As a paramedic I witnessed some humorous things. A memorable incident involved four old ladies attempting to back out of a downhill driveway. The driver put it in gear while stepping on the accelerator, instead of the brake. The car sped down the driveway, across the street, over the ditch and stopped up against the railroad bed. We arrived to find three very disturbed elderly females.  One, however, was as calm as a cucumber and she was the driver. Some people just never seem to lose their head in spite of circumstances.

Peter was in prison chained to two soldiers and death was imminent, but just take a look at his demeanor.

Acts 12:6

The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. 

That lady probably had a medical reason for being so calm, but Peter had a spiritual reason. He knew that God was in charge of his life and not the government.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Someone once said to me, “Your shoe is untied.”

 I replied, “Yes, I know and the next time I’m down there, I’ll take care of it.”

Translation: I’m on a mission and that is not the priority at the present time. Not being sidelined from a mission takes quick thought.

It’s found in 1 Kings 13. There was a prophet sent on a special mission from God. However, another prophet distracted him by giving a deceptive message. This led to his untimely death.

Here’s the result of the false prophet’s urgings:

1 Kings 13:26

And when the prophet who had brought him back from the way heard of it, he said, “It is the man of God who disobeyed the word of the LORD; therefore the LORD has given him to the lion, which has torn him and killed him, according to the word that the LORD spoke to him.

If you have clear direction from God, I would strongly suggest you be found doing it.

Give it some thought.

Gary

“Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes.”                                           — Jack Handey

Criticism – Everyone seems to be an expert on dispensing it, but few seem to appreciate being the recipients of it. It can be a character builder or it can lead to a fight. It almost never builds friendships, but has destroyed many a friendship never to be mended. Does the Bible address it? Glad you asked.

Galatians 6:1 

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

Proverbs 27:6 

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

Easy with criticism. It usually creates anger and defensiveness in the person you criticized.

Think about it.

Gary

The cartoon pictured two tyrannosaurus walking through New York City, eating people. One looked at the other and said, “Of course you feel good; these things are full of anti-depressants.”

Some people do need these medications, but I believe the distribution of them has gotten out of hand. People should try the Word of God first.

Joshua 1:9 

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

2 Timothy 1:7 

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control 

Philippians 4:13 

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Try the Scriptures before you leave a funny taste in some monster’s mouth.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Polar bears have jet-black skin under their white fur coats. It helps them absorb heat to keep warm, while the white fur provides camouflage in the snowy and icy environment in which they live.

Now, how in the world did they ever come up with that idea? Oh, one day a pack of them was sitting around and one said, “Hey, how about we put a black skin under our fur? No one will know and the sun will warm us up during the day.”

Maybe a better occasion for this phenomenon is found in Genesis.

Genesis 1:24

Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind”; and it was so. 

Romans 1:20

 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 

The God of creation provided for each one. Give it some thought.

Gary

A pawn is a game piece in chess. It is one of the eight small pieces that have the least value in the game of chess. When used to refer to a person, it implies that the individual is someone who does not have any real power, but is used by others to achieve something.

Luke chapter 16, the story of the rich man, tells of a pawn lost to the game of life. People in this game seek to get through without acknowledging God. They seek to build their kingdom with no thought of the last move. It’s about going to sleep here and waking up there. Losing was his reward for such a wasted life.

2 Timothy 2:15

Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that doesn’t need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Like the song says, “If you’re going to play the game, boy, you’d better learn to play it right.”

Give it some thought, Kenny.

Gary

How long do you have to listen to someone before you understand what they are saying? How many people are worth listening to? While you pretend to listen, are you thinking of what you are going to say between gale force winds? Do you believe there is nothing new that you haven’t heard before?

A lot depends on how you answer these questions. Does the Bible have anything to say? Glad you asked.

James 1:19 

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;

Proverbs 25:12 

Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.

Give it some thought.

Gary