Good morning and happy Saturday. It is a balmy 28 degrees right now at 6 am. Would be a good time to go wash the car. The line may be a little shorter than usual. I think I will wait. You go ahead and let me know how it went.
Yesterday, Michelle brought in the stack of mail that had accumulated over the last couple of days. Since we get most of our bills online there typically isn’t a reason to get it every day. Amongst the magazines from the various Christian organizations, junk mail to my dad who died several years ago and never lived at this address, the coupons to places we don’t go and service we don’t need, was one special deal. B & B Theaters sent us a coupon for a free movie ticket. Evidentially, business is still down, and they are trying to increase attendance. As we marveled at our good fortune, Michelle noticed that the expiration date emblazoned in bold red letters says April 31st. That is kind of funny since there isn’t an April 31st. The last time I checked there are only 30 days in April. Although, they did just vote to make something about daylight savings time permanent. Maybe they are changing the calendar too. I bet George Soros or Washington has something to do with this. It is probably an attempt to destabilize our country. I had better check out everything I can on social media because that is considered to be the gold standard of truth in our society.
In smaller print on the coupon, it sates: Coupon valid anytime. Coupon expires on the date indicated above and will not be renewed, replaced or resent. But the card clearly says: EXPIRES APRIL 31ST. I think we can assume that this card will never expire unless someone does change the calendar. If April 31st never comes, then this card remains valid. I am thinking about taking this in May or June and demanding my free ticket. Someone made a mistake, and I am going to make them pay for it. In fact, when I go, they had better not hassle me. I am going straight to the manager and demanding my free ticket. You know what, it’s their mistake, for the angst this is causing me, I want a free ticket and popcorn and a Dr. Pepper. And don’t try to give me one of those little cups either. I want the largest one that they carry…and free refills. In fact, I am going to demand this every month until April 31st comes. If they aren’t willing to do that, then I will have no choice but to get a lawyer. I will also have to launch a social media campaign against them. The skittles are about to be thrown everywhere.
Obviously, I am joking about all that. I am just glad to get a free ticket. I am confident that it is supposed to expire at the end of April, and someone didn’t proof the copy close enough. Mistakes happen. Sadly, however, the scenario that I made up seems to happen with increasing frequency in our society. People look for any and every opportunity to capitalize on the mistakes of others. We overreact, we demand more than we are due, we want to punish others and make them pay for even the simplest mistakes. We have a hard time letting do. Forgiveness, well that is out of the question. More and more I am wondering, “what happened to us?” As fewer and fewer people claim to be followers of Christ, this will only increase in our country. As Christians, we are called to be different. We are called to follow the example of Christ and not the ways of the world.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, 5 is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. 6 Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. 14 Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. (Colossians 3:12-14)
14 “For if you forgive others their offenses, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. 15 But if you don’t forgive others, your Father will not forgive your offenses. (Matthew 6:14-15)
From our neighborhoods to the nations,
Pastor Larry
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