I have heard of people getting paid not to do something.  I thought it would be a good idea to get into that line of work.  I found this form letter to help me get on the government payroll.  Feel free to use it as well

Dear Uncle Sam:

My friend Bill Jones over in Runnels County received a check from the government for $1000 for not raising hogs. So I plan on going into the "not raising hogs" business next year.

What I want to know…in your opinion…what is the best kind of farm not to raise hogs on? And, what are the best kinds of hogs NOT to raise? I would prefer not to raise razor-backs, but if that is not a good breed not to raise, I will gladly not raise Berkshires or Durocs.

The hardest work in this business is going to be in keeping an inventory of how many hogs I am not raising.

If I can get $1000 for not raising 50 hogs, then will I get $2000 for not raising 100 hogs? I plan to operate on a small scale at first, holding myself down to about 4,000 hogs, which means I will have $80,000 at the beginning. Then I can afford to buy that boat I’ve always wanted.

Now another thing…these hogs I will not be raising will not eat at least 100,000 bushels of corn. I understand that you also pay farmers for not raising corn. So will you pay me anything for not raising 100,000 bushels of corn for not feeding the hogs I’m not going to raise?

I want to get started as soon as possible…as this seems to be a good time of the year for not raising hogs. Please let me hear from you soon.

Yours very truly,

I. M. Broke

P.S. Can I raise 10 or 12 hogs on the side while I’m in the "not raising hogs" business…just so I’ll have something to eat?

HT: Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations: Signs of the Times.

This morning, I read a thought about the resurrection.  Something that I have never considered.  Justin Buzzard brings up a powerful point about our Savior.

He writes:

On a Friday afternoon Jesus was taken from the cross, dead.

On Sunday afternoon he walked seven miles to Emmaus.

Jesus is alive!

The man who was betrayed, beaten, mocked, crucified, and laid in a tomb is now hiking the seven miles to Emmaus. Nothing can beat Jesus.

Happy Easter.

God is…

gracious and kind
all-knowing and all-powerful
merciful and longsuffering
forgiving and forgetful (forgiving our sins and forgetting them)
loving and stable
passionate and compassionate
beautiful and strong
invisible yet knowable
infinite yet personal
concerned and listening
strong yet meek
enduring and faithful
peaceful and protecting
helpful and full of hope

God is…

Everything!

God is…

All you need!

I remember when Josh was little he had a gift for sword fighting.  He was, what I would consider, a 6 year old Jedi Master.  Josh would dominate with his light saber or any thing else he could use as a sword.  He hit hard so he went through swords pretty quick. 

Tonight, when no one was at the house (mom and brother gone), I started training another Jedi.  This time a Jedi Princess!  She looks pretty tough doesn’t she?

By now you know my love for cartoons.  Some people understand my humor and some don’t.  But these two cartoons I couldn’t resist posting.

This first one I read after preaching the last chapter of Colossians Wednesday night.  We went through the list of names Paul recognized for their ministry.

Any cartoon with Charlie Brown is a favorite of mine.  Charlie Brown is my hero.  I identify with him.  Snoopy’s book title reminds me of the church world today.  We all think we are the only one’s right

The only way that your children will grow beyond their dependency into self-sufficient adults is for you to essentially abandon your own independence for twenty years or so…You can make the sacrifice, or they’re going to make the sacrifice. It’s them or you. Either you suffer temporarily and in a redemptive way, or they’re going to suffer tragically, in a wasteful and destructive way. -Tim Keller, King’s Cross

HT: Buzzard Blog

I have been reading a biography of Smith Wigglesworth, the healing evangelist of the early 20th century.  It is a fascinating look at a man who walked with God and saw tremendous miracles in his lifetime.

History reveals that Wigglesworth saw the multitudes healed as well as many who were raised from the dead.  In the book Secret of His Power, the author recalls one of the secrets of Wigglesworth’s power, a love for the Word of God.

Read closely what the author writes about Smith Wigglesworth:

“Two things dominated Wigglesworth’s life and ministry.  Firstly, he had a consuming love for the Word of God.  Secondly, he had an overwhelming confidence in the God of the Word.  What the Word of God said on a subject settled the matter as far as Wigglesworth was concerned.  He proved that he was willing to stake His life on what the Bible said…Wigglesworth never went more that fifteen minutes without reading the Word of God, regardless of where he was or in whose company he found himself.” [Smith Wigglesworth: Secret of His Power by Albert Hibbert on the NOOK]

I am challenged to deepen my hunger for the Word of God.  I am stirred to spend more time memorizing and studying God’s Holy Book.  Furthermore, I am convicted and awakened to believe the GOD OF THE WORD!