“Mama Told Me Not to Come” was a song written by Randy Newman in 1970. As with most Newman songs, he assumes a character; in this song the narrator is a sheltered and extraordinarily straitlaced young man, who recounts what is presumably his first “wild” party in the big city, where he is shocked and appalled by marijuana smoking, whiskey drinking, and loud music.

Many a youth has taken that path, and sadly, most don’t recover. What does the Bible say about the nightlife?

Proverbs 1:10,15-16

My son, if sinners entice you,
Do not consent.

My son, do not walk in the way with them,
Keep your foot from their path;

For their feet run to evil,
And they make haste to shed blood.

Give it some thought and warn the young.

Gary

In the 28th chapter of Isaiah, the nation of Judah had covered itself in a web of lies for safety. I believe this chapter is relevant for our present time. Like the song says, “Every form of refuge has its price.”

Isaiah 28:15

You boast, “We have entered into a covenant with death,
with the realm of the dead we have made an agreement.
When an overwhelming scourge sweeps by,
it cannot touch us,
for we have made a lie our refuge
and falsehood our hiding place.”

There is only one true refuge. The question is, are you in it?

Psalm 62:8

Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah

Gary

He was a little redheaded kid back in the fifties. The bully of the school took great pleasure in picking on him. One day he decided it was time to hopefully bring an end to the harassment. As the agitator came towards him for the daily torment, the little guy sent forth his fist with all the energy he could muster. The tormentor found himself lying in a puddle in the school yard. That was the end of his daily antagonism.

That redheaded kid learned a lesson about himself that translated into life’s challenges. The military, helicopters and airplanes were lesser fears. Even flying over the Amazon jungle in a small aircraft as a missionary was doable. Now he has taken on old age and I’m sure he’ll continue to stand above this one.

Deuteronomy 20:4 

For the Lord your God is He who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.’

Psalm 108:13 

With God we shall do valiantly; it is He who will tread down our foes.

That kid is no longer in the school yard, but the lessons he leaves us, as believers, live on.

Give it some thought.

Gary

A last-second shot by player Mike Thurston put Caribou on top in a moment that had people from both sides of their court screaming in disbelief and jumping in the air.  It was 1969 and the state finals were at stake when Mike fired from over half court and sank the winning shot to finalize Caribou as number one in the state. Victory has its emotions.

That is also true of a more important victory and that is found in the pages of Scripture.

Deuteronomy 20:4 

For the Lord your God is He who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.

Psalm 108:13 

With God we shall do valiantly; it is He who will tread down our foes.

My prayer is that people take spiritual victory as having much greater value than the sport’s victory that is meaningless in eternity.

Give it some thought.

Gary

I read an interesting book about a Viet Nam vet and his experiences on the battle field.  He had kept a diary and from letters sent home, he compiled an auto biography. It held my attention until the horrible last paragraph. After coming home and falling victim to alcohol and the demons of his experience, he said goodbye to his family and committed suicide. His cousin put the material together including the last paragraph.

In the Marine Corp, it seems he came across a believer. Did that Christian tell him enough?

Psalm 66:16 

Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul.

2 Timothy 1:8 

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,

Matthew 10:32 

So everyone who acknowledges Me before men, I also will acknowledge before My Father who is in heaven,

Give it some thought. I did.

Gary

Chimes of Time #2

There is no night, for in His light
You never walk alone
Always feel at home
Wherever you may go

There is no power can conquer you
While God is on your side
Take Him at His promise
Don’t run away and hide

Adam and Eve sinned and ran from God. Don’t make the same mistake. The Lord found them in their sin and redeemed them. Has he done that for you or are you still running?

Matthew 6:33

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Jeremiah 29:13

You will seek Me and find Me, when you seek Me with all your heart.

Luke 19:10

 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Don’t run if you heard His voice.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Stuart Hamblen wrote it in 1956.

The chimes of time ring out the news
Another day is through
Someone slipped and fell
Was that someone you?

You may have longed for added strength
Your courage to renew
Do not be disheartened
For I have news for you

It is no secret what God can do
What He’s done for others, He’ll do for you
With arms wide open, He’ll pardon you
It is no secret what God can do

Philippians 4:19 

And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 6:33 

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

In giving this some thought, consider others who fell in Scripture and were set aright when they called on God and you move on as well.

Gary