“Do you see a man skilled in his work?

He will serve before kings; he will not

serve before obscure men.” (Pro 22:29).

Don’t be a Chumlee

The popular cable show “Pawn Stars” is about a pawn shop in Las Vegas, NV. It is fun to see what unusual item people are going to try to sell. The show starts off by saying, “You never know what is going to walk through the door.” If you watch the show you will agree.

One of the most enjoyable things about the show is watching the antics of one worker named “Chumlee.” The boss gives him assignments and then waits to see just how he is going to mess up. Chumlee has the best of intentions but he always messes up. The mess up is always something that really does not cost Chumlee anything, but costs those around him. In one recent episode they gave him a 40-year-old album of the singer Bob Dylan. They asked him to track down Bob Dylan and get him to autograph the album.

Chumlee tracked down Bob Dylan and as Bob Dylan was signing the cover, Dylan asked what he wanted it to say. Without thinking Chumlee said, “To Chumlee.” Chumlee’s boss was not pleased.

My son and I now refer to Chumlee as a type of person. A Chumlee gets things right some of the time, but has a high rate of mess ups. He doesn’t mean to mess up. It just happens!

A Chumlee character starts showing itself early in life. When in school the teacher would give an assignment and a Chumlee would do enough to pass the assignment, but will not go the extra mile to turn a “C” grade into an “A” or even a “B.” Chumlee is the one whose dog ate his homework. Poor Chumlee.

To be a Chumlee is a choice. We choose to be a Chumlee every time we chose to do less than our best or to accept just enough to get by without going the extra mile needed for excellence. The reason some make this choice is because they think it is just one little decision. In the end one little decision add up to a character – a character of being a Chumlee. Don’t be a Chumlee. Do you best every time. As the wise man wrote, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10)

Lonnie Davis

In case you do not know what Dippin’ Dots are, they are little BB size ice cream balls. One buys them by the cup. As I am a fan of big spoons of ice cream, I am not a fan of the little Dippin’ Dots. The other day I went to the grocery store to pick up a few things that were needed. When I got to the ice cream section I noticed little one dollar bowls of Dippin’ Dots. Even though they are not my favorite I do know a couple of kids that like them so I picked up two. I brought them home and put them in the freezer door. The two children that love them do not even know they are there. One day soon they will come to my house and I will surprise them with the little blessing I am saving for them. I know they will love it.

This is what God does for us. He prepares blessings and waits for the right time to give them to us. Paul wrote, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Cor 2:9).

While here sometimes the blessing takes the form of a beautiful day or a night of sweet sleep. Sometimes the blessing is an unexpected encouraging word from a friend. Sometimes the blessing is unexpected money to pay a bill. Sometimes the blessing is more spectacular. It is a job that we get just in the nick of time. It is the answer of prayer for cancer.

The real blessing is waiting on the other side of the door. John wrote about it. “I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Rev 21:2-4)

I can hardly wait!

Lonnie Davis

It has several months since Texas played Alabama for the national football championship. Texas had the winningest quarterback in the history of college football. He was a champion among champions. He is also a Christian. We would beat those guys from Alabama and I knew it.

We had to beat them because our youth minister is a rabid Alabama fan and I have to put up with him. Texas came out with the ball and marched it straight down the field. At this point I figured we would beat them by several touchdowns. As we pushed deep into their end of the field Colt McCoy, the Texas quarterback took a shot on the arm. It was not vicious or mean or especially hard. When he left for a play I figured he would be back. He never returned. Texas played well, but when an inexperienced quarterback steps onto such a scene it was just too much. He had a chance to win, but those boys from Alabama were just too much for him.

I wanted to makes excuses. I wanted a “do-over.” There were many things I could have whined about. Right after the game they interviewed the young, Christian quarterback, Colt McCoy. In the interview said something that was greater than winning a national championship. Here was his response to missing what might have been the greatest moment in his life:

“I always give God the glory. I never question why things happen the way they do. God is in control of my life. And I know that, if nothing else, I’m standing on the Rock.”

I will soon forget that game, but I will never forget those words, “God is in control.”

For many people those can be empty words, but if you can stand on the stage of disappointment or frustration and not question why God does what God does, if you can say “God is in control of my life,” and know that no matter what happens you are standing on the Rock, then you are a champion.