart is in the wrong place (Jesus also said to love God first and others as much as yourself Matt. 22). Having a car, a house and a bank account aren’t bad things, but they aren’t as important to God as having a heart that wants to share and give to others is. So…


Our money, our time and our talents were given to us by God and meant to be shared. For many of us, this doesn’t come easy; after all, I come first, don’t I? Not if your heart has been changed… and Jesus changes hearts. That’s one of the reasons He came. The heart of Christ shows us what is truly important here and now AND in the future. It is so that while we are here that we don’t have, “Junior High” thinking. So remember, do your giving while you’re living so you’re not crying when you’re dying. Something to think about…


Little Johnny had a cussing problem and his father was getting tired of it. He decided to ask his doctor what to do. The Dr. said, “Since Christmas is coming up, you should ask Johnny what he wants Santa to bring him. If he cusses while he tells you his wish list, leave a pile of dog poop in place of the gift or gifts he requests.” Two days before Christmas, Johnny’s father asked him what he wanted. “I want a @&*)_!$ teddy-bear laying right beside me when I wake-up. When I go downstairs I want to see a +)*&#@ train going around the tree. And when I go outside I want to see a new #<:{+&! bike. Christmas morning, little Johnny woke up and rolled over into a pile of dog poop. Confused, he walked down stairs and saw another pile under the tree. Scratching his head, he walked outside and saw a huge land mine by the garage. When Johnny walked back inside with a curious look on his face, his dad smiled and asked, “What did Santa bring you this year?” Johnny replied, “I think I got a *?<+*%! dog but I can’t find him.”


Want to find God? Come and let Him prove Himself. Impact Church, 141 E. Main St. in Canton, (across from Kwikfill Mkt). Services are Sun. at 10:30 am. Call 570-673-5912 or visit www.impactministries.life Until next time, look up and smile!

FEBRUARY 22, 2025: A Diamond Inside


Have you ever given or received a gift where it begins looking like a big present in a big box, only to find when you open the box, there is a smaller box inside? Then another and another, and another until… I expect that it is usually more fun being the giver than the recipient. How many boxes do you open before you think, “This isn’t funny anymore!?” What if, (and maybe you have been there) there is an enormous diamond, stack of money or something else of great value inside the final box? Suddenly the effort and angst of opening all the boxes seems unimportant. “If I only knew, I wouldn’t have complained!”


God never promised that life as a Christian was going to be easy. In fact He said that it wouldn’t, but 1. He would be with us when it gets tough, “…. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). And 2. That enduring life’s hardships and the effort that it takes to remain faithful will be rewarded in the end. “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. (2 Cor. 4:17). Here is a problem that I have sometimes.


I forget that He is with me when I am opening life’s, “boxes.” The truth is that there is no trial in my life that is bigger than God. It’s even quite possible that the trial is intended for my benefit, even if I don’t like it or appreciate it. (See James 1:2-4). I also need to remember that no matter how many boxes I have to open or how difficult they might be, that in the end, the present will be so special that any difficulty getting there would be immediately forgotten. Much like a mother soon forgetting the pains of childbirth the instant her baby is in her arms. Even better…


Heaven is forever, and the experience there will be more rewarding than anything we have talked about here. Think about it. Perhaps your life has felt like opening box after box hoping that eventually there will be a gift. Maybe you have given up even looking. If you don’t know Jesus, many gifts for here and now are available, if you make Him lord of your life. If you do know Him, the best gifts are yet to come! Something to remember and something to think about…


A Chinese doctor can’t find a job in a Hospital in the US, so he opens his own clinic and puts up a sign outside. It reads: “GET TREATMENT FOR $20 – IF NOT CURED GET BACK $100.” An American lawyer thinks this is a great opportunity to earn $100 and goes to the clinic. Lawyer: “I have lost my sense of taste.” Doctor: “Nurse, bring medicine from box No. 22 and put 3 drops in patient’s mouth.” Lawyer: “Ugh, this is kerosene!” Doctor: “Congrats, your sense of taste is restored. Give me $20.” The annoyed lawyer goes back after a few days to recover his money. Lawyer: “I have lost my memory. I cannot remember anything.” Doctor: “Nurse, bring medicine from box no. 22 and put 3 drops in his mouth.” Lawyer (annoyed): “This is kerosene. You gave this to me last time for restoring my taste.” Doctor: “Congrats. You got your memory back. Give me $20.” The fuming lawyer pays him and then comes back a week later determined to get back $100. Lawyer: “My eyesight has become very weak I can’t see at all.” Doctor: “Well, I don’t have any medicine for that, so take this $100.” Lawyer (staring at the note): “But this is $20, not $100!!” Doctor: “Congrats, your eyesight is restored. Give me $20.”


