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By the Skin of My Teeth

By the Skin of My Teeth

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By the Skin of My TeethTeeth have no skin, but we know skin is thin. So, if I escape a problem by the skin of my teeth, I barely get by.

For example:

  • A car almost hits me.
  • I pass a test with a “D” grade.
  • I almost lose my job.
  • I narrowly escape death.

In each case, disaster was close, but it did not happen.

We find this big fish at Wisconsin’s House on the Rock. The bird and boat inside the fish did not escape by the skin of their teeth. Instead, the teeth of the fish trapped them.

We can often avoid problems and narrow escapes.

  • Careful driving prevents many accidents.
  • Regular study results in better grades.
  • Honest work improves job security.
  • Good eating, sleeping, and exercise mean better health.

Sometimes, bad things happen anyway. They did for Job in the Bible. He lost almost everything. Yet, he did not give up. He continued to believe in God, who remains with us through good times and bad.

“I am nothing but skin and bones; I have escaped only by the skin of my teeth” (Job 19:20 NIV).

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One Step at a Time

One Step at a Time

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One Step at a TimeWe climb the highest mountain and walk through the lowest valley the same way – one step at a time. We place one foot in front of the other over and over again. Little by little we move forward.

We do the same emotionally. Whether we feel on top of the world or in the deepest depression, we keep going, one step at a time. Faced with a hard row to hoe,  we do what we need to do now. Then we take the next step.

Good teachers guide us one step at a time. If we move too fast or change the order, we often fail. If we take our time and follow directions, we usually succeed.

I rarely make New Year resolutions. If I did, I think this would make a good one. For this year, I want to take:

  • One step at a time
  • One day at a time
  • One task at a time

This one thing I know: Whether our journey fills us with joy or sorrow, we never have to walk alone. If we invite Him, God will walk with us every step of the way.

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4 NIV).

What New Year resolution have you made? Please comment.

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A Full Plate

A Full Plate

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A Full PlateWe find the world’s largest apple pie at the Casey County Apple Festival in Liberty, Kentucky. During that September festival, Liberty grows to five times its normal size. Local people and visitors all want a full plate of pie. However, no one wants  the entire 10-foot pie on their plate.

Occasionally most of us put more food on our plate than we should. If we try to eat everything on that full plate, we get sick or feel awful.

To prevent such feelings, we can:

  • Share the food with someone else.
  • Eat what we want and throw the rest away.
  • Eat part of the food now and part later.

Sometimes we have more to do than we can manage. Problems overwhelm us. We have a full plate or a lot on our plate. If we try to do everything ourselves, we get sick or feel awful.

We can avoid those feelings if we:

  • Ask someone to help us.
  • Leave less important things undone.
  • Work on part now and part later.

Everyone has limits. We can’t do everything alone. Accepting that truth usually means a longer, happier, and healthier life.

“Share each other’s troubles and problems, and so obey our Lord’s command” (Galatians 6:2 TLB).

Have you attended the Apple Festival? If so, what did you think of the pie?

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Fly off the Handle

Fly off the Handle

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Fly off the HandleDon’t fly off the handle — helpful advice for axes and for people.

An ax can do great good or great harm. Its heavy metal blade cuts through wood. That wood can provide heat, art, building supplies, and more

However, if the ax blade flies off the handle, look out. Anyone nearby is in danger of injury or death.

Likewise, anger can do great good or great harm. Controlled anger helps us:

  • Speak against evil.
  • Right a wrong.
  • Change ourselves.
  • Lead others to change.

However, we often let anger get out of control. Anger controls us rather than our controlling the anger. We fly off the handle (lose our temper). As a result, we suffer and cause others to suffer.

With an ax, we want to:

  • Keep it in good repair.
  • Hold the handle firmly.
  • Cut wood and never hurt people.

With anger we want to:

  • Understand its cause and purpose.
  • Keep it firmly controlled.
  • Use it for good, not harm.

Remember to treat anger like water off a duck’s back. Use it in a positive way, and gain tools for a better life.

An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins. (Proverbs 29:22)

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Fly by the Seat of Our Pants

Fly by the Seat of Our Pants

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Fly by the Seat of Our PantsParagliders often fly by the seat of their pants. They depend on wind and weather for safety and success. Those can change quickly.

Sometimes airplane pilots must also fly by the seat of their pants.

  • They can’t see because of bad weather.
  • The plane’s instruments stop working.
  • They hope to arrive safely on a wing and a prayer.

Like pilots and paragliders, we occasionally face new challenges or problems. We can solve those several ways.

  • Organize our information
  • Explore possible solutions
  • Ask experts
  • Fly by the seat of our pants

When we fly by the seat of our pants, we:

  • Have no experience or skills with the situation
  • Do the best we can by ourselves
  • Work without a plan

Many people fly by the seat of their pants and do well. Some of us end up in a mess. Often those messes cause no great harm. At times, however, we hurt ourselves and others.

With our most important decisions, let’s choose a better way.

“As for God, his way is perfect; The word of the Lord is true. He shields all who hide behind him” (2 Samuel 22:31 TLB).

