I was sitting on a bench in a shopping center waiting for my wife when the divine scent of baking wafted my way. Freshly baked cinnamon pretzels were coming out of the oven not twenty feet from where I sat. I quickly bought a small sackful, despite their caloric content. Fresh cinnamon sugar bread beats healthy food every time.
The pretzel shop even showed some Biblical knowledge. One of their posters said, “The Sinful Taste of Cinnamon” and by a picture of a pretzel were the words, “The Original Sin.” These guys were good! A line on their paper bag said, “Moderation has a time and place. This isn’t it!” Truth in advertising - how about that!
In a world that seems to live on shaded truth, it’s a breath of fresh air to see some honesty. Like the sign held by a smiling young man on the street corner that said, “Why Lie? Out of Beer. Donate Here!” I gave the guy a buck just for his honesty.
Jesus could understand and forgive sin of all kinds, but He soundly condemned the hypocrisy of hiding lies behind selfish deceit. Those who did that best were usually religious “experts” of His day. Matthew 23:13 shows this: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces.”
Honesty and truthfulness are needed for a culture to remain whole and strong. Lies and deceit are poisonous to everyone, even the perpetrator. Jesus said lying was Satan’s tool, and it seems to me the old Devil sure has a lot of help these days, especially in Washington, DC.
To be honest, I need to stop driving around shopping centers before Christmas. After enjoying our cinnamon snacks, Carol and I got turned around and ended up on the wrong side of the parking lot. I finally found our car, picked her up and went home, but only after some badly needed exercise walking.
Shopping has a time and place, but this isn’t it!
In a world that seems to live on shaded truth, it’s a breath of fresh air to see some honesty. Like the sign held by a smiling young man on the street corner that said, “Why Lie? Out of Beer. Donate Here!” I gave the guy a buck just for his honesty.
Jesus could understand and forgive sin of all kinds, but He soundly condemned the hypocrisy of hiding lies behind selfish deceit. Those who did that best were usually religious “experts” of His day. Matthew 23:13 shows this: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces.”
Honesty and truthfulness are needed for a culture to remain whole and strong. Lies and deceit are poisonous to everyone, even the perpetrator. Jesus said lying was Satan’s tool, and it seems to me the old Devil sure has a lot of help these days, especially in Washington, DC.
To be honest, I need to stop driving around shopping centers before Christmas. After enjoying our cinnamon snacks, Carol and I got turned around and ended up on the wrong side of the parking lot. I finally found our car, picked her up and went home, but only after some badly needed exercise walking.
Shopping has a time and place, but this isn’t it!
Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com
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