"If I’d known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself." ~ Most likely originially said by a retiring editorial columnist Billy Noonan in the early 1950's although it is attributed to others as well.

Good morning and welcome. Today is Tuesday, September 16, 2025, and, while I did not say the title quote myself I can certainly identify with it and appreciate the embedded truth. I have been saying for a long time in response to the proverbial, "Hey, how are you doing?", this ditty: "I'm in good shape for the shape I'm in." I understand they have tracked down the first mention of this from a writer named Ben Hayslip who used to hear his grandfather say something like that. Hayslip later incorporated the saying into a song, 'The Shape I'm In", sung by Joe Nichols. I've been using it a lot without knowing any of that background. Life is all about sayings. The most accurate source are those found in God's Word because that's where we find the truth, the whole truth, and, nothing but the truth. I attended Church with an old gentleman who had his own response when he was asked, "Hey, how are you doing?", here is what he would say, "If I kicked I oughta be." It took me a while to unwrap that one but essentially he was saying if he complained about anything then he deserved to be kicked. Get it? I do hear this one quite often, "Better than I deserve." That would likely fit us all especially when we begin to begin to grasp the outpouring of mercy and grace that God has extended to each one of us. Colorful sayings do add something to the living out of our days here on the planet. This was the subject of a conversation at coffee break time in a job I had many years ago. Everyone was sharing the sayings they heard growing up. I mentioned how my mom used to, if we didn't straighten up and fly right, she would threaten "to pinch our heads off". One of the secretaries was from Michigan and when I said that she nearly fainted. She thought my mom was potentially guilty of child abuse because of her cruel threats. She went on to say she could visualize my mom actually pinching off the head of a child. Yikes! The rest of the group had to laugh. Why? We never visualized anything like that. We just knew it was her way to say we needed to behave. As I said before, The Bible gives us many sayings that have become part of the common dialogue as we communicate our way through life.

 

Examples of Common Sayings from the Bible

A drop in the bucket
        Origin: Isaiah 40:15, which describes the nations as "a drop of a bucket".
        Meaning: A very small, insignificant amount. 

By the sweat of your brow
    Origin: Genesis 3:19, "By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food...".
    Meaning: Referring to hard work or labor. 

Don't cast your pearls before swine
    Origin: Matthew 7:6, "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine".
    Meaning: Don't offer something of value to those who cannot appreciate it. 

Pride goes before a fall
    Origin: Proverbs 16:18, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall".
    Meaning: Arrogance or excessive self-pride leads to downfall. 

The writing is on the wall
    Origin: Daniel 5, where King Belshazzar receives a writing on the wall.
    Meaning: A warning of impending doom or a sign of a disastrous future. 

It is better to give than to receive
    Origin: Acts 20:35, where Jesus said, "...it is more blessed to give than to receive".
    Meaning: Giving is more rewarding than getting. 

A house divided against itself cannot stand
    Origin: Matthew 12:25, "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand".
    Meaning: Disagreement and internal conflict will lead to ruin. 

Nothing new under the sun
    Origin: Ecclesiastes 1:9.
    Meaning: All things that happen have happened before. 

The love of money is the root of all evil
    Origin: 1 Timothy 6:10.
    Meaning: The desire for money can lead to wicked acts. 

Go the extra mile 
    Origin: Matthew 5:41.
    Meaning: To do more than is required or expected.  

 

So, there you have a little insight into how sayings do play a role in our day by day living. God has been good to allow us to enjoy life and that includes our communications. Take care and may God add His blessings. Amen. (The alignment on today's blog is a little discombobulated, sorry.)