Robert Taylor

Even the great can’t conquer all enemies. The first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, who ruled over a divided land two centuries before Christ, is still remembered for his remarkable achievements, including the unification of China and the construction of the "Terracotta Army," a massive collection of life-size clay soldiers and horses that guard his tomb. His greatest quest was to find the secret to immortality. He took one potion that promised to give him eternal life. He took it with great promise. But, on one of his tours through his kingdom, he grew ill and died. His secret to immortality was mercury, a deadly poison. The substance was mercury, a poison that kills. Many seek more years in life. But what is the purpose of more years in a life that doesn’t have an eternal direction? Jesus warned against shortsightedness. “For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?” (Luke 9:25, ESV) The man who lives for more than life has a life grander than he has. Never forget that even emperors die, but God’s children live. -Robert G. Taylor-    

In 1973, Martin Cooper unleashed something that would change the world. The device cost almost $4000, weighed 2.5 pounds, and was 10 inches long. It only worked for 25 minutes before it stopped, so you had to be patient. That device is what we now call the “cell phone.” It litters the landscape of restaurants, churches, libraries, and families. When Cooper turned 92, the BBC interviewed him. He was startled what his little invention caused. The co-host claimed her phone took up about 5 hours of her day. Cooper was stunned. “Do you really? You really spend five hours a day? Get a life!” While the device can be a blessing, it comes with a different price tag. It snags your attention and blocks out life. Jesus warned about the things in life that got that close. Luke 8 tells the story of the four soils. Only one has potential, while the other three create problems. Of the thorny ground, Jesus said: “And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.” (Luke 8:14, ESV) Anything that becomes a preoccupation chokes the spiritual life out of people. It is something to concern us. The next time you pick up your phone, check and see if it has thorns. It may choke you. -Robert G. Taylor-