I Didn't Know That!

Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commandments. Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name. Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me. Redeem me from man's oppression, that I may keep your precepts. Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes. My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law. (Psalm 119:129-136 ESV). The commanding officer was furious when nine GIs who had been out on passes failed to show up for morning roll call. Not until 7 p.m. did the first man straggle in. “I’m sorry, sir,” the soldier explained, “but I had a date and lost track of time, and I missed the bus back. Being determined to get in on time, I hired a cab. Halfway here, the cab broke down. I went to a farmhouse and persuaded the farmer to sell me a horse. I was riding to camp when the animal fell over dead. I walked the last ten miles, and just got here.” Though skeptical, the colonel let the young man off with a reprimand. However, after him, seven other stragglers in a row came in with the same story - had a date, missed the bus, hired a cab, bought a horse, etc. By the time the ninth man reported in, the colonel had grown weary of it. “Okay,” he growled, “now what happened to you?” “Sir, I had this date and missed the bus back, so I hired a cab.” “Wait!” the colonel screeched at him, “don’t tell me the cab broke down.” “No, sir,” replied the soldier. “The cab didn’t break down. It was just that there were so many dead horses in the road, we had trouble getting through.” After discussing how students must at least be competent in reading, writing, listening, analyzing and computing before they will be graduated from high school in 1978, one administrator provided the following list. The excuses it contains were actually turned in by parents to one school district outside of Tillamook County. They are quoted exactly as they appeared in the notes to the administrator: 1. Dear school: Please ackuse John for bring absent on Jan. 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33. 2. Chis has an acre in his side. 3. Mary could not come to school because she is bothered by very close veins. 4. John has been absent because he had two teeth taken off his face. 5. I kept Billie Home because he had to go Christmas shopping because I didn’t know what size she wear. 6. My son is under the doctors care and should not take P.E. Please execute him. 7. Please exuse Ray Friday. He has lose vowels. 8. Please exuse Joyce from P.E. for a few days. Yesterday she fell out of a tree and misplaced her hip. 9. Please exuse Dianne from Being absent yesterday. She was in bed with gramps. 10. Please exuse Jimmy for being. It was his father’s fault. Excuses… funny how we always find them! When it comes to the understanding of the will of God, we really are without excuse. He has made His will simply to understand. While there may be many philosophical and theological details that may be argued, the sum of God’s will for every man is in His direction for us to love Him and others with all of our being. So, no excuses! Turn your focus toward Him today. Love Him and love those around you.