I am back and I will be downloading pictures tomorrow and filling you in on the day! Lots of love! Thanks for the prayers!

jenny

Did you think I forgot...TESTIFY ThUrSdAy!

Hey to my regular peeps! I am still at the lake and I have been trying to comment on some of your blog-o-las and I can't. I don't know if is a setting or what. Anyway, it is Thurs. so please leave a comment and tell me something that the Lord is doing in your life. A verse, answered prayer...or whatever!
I am going to say that I am so thankful for the Lord's great love and that He chases us down...and calls us to Him. He has been speaking to me thru His word, lovingly correcting me for my good. I shared on another post that I had some anger well up in me and immediately the Lord sent His word for me to deal with that junk before it began to deal with me. Praise Him! Also, for those of you who asked my foot is better! My friends are trying to talk me into taking the crutches to Atlanta so we can sit up close. HA HA. I am not...don't worry. When she (Beth Moore) was in Bham I sat in the hearing impaired section. It was so funny because I could seriously sing my guts out and no one heard me (how good of God not to bless everyone around me with my singing)! LOL

Also, I was trying to joke on Teri's blog and tell her that I amm "going to get saved" again tomorrow so when the altar call comes I can pray with Beth. LOL!! I am just kidding!!

Going to the Girlie Group

Hey my sistas (siestas) I am at the lake and headed to Atlanta this afternoon! I can not wait!! I am ready to get my praise on in a BIG way. I need the time away to retreat and etc. If Beth comes even remotely near AL I am there! I am so thankful to the Lord for allowing me this time. We were going and did not know if we were going to have a place to stay tonight because all the hotels were booked up a long time ago. I knew that the Lord would provide and we have a free place to stay! Give Him the Praise!
Here are some verses that were really speaking to me this morning:

Proverbs 16:1-3;20;25 and Proverbs 17:14;19;24;27

1 To man belong the plans of the heart,
but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue.

2 All a man's ways seem innocent to him,
but motives are weighed by the LORD.

-I was thinking about this second verse and how we sometimes do things for vain glory when our works will be tested and the things that were done with an impure motive will be burned up in the fire (11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work.). Lord help us! We are also told when doing good to not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing (Matthew 6:3).

3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do,
and your plans will succeed.

Verse three speaks to me so much about plain obedience. When I seek God and commit all of me, my plans, my time, my agenda, offering all of my members to Him...then my plans will succeed. It may not be what I think it should but I have learned the hard way that it is better to be with Him then setting myself up in opposition to Him! Amen! When we oppose God HE ALWAYS WINS! ALWAYS.

20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

The word for heed here in the Hebrew is to give careful attention to, to pay attention to. The word for trust is again the word to rely on, confide in, to be firm and solidified trusting in Him. When we give heed to His instruction it will ALWAYS be to our benefit. We are blessed by putting our trust in Him.

25 There is a way that seems right to a man,
but in the end it leads to death.
I prayed this verse this morning that I would not put confidence in my flesh or my own feelings but that the Lord's Spirit would be strong in me and He would convict me when I began to go my own way. The way of the flesh always brings destruction and death.


One thing I have seen in Rod is that he never gives full vent to his anger. He doesn't just open the gates of his mouth and bare his soul about everything. There is something to be said for that and I need it to rub off on me a little. Last night I was watching Dr. David Jeremiah and he was talking about anger and how we ARE NOT to nurse our anger or give full vent to it. I really needed to hear that because sometimes I think we do some serious nursing our anger. That will end up causing a bitter root to grow up and defile many (heb 12). Our anger will consume us and hurt others around us. Some of us could be very justified in our bitterness but it will only eat us alive if we do not forgive on a continual basis. There is a very challenging relationship in my life that I am called constantly to forgive with this person. I have to be obedient to God regardless of the hurt and give my burdens to Him, trusting Him with the outcome. It is hard and it takes a lot of prayer...A LOT of PRAYER! Well, gotta run Morgan is in to everything.
Proverbs 17:14
14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;
so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
19 He who loves a quarrel loves sin;
he who builds a high gate invites destruction.
24 A discerning man keeps wisdom in view,
but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
27 A man of knowledge uses words with restraint,
and a man of understanding is even-tempered.

28 Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent,
and discerning if he holds his tongue.

