“It’s the same old song with a different beat,” and that’s what I remember about those lyrics. It reminds me of so many that I pass by in life as they sing the same old song. They never seem to move on to any other experience. They are just stuck in the past with no hope for the future. How many times does the psalmist say, “Hey, now that you’ve been given a new life, shouldn’t you be singing a new song?” (my translation)

If we are in tune with God, His praises should be on our lips.

Psalm 16:9

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope.

Psalm 31:24

Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the Lord.

Psalm 33:17

A horse is a vain hope for safety; Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength.

Don’t be trusting in some old nag.  Let’s hear you sing a song about the newness of life in Him.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Father to son after exam: “Let me see your report card.”
Son: “My friend just borrowed it. He wants to scare his parents.” 

In the Book of Revelation, the resurrected Lord is going over the report cards of seven churches in what is today known as Turkey. As you take the time to read through those divine observations, some scary things will present themselves. Now those churches still had time to recover, but would they take the opportunity?

Revelation 2:5

Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

The one who should fear is that one with a bad report card. Are you holding one in God’s sight?

Give it some thought.

Gary

“Every rose has its thorns” means “Every good situation happens with misfortune or adversity.” Does the Bible address such a phenomenon? Glad you asked. However, it is not quite as sanitary as the previous illustration.

Proverbs 14:4

Where no oxen are, the trough is clean;
But much increase comes by the strength of an ox.

The meaning is clear. Every good thing in your life will also produce a little manure. My advice is be careful where you step, keep a shovel handy, and concentrate on what can be appreciated.

Give it some thought.

Gary

The hippocampus is not an animal in the sub-Saharan Africa. It is a part of the brain that tells us where we are in the world. I’ve seen it at work in dogs, but it can be completely missing in some humans. However, more important than our physical location is our spiritual location.

Romans 12:2 

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

I pray your spiritual hippocampus is giving you good direction in this world.

Give it some thought.

Gary

A man entered the birth registration office to register his newborn son. The man behind the counter asked him to provide the name he wanted to give to the boy, and the father replied, “Euro.”

The agent said that such a name was not acceptable because it was a currency.

The father said, “There were no objections when I called my first two sons Mark and Frank.”

We need to realize that there are some people that you just can’t reason with, and biblically speaking, you should avoid them.

Romans 16:17 

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.

2 Timothy 3:5 

Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

Titus 3:10 

As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him,

We are to love everyone, but some from a great distance. Give it some thought.

Gary

Some people are like wheelbarrows; useful only when pushed, and very easily upset.

                                                        -Vance Havner

Don’t be like that. Get ahead of the pack and be able to take a blow and keep on ticking like a recent watch advertisement touts.

Matthew 6:12 

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.Continue reading→

A man walks into a shoe store and tries on a pair of shoes.

“How do they feel?” asks the sales clerk.

 “Well they feel a bit tight,” replies the man.

The assistant promptly bends down and has a look at the shoes and at the man’s feet. “Try pulling the tongue out,” the clerk says.

“Well, theyth sthill feelth a bith tighth.”

Some people just don’t seem to get it. Communicating with them just seems like an impossible task. Yes, it is sometimes humorous.  God used Balaam’s animal to communicate with the prophet, but it went right over his head. Don’t be like that.

Proverbs 18:2 

A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.

Try and understand what God is saying. Give it some thought.

Gary