From Gary... Puns, truth, introspection and eternity

I like puns!!!  They are the twists in the road, the irony of life; that unexpected surprise that delights.  In short, they appeal to my sense of humor.  But, in each one, there is a seed of truth (sometimes a very SMALL seed) that causes one to reflect about life.  This, I do.  And not just now, I have always been that way because that is how I dealt with my harsh upbringing.  But, hey, its better than turning mean and bitter!!!  The dean of Northeast School Of Biblical Studies used to say something like: We respond to adversity by being bitter (I like to think angry) or better.  So, for me, becoming better meant introspection, reflection and hopefully, growth.  I am not alone in this, for that great king of Israel, Solomon, also sought understanding.  Below, please find the beginning and ending of his book, Ecclesiastes...

Ecclesiastes, Chapter 1

  1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem: 
  2  “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”  3 What does man gain from all his labor in which he labors under the sun?  4 One generation goes, and another generation comes; but the earth remains forever.  5 The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, and hurries to its place where it rises.  6 The wind goes toward the south, and turns around to the north. It turns around continually as it goes, and the wind returns again to its courses.  7 All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full. To the place where the rivers flow, there they flow again.  8 All things are full of weariness beyond uttering. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.  9 That which has been is that which shall be; and that which has been done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.  10 Is there a thing of which it may be said, “Behold, this is new?” It has been long ago, in the ages which were before us.  11 There is no memory of the former; neither shall there be any memory of the latter that are to come, among those that shall come after. 

  12  I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.  13 I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under the sky. It is a heavy burden that God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with.  14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and a chasing after wind.  15 That which is crooked can’t be made straight; and that which is lacking can’t be counted.  16 I said to myself, “Behold, I have obtained for myself great wisdom above all who were before me in Jerusalem. Yes, my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.”  17 I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also was a chasing after wind.  18 For in much wisdom is much grief; and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

Ecclesiastes, Chapter 12

9  Further, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge. Yes, he pondered, sought out, and set in order many proverbs.  10 The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words, and that which was written blamelessly, words of truth.  11 The words of the wise are like goads; and like nails well fastened are words from the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.  12 Furthermore, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. 

  13  This is the end of the matter. All has been heard. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.  14 For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it is good, or whether it is evil.

Okay, Solomon I am not!!!  But deciding how to live life is something we all do and if you think too much you will get a headache and if you study too much you will get worn out and jumpy. But, stepping back and thinking about your life from a distance will help you realize that it will end.  These thoughts will inevitably lead you to God and eternal matters such as life after life and judgment for the things done while on Earth.  Even the most intelligent of us have problems and in his later years, the mighty Solomon radically strayed from God.  As great as Solomon was, God is infinitely greater!!!  In retrospect, Solomon should have listening to his own words (highlighted above)!!!  Without a doubt, I should do the same!!!!  Remember, the pursuit of the pervasive pun can be positively  perverted, so laugh carefully, the joke may be on you (in this case I mean myself).  Today, I intend to carefully consider my life, laugh at the stupid things and do everything I can to change the things that need changing.  I wish the same for you!!!  Also, read the puns in the graphic at the top- who knows, you just might like a few of them!!!!