President Bush rescuing Suri Cruise from Scientology! Sorry I just had to put this up.


The Fam


Waiting on Pop to pick her up today. Pop are you really coming?


Still waiting


I think he is almost here


Maybe I should help him by putting myself in the carseat


Here is the food I made for the shower

pics

http://www.kelleymills.com/Schleicher-Wells%20prewedding%20party/schleicherwellsparty.html

you can go here and check out the pics from my weekend. my face is real shiny in some of them because it was like 100 degrees. you will see how i sprained my foot! There is a girl named Jennie that looks like me so don't be confused. :)

I had some anger come out of nowhere tonight so I decided that I wasn't going to bed until it was dealt with and here it is 4 am and I am still not in bed. I did not want to give the enemy a foothold by going to sleep with anger. Anyway, I am about to hit the sack!
I just wanted to say that my computer is flipping out so if you don't hear from me that is why!
I AM GOING TO SEE BETH AND MEET WITH MY JESUS IN A BIG WAY ON FRIDAY! I leave for Atlanta on Thursday and I am soooo excited. I need this so much! I have been getting way to bogged down! Also, Sammie if you read this...the verse you left me has meant so much to me since I was a child. It is only in running in the path of His commands that our hearts are set free. I have learned the hard way to many times.
Love jenny

Morgan hope

What Happens When People Die

I am going to type this out straight from Wayne Grudems Systematic Theology so here goes nothing!

1. The Souls of believers Go Immediately into God's Presence.
Death is a temporary cessation of bodily life and a separation of the soul from the body. Once a believer has died, though his or her physical body remains on the earth and is buried, at the moment of death the soul (or spirit) of that believer goes immediately into the presence of God with rejoicing. When Paul thinks about death he says, “We would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2 Co 5:8). To be away from the body is to be at home with the Lord. He also says that his desire is “to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better” (Phil 1:23). And Jesus said to the thief who was dying on the cross next to him, “Today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). (Paradise is simply another name for heaven) The author of Hebrews says that when Christians come together to worship they come not only into the presence of God in heaven, but also in the presence of “the spirits of just men made perfect” (Heb. 12:23). However, as we shall see in more detail in the next chapter, God will not leaver our dead bodies in the earth forever, for when Christ returns the souls of believers will be reunited with their bodies, their bodies will be raised from the dead, and they will live with Christ eternally.

funness!

I am hoping to go to sleep soon...but I just have to share about my fun filled night! I went to eat at O'Charley's (Rod's parents called and wanted to take us to dinner) where I am a fan of the big fat yeast roll. Man can not live on bread alone...but I think women can live on yeast rolls. Just kidding! Anyway, then I had to crutch out to Trussville and dig through the trash from the weekend. My parents have a lot of stairs so I had to crawl up them because of my foot. I am not being dramatic either...it is just getting worse. I felt Morgans pain back in the days where she crawled...that takes a lot of work! Do not worry I took gloves to go through the trash! I had to find a deposit receipt that I threw away...to prove that I made a deposit and not a withdrawal. The yeast rolls more than made up for the search through the trash. I am in P-A-I-N right now is why I am not asleep yet. My foot is killing me. I am so nervous that I won't get to go to Atlanta this weekend to see my BFF in the faith! Beth Moore!!!!

The Verdict

I went to the doctor today and he says I sprained my foot. So we shall see! I hurt worse after I went to the doc. I have never had a shot in my foot before and I thought I was going to pass out from that! I think I am going to get a second opinion. I have had a lot of sports injuries in my days and I am not sure I am satisfied with the diagnosis. :)

I was reading this tonight that I wrote a while back and was encouraged by God's words to me then as well as now!

Proverbs 8:32-34 (New King James Version)

32 “ Now therefore, listen to me, my children, For blessed are those who keep my ways. 33 Hear instruction and be wise, And do not disdain it. 34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors.

Don't try this at home!

