It was the first day of the school year and we were in homeroom, waiting for the bell to ring to start classes. I guess everything was quiet in the room except for my conversation with someone. The teacher said my name with some disgust in his tone and asked, “Gary, do you think you’re special?”

Now I wanted to beat him, but that would have taken away my chances of ever going to college and, besides, he would have won.

It took me the best part of a lifetime to understand why he did that. However, I think he could have handled it differently and made the school year easier on both of us. Words are dangerous, especially when being used on youth.

Ephesians 4:29 

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Proverbs 25:11 

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

Learn from my experience. Be careful with your mouth out there. Give it some thought.

Gary

Think about feet for a second. They can be plagued with athlete’s foot, bunions, corns, calluses, hammertoe, ingrown toenails, plantar fasciitis, or foot ulcers. You might say, “I’m glad those aren’t my feet.” However, what if they were? Wouldn’t you want someone to examine them and clean them?  You might say, “Where are you going with that?” Well, here it is.

John 13:14

 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.

Some churches make foot washing a ritual in their worship. Our Lord had a divine purpose in His actions. Do you know what the Lord was modelling for us? If you answered in the affirmative, go out and help those walking with impairments that can result in hurt for them and others. I’m sure it would be greatly appreciated.

Give it some thought.

Gary

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

The word “everything” in the verse carries a tremendous amount of weight. The Apostle Paul described it this way:

Philippians 4:12

I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things, I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Life has hills and valleys, and one must be prepared for both. The key is prayer. Give it some thought.

Gary

“I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.” – Estée Lauder

That’s about the best quote I ever came across when it comes to dreams. However, even that philosophy has its limitations.  Accidents, disease, robbers and relationships can go sour and foil one’s plans.

You see, your control of future events is uncertain at best. Why not put all your investment in the One who knows the future and how you best fit in it?

John 16:13 

When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come.

Psalm 119:105 

Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalm 32:8 

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.

The future never looked better. Give it some thought.

Gary

We’re old men now, but we still have all the memories of our youth.  He said to me in a public setting, “Hey, Gary, I still have that picture of you and your best friend standing behind all those beer cans you consumed.” I didn’t have to see the picture because it is still fresh in the hard drive of my mind. I was godless then and beer was king. I’m so glad that Jesus is King now and alcohol is a thing of the past. However, sometimes I appreciate those who remind me that I’m not the kid that started out on this journey.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

1 Peter 4:4

Now those “friends” think it is strange that you no longer join them in all the wild and wasteful things they do. 

Your past is now irrelevant if God has forgiven you. Give it some thought.

Gary

“For What It’s Worth” is a song written by Stephen Stills. Performed by Buffalo Springfield, it was recorded on December 5, 1966. Many meanings have been suggested, but I want to take the thought into the upper room.

Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep
It starts when you’re always afraid
Step out of line, the men come and take you away

The lyrics suggest that people should act with strength instead of fear. The truth of the matter is that paranoia always has an underlying cause, and in the case of Judas, it was an evil heart. The outcome could have been different, but he wouldn’t respond to the warnings of Christ.

Matthew 26:23-25

He answered and said, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me.  The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.”

 Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, “Rabbi, is it I?”

He said to him, “You have said it.”

If you are suffering from paranoia, take it to Jesus. He is the Great Physician and can fix it. Give it some careful consideration.

Gary

Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” —Thomas Edison

Proverbs 16:3

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

Genesis 2:15

The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.

Psalm 90:17

Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!

Quit complaining and go to work. That is how God takes care of our retirement. Give it some thought.

Gary