I always wanted to tell jokes, but I had pretty severe social anxiety. So, I wrote the jokes down on pieces of paper and taped the paper to frisbees. Then, I threw the frisbees at passersby so they could read my jokes.

The trouble was, most of them flew right over their heads.

–       Unknown author

Here is a list of verses that revealed how much went over the head of the listener:

Matthew 22:29

But Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God.

John 21:23

Therefore this saying went out among the brethren that that disciple would not die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but only, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?”

Look up; there might be something important going right over your head.

Think about it.

Gary

A professor asked one of his students by the name of Ralph why he was so considerate of others.

“Oh,” Ralph said, “during the war, I guess.”  Then he told the professor about his tour of duty in Vietnam, about how it was his job to clear mine fields, and how he watched his friends blow up before his eyes, one after another.  “I learned to live between steps,” he said.  “I never knew whether the next one would be my last, so I learned to get everything I could out of the moment between when I picked up my foot and when I put it down again.  Every step I took was a whole new world, and I guess I’ve just been that way ever since.”

The abundance of our lives is not determined by how long we live, but how well we live.  Christ makes abundant life possible if we choose to live it now.

         Barbara Brown Taylor, Clarkesville, Georgia

The Bible is full of information about a world seeded by landmines. They can come in the form of alcohol, drugs, relationships, failures, unbelief, and calamities beyond one’s control. However, here are some thoughts on steps from God’s Word:

Psalm 37:23

The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in His way;

2 Samuel 22:37

You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip;

Job 34:21

“For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees all his steps.

Let the Lord in on what you’re doing because your next step could be your last.

Give it some thought.

Gary

A group called A Point of Grace did this song in 2010.

“A Good Place to Turn Around”

Devil’s highway he’s right beside me,
Whispering in my ear.
He drew the map and set the trap,
But I’m the one that got me here,
Made a mess of my whole life,
Burned every bridge I crossed.
Am I too far gone? Which way is home?
How did I get so lost?

I’m looking for a good place to turn around
And get off this road that I’m headed down.
I’ve gotta find some peace of mind.
Lord, send a sign somehow.
I just need a good place to turn around.

The Bible answers that terrible situation experienced by so many on our planet.

2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

2 Timothy 2:25

in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,

Romans 2:4

Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

Get off that road. Turn around and face God.

Give it some thought.

Gary

A few years ago I was captivated by a book title and ordered the book.  It was called, The Contagious Congregation by George Hunter.  I wanted to be a part of that kind of church that was so infected with the love of God in Jesus Christ that we would be contagious and others would catch what we have.  I looked forward with anticipation to reading the book.  Ironically, when the package arrived, I opened it quickly, only to discover a mistake.  The bookstore did not send the book The Contagious Congregation; they sent a book titled, The Contentious Congregation!  What is on the book cover of our lives: CONTAGIOUS or CONTENTIOUS?

Ronald J. Hipwell, Westmont United Methodist Church, Johnstown, Pennsylvania July 98

The Bible says a lot about that particular malady infecting the churches:

2 Corinthians 12:20

For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults;

Proverbs 18:19

A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a castle.

Like Barney Fife would say, “We need to nip this in the bud.”

Give it some thought.

Gary

“You’re So Vain” is a song written in 1971 by American singer and songwriter Carly Simon. Unfortunately, the song was popular because many of that generation thought it referred to us or someone we knew. Here is a stanza. (I’ve given you the meaning of a word I was unfamiliar with.)

You walked into the party like you were walking onto a yacht
Your hat strategically dipped below one eye
Your scarf it was apricot
You had one eye in the mirror, as you watched yourself gavotte (a medium-paced French dance, popular in the 18th century)

And all the girls dreamed that they’d be your partner
They’d be your partner and

You’re so vain
You probably think this song is about you

Over 3000 years before the ink was dried on this song, Solomon had something to say about the subject of vanity:

Ecclesiastes 1:14

I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.

Ecclesiastes 11:10

Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.

How do you measure the amount of vanity in your life? Let the spirit of the book of Ecclesiastics scan it. You’ll see the results.

Think about it.

Gary

Fred and Bill were having their weekly round of golf at the Land o’ Sky Golf Course.  As they were walking down the fairway on the long par-five number six hole, a funeral procession drove by them along River Road. Fred paused and took off his golf hat, held it over his heart and stood motionless, watching the cars drive slowly by with their lights on. Bill was touched. He didn’t know Fred was so religious or sensitive. He walked up to him and said, “That was a nice thing to do, Fred. Was that somebody you knew?”

“Yes,” Fred said, wiping away a tear as he pulled a four wood from his bag, “she was my wife. We would have been married twenty-eight years today, if she’d have lived.”

The obvious conclusion is this: Here’s a man who loved his sport much more than he loved his wife. The thing that really had his affection and time was the golf course, and not his family. It really isn’t funny, is it?

Let’s think of this in spiritual terms. How many of life’s activities come before God in your life? Could it be that idolatry has you by the throat? The Apostle Peter sent this warning out to all the early churches:

1 Peter 4:3

For there has already been enough time spent in doing what the Gentiles choose to do: carrying on in unrestrained behavior, evil desires, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and lawless idolatry.

Psalm 106:3

Blessed are those who keep justice,
And he who does righteousness at all times!

Prioritize your life by putting the things of God first.

Think about it.

Gary

You don’t consider this in your youth, but you should. The subject is death and the situation that is to follow that event. Some place their hope in annihilation, while others believe themselves good enough to enter a glorious place. Still others believe there is a place of punishment, but after a time, they will be set free. Then there are those who trust completely in the finished work of Christ on Calvary. With this last group of individuals, they have the right to sing:

We are all traveling in the footsteps

Of those that’d come before

And we’ll all be reunited

On that new and sunlit shore

Just a few more days to travel,

Just a few more days to roam,

Then I will enter heaven’s portals,

When the saints are gathered home.

Matthew 25:21

 His Lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.

As bad as it might get here, we have a future.

Give it some thought.

Gary