With the trampoline extravaganza this weekend and my home workout video...I think I have earned me a stress fracture on my left foot. I was teaching Sunday School in the married class and I left limping. Anyway, I am going to rest it and then head to the Dr. if it isn't better. The shower was great except for the kisses I kept getting from all the long lost relatives. The food that I made was plenty and I think one of the funniest things was when my sweet little brother asked me what the sausage balls were. He had never had one...
If it weren't for Rod I could have never pulled the whole thing off. I headed to church this morning and he had to miss so he could transport all of the food without it melting. I labeled everything with sticky notes and he brought it and met me. He did not forget anything!! PTL! Did I mention what I dork I was this morning? I had to drive his truck to church...I knew he was going to suggest that I did so before I left so he could use my car for the room. No, I told him....I can't even park that thing. It is a Silverado truck with a V8 engine. I like the speed but not the loftiness of that automobile. I took up two parking spots with my depth perception skills. I really tried and I thought I got it in there but no. I was pondering this when I got behind a Sunday Cadillac (older couple) driving: Why wait till you are old to get that kind of machine and then use it to drive 10MPH?? Kind of like us not tapping into the power that Christ gave us through the cross. Why drive 10MPH when you can drive it like you stole it? LOL!!! I told my grandmother before she left the party: "Drive it like it's hot!" She is not a slow driver but she wasn't sure what I meant...so I clarified by telling her drive it like you stole it (She has a caddy)! She will is the funny thing (lead footed grandmother)!

Jenny performing for her nieces and nephew trying to calm the storm.

the kids are watching their crazy aunt (morgan is just used to it)

Please Lord let them stay on the bed

me making my muscle

Me with the twins...how in the world does my sister do it?

My mom, my little sister Steph, Heather (she is 16 months older than me), and yours truly at the bridal tea.

Okay me being the kid at heart decided that we should all go jump on the trampoline (in hopes that it would not break...thank you Jesus...). My older sister didn't want to get on board she was probably tired from having twins and a 2 1/2 year old. Anyway, I told her she should live a little and she got on...I seriously didn't think we were going to be able to get her off the thing she was having so much fun. Sometimes you just need to get out on the trampoline and jump!

PART ONE

I slept with this passage...Isaiah 30... open on my chest last night. It has been speaking loudly to me all week. Please read it and I am going to put my thoughts on paper when Morgan will let me. I am super tired today and am about to leave.
Some key things the very first verse is written to the Israelites, God's chosen, His beloved. He calls them, through Isaiah, obstinate children. They carry out plans that are not His. Did you hear that? How many times do we carry out plans that are not His? I know personally that when I choose to go at it on my own it brings devastation. I looked up to the sky the other day when I had a flashback of the past and told Him I was so sorry for ever doing that thing. If I had not I would not be experiencing the gut punch to the stomach when I think about it. I prayed that He would help me to believe Him and keep me from my own foolish ways. The bottom line is that when we let a little sin in the door...if we do not repent and I mean quick...we begin to heap sin upon sin. Think about heaping one pancake upon another upon another (are southerners the only ones with pancakes) until you have one fat delicious stack. It looks so good and delicious that you can already feel the bread on your thighs and then you are done eating, you are sick, and you are imploding swollen with that bread. Yuck...your hunger turns to a state of being lethargic. You regret the pancakes...or maybe this is a bad analogy. But that has been my experience. I was listening to Dr. David Jeremiah the other day and he spoke on temptation. He said that he believes that when we are faced with temptation we have a small window of time where the Lord provides a way of escape for us to take. If we do not take it we will walk past our opportunity. For me personally this is true. I wondered why I was experiencing failure in a certain area and it was because I was putting myself in a position to fail. Looking back there was ALWAYS a door of escape...I just chose to yield to the flesh and not the Spirit and I did not take that door. Then after horrible consequences I began to see that I did not even want to walk down the same road at all and that the consequences for my disobedience would bring me so much pain that I just did not even want to go there. He spoke of three things that we are to flee from and they are in Scripture I just don't have time to link: greed, idolatry, and se+ual immorality. Anyway, Gods word is always true and He delights in our obedience far more than sacrifice. The sacrifice He desires is a broken and contrite Spirit...the one who desires to do His will. Anyway, we are to flee from those three things above. Why flee? Because WE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY in our flesh...CAN NOT MAKE the decision in the middle of the bowing down. We can not decide to flirt with those things and stand up to the temptation we will fall every time. Sometimes our way of escape can mean a change of jobs, not driving the same route, not going to a certain place. I am saying not waiting until the heat of passion to make a decision when it is clearly outside of Gods will. I was reminded this morning of how I can do nothing on my own and that if we are God's children we have the Holy Spirit to help us. Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty. To the degree that we are fully yielded to Him is the degree that we will be free. My freedom in Christ or lack thereof has always been an issue of Authority. I do not want Him to look at me and say Jenny you are obstinate and you are heaping sin on top of sin. I know so many times in my past that has been the case. Verse 2 of Isaiah 30 speaks of going down to Egypt. When I think of Israels being delivered from the land of slavery I think of my own symbolic Egypt. The Lord has delivered me from much and I have turned back around in my life and believed the lie that my land of slavery was better and gone down to Egypt to find help filling my voids instead of filling them with the Spirit. I put this in generic terms so hopefully you can relate. So please don't make assumptions as to what I am talking about specifically as far as sin. Just like them we go to this world to try to fill a void and yet if we would come with our gaping souls open to Jesus He would gladly fill us and the fruit of that would far outweigh what the world and its TEMPORARY lust brings. TO BE CONTINUED

