He was my brother and as children we slept in the same double bed.  He was thirteen while I was three. While stationed in France with the army for two years, he sent me a huge book of historical pictures of WW2. On his return to Allagash, he began to work for a paper company and continued to do so for thirty years. Sometimes he would ask me to go with him for a day. We would fill the time with conversation and have a great day. Before his death, we hiked sixteen-miles on an old railway bed. He died twelve years ago and I still miss him.

Life is made up of a lot of special individuals who spent time in our space and leave us with added wealth.

Proverbs 17:17 

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 

And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

 We need to be intertwined with other people’s lives.

Give it some thought.

Gary

The attorney tells the accused, “I have some good news and some bad news.”

“What’s the bad news?” asks the accused.

“The bad news is, your blood is all over the crime scene, and the DNA tests prove you did it.”

“What’s the good news?”

“Your cholesterol is 130.”

They say there is a silver lining behind every cloud. I’m not so sure about that, but I do know when God is involved, the unbelievable can happen.

Genesis 50:20

You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.

Give it some time. There could be some divine purpose in it.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Is that what they meant? These statements appeared in a church bulletin:

• Don’t let worry kill you – let the church help.
• Thursday night-potluck supper-prayer and medication to follow.
• Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community.

Statements are very important and should always be reviewed by others before distribution.

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.

Psalm 141:3 

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!

Give it some thought.

Gary

Everything that makes up your body requires genetic information. You’ve got your hands and feet because of your genes code for it. The same is true for any creature—be it a dog, a camel, you name it.

The genetic information in humans varies from the information in animals, plants, and so on. Seems obvious, so why point it out? Because for animal-kind-A to somehow “presto-change-o” into animal-kind-B, the information’s got to change. A fish doesn’t just morph into an amphibian without something changing in the genes. It would have to gain some new information. God’s in charge of that information.

– Answers in Genesis, an apologetics ministry

Job 12:8

or speak to the earth, and it will teach you,
or let the fish in the sea inform you.

Read this chapter in Job. He was talking to know-it-alls. Give it some thought.

Gary

He’s my brother. I carry in my mind an image of him bleeding profusely as a wounded nineteen y/o marine just miles from the DMZ in Viet Nam. Four years older than I, we had a contentious relationship as kids, but he would still protect me from life’s dangers. Police badges and security services took up most of his life. Going against the grain never seemed to bother him as he stood for what he believed. Yesterday he left this world. I truly loved my brother and had a chance to tell him so.

Proverbs 17:17 

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

1 Timothy 5:8 

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Hebrews 13:1 

Let brotherly love continue.

Family is so necessary. Give it some thought.

Gary

I discovered a shortcut today. If you put your Fitbit in the dryer, you can get a head start on your steps. I had 3,800 steps in before I put on my pants!

The author of this statement is unknown but considering it was printed in a major publication there will certainly be many people using it. They will impress friends and family with the great exercise program they’re on.

Deception:

Galatians 6:7-8 

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

Proverbs 10:9 

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.

Give it some thought and don’t go putting Ketchup in your fuel tank for better mileage.

Gary

I see him out there on the tarmac checking the plane for his last flight. He knows there will be a lot of lonely people left behind which is difficult, but difficulties carved him.   Soldiering became a part of his life out of which a love for aircraft developed. Then time and God had him flying through the jungles of Brazil as a missionary pilot and, lastly, as a pilot/mechanic in the corporate world.  Old age came quickly and now he’s examining that aircraft for the flight home.

In the arms of an angel far away from here. There’s always some reason to feel not good enough
And it’s hard at the end of the day. – song by Sarah McLachlan

Luke 16:22

 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. 

The flight home is waiting on the tarmac, old friend.

 How about you?  Will yours be a good finish?

Give it some thought.

Gary