The Plumbline

 Barricade the road that goes Nowhere;  grace me with your clear revelation.     I choose the true road to Somewhere,  I post your road signs at every curve and corner.   I grasp and cling to whatever you tell me;  God , don't let me down!     I'll run the course you lay out for me  if you'll just show me how. (Psalm 119:29-32 The Message) All of us would absolutely relish a sign like the one above - clearly telling us in no uncertain terms that the way we are considering is the WRONG way!  Instead, we find ourselves at a sign that looks something like this: There are truly two choices to be made.  One leads us down a path that may result in good stuff for our lives - the other is not so promising.  The truth is, if we'd look a little closer to the "signs" we are seeing, reading, and hearing, we'd realize that some are better than others.  The fact is, some seem to entrap us - leaving us in ...

 You're blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by  God .   You're blessed when you follow his directions,  doing your best to find him.   That's right—you don't go off on your own;  you walk straight along the road he set.   You,  God , prescribed the right way to live;  now you expect us to live it.   Oh, that my steps might be steady,  keeping to the course you set;     Then I'd never have any regrets  in comparing my life with your counsel.     I thank you for speaking straight from your heart;  I learn the pattern of your righteous ways.  I'm going to do what you tell me to do;  don't ever walk off and leave me. (Psalm 119:1-8 The Message) Have you ever stopped to really notice the signs that guide you along your journey everyday?  As I traveled to work yesterday, I took some time to actually notice as many of t...

13-14 "Don't look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don't fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention." (Matthew 7:13-14) The cost associated with acquiring something is sometimes not important to some people - they seemingly don't really think the associated cost is a big deal.  Then there are others of us who are a little more frugal (not stingy) in our spending, so we pay attention to the cost associated with both acquiring and maintaining whatever it is that we are getting.  We look at the length of the warranty and read up on the reviews registered by others who have acquired the product.  We'd say that we were wise "consumers". The fact that God looks for us to be wise in our approach to him is clear evidence that he appreciates a wise "consumer" who co...