Taco, Burrito, what's coming out of your speedo?

Does anyone remember that Spartan cheer from Saturday night live back in the day? I was craving a burrito a few minutes ago and I decided to load the side kick up and head to Taco Bell (which normally i find nasty but not tonight) at almost midnight. At first I thought I was headed out for a burrito until my breath was taken away at the sight of the moon. It looked as if the Lord had just put half of it in His Holy Pocket. My heart began to pound when I saw it and of course I thought He may just part the curtain of the sky and call me to meet Him in the air. I drove and got my burrito and then came back home but decided to go to the top of a hill to look at the moon. Well, did I mention I took Night time cold medicine before I left? Not a good plan but I usually do ok with that kind of stuff. Our police department DOES NOT play where I live. This cop ruined my whole "God and the Moon" moment by following me all around the neighborhood to my house. So what was awe turned to heart pounding anxiety. I got pulled over last year for driving to slow. Anyway, all in a day people all in a day!

Isaiah 40:8-10
8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever."
9 You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, "Here is your God!"
10 See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and his arm rules for him. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.

ps Tam Trussville is only a twenty minute drive for me so I am sure I will be blessing you with my blog of randomness! ha ha

Feeling so Fly

I was at the Galleria tonight and I went in to Hollister this guy who was about 18 began talking to me (he works @ Hollister). He was trying to put some moves on me and asked me why I don't get a job there. Okay, I never even go in there first. Then, I said dude...and I quote "Dude, how old do you think I am?" He said 19. Did you hear that 19? I said no...I have a two year old as well. He and his co-worker did not believe me...they asked if I would show them my license...gladly I obliged. NO WAY they yelled! Yes way...born in the seventies! (Then he did the ring check...I guess you don't think about that when you are 18) I told them I loved them for being so sweet and I left. I will be blogging the rest of my thoughts on temptation and Isa 30. I am headed to Vegas tomorrow Truss-VEGAS that is (my home town of Trussville, AL). I have showers galore for my little sisters wedding and I will be up cooking all night tonight! And yes I got only domestic skills...I can cook and clean and jog in place. While the other sisters had talent I was always told what a good wife (in taking care of a man) I would make! LOL!

Tag you are it

Snappy Casual Gifts tagged me along with 7 others to list 8 Bizarre/Random/Habits about me.Here is my list:
1. I have some killer dance moves
2. I like detective work
3. I am psychotic about not speaking to anyone before I am in the word in the morning.
4. I sleep with my bible
5. I eat at chic-fil-a several times a week. And mexican once or twice a week
6. I can not stand when Rod picks his toenails and leaves them by the bed, on the bathroom counter (his bathroom) or anywhere else.
7. I take two showers a day.
8. I don't like shaking hands or holding hands to pray (sorry) you never know where someones hand has been like up their nose or something.
If you want to do this tag then you are it!!

