“Nothing incites to money-crimes like great poverty or great wealth”

ByHal Hammons

Paul writes in 1 Timothy 6:10, “For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”   I like the way the New American Standard Bible reads here — “a root” instead of “the root,” as it is translated elsewhere.  It is silly to suggest that the love of money is “the” cause of evil in this world.  But it is certainly “a” cause — and one that rears its ugly head in all sorts of circumstances. 

Nonstick

ByHal Hammons

Three eggs, scrambled, with salt and pepper, tucked into two flour tortillas.  That has been my breakfast of choice since I (1) decided to increase my protein intake and (2) heard eggs weren’t as unhealthy as I had been told.  What a beautiful day that was!

But I’ve finally given up on my skillet of choice.  I prefer nonstick cookware for reasons that speak for themselves.  But this particular surface was starting to erode, making “nonstick” a bit of a misnomer. 

“It is wiser to find out than to suppose”

ByHal Hammons

We all love the story of Naaman from 2 Kings 5.  We may even get a chuckle or two out of the great Aramean general’s assumptions about how God’s prophet would cleanse him of leprosy, and how he appeared willing to go home in a huff rather than reconsider his preconceptions.  “Behold, I thought” — it has made for many a sermon title over the years, including one or two from me.

But are we that much better than Naaman? 

“A classic — something that everybody wants to have read and no one wants to read”

ByHal Hammons

My podcast listeners will remember I made reference recently to a collection of quotations from Mark Twain, perhaps the most beloved of all American writers.  Although he was a masterful storyteller and social critic, he is perhaps best known for his quippy one-liners and witticisms.  He knew better than most that truth gets through hard skulls better when accompanied by a bit of humor.  We all (well, most of us) instinctively are inclined to laugh at ourselves; when we give ourselves a chance, we may motivate ourselves to grow.

Glasses

ByHal Hammons

I’m pretty sure I lost my reading glasses this week while running through a parking lot in the rain.  Anyway, I had the glasses, then I ran through the rain, then at some point later I didn’t have my glasses.  Such things happen, I suppose.  And as long as I can get an article out of it, I suppose I can survive.

The Spirit of aBsTRActioN

ByHal Hammons

During a search for activities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area that might not appeal to my mother-in-law (just joking, Ginny!), I stumbled across the website of the Museum for Biblical Art.  I like art, and I love the Bible.  So I figured checking it out for free might convince me to spend $15 to see it in person.  Verdict: probably, assuming Tracie can be convinced.

One part I found a bit perplexing, though, is an outdoor exhibit called “The Spirit of Abstraction.” 

Blueberries

ByHal Hammons

I could eat blueberries by the handful.  In fact, that is my preferred method.  Sure, I could get Tracie to make a pie, or I could mix up a tasty batch of blue lemonade.  But why?  I enjoy them just as much by themselves, and it’s far less work for everyone involved.  And less waiting for me.

Reply

ByHal Hammons

Do you ever text or Facebook message and wait around for an hour or two for a reply?  I like to think of myself as being rather secure with myself, but I have to admit — that messes with my head.  I’m not talking about waiting for their take on the meaning of life or the status of their dad’s cancer treatment, mind you.  I’m talking about questions I have asked that require a yes/no answer.  Of course, if I just got a yes or a no, I’d probably think that was rude.  But at least I would have a reply.  That’s something.