Don’t put church and God off another week. Come and experience something good this Sunday. Check out, “Church done different.” Impact Church, 141 E. Main St. Canton (Across from Kwikfill Mkt.) Services start at 10:30 am. Call 570-673-5912 or visit www.impactministries.life Until next time, look up and smile!

FEBRUARY 15, 2025: Resistance & Capacitance


Have you ever looked at and tried to figure out an electronic circuit board like the ones you find in a computer or radio? Most of us would probably describe it as a maze of silver trails connecting a lot small unidentified plastic parts, (Perhaps an aerial view of a housing development?). Somehow it all works together to make the computer work and the radio play. Each of the small plastic components has a specific purpose so that the right amount of current or voltage gets to where it needs to be, some more, some less. Here is how it works…sort of.


The component designed to oppose the flow is called a resistor. They come in a variety of strengths, from very little to stopping almost everything, like how much you pinch a garden hose. Then there are also units that work to prevent any change in the flow and even store energy for when it is needed. They are called capacitors. I don’t know about you, but there are times when I wish I had a pocket full of capacitors in my life! (Excuse me while I go take a nap). Perhaps we are made more like circuit boards than we realize. In life, resistance and capacitance can be used together to help make things work and run smoothly.


For example, James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Sin in our lives restricts the flow of God’s Spirit. The afore-mentioned devil knows our specific weak points and tries really hard to take advantage of them. If we are not prepared with the adequate strength resistor, as in, “Just say no”, then he gets in and clogs up the flow. It is hard to be strong when our energy has been reduced, and the more he gets in, the weaker we become. We need capacitance!


Capacitance comes from God. Being close to Him, along with proper preparation make it difficult if not impossible for Satan, (the great resistor) to restrict the power flow. The, “Armor of God” is explained in Ephesians chapter 6. We do need to truly apply it to our lives in order for it to be effective though. Regular connection with God, through prayer, worship, His word and His people charge our systems and help prevent any change in flow, just like a capacitor. It sounds easy, but it is something we need to continually work at. So resist the devil and charge up! Something to think about…


In a land far, far away, there was a Christian parish that had many attendees. There was a priest who was part of it that used to give out miniature crosses that he made by hand. One Sunday, he announced that he would be giving them out. The congregation in the church that day reacted with glee. “Put this cross in the room where your family argues most,” he advised. “When you look at it, the cross will remind you that God is watching.” When the parishioners were leaving the church, a woman walked up to the priest, shook his hand and said, “I’ll take five.”


God’s love is, “On the house”. Have you accepted it? He wants you in His house. A house that makes you feel welcome and at home. Impact Church, 141E. Main St. in Canton (across from Kwikfill Mkt.) Services are Sundays at 10:30 am. There is something for you, your friends and your whole family. Call 570-673-5912 and hear messages and more at www.impactministries.life Until next time, look up and smile!




FEBRUARY 08, 2025: Market Value


On May 14th, 2019, a painting by Claude Monet sold for 110.7 million dollars at auction. The last time the painting was auctioned was in 1986 and sold for…2.5 million. Why was it worth 44 times more in 2019? The answer is, its market value. What it really means is that what something is worth comes down to what someone is willing to pay for it. That is its true value. Consider what holds the most value to you in your life? What would be the limit, if any of the sacrifice that you would be willing to make to save it, or them? Have you ever wondered what YOUR market value is? Are you worth more or less than a Monet? Let’s see…


Jesus loved us/you enough that He left His position in Heaven to come to Earth and live as just a man. He loved you enough to be ridiculed, beaten and whipped and scourged within an inch of His life. He loved you enough to suffer the excruciating, long and tortuous death that was Roman crucifixion, and His Father, God, loved you enough to send Him. That is YOUR market value to God. Say that out loud…


Jesus came to buy us back. Man was destined for eternal Hell until the Son of God sacrificed Himself to save us/you. His extraordinary love hasn’t changed, and I believe that He would do it again just for you if it were necessary. Read the following passage in John and insert your own name where it says, “the world.” “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Let me ask you…


Do you think that the person who bought the painting for 100.7 million dollars forgot about it and left it behind? Jesus paid more for you and loves you more than anything on Earth; don’t you want to go home with Him? Something to think about…