From gotquestions.org

Question: "God vs. Satan - if God is all-powerful, why does He not just kill Satan?"Answer: One of the mysteries of the Christian life is why God didn’t just throw Satan into the lake of fire immediately after he sinned. We know that God will one day destroy Satan once and for all by throwing him into the Lake of Fire where he will be tortured day and night forever (Revelation 20:10), but sometimes we wonder why God has not destroyed Satan already. Perhaps we will never know God’s reasoning in this particular situation, but we do know certain things about God.First, we know He is absolutely sovereign over all creation, and this includes Satan, who is “on a very short leash.” Certainly, Satan and his demons wreak havoc in the world, but they are only allowed to go so far and no farther. We also know that God has planned everything from the beginning of time to the end. Nothing can thwart His plans and things are proceeding exactly on schedule. “The LORD of hosts has sworn: ‘As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand’” (Isaiah 14:24).Second, “we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). Whatever God has planned for Satan, that plan will be the best one possible, resulting in God’s perfect wrath and justice being satisfied and His perfect righteousness being glorified. Those who love Him and who wait for His plan to be fulfilled will be thrilled to be part of that plan and will praise and glorify Him as they see it unfold.Third, we know to call into question God’s plan and its timing is to call into question God Himself, His judgment, His character and His very nature. It is not wise to question His right to do exactly as He pleases. The Psalmist tells us “As for God, His way is perfect” (Psalm 18:30). Whatever plan comes from the mind of the Almighty is the most perfect plan possible. It is true that we can’t expect to understand that mind perfectly, as He reminds us “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9). Nevertheless, our responsibility to God is to obey Him, to trust Him, and to submit to His will, whether we understand it or not.
Recommended Resource: The Serpent of Paradise by Erwin Lutzer.
What's new on GotQuestions.org?
GotQuestions.org seeks to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by providing Biblical answers to spiritually-related questions. To continue in this mission, we need your support! For more information, please visit https://gotquestions.org/support.html

Missing Alabama woman returns home! PTL!

Joking around-Look out richard simmons here i come!

People I was making my own workout tape tonight and it just got out of hand. This is a very short version! At least I make myself laugh is all I have to say. Why drink when you can have so much fun on your own! I saw a workout video on Mandys blog (she is on my blogroll) and I just had to get in on the fun for myself. This is called Spazzdancer! Rod taped several versions but his phone length just doesn't make it long.
*Edited to add...this really is a joke...just so you know.

Link-o-la

I had to link to this from Mandy (Just a girl's) blog. Also, she has a great workout video on her page LOL. I am sure the guy is sincere...it is just funny. So...I decided to make my own praise dance video. I will be posting it soon! LOL!!
Also, I picked up the glamourshots today! What a stinking rip off!! I told the guy quickly not to try to sale me anything. He went on and on. I did say that they lied to me about the price. He didn't seem to care. Then he told me that he would sale me all of the pictures for $400! BIG FAT WHATEVER! No thanks dude I will get my one sheet that I paid $20.90 for (I could have done it myself) and that I would continue to go to JC Penney where they give me like 30 sheets for $50. Crazy!

Testify Thursday

My heart just breaks for what is going on in Minneapolis right now. I was watching footage of it on Fox news as soon as it came on...I just could not believe what I was watching. How people were just driving home from work or to a game and the bridge just collapses. My heart breaks for those who have lost love ones tonight. Our lives are so fragile. We aren't promised another breath and yet we live at times as if we think we are invincible. There is so much that goes on in the world on a daily basis and God sees it all and knows it all. I wonder sometimes...why? Don't we all? Why did that have to happen today? Why are innocent children harmed? Why do babies die? And I know that it is all a product of living in this fallen world. For those of us who are Christians our hope is in heaven and in the fact that He will come and make all wrongs right.

On another note, it is not Thursday yet but I want to go ahead and make my testify thursday post...so please leave your comments as to what the Lord is doing in your life this week. It is so encouraging to me. You can share a verse, a story, or just a way that God is moving in your life. I was pondering tonight about something and here it is: I wish you could really know me and know how I have blown it in regards to sin so many times. I have hung my head in shame at the words of Christ: "If you love me you will obey me." I do love Him...I have loved Him...and He is all I have truly had in life...and yet I have shamefully disobeyed Him time after time.
We have all heard this: "God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him." I agree with that...but...what I want to testify to be true in my own life is that God has stooped down and been the lifter of my head when I didn't think I could look up. He has initiated relationship with me and come and met me (like the woman at the well) in my sin. I have poured my alabaster box on my King. I have wept at His feet and dried my tears with my hair. What amazes me is that God has brought Himself glory even through my sin. He has shattered ideas and misconceptions that I have had of Him in showing me that no matter how far I have gone, He is deeper still. What stirred this in me tonight was an email that I got from a sister in Christ. She sent me a message of encouragement. I have received several of those this week...but this really got me thinking. I have taught for seven years in some shape or form at my church and it amazes me that in spite of our sinfulness (and hear me I am not saying that God wants us to stay in strongholds so He can get the glory...I am not saying that we aren't to grow and become more like Christ) God still uses us...even when we blow it. It amazes me that people who know me would still come back to bible study and possibly hear a word from me. That is Christ in me...because I truly know that in me no good thing dwells...and I stand in Awe of a God who can truly bring beauty from the ashes...the places that have been long devastated! I am amazed that He can take a life that has been tarnished and still allow people to hear from Him through that vessel. I think we sometimes feel that because of our sin that we can no longer be used by God. That is such a lie. We are all sinners, we all fall short, we all like sheep have gone astray and yet God still takes us and uses us for His name and His renown. Glory....Glory! He is so Holy and beautiful. I love Him for forgiving me and for keeping me. Words can not express what He means to me. My faithful and true. THE MAN on the white horse.

