Just Like a Real Companion

The Quobo, available in two colors

The Quobo is a new invention introduced by the Japanese company Yukai Engineering. The idea is to give a person the comforting sensation of having a cat sit on your lap, but without the mess and responsibility of having to care for an actual pet.

This device is essentially a pillow with a tail. When you hold it in your lap and pet it, it vibrates to simulate purring, and it even waves its tail.

The invention was recently unveiled at a trade show. It should cost about $100 when it becomes available next year.

Unfortunately, many people have adopted the same approach when it comes to human companionship. Real relationships are too messy and far too much trouble to maintain. It is so much easier to have friends on social media than to have actual friends. Short electronic messages have replaced deep, honest conversations. Many relationships have become quite shallow and fake.

Easier? Yes. Fulfilling? Not really.

Let’s overcome the temptation to be satisfied with shallow relationships. Let’s strive to cultivate the deep, loving fellowship that we see described in the New Testament.

“Above all, love each other deeply…”—1 Peter 4:8.

 

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Better Me

Troy Gentry

Country music singer Troy Gentry, age 50, was tragically killed in a helicopter crash on September 8, 2017. He and Eddie Montgomery had comprised the popular duo, Montgomery Gentry. The two had achieved quite a bit of success in the music business over the past several years.

One of Montgomery Gentry’s songs is called “Better Me”. It features Gentry singing about putting wilder days behind him to get closer to God and family. This song tells Gentry’s life story. While he hadn’t always lived for God, his last years were spent as a Christian man, devoted to Jesus and to his family.

While his life ended tragically, it could have had a far worse ending. Perhaps his life, and the music he left behind, can inspire others to turn to God like he did.

“…But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”—Luke 13:5.

 

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Real Love

A certain man was always telling his neighbor how much he loved the children in the neighborhood. One day this man had a new sidewalk poured in front of his house. Before the cement had hardened, some of the neighborhood children ran through it and left their footprints.

The man became extremely angry. Venting to his neighbor, he exclaimed that the offending children should be punished for what they had done.

The neighbor reminded his friend how he often said that he loved children very much.

He replied, “I love children in the abstract—not in the concrete!”

Love is not merely an abstract concept. Real love is expressed in the good deeds that we perform for others.

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”—Matthew 5:16.

 

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Amazing Spectacle

According to some reports, the August 21 total solar eclipse was perhaps the most watched event in American history. A study conducted by the University of Michigan says that about 215 million American adults watched the eclipse, either directly or on video. 88 percent of the population viewed the event—nearly twice as many as the 111 million who watched this year’s Super Bowl.

It is amazing that so many people wanted to watch the sun become hidden by the moon. If only that many would be so excited about the Day when the Son of God will be revealed in all of his splendor and glory!

“…This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”—Acts 1:11.

 

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The Cost of Water

On Sunday, September 24, the temperature reached 86 degrees in Gillette Stadium for the game between the Patriots and the visiting Houston Texans. This was a bad day for the concession stands to run out of bottled water, but they did.

What happened next really got some people hot. The concession stands started charging fans $4.50 for a cup of tap water!

Needless to say, some people were outraged. Patriots’ spokesperson Stacey James apologized, saying, “That should not have happened!”

No matter what the price of water might be, the spiritual water given by Jesus is always free!

“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.”—Revelation 22:17.

 

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One Way

Roy Moore recently won the Republican nomination in the race for the U.S. senate in Alabama. Moore has earned a reputation for being a conservative Christian who consistently takes a stand for biblical values.

This, of course, has won Moore a great number of enemies in the liberal media. They are quick to list Moore’s “sins”. Among their accusations is that Roy Moore has labeled Islam as a false religion.

It is sad that people have such a lack of biblical knowledge that they do not know that all Christians understand that Islam is a false religion. Jesus clearly and consistently claims to be the only true path to salvation. It logically follows that in order to trust Jesus as your Savior, you must believe in what he says about himself and repudiate the false claims of all who contradict him. Christianity is not merely one of many legitimate ways to believe. It is the only true faith.

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”—John 14:6.

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Bitten

Virginia resident Rachel Myrick was recently bitten three times by an 8-inch copperhead snake inside a Longhorn Steakhouse. Myrick received the bites before she even made it to her table. She was briefly hospitalized for treatment. Myrick says that it could take three months to fully recover from the incident.

Longhorn spokesperson Hunter Robinson says that the snake may have come in from a nearby retention pond. This is a highly unusual incident, and the management of the steakhouse is evaluating their facilities and taking steps so this doesn’t happen again.

When the Israelites sinned in the desert, the Lord sent venomous snakes among them. Many were bitten. The Lord told Moses to make a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake, they could come and look at the bronze snake, and they would live (Numbers 21:4-9).

The whole human race has in effect been snake bitten. We have all suffered from the consequences of sin. God has given us a remedy. He had his son Jesus hung on a cross. Anyone who comes to Jesus for forgiveness can escape spiritual death.

“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”—John 12:32.

 

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Encouraging Dialogue

The whole nation is talking about the NFL players’ protests that are taking place before games, as some players have chosen to kneel during the playing of the National Anthem. Most Americans seem to prefer that the players would find another way to speak out against social injustice. While these players do have a right to express their opinion, their means of doing so has angered a great number of people.

President Trump fueled the fire with some inflammatory comments a few days ago, calling the protesting players a vulgar name. The response from players resulted in many more of them taking a knee at this past weekend’s games.

Ironically, the result of all this seems to be less talk, and precious little action, on the matter of social justice. If the players’ intention was to draw attention to this issue, they appear to have failed up to this point.

President Trump has not proven to be helpful in addressing the racial tension in the country. He has talked about uniting the country, but his remarks have brought further division.

Both sides do have something in common—a lack of respect for other people.

President Trump’s rude language directed toward the protesting players has done nothing to cause them to want to listen to his viewpoint. Instead of building a bridge, his rhetoric has constructed a barrier that keeps the two sides apart. His attempts to make a deal have been somewhat less than artful. The players feel disrespected, and therefore have little desire to participate in any dialogue that might eventually prove to be constructive.

The protesting players fail to see why so many average Americans are angered by their refusal to stand for the flag and the National Anthem. These citizens feel that they are being disrespected, along with our country and the military and police who sacrifice to keep us safe.

While the answer to this problem is complex, part of the solution will be to show some respect. It is as simple as that.

“Give to everyone what you owe them…if respect, then respect…”—Romans 13:7.

 

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The Two are Related

A couple of young classmates were having a discussion on their first day of school after summer vacation. “How did you spend your summer?” one asked. The other kid responded, “I spent half the summer doing what I wanted, and the other half I was grounded.”

You have to wonder if the youngster ever made the connection between the two!

Many people have a difficult time figuring out that their choices have consequences. Generally speaking, you usually end up better off if you choose to do the right thing. On the other hand, poor behavior tends to lead to unpleasant circumstances.

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”—Galatians 6:7.

 

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Banned

The city of Georgetown, Kentucky is considering a ban on wearing masks in public. This proposal has been brought forth after numerous occasions of people in various locations around the country committing acts of violence while wearing some type of covering over their face.

I don’t know if the idea to ban masks will gain a lot of support, but I do understand the reasoning behind it.

If only we could enforce a ban on wearing a mask in the church! Jesus had some harsh warnings for people he called “hypocrites”—those who would figuratively wear a mask and pretend to be someone very different from who they actually were.

Let’s do all we can to keep masks out of the church!

“…Do not be like the hypocrites…”—Matthew 6:5.

 

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