Have you ever heard the old saying “Age is just a number, And mine is unlisted. Think that's
true? Listen to today's story and some thoughts on “maturing" and we’ll talk. Enjoy and
be blessed.

“Have you ever heard a “Shaggy Dog” story? Don’t know what that is. Well give a listen to this week’s episode and you’ll have an idea. And remember God has a sense of humor. We’ll talk about that after the story.

Proverbs 17:22 A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Psalm 126:2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”

Job 8:21 He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting.

James 5:13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.

John 15:11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Psalm 98:4 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

1 Corinthians 1:27-29 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

“Gosh, I wish I hadn’t said that.” “I wish I could take that back.” How many times have you said that after you spoke in haste, or in anger? Words can have such an impact depending on how we use them and what we say. Think about the words you speak and why you use them as you listen to today's story and reflect on the words of scripture shared.

Ephesians 4:29

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. (Matt. 12:33–35)

Psalm 19:14

New King James Version

14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my [a]strength and my Redeemer.

Be sure to tast your words before you spit them out

James 1:19-20

let every man be quick to listen but slow to use his tongue, and slow to lose his temper. For man’s temper is never the means of achieving God’s true goodness.

What we need is a new heart—a heart that can only be given to us by the Lord Jesus Christ. How can we receive a new heart?

Psalm 51:4 Create in me a pure heart, O God,

“Have you ever wanted something so bad, that when you got it all you could do was stand there
and smile?... or maybe ask, what was I thinking? Think about it as you listen to today's story and
thoughts for the day.

Scripture Reference: Matthew 7: 7-12

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to
you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will
give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your
children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

“The land of the free, because of the brave.” What a great and accurate saying. Are you free?
Do you live in peace? Our story today ends with the way for you to get there. Give a listen.
Scripture Reference: Psalm 33:12

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he chose for his inheritance.

John 8:36

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Philippians 3:20

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus
Christ,

Did you ever have one of those kind of days? No not that kind. One like the day in our story today entitled, “Nothing Happened,” Give a listen.

Scripture Reference: Psalm 23

Philippians 4:11-13 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may find your peace in me. You will find trouble in the world—but, never lose heart, I have conquered the world!”

Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,

There is a Cowboy saying that tells us to Cowboy Up! I wonder when “Man up” disappeared. Or Has it? Give a listen to today’s story and let’s rethink that.

Scripture Reference: Genesis 1:26-27

Hey! Have you got a minute? Are you sure? It may be later than you think. Give a listen to
today’s story and think again.

Scripture Reference: Luke 12:19-21
19 And I will say to [a] myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years to come; relax, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself!”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night [b] your soul is demanded of you; and as for all that you have prepared, who will own it now?’ 21 Such is the one who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich in relation to God.”