“The Sound of Silence” is a song by American music duo Simon & Garfunkel, written by Paul Simon. The duo’s studio audition of the song led to a record deal with Columbia Records, March 1964. It is amazing how Paul Simon described the worshipers of the sixties, a phenomenon that continues to our present time.

“And the people bowed and prayed

To the neon god they made

And the sign flashed out its warning

In the words that it was forming

And the sign said, “The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls and tenement halls

And whispered in the sound of silence”

People are still producing these spinoff gods today. Does the Bible address this phenomenon? Glad you asked.

John 4:23-24 

But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Ditch your neon gods because they can’t get you home. Give it some thought.

Gary

It was a small country church way back in the deep woods of New Brunswick, Canada. They had hired this American as their pastor.  I use that term lightly (pastor, that is). They loved our little family and were a part of our support for a year as I attended Bible college. If we had ten or twelve in attendance on a Sunday, it was a crowd. By the look on their faces, they made me feel like they believed Billy Graham was preaching.  Inwardly, I must admit I always went there with fear and trembling every Sunday.

I have never forgotten to be thankful for that congregation who met a major need in our lives. Like David’s mighty men, many others have helped place us in the position we are in today. Paul was reminded of the principle of helps in the closing chapter of Romans. Read it sometime.

Isaiah 46:9 

Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me,

Give it some thought.

Gary

Demas had served faithfully with the Apostle Paul, but something drew him off course. I often consider those who were once running the race but were invited to go off into the wild blue yonder. Where are they today?

2 Timothy 4:10

for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica

Let’s for the sake of clarity replace the location, Thessalonica, with a more contemporary location. Maybe it’s the world of music, sports, politics, industry, lust, an unsavory relationship. The list is never-ending, but the results are the same.

If you are in Thessalonica, it means you have abandoned God’s perfect plan for your life.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Bombeck’s Rule of Medicine: Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died. 

                                                                                     Erma Bombeck

A pastor friend of mine stated the following:  “If you want to see how much a church cares for people, take a look at the restroom.”

Sometimes you have to look outside the box to get the right view of something.

Philippians 2:4 

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Luke 6:31 

And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

Give it some thought and don’t neglect the small things.

Gary

Did you hear about the company that makes blank bumper stickers? They’re for people who don’t want to get involved.

If you were the first one to an accident, would you stop and help? If the person in front of you at the checkout couldn’t pay the bill, would you offer to pay?  If you came across a piece of steel in the road, would you drive around it and keep on going? That mother with three young kids on the plane, is it your problem also? Do you get involved in life’s journey or is your bumper sticker blank?

Does the Bible address it? Glad you asked.

Philippians 2:3 

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Luke 6:31 

And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

Don’t pass up an opportunity to do good. Think about it.

Gary

Much is being said about success and some terrible tragedies along that highway to it.  I could give you so many stories of sports stars, movie stars, politicians and preachers that crashed on that road to success.

Does the Bible cover that? Glad you asked.

Joshua 1:8

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Psalm 118:25

Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success!

Be careful with that goal. Think about it.

Gary

“50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” is a song by the American singer-songwriter Paul Simon. It was the second single from his fourth studio album released in 1975. Here’s a stanza from that song to get you in the groove.

You just slip out the back, Jack
Make a new plan, Stan
You don’t need to be coy, Roy
Just get yourself free
Hop on the bus, Gus
You don’t need to discuss much
Just drop off the key, Lee
And get yourself free

Here’s a list of lovers you might consider ditching.

1 John 2:15-17

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life is not from the Father but is from the world.  And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

1 Timothy 6:10

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

Proverbs 6:32

He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself.

Time to end some love-relationships and be free. Give it some thought, Lot.

Gary