When Life Is Noisy

The new house included a pricey washing machine. The owners complained it made “the most horrific noise and walked all over the place—the banging and vibration was loud and scary.” The general contractor and architect concluded “front loaders vibrate more than toploaders.” 

After a month, the contractor agreed the vibration was excessive. He braced the machine by nailing wood all around it. This made it worse.

Three months later, the manufacturer sent a technician who found the shipping bolts were never removed.

When life is off-balance, loud, and scary, the problem might be very basic. Rest, exercise, diet, priorities…shipping bolts.

Pirates and Bibles

In one of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, two pirates, Ragetti and Pintel, have escaped from jail. They’re at sea in a longboat. Ragetti sits, apparently reading a Bible. 

He says, “We’ve got to take care of our immortal souls,” pointing to the Bible he holds upside down. 

Pintel replies, “You know you can’t read.” 

Regetti answers, “It’s the Bible. You get credit for trying.”

If you imagine that because you own a Bible, read it from time to time, and hold it in high regard, there is some automatic blessing, you are a delusional pirate.

Camouflage

For 10 years, we lived in a Chicago suburb. Never once did I see anyone in public, dressed to hunt. No one wore safety orange, or camouflage. Then I moved to Pennsylvania. Most people looked like they were just about to go hunting. 

When I moved to Texas 9 years later, the trend intensified. I’ve learned camo is considered proper attire for funerals. I did an outdoor wedding where the bride, groom, and maid-of-honor wore camo. I asked the wedding party to please wave their arms so I could find them. They thought that was hilarious. 

One type of camouflage isn't appropriate; when God’s people blend in so well they are no different than their culture.