I knew it was true, but I was still shocked when I read this headline- – – –
“About 40 Percent of all Food In The United States Is Thrown In The Garbage“
Now, here’s the article:
“Could that headline actually be true?  Do Americans waste about 40 percent of all the food that we produce?  That sounds like an absolutely crazy number, but it is actually quite accurate according to a study conducted by the Natural Resources Defense Council.  What the NRDC discovered is that approximately 40 percent of our total food supply is either thrown into dumpsters by grocery stores, is discarded by restaurants, never gets harvested on our farms, or is thrown into the garbage by consumers in their homes.  Even though 47 million Americans are on food stamps and millions of children go to bed hungry in this country every single night, we continue to waste approximately 263 million pounds of food every single day of the year.  One day people will look back and regard us as probably the most wasteful society in the history of the planet.( “The Economic Collapse”, by Michael Snyder)”

What a shame! Do we actually think that God will not hold us accountable for this waste? My parents went through the “Great Depression” and from the time I was born it was made clear that we were not to waste food—or anything. We ate leftovers until nothing was leftover. I can remember my mother eating whatever remained on our plate rather than throw it out. Most of us wouldn’t think of doing that today. Of course we haven’t had to do without either. Prosperity is more dangerous than poverty. Living in the lap of luxury we have lost sight of our need of God. I suspect there will be no great turning back to God until we are stripped of our goods and become desperate again. That might give you a hint as to what to expect in the future. Think about it!

Every now and then you read a story that melts your heart. That’s what happened when I read this true story shared by Dr. Bob Griffin from a friend of his. I thought you might find it a blessing as well.

THE PINEWOOD DERBY

My son Gilbert was eight years old and had been in Cub Scouts only a short
time. During one of his meetings he was handed a sheet of paper, a block of
wood and four tires and told to return home and give all to “Dad.”

That was not an easy task for Gilbert. Dad was not receptive to doing
things with his son. But Gilbert tried. Dad worked late, then read the
paper and scoffed at the idea of making a pine wood derby car with his
young, eager son. The block of wood remained untouched as the weeks passed.
Finally, “Mom” stepped in to see if I could figure this all out. The
project began. Having no carpentry skills, I decided it would be best if I
simply read the directions and let Gilbert do the work. And he did. I read
aloud the measurements, the rules of what we could do and what we couldn’t
do.

Within days his block of wood was turning into a pinewood derby car. A
little lopsided, but looking great (at least through the eyes of mom).
Gilbert had not seen any of the other kids cars and was feeling pretty proud
of his “Blue Lightning,” the pride that comes with knowing you did something
on your own.

Then the big night came. With his blue pinewood derby in his hand and pride
in his heart we headed to the big race. Once there, my little one’s pride
turned to humility. Gilbert’s car was obviously the only car made entirely
on his own. All the other cars were a father-son partnership, with cool
paint jobs and sleek body styles made for speed. A few of the boys giggled
as they looked at Gilbert’s, lopsided, wobbly, unattractive vehicle. To add
to the humility Gilbert was the only boy without a man at his side. A couple
of the boys who were from single parent homes at least had an uncle or
grandfather by their side, Gilbert had “Mom.”

As the race began it was done in elimination fashion. You kept racing as
long as you were the winner. One by one the cars raced down the finally
sanded ramp. Finally, it was between Gilbert and the sleekest, fastest
looking car there. As the last race was about to begin, my wide eyed, shy
eight year old ask if they could stop the race for a minute, because he
wanted to pray. The race stopped.

Gilbert hit his knees clutching his funny looking block of wood between his
hands. With a wrinkled brow he started to converse with his Father. He
prayed in earnest for a very long minute and a half. Then he stood, smile
on his face and announced, ‘Okay, I am ready.”

As the crowd cheered, a boy named Tommy stood with his father as their car
sped down the ramp. Gilbert stood with his Father within his heart and
watched his block of wood wobble down the ramp with surprisingly great speed
and rushed over the finish line a fraction of a second before Tommy’s car.

Gilbert leaped into the air with a loud “Thank you” as the crowd roared in
approval. The Scout Master came up to Gilbert with microphone in hand and
asked the obvious question, “So you prayed to win, huh, Gilbert?”

To which my young son answered, “Oh, no sir. That wouldn’t be fair to ask
God to help you beat someone else. I just asked Him to make it so I don’t
cry when I lose.”

One of the surest signs of sinfulness is selfishness. And for many the signs are plenteous. Their highest aspiration is the gratification of self. Sadder still is the fact that they think the rest of the world should aid them in their pursuit– as though they deserve it. In this day when so many are given to an entitlement mentality we should have a great appreciation for those who foot-the-bill. There are far too many who are more concerned about getting rather than giving. They are like leeches on society, satisfying themselves through the sacrifice of the givers. However, rather than exhaust ourselves complaining about the takers, we should expend our energy expressing gratitude for the givers– the ones who make it possible for all to prosper.

