Dear Church Family,
“There are old mushroom hunters, and there are bold mushroom hunters. But there are no old, bold mushroom hunters.”
The quote above came from an email I received from NebraskaLand Magazine about fall mushroom foraging. While the magazine promoted the flavor of fall mushrooms and offered recipe advice on how to prepare them, it also advised caution when identifying the mushrooms. Hence, the quote.
We would do well to use this sort of caution in our everyday lives. Inside this newsletter, there is an article about using caution when receiving a call about your finances or about someone needing help. In the September 16, 2026, edition of our local paper, the Phonograph-Herald, the publisher mentioned using caution when posting online and responding to online posts. He wrote:
Over the last few months, I can’t tell you how many alarmist posts I have seen on social media where the original writer or those that comment and share simply miss the point and rush to judgment about an action without all the facts. In a world where one post can get hundreds of thousands of views, being incorrect can be dangerous. Presenting inaccurate facts can be dire.
The Bible has a few cautions for us when it comes to our daily lives. One is found in Ephesians 5:15-17 where we read, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” The cure for avoiding bad decisions is knowing what a good decision is (the will of the Lord).
It is a good decision to not be bold when picking mushrooms. It is a good decision to use discernment when reading and/or responding to comments friends make. It is also a good decision to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-40).
In closing: What good decision do you need to make today?
I’m praying for you. We’re all in this together.
Pastor Daniel