I AM LOOKING FOR THAT PLACE: SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW?
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
I am not happy here? I was not happy there? But I will be happy over there?
I. WHAT IS IN MY REACH? AIM HIGHER! LOVE TO SERVE.
Mark 9:35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
A. RONALD REAGAN HAD A DREAM:
HE CALLED HIS DREAM A THOUSAND POINTS OF LIGHT.
He went on to say:
"No man stands so tall as when he reaches down to lift another man!"
B. Several years ago I read where some mountain hunters had played a trick on another hunter in their COON CLUB.
They lowered the sight on his rifle.
After they did this their friend was missing everything at which he was shooting.
He shot at a raccoon in a tree. Of course his bullet went under the coon.
One of the hunters climbed the tree and shook the tree.
The coon fell out of the tree on one of the "JOKERS" head.
The friend that had his GUN SIGHT ALTERED took aim at the COON on top of his friend’s head...
As the coon was resting on his head, the JOKER started WHISPERING AS LOUD
AS HE COULD: AIM HIGH! PLEASE, AIM HIGH!
B. SOMETIMES IN LIFE WE MUST AIM HIGHER.
C. It is better to aim at a star and hit the moon, than it is to land in the MUD-PUDDLE EVERY TIME.
II. WE ARE DREAMING OF ANOTHER PLACE? A BETTER PLACE? AN EASIER PLACE THAN WHERE WE ARE?
SOMETIMES TO WISH TO BE ANOTHER IS TO WASTE WHO YOU REALLY ARE?
A. There was a beautiful song written and released in 1939... in THE WIZARD OF OZ.
B. "SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW"
Music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by E.Y. Harburg
Somewhere over the rainbow way up high,
There’s a land that I heard of once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow skies are blue,
And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.
Someday I’ll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops away above the chimney tops
That’s where you’ll find me.
Somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds fly.
Birds fly over the rainbow.
Why then, oh why can’t I?
If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can’t I?
C. YOU REMEMBER DOROTHY, THE TIN MAN, THE SCARECROW AND
LION? DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN THEY FINALLY MADE THEIR LONG JOURNEY DOWN THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD? THEY FOUND THE WIZARD WAS JUST A SMALL MAN WITH NO SPECIAL POWERS.
THE WIZARD SAID TO DOROTHY --- SHE HAD THE POWER ALL ALONG THE WAY: CLICK HER HEELS THREE TIMES AND SAY:
THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME, THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME...
III. I CAN’T SEEM TO FIND THAT PLACE AT THE END OF THE RAINBOW? THE GREENER GRASS SYNDROME CAN OFTEN BE EASILY EXPLAINED.
Proverbs 14:4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
A. Often greener grass grows over big septic tanks?
The bigger the septic tank, the more manure, the greener the grass.
B. There might be another LOGICAL EXPLANATION...
IF YOUR NEIGHBOR HAS MUCH GREENER GRASS THAN YOURS,
HE PROBABLY HAS A HIGHER WATER BILL?
IV. SMART PEOPLE COME TO SMART PEOPLE FOR SMART ANSWERS? SOLOMON --- YOU ARE PRETTY SMART --- WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY?
A. Solomon was very smart. He had great understanding.
B. Solomon made gold and silver as ordinary as rocks in his reign.
C. Solomon increased his HORSES and WIVES... (800 plus 200?)
Solomon lived in EXCESSIVENESS --- there was no BALANCE ...
Solomon no longer depended on the LORD GOD...
D. SOLOMON HAD THE MOST POWERFUL ARMY OF HIS DAY.
THROUGH MARRIAGE SOLOMON MADE ALLIES OF ALL HIS ENEMIES.
His enemy will not attack their grand children.
E. Solomon pens some very sad, sad words.
Solomon NEVER FOUND SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW...
KJV
Eccles. 1:2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
NIV
Eccles. 1:2 "Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless."
LB
Eccles. 1:2 In my opinion, nothing is worthwhile; everything is futile.
V. SOLOMON KNEW EVERY COURSE KNOWN TO MAN... HE TRIED THEM ALL... AND THERE WAS STILL A EMPTY HOLE IN HIS HEART...
1. SOLOMON CHASED THE RAINBOW OF PLEASURE...
Eccles. 2:1 I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.
To satisfy the five senses, sensual.
Self-gratification, given to desires and inclinations.
Frivolous amusement.
Enjoyment as a goal.
1 Tim. 5:6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.
EAT --- DRINK --- AND --- BE MERRY?
