It has been said “You don’t write because you want to say something.  You write because you have something to say.”

Today, my friend was stranded, stuck in the mud about a half mile from his house.  He went down his steep hill to watch the highway department remove brush, and debris from under the bridge.  Water from all of the heavy rain had backed up into his pasture and the creek was making a new pathway through his property.  His herd of cattle must pass under the bridge which is under the highway to get to the pasture on my friend’s side. While watching the men work, he crossed over the creek and his mule became stuck in the mud. The men from the highway department saw he was stuck, and my friend asked them for help; they refused.  They had the equipment and could have pulled him out, but they refused.  Instead, he was forced to walk a half mile to his house, with sore knees and a strained ligament in his leg.  He will be 88 in a couple of weeks.

“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to Him it is sin.”     James 4:17

In another instance numerous tornadoes were reported.  Lindale, which is not too far from me, was hit fairly hard.  A popular hamburger fast food establishment, upon hearing of the tornado which was on the ground, locked their doors while people were begging to get in for protection from the debris.  Another fast food restaurant across the street allowed them in for shelter.

“But our biggest regrets are not for the things we did, but for the things we didn’t do, things we didn’t say that could have saved someone we care about.”     ~ Scott

“Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked Him a question, tempting Him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law?  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it.  Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”  Matthew 22:37-40

I seem to have missed the Scripture which give companies exemption status in how to treat their fellow man.  This morning the following thought crossed my mind.  What if, at the same moment this company was turning their back on one which needed help, and what if, the sky parted and the Lord descended in the clouds?  How would they answer Him?  Do we believe He would give exemption status to all companies when they told Him they might be sued, or lose their job for helping someone in need?  Just what kind of excuse could one give for turning their backs on people in need given the commandment in Matthew 22:37-40?

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith:  these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.  Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites?  for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.”    Matthew 23:23-25

“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”       Galatians 6:10

“And Jesus answering said,  A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him and departed, leaving him half dead.  And by chance there came down a certain priest that way:  and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.  And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.  But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was:  and when he saw him, he had compassion on him.  And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.  And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him.  Take care of him:  and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.  Which now of these three thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him, that fell among the thieves?  And he said, He that sheweth mercy on him.  Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.”      Luke 10:30-37

“Have you ever wondered what marks our time?  If one life can really make an impact on the world?  If the choices we make matter?  I believe they do.”      ~ Scott

Eileen Light