“Kick the can” was a game we played as kids. All you needed for this game was a discarded fruit can and a hoard of neighborhood kids. It had to take place just prior to sundown. Everyone hid and the person on the can had to catch sight of those hidden, then run to tag the can and say, “I see so and so.” While he was trying to find others, someone could sneak up and kick the can and be made the winner. It was a great game that provided a wonderful way to end our day.

Life was simple then for kids. Today, it is too complicated and lacks the kind of interaction we enjoyed, while our technology leaves many isolated.

What does the Bible say about future youth?

Zechariah 8:5 

And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets.

My opening paragraph isn’t happening today, but I believe in a future time kids will be once again play “kick the can” in the neighborhood.

Give it some thought.

Gary

I grew up on property that bordered the Allagash River. That river was an integral part of my life. We swam in it during the summer months and skated on it in the winter. Sometimes, we would pretend it was the Rhine River and we would wade across it to invade Germany and defeat Hitler. It remains a beautiful sight and is refreshing on many levels. Kayaking it, whenever possible, also increases my awareness of its allure.

Looking back over my years here on the planet, I realize God set in place many parts that shaped me into what I am today. Yes, I have a Biblical basis for that.

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

How many parts of your life are you thankful for?

Give it some thought.

Gary

He does such a great job combing his hair. It’s impressive how he’s able to hide the horns

They walk among us, but like Martin in the sitcom “My Favorite Martian,” they are not of us. Make no mistake, they look so very charming on the outside but are devilish on the inside. I’m not just making this up. It has a Biblical precedent.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

Therefore, it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Better take a second look; remember Little Red Riding Hood.

Give it some thought.

Gary

I don’t know why they reacted like that. It certainly wasn’t called for. I felt like saying, “Your biscuit’s not done in the middle.” Meaning, you haven’t completed an acceptable thought.

The Bible certainly has a lot to say about our speech and the type of person speaking.

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 19:14 

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Let that biscuit of yours have time to cook through before serving.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Freddie was a Manx cat we once owned. He was trouble from his first leap out of the box that his mother nestled in with the rest of her litter. I named him Freddie after a childhood friend of mine who also had an attachment to trouble. If Freddie the cat wanted to go out in the middle of the night, he would walk across the piano keys to get our attention. Sometimes I wanted to kill Freddie, but it was just a thought coming from a love-hate relationship we had. Someone else killed Freddie and I still miss him after four decades.

God brings some strange animals into our lives along with some strange people. Life is made up of such things and we truly miss them when they’re gone. They leave a pawprint or footprint on our lives and serve a greater purpose.

Proverbs 27:17 

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

Give God-sent creatures some thought because they are worth much more than their annoyance and we’ll miss them when they are gone.

Gary

You’ll want to eat unshelled nuts like almonds and peanuts within a matter of a few weeks to a few months. “Nuts and seeds typically have a high amount of oil in them and that oil will start to go rancid after a couple of months in your pantry.” On the other hand, you could cook them up for uninvited guests so they won’t return.

We also have an expiration date in the gifts God has given us, and if we don’t use them, in time others will begin to notice. Like the manna in the wilderness, God expects us not to horde our daily bread.

Hebrews 3:7-8

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:

“Today, if you will hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,
In the day of trial in the wilderness,

God expects us to do something with the diet He gives us.

Give it some thought and remember those nuts.

Gary

I tell them when I am placed in the nursing home there are only two demands on my part: Keep me warm and keep me dry.

Other than that, don’t put me on that salt-free diet. Don’t worry about my cholesterol or blood pressure. Don’t send me to the hospital because I don’t look right because I never looked right. Have a Canadian rocker in my room and don’t play that country and western music.  60’s music will be fine, for just the first few sentences are emphasized. If they don’t comply with my wishes, I’ll flip over a table and trip a nurse.

For some things, we must make our wishes known.

Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 

Job 5:7

But man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward.

 Job 14:1

 “Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble.”

Give it some thought.

Gary