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Text Box:   What's Your Bling?   Afew months ago I read an article in the local paper about a small company here in Houston that designs and creates expensive custom jewelry for the hip-hop crowd. The lead photo was that of the owner of this establishment, his big wide smile sporting $28,000 worth of blue and white diamonds encrusted on his teeth and held together by an invisible set­ting. This mouthfull of so-called ‘bling’ actually has a name. It’s called a “grill” because it’s obvious that when a per-son smiles, it does indeed resemble the front end of a 1955 Cadillac. Not being from anywhere remotely connected with the hip-hop crowd, my immediate thought after seeing the photo was not, “What a cool dude.” but rather, how in the world does this guy brush his teeth?” Better yet, when he kisses someone and let’s say that person, again, being from the hip-hop crowd is sporting one of those ever so practical and beautiful tongue studs or worse another ‘grill’, aren’t we talk­ing at the very least an unpleasant fender bender? In that his teeth re­semble the front end of a ’56 Oldsmobile, would he not be eligible for car insurance? Depending on the intensity of the kiss, I can really see one major smash up possibility here. (“Ouch, I think this is gonna’ defi­nitely leave a mark.”) If nearly thirty thousand dollars worth of teeth is not enough to shout to the nearest crook, “Hello, I’m stu­pid, just come on over, knock me in the head and rip out my mouth!” there’s even more ‘bling’ for the would be robber. The ‘jeweler’ has created a $30,000, 20 carat wrist watch that he sells and also sports one himself. What time is it?! Sir, it’s time again for your medication! Along with these two items are available for sale are pendants, heavy gold chains, enormous rings and the ever so meaningful to the persons wearing them, diamond and gold Crucifixes. Here is where Iscored real high on the I-really-don’t-care list. Numbered among his prominent clients are Mike Jones, Kanye West, ‘Nelly’, Paul Wall and Lil John, none of whom I have ever heard of nor do I really care who they are. If Ray Charles said he didn’t like rap music, then that settles it for me. Here are some brilliant quotes and antidotes: “When you get your teeth, it’s a sign of success,” says D Solo?? (Who?) It is rumored that Pimp C will be getting out of prison soon and will need a new grill to mark the occasion. (He violated his public service obliga­tions stemming from a no contest aggravated assault charge.) Paul Wall’s custom ‘cup’ took 4500 diamonds to cover it recently. (I don’t know about you but when I see someone covered in tattoos and drinking beer out of a diamond encrusted cup, I am major impressed!) The workers at this company go through, are you ready for?.... 10 to 15,000 diamonds a day! The latest fashion announcement from New York is that "Gold is gaudy, diamonds are in for bling.   The Real Bling   No, let me tell you what ‘bling’ is really in. Bling is a small inexpensive band of gold worn by the same couple for some 65 years of marriage; for Judy and me it’s been 38 years. It’s not a $30,000 watch that I proudly wear on my arm but it’s my wife’s priceless hand as we stroll along together. It’s some gold in our teeth, but rather as fillings and out of sight. It’s not the glorification of spend­ing time in jail for aggravated assault or any other crime. It’s wearing a reminder of The Cross that Jesus died on for our sins, but rather than round our neck, in our hearts. It’s a simple wristwatch that re-minds me each day is a precious gift from God and that time wasted is forever lost. It’s not wasting what musical gifts God has given us in degrad­ing lyrics and vulgar language. It’s letting people know how successful we are not by the expen­sive jewelry we wear or the cars we drive but by the fruits of the Spirit; “..love, joy, peace, patience, kind­ness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Bling is living by the Spirit, keeping in step with the spirit and not becoming conceited, provoking or envious of others. Galatians – 5:22 It’s not swearing at others but pray­ing for others. It’s worshipping a living God and not ourselves. It’s looking forward to the ‘golden’ city and not a golden chain. Lest we be too eager to judge, I guess in reality we are all capable of having some sort of bling that we think exalts us. It may not be a mouth full of diamonds or a $30,000 gold and dia­mond watch, but our things can dangerously become bling if we are not careful. So, what’s your bling? Some words of wisdom and warn­ings from the Master: MT 6:19 “Do not store up for your-selves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.