A mechanic was removing a cylinder-head from the motor of a Harley motorcycle when he spotted a well-known cardiologist in his shop. The cardiologist was there waiting for the service manager to come and take a look at his bike when the mechanic shouted across the garage: “Hey, Doc, want to take a look at this?” The cardiologist, a bit surprised, walked over to where the mechanic was working on the motorcycle. The mechanic straightened up, wiped his hands on a rag and asked, “So Doc, look at this engine. I open its’ heart, take the valves out, repair any damage, and then put them back in, and when I finish, it works just like new. So how come I make close to minimum wage and you get the really big bucks when you and I are doing basically the same work?” The cardiologist paused, smiled and leaned over, then whispered to the mechanic. “Try doing it with the engine running”


God can do surgery on YOUR heart. Impact Church, 141 E. Main St. Canton (Across from Kwikfill Mkt.) Check it out at www.impactministries.life Each Sunday, adult lessons start at 9:00 am followed by the worship service at 10:30. Something for the kids too! It’s friendly and free. Until next time, look up and smile!


FEBRUARY 01, 2025: Book Album Cover


Two of the things that I enjoy doing in my leisure are reading and listening to music on vinyl records. I’m not sure, but I believe that, in part, these practices have contributed to larger belt sizes recently…uh pardon me, I digress. Call me, “Old School” but I still prefer to read the traditional paper books and most of my musical interests are from decades ago. This means that when I want to add a book or record to my collection, I am shopping for used condition copies. Normally descriptions include separate condition ratings for both the outside, (cover) and then the inside. I buy books to read and records to listen to and generally not as financial investments. The readability of the book and the sound quality of the record is where the value is. A pristine album cover with a scratchy record or a new looking book with missing pages are nearly worthless to me. God feels the same way.


About people that is. When the prophet Samuel was sent to identify God’s chosen king, (the shepherd boy, David} he dismissed seven of his older brothers first. When the oldest brother, Eliab, (the first born) was presented to Samuel’ 1 Samuel 16:6 and 7 says…When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.” But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” It’s true isn’t it? Historically, cultures have placed great value on appearance and birthright, and in many places they still do. If we are not careful, that influence can rub off on us…can’t it? Hey there’s nothing wrong with a great appearance, but from God’s viewpoint, (and hopefully ours) the cover isn’t the important thing. The good news is..,


If our hearts have some scratches and are playing poorly, of if they are missing some pages, God can fix it. God has been cleaning and changing people from the inside-out for thousands of years and that can mean you right now. He says in 2 Cor. 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” When God’s love enters YOUR heart, suddenly you become more attractive to others! Something to think about…


An American businessman goes to Japan on a business trip, but he hates Japanese food, so he asks the concierge at his hotel if there’s any place around where he can get American food. The concierge tells him he’s in luck, there’s a pizza place that just opened, and they deliver. The concierge gives the businessman the phone number, and he goes back to his room and orders a pizza. Thirty minutes later, the delivery guy shows up to the door with the pizza. The businessman takes the pizza and starts sneezing uncontrollably. He asks the delivery man, “What the Heck did you put on this pizza?” The delivery man bows deeply and says, “We put on the pizza what you ordered, pepper only.” Sorry…



Impact Church, 141 E. Main St. Canton. It doesn’t matter what you wear, just come. It’s friendly and free. Each Sunday, adult lessons start at 9:00 am followed by the worship service at 10:30. Try www.impactministries.life Until next time, look up and smile!

JANUARY 25, 2025: Grave Epitaph


Here are some real world grave stone epitaphs for amusement and consideration, “Stranger tread this ground with gravity, dentist Brown is filling his last cavity.” “Here lies Ann Mann, who lived an old maid, and died an old Mann.” “Here lieth Mary, the wife of John Ford, We hope her soul has gone to the Lord. But if for Hell she has changed this life, she had better be there than John Ford’s wife.” (Stone of a young man fond of motor cycles), “He sped himself to an early grave, never to enjoy the time he saved.” “First a cough carried me off. Then a coffin, they carried me off in.” “Here beneath this stone we lie, back to back my wife and I. And when the angel’s trump shall trill, if she gets up then I’ll lie still!” “Under the sod and under the trees, lies the body of Jonathan Pease. He is not here, there’s only the pod; Pease shelled out and went to God.” “Here lies the body of Jonathan Blake, stepped on the gas instead of the brake.” And finally, here lies john Yeast, “Pardon me for not rising.”


Have you ever wondered what you want your stone to say? How about what others might write on it? Some recent markers identify what people did for a living, hobbies or the people and things that were important to them. I hear that the newest thing is a video remembrance on the stone itself. Leaving a positive legacy and being remembered are good things, but no matter how well we live or what we are remembered for, we all will leave the world that we are in now. Here is one from a stone in Cornwall England, “Here lies a man who left the world never knowing why he was brought into it.”


