Slanket Investments

I don’t know why, but I have always liked getting things for the people I care about.  I gave Pam so much jewelry, she kindly asked me to stop.  When Kristin was little, I would buy her real stuff:  jewelry (cheap), purses, make up, the works.  So I am always on alert for something I think my family would enjoy.
 
Enter the SLANKET.  That’s right, a sleeved blanket.  A really cool item.
 
When I first saw the “Slankets,” they were like $40 a piece.  I thought, wow, what a concept!  My girls are always cold.  So what do I do?  I order not one, but two.  What’s good for Pam, I consider, must be good for Kristin.  So, I order two off the television at 2:00 in the morning.

I tell no one about this purchase.  Partly because this isn’t the first time I have done something like this and secondly, I am so sure that they will love it, I can’t wait to see their faces.  Finally, my two Slankets arrive.  I get them at a mere $80.  I first hide them.  Then at just the right time, I spring it on Pam.  I got her the red one. 
 
“Look honey,” I excitedly show her, “a warm blanket with arms.”  Smiling, I hold this very thin monstrous blanket up.  “And it’s red! You can use it at the house when it is cold, at football games, or anytime you need it.”
 
“Oh, thanks” Pam manages.  “It’s ah, it’s pretty.”
 
“No look” I insist, “It has sleeves for your arms.  That way you can pick stuff up without taking the covers off.”
 
“Oh,” she says, “Great.”  The image of $80 being flushed down the drain filled my thoughts.
 
But wait—Kristin.  She will like it.
 
The next time Kristin came home, I pulled the gift out.  Her Slanket.  She said, “Cool dad.”
 
I said, “Do you like the color?”
 
She said, “Yea, but didn’t they have a pink one?”
 
I said, “That is the pink one.”
 
Well, so much for $80. 
 
It wouldn’t be so bad but the other day I saw a “Snuggie.”  Same exact thing as a “Slanket.”  Just that you can now get a Snuggie for $19.99.  Wait—if you respond in the next ten minutes, you can get TWO Snuggies for $19.99.
 
Perhaps some day I’ll learn.  But I doubt it.  If I haven’t learned yet, the chances are that the next (Slanket-like doodad) that gloriously fills my eyes at 2 am, is liable to find itself at my front door.  And won’t Pam be surprised!
 
Yeah, cool stuff isn’t always so cool.  The WORLD has many things whose luster and shine catch our eye.  But then there’s that Moth and Rust thing. 
 
Best thing I think is to focus on NEED, which very often is different from WANT—And go ahead and invest your all—(finances, time, gifts, life) in those things are eternal.  Give God presents.  Focus on blessing the King.  Love Him.  Praise Him.  Fill your life with holy things.  And most of all, sit before Him, allowing Him to fill you, to love you, to sing over you.  You are His child and He so loves you.
 
Thankful for Grace greater than all our sin,
 Johnny

---

WAIT…WAIT…WAIT!!!
(Please Don’t Stop Reading)

I need to share a quick word about friend, STEVE MULLINS.  I have been the victim of faulty, misrepresented newsprint.  I know the hurt and the extent to which it can affect someone.  Steve has just had to swallow that bitter pill.  It was reported last week in the Clovis paper that Steve had been recently arrested for the possession of a controlled substance. That is INCORRECT INFORMATION.  More than two years ago, before he met Jesus, that was the case.  But recently, Steve simply forgot to attend a meeting—(one of many required)—that was a part of his original two-year-old sentence.  Steve has come so far in his faith.  He is a trophy of God’s grace.  He has helped so many people since his salvation.  He is my friend, our brother, and I just wanted to set the record straight.

---

Dr. Johnny Funderburg

Johnny became the Senior Pastor of Highland in 2017 and has served as Senior Pastor at four previous churches in his life, in Texas and Missouri. Johnny and his wife, Pam, have two adult children, Kristin and Ryan. Johnny has a a bachelor’s degree from Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene, Texas, a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Theological Seminary, Ft. Worth, Texas, and a Doctorate of Ministry degree from Luther Rice Seminary, Atlanta, Georgia.