How do you Trace Your Family History?

            We live in such a cynical age.

            This was from the advice columnist “Dear Abby” several years ago:

            Dear Abby,

            I have always wanted to have my family history traced, but I can't afford to spend a lot of money to do it. Any suggestions?

            Sam

            Dear Sam,

            Yes. Run for public office.

Believing What You Hear

            “How this world is inclined to slander,” noted an unmarried young lady to an English nobleman. “Can you believe it, sir, some of my malicious acquaintances have reported that I had twins!”

            “Madam,” he replied, “I make it a rule to believe only half of what I hear!”

            Gossip is one of the descriptions Paul offers of the typical pagan in Romans chapter one. It is a sin for a number of reasons, one of which is that it hurts people. Like his Lordship, people often believe at least a portion of the information they hear—even if the entire story is false.

            Sadly, Christians, too, can all too often be guilty of the sin of gossip. Maybe that is while Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus, 25 So you must stop telling lies. Tell each other the truth, because we all belong to each other in the same body…. 29 When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need—words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you. 30 And do not make the Holy Spirit sad… (Eph. 4:25, 29-30a.) NCV

Source for story: Edmund Fuller

The Family Parrot

            "Lead your life so you won't be ashamed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip." 

--Will Rogers

Confession is Good for the Soul

     You have probably heard this one before.

      Four preachers gathered around a campfire. As campfires inevitably do, this one established an atmosphere of intimacy and introspection.

      During the conversation, one preacher said, “Our people come to us and pour out their hearts, confess certain sins and needs. Let's do the same. Confession is good for the soul.”

      In due time, trust was established and all agreed.

      One preacher confessed he liked to go to movies and would sneak off when away from his church.

      The second preacher confessed to liking to smoke cigars.

      The third preacher confessed to liking to play cards.

      When it came to the fourth preacher, he wouldn't confess. The others pressed him saying, “Come now, we confessed our sins. What is your sin?”

      Finally, the fourth preacher answered, “It is gossiping, and I can hardly wait to get out of here.” 

      

The Town Gossip

Several years ago, my high school principle, Carl Talbert, sent me a story about Joan, the town gossip. Joan was the self-appointed supervisor of the town's morals, and she kept sticking her nose into other people's business.

Several local residents were unappreciative of her activities, but feared her enough to maintain their silence. However, one afternoon, she made a mistake; she accused George, a local man, of being an alcoholic after she saw his pickup truck parked outside the town's only bar.

George, a dedicated Christian and man of few words, stared at her for a few moments and walked away without saying a word.

Later that evening, he parked his pickup truck in front of her house and left it there all night.