Sadly, many in the world die in the very same state. Is that where you are? Is there a purpose and a plan to your life? Something greater than yourself? Hebrews 9 says, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” There were many eye witnesses to the miracles of Jesus and to His being alive after being confirmed dead. It was also Jesus who said that He was the ONLY Avenue to Heaven, (John 14:6). Isn’t that enough to at least consider the Bible as truth? After all, a great epitaph won’t be much solace if you are viewing it from Hell. Something to think about…


It was three o’clock in the morning, and the receptionist at a posh hotel was just dozing off, when a little old lady came running towards her, screaming. “Please come quickly,” she yelled, “I just saw a naked man outside my window!” The receptionist immediately rushed up to the old lady’s room. “Where is he?” asked the receptionist. “He’s over there,” replied the little old lady, pointing to an apartment building opposite the hotel. The receptionist looked over and could see a man with no shirt on, moving around his apartment. “It’s probably a man who’s getting ready to go to bed,” she said reassuringly. “And how do you know he’s naked, you can only see him from the waist up?” “The dresser, honey!” screamed the old lady. “Try standing on the dresser!”


You don’t have to stand on the dresser to meet with God. Come and let Him prove Himself. Impact Church, 141 E. Main St. in Canton, (across from Kwik Fill Mkt). Services are Sun. at 10:30 am. Call 570-673-5912 or visit www.impactministries.life Until next time, look up and smile!

JANUARY 18, 2025: Heaven & Reality


What do you imagine Heaven to be like? In your mind, is it the way you would like it to be? Many of us know it’s not really about naked angels in the clouds playing harps or, “St. Peter at the pearly gates” but what is it really? Perhaps you are one of the many that believe that it will be what gives you the most pleasure here, only better, or it’s free reign to do whatever you want. Maybe it’s the time when you were happiest here, continually? The Bible does not give specifics on Heaven, but it is clear that it is NOT what you personally want it to be or even think it should be. In fact, the main focus in Heaven will be about God, not us. So then why is it so great?


It is because at the very least, there will be no more pain, sorrow, disease, worry, guilt or evil there. We will be in the presence of an awesome God and He IS love, (1 John 4:8). I’m not sure that we can comprehend how good it will be, in fact 1 Corinthians 2:9 states, “But, as it is written, What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.” God showed the apostle John a vision about the future including Heaven, (The book of Revelation) and John had a very difficult time trying to describe what he saw in terms we could understand. It was beyond his description. We are not intended to completely understand, but one thing for sure, IT WILL BE AWESOME!


In our limited thinking, we can’t believe or understand that something could be better than the best things we have now, but it will be. More importantly, it’s not about US anyway, both here while alive or in Heaven. God is in charge and knows and wants what’s best for us now AND then. We need to focus on our standing with Him now and let Him and His good hands take care of the future. If not, the future is, well…Hell. Something to think about…


Two robins were sitting in a tree. "I'm really hungry," said the first one. "Me too," said the second. "Let's fly down and find some lunch." They flew to the ground and found a nice plot of plowed ground full of worms. They ate and ate and ate until they could eat no more. "I'm so full I don't think I can fly back up to the tree," said the first one. "Me neither. Let's just lay here and bask in the warm sun," said the second. They plopped down, sitting in the sun. No sooner than they had fallen asleep, when a big fat tomcat snuck up and gobbled them up. As the cat sat washing his face after his meal, he thought, "I just love 'Baskin' robins!”


Don’t put church and God off another week. Come and experience something good this Sunday. Impact Church, 141 E. Main St. Canton. Services start at 10:30 am. Check out, “Church done different.” Call 570-673-5912 or visit www.impactministries.life Until next time, look up and smile!

JANUARY 11, 2025: Shipped!


“Your package has shipped!” Sound familiar? Online shopping and home delivery have become a regular part of life for many of us. The cyber world provides many options, is convenient and can even save money. And who doesn’t like getting a package in the mail? “Oh boy, it came!” Waiting, in our instant gratification, get it now world can become challenging if we let it. After all, we don’t have to, “wait for Christmas” anymore. We can get express overnight shipment if we really want it. Do you sometimes track your packages? (Guilty). How about when they say that your package has been shipped, but when you check on it later, it states that a shipping label has been created, but in truth it is just sitting there waiting to be entered into the delivery system, sometimes for days. It’s no big deal, just tell me when it really HAS been shipped, OK? This got me to thinking.


