ODD OBSERVATIONS

It is important for us to be aware our surroundings. It is also fun to know about the things going on around us. There are those among us who are such nerds, we actually accumulate knowledge and facts on subjects and people we probably should know nothing about.

As a highly caffeinated Christian, I tend to ponder and pick up things in a life of dedicated contemplation. This week’s sip from the Master’s cup comes blended with a different view of things we see everyday. Enjoy!

Kid’s stuff
Did you know that Walt Disney was afraid of mice? Turns out he had a phobia of mice and invented Mickey as a friendly and funny version of what terrorized him as a kid. I think that’s cool.

Donald Duck, another Disney invention, was at first banned from Finland because Donald doesn't wear pants.

The characters Bert and Ernie on Sesame Street were named after Bert the cop and Ernie the taxi driver in Frank Capra's "Its A Wonderful Life.”

The name Wendy was made up for the book Peter Pan. There was never a recorded Wendy before.

In comic strips, the person on the left always speaks first.

Mel Blanc, who played the voice of Bugs Bunny, was allergic to carrots and “That’s all folks” on cartoons and puppets I can think of. But speaking of bugs...

Bugs and Critters
Did you know you are three times more likely to be killed by a flying champagne cork than you are to be killed by the bite of a venomous spider, so you probably should not waste time worrying about it. On the same note, donkeys kill more people every year than plane crashes do. This bit of information, however, has not kept me from making a jackass out of myself on international flights. I hate airplanes.

A shrimp's heart is in its head. A bird chews with his stomach and some turtles can breathe through their butts. Eels have two hearts, elephants can’t jump, and bats always fly left when exiting a cave. By the way, did you know you can melt pearls and kill scorpions with vinegar? Oh yes, there's more.

People and Places
Did you know Marilyn Monroe had six toes on one of her feet? If she reminds you of a Barbie doll, I wonder if you know what Barbie’s full name is? Barbie's full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts.

Albert Einstein's parents were worried he was mentally slow, because it took him a long time to learn how to speak. Shakespeare invented the words "assassination" and "bump.” You share your birthday with at least 9 million other people in the world, and India has never invaded another country in the past 6,000 years of her history.

Paying Attention
While we might not need to know a lot of these things, we do need to know what’s going on around us. The Good Book says that as we move forward through life, we should see the timing and events of things so that we can cash in on the value of our day.

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
Ephesians 5:15-17

A lot of us don’t know the will of God simply because we don’t see what is going on around us. We foolishly miss how God uses the things going on around us as the billboards through which He is speaking to us because we are so focused on selfish agendas.

The Brewer reminds you this week to stop and smell the coffee. Take a look around you and ask God to show you what He wants you to see. If you get real with Him on this issue, get ready for sensory overload.

Troy pastors Open Door Ministries near Joshua and can be reached at www.opendoorministries.org