Some Sobering Thoughts...

"Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour." Ecclesiastes 10: 1

Reputation and influence are powerful! The wise King Solomon was on a pedestal, and he fell HARD. And though he sincerely repented, there were those who were forever led astray and others who could not fully trust his leadership.

"Solomon's repentance was sincere; but the harm that his example of evil-doing had wrought, could not be undone. During his apostasy, there were in the kingdom men who remained true to their trust, maintaining their purity and loyalty. But many were led astray; and the forces of evil set in operation by the introduction of idolatry and worldly practices, could not easily be stayed by the penitent king. His influence for good was greatly weakened. Many hesitated to place full confidence in his leadership. Though the king confessed his sin, and wrote out, for the benefit of after-generations a record of his folly and repentance, he could never hope entirely to destroy the baleful influence of his wrong deeds. Emboldened by his apostasy, many continued to do evil, and evil only. And in the downward course of many of the rulers who followed him, may be traced the sad influence of the prostitution of his God-given powers." (PK 84,85 - bold and italics supplied)

I hope that we be watchful and prayerful that we not lead others down the wrong path because it is very difficult to get back our positive influence after we have done wrong. I pray that we "lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1,2) Let us encourage each other: we won't fall if we keep our eyes on Jesus!

Still Jetlagged

It's been over a week, and I'm still suffering from jetlag! I went to play volleyball to tire myself out, but now I'm just sore. I haven't had this much insomnia since my freshman year in college...