SOLOMON’S CONCLUSION:
Pleasure is vanity ---- useless...
2. THE RAINBOW CHASE LEADS BY THE ROAD OF PARTY HARDY,
MOOD ALTERING SUBSTANCES.
A. BOOZE, WINE, HALLUCINOGENS, and any means of giving of self control to A PARTY HARDY SPIRIT.
Eccles. 2:3 I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was
that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.
B. I am told in the USA there are 30,000 more beer stores than churches.
Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
C. Conclusion:
Wine is a mocker, it is just folly.
3. THE SEARCH FOR YOUR RAINBOW WILL ALWAYS TAKE YOU DOWN A DEAD END ROAD OF GREAT WORKS.
A. MATERIALISM:
The theory that physical matter is the only fundamental reality.
The doctrine that value is place on the accumulation of things.
How many square feet does your house need to be to be happy?
In India a BUSTEE, a home for a family is a CARDBOARD BOX that will cover the whole family.
In Haiti a tarp to tie to trees?
B. Swimming pools and things?
Eccles. 2:4 I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:
5 I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:
6 I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees:
C. Conclusion:
HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH?
1 Tim. 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
D. A dying man finds a bag and says: IT JUST FILLED WITH JEWELS? JUST JEWELS?
4. THE RAINBOW CHASE LEADS TO SEEKING FRIENDS, SERVANTS, AND EMPLOYEES --- I AM THE BOSS!! 700 wives and 300 conbines?
A. Solomon has no enemies --- they are all in-laws...
Never attack the grandkids...
Eccles. 2:7 I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house;
B. Solomon never had to lift a finger, his life of easy raises lazy children.
C. CONCLUSION: You have to watch your back and the whispers.
5. MATERIALISM AND GREAT POSSESSIONS IS ALWAYS WITH THE POT OF GOLD AT THE END OF THE RAINBOW?
A. IT TOOK A MIGHTY ARMY JUST TO SAFE GUARD ALL THE WEALTH.
Eccl. 2:7 also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in
Jerusalem before me:
B. Solomon had to lay awake at night and worry about all his stuff?
6. MY RAINBOW HAS TO BE THE LOTTERY. I WILL WIN MUCH MONEY, AND SAY SOUL TAKE IT EASY?
A. More money is the answer.
Eccles. 2:8 I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and
of the provinces:
B. Conclusion: I need one more dollar than I have.
Eccles. 5:10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth
abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
7. WE CRY OUT THAT AMERICAN IDOL WILL MAKE ME? JUST WRITE THE RIGHT SONG? IF I CAN JUST MAKE THE GRAND OLE OPRY? IF BILL GAITHER INVITED ME? IF I COULD HAVE THE PLATFORM OF THE CRYSTAL CATHERAL?
A. MUSIC IS AFTER YOUR MIND?
A catch jingle will sell a product?
Eccles. 2:8 I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.
B. IF I COULD PLAY LIKE ....???
IF I COULD SING LIKE ...???
C. Conclusion: If you will not use what talent you have where you are, you will never advance. Sing in the rest home? Sing in the jail house?
8. IF I COULD JUST GET SMART ENOUGH? IF THERE WERE ANOTHER BOOK OR C.D.?
A. MAN’S PRIORITY IS BODY ---- SOUL --- SPIRIT ... GOD RANKS SPIRIT --- SOUL --- BODY ...
Eccles. 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
VI. IN SEPT. 1992 GARTH BROOK WAS INTERVIEWED ON A TV PROGRAM: THE INTERVIEWER ASKED GARTH HOW DID IT FEEL TO MAKE IT?
A. Garth Brooks asked : WHAT?
The man enquired: You are in Nashville! You made it! How does it feel
to make it to the TOP?
B. GARTH ANSWERED:
OZ IS ONLY OZ TO THOSE THAT LIVE OUTSIDE OF OZ!!!
C. Life is more than a destination, learn to love the journey!
QUIT CHASING RAINBOWS...
D. THE MAIN THING IS TO KEEP THE MAIN THING THE MAIN THING...
No man can define for you what the main thing is...
Are your ears opened and your eyes focused?
The battle is not just without --- IT IS WITHIN!
I look for the place the song says:
Home, Home on the range,
Where the deer and the antelope play,
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word,
and the skies are not cloudy all day????
CONCLUSION:
I AM BUT A CANDLE FOR THE LORD! OUR SEARCH MUST BE FOR THE LORD’S PRESENCE WITH US!
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
Invest in me? Help me? Pass this on to another?