Has your shipping label for Heaven been created? How do you know? Many think that believing in, “A god” and being a good person, (God knows my heart and I help others, give etc.) will mean going to Heaven when we die. This feels right, but is it true? Not according to God. In fact, He says that none of us can earn our way no matter how good we are and no matter how much we do or give to others. These are all good things that God tells us to do, but they mean nothing, unless…you believe that Jesus died for YOU and your sins against God as a sacrifice in your place (See Eph. 2:8-9). It is also imperative that you make Him the Lord (Commit to His direction and Spirit as taking first place) in your life. We need to let Him take control. You might think that you, “have been shipped” but you’re not. He is not who we think He should be, or the one we want Him to be. He is God and we are NOT. This is good because He knows better than we do and what is best for us, even if we don’t agree or understand. So…


Contemplate what it means in Romans 10:9, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Take seriously what Jesus says In John chapter 3, Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ God can make you a new person when you sincerely ask His forgiveness and ask His Spirit to enter your life. Then…you won’t be in the warehouse just wearing a shipping label, you will be in the delivery system!! Something to think about…


Some groaners just for you: Just got attacked by 6 dwarves. Not Happy. A priest, a minister, and a rabbit walk into a blood bank. The rabbit says, “I believe that I am a type o.” A friend of mine is an agnostic, dyslexic insomniac. He stays up all night long wondering if there’s a dog. Plateaus are the highest form of flattery. What did they give the guy that invented the door knocker? A No-bell prize. When does a joke become a dad joke? When it’s apparent. Two fish swim into a concrete wall. One turns to the other and says, “Dam.” What does a thesaurus eat for breakfast? A synonym roll. And…You can’t explain a pun to a kleptomaniac. They take things, literally.


Want to find God? Come and let Him prove Himself. Impact Church, 141 E. Main St. in Canton, (across from Kwik fill Mkt). Services are Sun. at 10:30 am. Call 570-673-5912, Or visit www.impactministries.life Until next time, look up and smile!

JANUARY 04, 2025: Hygiene Alert


I have been on a few, several week trips with groups of teenagers, (and lived to tell about it!). One of our jobs as leaders, was to check on the various rooms of kids towards curfew time. After a few days of habitation, it starts to become apparent which are the girl’s rooms, and which are the boy’s. All it takes is one quick look, and/or one or two breaths and… hygiene alert! I am not saying that the girls were clean and fresh, but compared to the boys, well… I’m not sure, but I think several, boy’s hallway, “housekeeping” personnel quit while we were there and I do seem to remember a few vultures circling above the hotel as if something had died. And this was after just a few days! I am hoping that most of those boys developed regular hygiene and housekeeping practices as they grew older, even if it was the result of a mother’s or wives’ routine, “encouragement.” This world would be a better place.


I think that after living in the stench for a while, the boys stopped noticing it, (some farmers say the same about the barn). You know, not addressing the sin in our lives can become a clutter and stench on us and putting it off does not make it better and does not make it go away. It just gets worse. Have you found that as you get used to it, like a teen boy’s room, that certain failings become less noticeable in your life? Getting used to the smell makes it seem , “not so bad.” Well it still stinks to God and it is not good for us. We need to get clean regularly. So, as it says in 1 John 1:9…


“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” This means holding up our stink to Jesus and truly asking Him to take it away. Insincere confession is like throwing everything in the closet and acting as if it were clean now. It’s not; in fact it stinks just as bad and then starts to mold. We need to routinely identify the stench and mess in ourselves, and hopefully before someone else of God points it out. And certainly, before the vultures start circling. Something to think about…


Some seasonal humor: It was autumn, and the Indians on the remote reservation asked their new Chief if the winter was going to be cold or mild. Since he was an Indian Chief in a modern society, he had never been taught the old secrets, and when he looked at the sky, he could not tell what the weather was going to be. Nevertheless, to be on the safe side, he replied to his tribe that the winter was indeed going to be cold and that the members of the village should collect wood to be prepared. After several days he got an idea. He went to the phone booth, called the National Weather Service and asked, “Is the coming winter going to be cold?” “It looks like this winter is going to be quite cold indeed,” the Meteorologist at the weather service responded. So, the Chief went back to his people and told them to collect even more wood in order to be prepared. Two weeks later he called the National Weather Service again. “Are you absolutely sure that the winter is going to be very cold?” “Absolutely,” the man replied. “It looks like it’s going to be one of the coldest winters ever.” “How can you be so sure?” the Chief asked. The weatherman replied, “The Indians are collecting firewood like crazy!”


Come feel God’s warmth. Impact Church, 141 E. Main St. Canton. (across from Kwikfill Mkt). Services are Sun. at 10:30 am. Call 570-673-5912 or visit www.impactministries.life It’s friendly and free. Until next time, look up and smile!