In 1953 Hank Williams sang a song about two wooden Indians. The Indian maid wanted Kaw-Liga, the warrior, to talk to her but he had a problem.

He always wore his Sunday feathers
And held a tomahawk
The maiden wore her beads and braids
And hoped someday he’d talk

Kaw-Liga, too stubborn to ever show a sign
Because his heart is made of knotty pine

That heart of knotty pine was not only found in poor old Kaw-Liga but is indicative of multitudes.

Mark 8:17 

And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened?

Matthew 5:8 

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Kaw-Liga was heading for the furnace. Don’t let it happen to you. Give it some consideration.

Gary

“I came, I saw, I forgot what I was doing. Went back, got distracted and have no idea what is going on. Is this my cup?”

I read that on a cup and I said to myself, I’m that person. If you live long enough on this planet, that will be you. I’ll purchase the cup and you can have it when I leave.

Speaking of cups, here are a few:

Psalms 116:13

I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.

Jeremiah 51:7

Babylon was a golden cup in the Lord’s hand, that made all the earth drunk.
The nations drank her wine; therefore the nations are deranged.

Matthew 26:39

And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.

What does your cup say? Give it some thought.

Gary

I remember nights when my brother and I would be the only ones with loaded tractor trailers on an icy road. We’d be trying to get those loads into Canada without spilling. He’d be talking to me on the CB and explaining what was ahead because I was the kid and he was the lead dog. He was my big brother and I would follow his tail lights anywhere. In those days of fear, there was someone I trusted to get me through the dangerous hills and turns.

Half a century has gone by and I still fear the hills and turns. However, I hear someone else’s voice encouraging me to keep it on the road. No diesel fuel is involved now because it’s a spiritual journey.

Luke 11:28 

But He said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

John 10:27 

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

This world is made up of many a hazardous situation, but God can get us to our destination.

Give it some thought.

Gary

The possibility of journeying through life without picking up some enemies is next to impossible. We, by reason of failure, create some of our own and the tragedy is placed at our feet. However, the ones who are the result of our walk with the Lord cause pain, but they are not something we need to handle alone. Those enemies belong to God and He will deal with them in His time.

2 Timothy 4:14-15

Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words.

We don’t know much about Alexander, but thank God his end is in the hands of the Lord. We should feel sorry for him.

Give it some thought.

Gary

My Irish grandfather sure loved his whiskey and partook every chance that presented itself. Fortunately for him, he married a tough French woman who didn’t allow alcohol in the home.  If she caught him near a drink, some serious reprimand would be in order. He learned at an early stage in his marriage that he lived under some strong supervision. She cared for him until he was admitted to the nursing home. That strong woman was one of the best things to have happened to a man who was orphaned at a very young age. The right mate sure can be a good thing.

Proverbs 31:10-12

An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. 

Give it some thought and thank God for your mate.

Gary

I have this folder in my mind that is titled “friendship.” Every once in a while, I will take one of the memories out of there and examine it.  In this one, I recall this special friend who is a Viet Nam vet who went to war on his senior trip. He looked like a twelve-year-old under that military helmet. He saw things that no man should see and knew fear that is reserved for only a few. When my son died, he was one of the first to call me, though we hadn’t talked in years. Just every once in a while, I need to review that folder and remember how blessed I am to have such friends.

Proverbs 17:17 

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 22:24-25

Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.

I had the right kind of friends throughout my life and am ever so grateful.

Give it some thought and be thankful.

Gary

Lynn Anderson sang a song a long time ago entitled, “I Never Promised You a Rose Garden.” Take a look at some of the lyrics.

I beg your pardon
I never promised you a rose garden
Along with the sunshine
There’s gotta be a little rain sometime

Let me tell you upfront that God never promised a rose garden to a believer. The prosperity preachers make a “smooth path” their major pitch. However, Scriptures do not bear that out.

Matthew 16:24

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

John 16:33

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Let’s make it clear. If you are a believer, the Spirit of God who lives in you, makes it possible. In times of need, He presents Himself as the Enabler, the Helper, the Healer, the Provider, the Counselor, or some other attribute of our God.  But if you are not a believer, then you are on your own.

Give it some consideration.

Gary