Revelation 19:11-12

The Rider on the White Horse

11I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. 12His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself.

sOrRy

My word on temptation is a comin! I am sorry for not responding to anyones comments. Today has been DRAINING to say the least. I have been really busy. Just wanted to give a shout out and say that I think my number must be posted on a bathroom wall or something
(867-5309 J-E-N-N-Y). I have received like 20 something missed calls from people that I do not know today. I tried to google the numbers to no avail. Does anyone but me do that? PLEASE LEAVE A MESSAGE people. I did get one of the strangest messages from some man...VeRy WeIrD and creepy! Oh well. I wanted to follow up his message by singing a Barry White song or something. Off to sleep (i hope).

The Way' from Kevin Pauley
Aug 1, 2007

Here Lies An Honest Man


meet the author

I make no claim of superior wisdom or originality. I am a student, just like everyone else. My goal in writing is to simply share whatever God chooses to teach me (many times by my children or parishioners) on any given day. I hope the devotionals are a blessing to you.

Kevin Pauley is a pastor and writer. He lives in Illinois with his wife, Lynn, their five children and two dogs. His internet address is Tzedekah

“The Lord demands fairness in every business deal; he sets the standard.” – Proverbs 16:11

Quentin O’Connor, the noted lawyer, died and went to heaven. He had no sooner gotten inside the Pearly Gates when a tremendous chorus of angels began to sing gloriously in his honor. The air was filled with a golden aura, clouds of incense wafted everywhere, and approaching O’Connor was St. Peter himself.

“O’Connor,” said the celestial gatekeeper, “we have long been awaiting you. You are the first human being ever to break Methuselah’s mark for longevity. You have lived 1,037 years.”

“What are you talking about?” said O’Connor, astonished. “I died at the age of sixty-five.”

“At the age of sixty-five?”

said St. Peter, astonished in his turn, “Aren’t you Quentin O’Connor? The corporate lawyer?”

“Yes.”

“From Philadelphia?”

“Yes.”

“But the Record Book has you down for 1,037 years.”

“There must be some mistake. I’m only sixty-five.”

“Something must be wrong,” said St. Peter. “Let me study the book.”

He did so and suddenly clapped his hand to his forehead. “Ah, I see where we made our mistake. We added up the hours you billed to your clients.”

Why is it so important to be honest? Well, for one thing, honesty is necessary for us to live in God’s presence. Psalm 24:3-4 says “Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies.” God expects honesty from us.

My level of honesty or dishonesty reveals just what my character is. We find in Proverbs 12:5 that “The plans of the godly are just” and that “A tree is identified by its fruit” (Matthew 12:33). The Lord told us in Luke 16:10 that “If you cheat even a little, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.”

So look out for all the little subtle dishonesties that we tend to play. Watch for trying to put yourself in the best light, even when it “stretches” the truth a bit.

Otherwise, you may end up as the lawyer who was buried in a cemetery with a tombstone that was inscribed “Here lies a good lawyer and an honest man.” A little boy walking by with his mother read the inscription and asked, “Mommy, why did they bury two men there?”

Copyright:
'The Way' Copyright 2007 © Kevin Pauley. 'The Way' articles may be reproduced in whole under the following provisions: 1) A proper credit must be given to the author at the end of each story, along with their complete bio and a link to http://www.liveasif.org/ 2) 'The Way' content may not be arranged or "mirrored" as a competitive online service.