The sign says: No U-turn.  In this case, it means you missed your road, but that is not the way back. I’m reminded of how many times I messed up and realized there was no shortcut back to correct the situation.

Jacob is the prime example of having missed the right path which is revealed in the account of his life in Genesis. Read it sometime, and God will show you how He provided a different course to help that weary traveler. I’m not saying that his experience wasn’t without pain. Most of us, like Jacob, must learn the hard way.

Hebrews 12:11 

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Worked for me and Jacob, and it can be of benefit for you. Give it some thought.

Gary

The sign read: Toll Two Dollars. The charge didn’t bother me, because I knew the road was well worth the price. I handed the lady my two dollars and sped on to my well-planned destination. Happy ending.

However, I’ve been on roads without a plan and paid a heavy price spiritually, physically, mentally, and monetarily. It sure pays to plan ahead.

Does the Bible address these phenomena? Glad you asked.

Proverbs 16:3 

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

Proverbs 19:21 

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

Pay the charge; otherwise, the price may be greater. Give it some consideration.

Gary

Andy Williams, Patsy Cline, and The Everly Brothers sang it out before most of you were born.

Where’s this place called Lonely Street?
I’m looking for that Lonely Street
I’ve got a sad, sad tale to tell
I need a place to go and weep
Where’s this place called Lonely Street?

This classic is a metaphor for a metaphorical place where people go to nurse a broken heart, bury shattered dreams, and mourn a lost relationship.  Your GPS will not take you there. Let me offer a better solution. God can fix broken people.

Matthew 11:28-30

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Think about it.

Gary

“City of New Orleans” is a nostalgic folk elegy. It is about the last trip of a passenger train. The song is about what was and will be missed. Many of us relate to that feeling of being on the last leg of a journey that will never be repeated.

We can’t hang on to the things of this world, because they are only transitory.  There must be more to look forward to than the vaporing memories of the past. Only God offers this means of changing your mood when you’re faced with that reality.

Isaiah 40:31 

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Romans 15:13 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Everything of the past pales in the light of the future for the believer. Give it some consideration.

Gary

The only mystery in life is why the kamikaze pilots wore helmets.

–       Al McGuire

Reminds me of the false teachers dressed in their religious garb which will do them no good in eternity,

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

2 Peter 2:1 

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

Begs one to consider, how am I dressed and where am I going? Give it some thought before you fly off on a mission.

Gary

The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

–       Steven Wright

Now this might set off the circuit breaker in your brain, but think about it. We can learn a great deal which can be very profitable from the missteps of others. Case in point: Eve listened to Satan; don’t do that. Noah got drunk; don’t do that. David committed adultery and murder; don’t do that. The list goes on.

James 4:17 

So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

3 John 1:11 

Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.

Now enjoy the cheese provided by others with less knowledge. Give it some thought.

Gary

Gadarene Swine Law: Merely because the group is in formation does not mean the group is on the right course. If you could examine them closely, you would find they were really possessed.

That brings me to today’s crowd. Have you examined what drives them to believe and do what they do? Obviously, there is something wrong because what they are doing is not of the nature of their heritage. Something outside human consciousness is involved here. Does the Bible address these phenomena? Glad you asked.

Ephesians 6:12 

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Matthew 8:16 

That evening they brought to Him many who were oppressed by demons, and He cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.

The ballot box will not be effective in dealing with this curse, but God will in His time. Give it some thought and don’t be running with a herd of demon-possessed pigs.

Gary