At the top of this list should be our veterans— men and women who were willing, at the risk of their lives, to give themselves to provide and protect our freedom. Remember– they volunteered to do that, most don’t. They subjected themselves to great difficulties and grave danger for the sake of others. They cared for those who care only for themselves. They gave up pleasures and treasures, so cherished by others, because they believed there was something of greater value than self- gratification. They risked their lives so we could live ours. They gave up their comforts so we could be comfortable. They gave up things they enjoyed so we can enjoy the things we have. They sacrificed for our safety. And they did so without any promise of praise, acknowledgement of appreciation, or assurance of aid. They did it because they were committed to a cause– the welfare of others, whether they be givers or takers.

So, on this special day, let us remember that everyday we live in freedom it is due to the sacrifice of these brave veterans– the givers. One day isn’t enough. Let us express to them in no uncertain terms that we are deeply grateful and forever thankful for what they’ve done. This should be our year-round duty and heart-felt delight. While we can never repay them, we can always thank them and support them. They are deserving of the very best we can do for them, because they gave their very best for us. Our prayer is that God’s abundant blessings abide upon them each and everyday. May their example inspire all who have benefited from their sacrifices to become givers rather than takers.

If you are a veteran, until you stand before our Great Commander and hear Him say, “Well done!”, we say ,”Thank you!” from the bottom of our heart.May God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America! — David Stone, Nov. 11, 2013

Anything that happens is part of the all things that God can use to bring something good, but you must surrender everything to Him. Whether you make a blessing or miss a blessing is up to you. Every trial is a turning point. You can go wrong or you can go right, and your decision determines your destiny. The door is now open–you can pass through and experience what God has planned or you can slam the door shut. But think about this—What you do should be determined by what God can do. If you despise what has come into your life and doubt God’s promise to use it for good you will deprive yourself of the blessing He intended. Now, you decide. Think about it!

I recently read the following article by Dr. Paul Chappell and felt that it is something we need to think about:

“My son, fear thou the Lord and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?”“–Proverbs 24:21–22

“It is a natural part of life for things to change. (For instance, anyone who has needed medical care understands that “the good old days” weren’t a good time to have a serious illness.) The conveniences of modern technology, though sometimes used for ill, also offer wonderful opportunities to take the gospel to more people. Yet we live in a world that is obsessed with change, and that spirit has had a serious impact on churches as well. Change is sometimes needed, but those who are constantly seeking change for the sake of change are on a path to disaster.

In Luke’s account of Paul’s missionary journey to Athens he wrote, “(For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing)” (Acts 17:21). In the process of seeking change, many people abandon things that should not be lost. The notion that change is a good thing in and of itself is a lie that the devil has used to great effect through the centuries. While there are good changes that should be made, they should be made with great care.

In logic there is something known as the Fallacy of Chesterton’s Fence which says, “Don’t ever take down a fence until you know why it was put up.” That is sound advice for every part of life. While it may seem attractive to go around replacing the old with the new, this is something that should only be done with much thought and the seeking of wise counsel. Do not follow those who are constantly promoting change simply because they are unsettled and discontent. They are likely to lead you to a destructive end.”( From “Daily in the Word”)

I can think of a great many pastors who would do well to consider this. They are continually changing things, and usually with a critical spirit toward those who refuse to follow them. They seem to despise anything old or traditional, unless it is their tradition. They love to trash tradition and introduce something new–“better” they would say. But,why? After all, their changes don’t seem to be making any real improvements. While God alone knows their true motive, there are several possibilities. Some are deceived into thinking that the new way is better. For some it is a matter of compromise. Many do it to attract a crowd — they admire and follow men like Rick Warren. Perhaps some do it to get attention, which they love dearly. They want people to think that they are smarter and more spiritual than the preachers of the last generation, and are fond of putting them down.

Whatever the reason, they are obsessed with change. They are attracted to every new fad, gimmick, and program that comes along. They’re like little children who tire of a new toy in an hour and want something new. And they pout or taunt if you don’t jump on their band-wagon with them. I’ll be the first to admit that change is sometimes necessary, but we must be careful that we don’t make a change for the worse. 

If you want to distance yourself from the old hymns and old ways help yourself, but don’t try to cram it down the  throat of everyone else, as if your new way is better. You have a right to be different, even weird, but that doesn’t make you wiser or better. Those who keep changing for the sake of change are “too smart for their own good”. Until I see the evidence and a reason to change, I’ll stick to the old paths and follow the old ways — they were getting the job done before you were born, and they will still work when you are dead and gone.