Excuses, Excuses!
Joe Slater
	Years ago I heard a great definition of an “excuse.” It was from a radio psychologist, of all people, but she said she got it from a minister! “An excuse is the skin of a reason stuffed with lies, and any way you cut it, it’s bologna.” Ordinarily I don’t have a lot of use for psychology, especially the radio call-in variety; but I think she hit something there.
	When I want to do something I know perfectly well is wrong, or when I don’t want to do something I know I should, I’m quite good at finding a way to justify myself. Sometimes it’s a technicality, like the lawyer who asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29). After all, if those people aren’t technically my neighbors, then I don’t have to love them – right? More often, though, it’s some kind of an excuse: “I did this (or didn’t do that) because . . .” (you fill the blank with your favorite excuse).
	God’s view of excuses is seen in Luke 14:16-24, the parable of the great supper. When supper time came, some of the guests started offering excuses for not coming. “I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused” (v. 18). You bought it without looking at it first? And if you did, will it not be there after the supper so you can see it? What a transparent excuse – pure baloney!
	“I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused” (v. 19). You bought them without testing them first? Not smart. But even if you did, couldn’t you test them after the supper? What’s the rush? More baloney!
	“I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come” (v. 20). Well, she must be the first wife in history who didn’t want to be taken out to eat! Ridiculous!
	Unfortunately, my excuses aren’t much better. They’re just a slightly different flavor of baloney. How about yours?
	Let’s just be honest. We ought to stop making excuses, stop trying to justify ourselves, and simply repent! We must re-order our priorities so that God and His kingdom come first, just as Jesus said they must (Matthew 6:33). Our excuses might fool other people; we might even fool ourselves with them. But God is not mocked. “All things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to Whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13).
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To Worry or Not to Worry
If a matter is not serious enough to pray about, then it is not serious enough to worry about. And if it is serious enough to pray about, and we have prayed about it, then there is no need to worry about it.
I just wish I could live my life over again! (#2)
	Last week we looked at the idea of starting over again in life, with opportunities to make some changes.
	But, when we get that new life we will not live it perfectly either, but God has an answer for that also.  He said, "If we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.  If we say that we have no sin we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:7-9). Thus, for those who are Christians, they continue to have a new life by walking in the light of God's word and confessing their sin to ask God for His forgiveness.
	Then when our life is ended we will be welcomed home where "He who sits on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new'" (Revelation 21:5).  Everything will be right in the place He has gone to prepare for us (John 14:1-3). Do you want to live your life over?  You can.  Let us assist you.
		-- Wayne Burger (Conifer, CO)