We all need to examine self, for that is who we see in the mirror each morning. I am the one responsible for my ac­tions, but I am also the central figure in three other things also.

I am the center of "sIn." When God's law is transgressed in my life, I am the one who has done it. Ultimately I must bear the blame for it. Sin will separate me from God, and hinder my prayers. Sin will exclude me from heaven. Thank­fully, I can be removed from sin by the of Jesus Christ.

I am the center of prIde." Here is the vainglory that will ruin my life. Look at the Pharisee in Luke 18:10ff. If I am like him, my chief characteristic is pride. My stock in trade is vain words, and my mo­tive is self profit. Pharaoh's pride % stroyed him (Exo. 5:2). Naaman's pride almost cost him his life (2 Kgs. 5:1-11). But I can be removed from pride by learning humility, for God will raise the humble.

But I am also the center of "SavIour." Likewise, Christ should be the center of my life. He lived in Paul (Gal. 2:20 ), and by obedience to his will, I can be a new creature in him. So - am I the center of sin and pride ­or the Saviour? The choice is mine. If I will let him, Christ will take away all sin, lift me to where I really ought to be and bring me to the very center of his love, care and concern. Let us examine our­selves (2 Cor. 13:5). Where we are; what we are the center of, and is the center of our lives means everything. - Bill Moseley

The old "preacher story" has been around for years (I got hit with it just a couple of weeks ago!) about the fellow who wanted the preacher’s job - because he only works for three or four hours a week when he preaches - and still gets paid! But he only sees the preacher "unload his hay" - he doesn't see him "bale it up." Kids must see it the same way.

One little guy told my wife, "I just found out that Mr. Bill gets paid for preaching" (now why did he have to go and tell her that?). Anyhow, she then asked him, “well, how do you think we get by?” Didn't take him long to come up with his answer - "well, I thought you were on welfare" (ouch!). Note to brethren: Don't you now wonder if it was one of yours that said that??

I guess I don't mind being the object of some little guy's wonderment, but more than that it says something about the way our children view society. I never heard of welfare until I was grown and married. In case any of you have just now found out what our unnamed youngster did, I  invite you to sit by me while I try to % velop a lesson on a knotty subject upon which nobody agrees - or trying to keep some wayward sheep from straying. Don't misunderstand - I wouldn't trade my work for anything - but it is work. But maybe I need to get into a higher gear. I'd to hear that one of our youngsters went to school one day and told all of his classmates that "our preacher is a beat." – Bill Moseley