Robert 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-

Do you use snake oil? When Chinese laborers came to the United States to work on building a transcontinental railroad, they brought their culture with them. In their medicine cabinets was a “snake oil” made from the oil of Chinese water snakes. They used it to relieve arthritis and other joint pains. It seemed to work. Clark Stanley became the Rattlesnake King when he had a rodeo show with an exciting demonstration. He held up a rattlesnake and threw it and boiling water until the fats rose to the surface. He bottled the skimmed oil and started selling it. He went on to produce a “miracle drug” called snake oil. The problem was that federal agents seized a “snake oil” cargo and found it contained no snake oil. However, it did contain chili peppers, turpentine, and camphor. From that time, anyone who sells a product that makes big claims that don’t work is called a “snake oil salesman.” Jesus warned about spiritual peddlers of snake oil. “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” (Matthew 7:15, ESV) They market spiritual views that distort God’s word and direction. They promise good lives with little obedience. It’s all snake oil. It is nothing but snake oil if it doesn’t come from God’s word. -Robert G. Taylor-