Have you experienced a fly by the seat of your pants moment? If so, please comment below.

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Photo courtesy of morgueFile.

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

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Between a Rock and a Hard PlaceI don’t climb mountains. However, I know mountain climbers often find themselves between a rock and a hard place. They climb in difficult areas. Often they have few good choices.

We may not climb physical mountains. Yet, most of us face mountains of difficulty sometime in our lives. We find ourselves between a rock and a hard place. We must make hard decisions with no easy choices. Any choice causes problems.

  • Do we quit our job or work in unfair circumstances?
  • Do we pay rent or buy food?
  • Do we continue painful medical care or stop treatments?

We must choose what we decide is the lesser of two evils.

Aron Ralston faced such a choice after a climbing accident in 2003. He was trapped more than five days. His choice: Do I die or cut off part of my right arm. He used a dull knife to free himself.

Our choices may not be that hard. However, some choices are worse.

I wish I had an easy answer for such situations, but I don’t. I find the following helpful:

1. List the pros and cons for each choice.
2. Discuss the options with a trusted friend or relative.
3. Pray for wisdom.
4. Accept help from others.
5. Get a grip on what matters most.

I pray you face few times between a rock and a hard place.

“You have let me sink down deep in desperate problems. But you will bring me back to life again, up from the depths of the earth” (Psalm 71:20 TLB).

Have you had a rock and hard place experience?  If so, please comment.

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Make Waves

Make Waves

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Make WavesPeople sometimes warn us not to make waves. Other times, we realize we must. When we choose to make waves, we:

  • Rock the boat
  • Upset someone or something
  • Shock or disturb
  • Risk being called a trouble maker

Two truths about making waves help us decide what to do.

Waves can do great good, by:

  • Continuing earth’s natural flow
  • Calming us
  • Providing beauty and pleasure

Waves can also do much harm, by causing:

  • Ship wrecks
  • Drowning
  • Destruction of houses or communities.

Likewise, we can do great good or much harm by:

  • Improving or damaging our world
  • Correcting or increasing mistakes

Before we make waves, let’s be certain our actions make a positive difference.

“If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea” (Isaiah 48:18 NIV).

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Sink or Swim

Sink or Swim

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Sink or Swim

Many of us have fallen into water while playing games. Others have had someone throw us into water. Either way, the question remains the same: Will we sink or swim?

Some of us learn to swim quickly from such an experience.

  • We have to work harder.
  • Our swimming may not look pretty.
  • Yet, we swim our way out of danger.

In rough water, the strongest swimmer struggles. A weak swimmer has a much harder time. When a strong swimmer helps a weak one, both grow stronger.

Life is like that. We meet challenges every day. Some we know how to solve with no problem. Others present difficulties we have never experienced.  Either way, we sink (fail) or swim (succeed).

A few challenges may be impossible to overcome. With most, we have a choice. Will we:

  • Give up or try harder?
  • Listen to negatives or positives?
  • Accept our limits or grow?
  • Ignore people weaker than us or help them grow?

“He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’  Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm” (Matthew 8:26 NIV).

Have you had a sink or swim experience? If so, please comment.

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Like Water off a Duck’s Back

Like Water off a Duck’s Back

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Like Water Off a Duck's BackDo you need a solution for anger or frustration? Watch ducks. That’s right; watch ducks.

Ducks often dive under water for food. When they come up, the water glides over their backs and returns to the pond or lake. Occasionally they shake their feathers to get rid of any extra water.

Ducks show no need to:

  • Watch the water.
  • Quack at the water.
  • Fight the water.

They’re too busy swimming and diving for something to eat.

When life upsets us, let the problem go. Treat it like water off a duck’s back. We don’t have to:

  • Focus on what upsets us.
  • Yell at what upsets us.
  • Fight what upsets us.

Getting upset tires us, so in a duck-like manner:

  • Ignore hateful comments.
  • Overlook insults.
  • When we must respond, do so clearly but kindly.
  • Then shake off any remaining negative feelings.

In the process, we gain freedom — freedom from the control of others and freedom to become our best selves.

We can also pray that those who upset us learn to act like ducks.

“A fool is quick-tempered; a wise man stays cool when insulted” (Proverbs 12:16 TLB).

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Light at the End of the Tunnel

Light at the End of the Tunnel

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Light at the End of the Tunnel 2Tunnels may get us through mountains, but the journey can be dark and scary. If we focus on light at the end of the tunnel, we find hope. That light promises an end to our dark and scary time.

Some tunnels seem to go on forever. They amaze me. How can anyone dig a hole through the middle of a mountain without getting crushed?

Yet they can.

The engineer in charge designs a plan. That plan creates a tunnel that will protect both the construction workers and the travelers. However, the design works only if everyone carefully follows the plan.

Like a tunnel, life sometimes seems dark and scary. We feel like we’re digging through a mountain of difficulties. We wonder how we will make it through without getting crushed.

God, who created us, is:

  • Life’s engineer, who created a perfect plan
  • Our source of light, who promises an end to any dark and scary time
  • Our hope, peace, and guidance through every difficulty

The question for each of us: Will we follow?

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

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