[ampaterry]

Good stuff, Reflex!!

Jack, giving up smoking or drinking (or anything else usually enjoyed) for a specific time is good for you because it exercises self-restraint, which is a character building exercise.

Fasting is also good for you in the same way, but has the added benefit of allowing your bodies energy to focus on things other than digestion.

For today, even more self improvement.

I have always loved Charles Schulz's "Peanuts" comic strip. There were so many real truths brought out by this mans writings, and it is truly sad that there will be no more new ones. I remember the one where Linus asks Lucy,
"Why are you always so anxious to criticize me?" She answers,
"I just think I have a knack for seeing other people's faults."
"What about your own faults?" asks Linus. Her response is,
"I have a knack for overlooking them."

We have two things to learn from that little cartoon strip:
First, as Christians, we should always be looking for the POSITIVE rather than the negative. The Word of God tells us:
Philippians 4:8 (KJV);
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

And second, as Christians, we are not to make ourselves out to be the judge of other people. Jesus tells us:
Matthew 7:1-5 (NCV);
"Don't judge other people, or you will be judged. You will be judged in the same way that you judge others, and the amount you give to others will be given to you. "Why do you notice the little piece of dust in your friend's eye, but you don't notice the big piece of wood in your own eye? How can you say to your friend, 'Let me take that little piece of dust out of your eye'? Look at yourself! You still have that big piece of wood in your own eye. You hypocrite! First, take the wood out of your own eye. Then you will see clearly to take the dust out of your friend's eye."

Deep truths in a comic strip? Indeed, we can find deep truths in virtually everything we encounter in this life. All we have to do is LOOK for them.

I will talk to you again tomorrow - and may God RICHLY bless you.