• The world’s a better place because Michelangelo did not say, “I don’t do ceilings.”

• The world’s a better place because a German monk – Martin Luther didn’t say, “I don’t do doors.”

• The world’s a better place because Moses didn’t say, “I don’t do Pharaohs or mass migrations.”

• The world’s a better place because Noah didn’t say, “I don’t do arks and animals.”

• The world’s a better place because Rahab didn’t say, “I don’t do enemy spies.”

• The world’s a better place because Ruth didn’t say, “I don’t do mothers-in-law.”

• The world’s a better place because Mary didn’t say, “I don’t do virgin births.”

• The world’s a better place because Paul didn’t say, “I don’t do prisons and correspondence.”

• The world’s a better place because Mary Magdalene didn’t say I don’t do feet.”

• The world’s a better place because Jesus didn’t say “I don’t do crosses.”

• And the world will be a better place only if you and I don’t say, “I don’t do crosses …”

Luke 14:27

Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

That cross is not made of wood but is made of self. Can we die to self and live for God?

Give it some thought.

Gary

After learning that his young nephew was killed in a car accident, Don Moen searched for some way to help bring comfort to his grieving family even as he struggled with his own sorrow. While reading Isaiah 43, he asked God to give him something that would bring hope to the family in the middle of a hopeless situation.

God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me

He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way

By a roadway in the wilderness, He’ll lead me
And rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and Earth will fade but His Word will still remain
And He will do something new today

Oh, God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me

He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way

With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way

Isaiah 43:19

Behold, I will do a new thing,
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it?
I will even make a road in the wilderness
And rivers in the desert.

I pray this will be a blessing and encouragement for you.

Think about it.

Gary

“We’ll Sing in the Sunshine” is a 1964 hit song written and recorded by Gale Garnett which reached No. 2 in Canada, and No. 4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart for the week ending 17 October 1964. I was twelve and, unfortunately, believed its lyrics at the time.

This was one of the first songs telling young people to live for the flesh: Do what makes you feel good for the time and forget whom you might hurt. The song contains a father whose advice is evil. Many adopted that philosophy and their ruined lives litter the countryside. You only go around once and this is not the way to do it. That feel-good song offered bad advice.

God gave us the opposite advice when it comes to thinking of ourselves and others. Life will soon be over and which advice will be the best.

Philippians 2:4

not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Ephesians 4:29

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Matthew 7:12

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

There are a lot of voices out there. Which one do you trust?

Give it some thought.

Gary

They’ve been at every ballgame I’ve attended. These people just can’t figure out how that umpire can call such things against the team they are there to cheer on. Sometimes that malady is even seen in the catcher.

Veteran American League baseball umpire Bill Guthrie was working behind the plate one afternoon and the catcher for the visiting team was repeatedly protesting his calls. 

Guthrie endured this for a number of innings, and then called a halt. “Son,” he said softly, “you’ve been a big help to me in calling balls and strikes today, and I appreciate it. But I think I have got the hang of it now, so I’m going to ask you to go to the clubhouse and show whoever’s there how to take a shower.”

                  -Submitted by Dicky Love, Christ Community Church, Ruston, Louisiana

When we disrespect those calling the pitches, we do a disservice to ourselves, the game and the fans. Don’t act like that because it can lead to your even questioning how God is calling things.

Isaiah 45:9-12

 “Woe to him who strives with Him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ or ‘Your work has no handles’? Woe to him who says to a father, ‘What are you begetting?’ or to a woman, ‘With what are you in labor?’” Thus says the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, and the One who formed him: “Ask Me of things to come; will you command Me concerning My children and the work of My hands? I made the earth and created man on it; it was My hands that stretched out the heavens, and I commanded all their host.

Give it some thought.

Gary

The present concept of church in our western world has gone the way of hula-hoops and bellbottom pants. Those seeing the trend have tried some innovative methods.

Some thought-provoking church signs:

      1) Free Trip to heaven. Details Inside!

2) Try our Sundays. They are better than Baskin-Robbins.

3) Searching for a new look? Have your faith lifted here!

4) An ad for a church has a picture of two hands holding stone tablets on which the Ten Commandments are inscribed and a headline that reads, “For fast, fast, fast relief, take two tablets.

5) When the restaurant next to the church put out a big sign that said,   “Open Sundays,” the church reciprocated with its own message: “We are open on Sundays, too.”

6) Have trouble sleeping?  We have sermons — come hear one!

7) Come in and pray today.  Beat the Christmas rush!

8) Sign broken. Message inside this Sunday.

9) Come work for the Lord. The work is hard, the hours are long and the pay is low. But the retirement benefits are out of this world.

10) If you’re headed in the wrong direction, God allows U-turns.

God is still in the business of reaching the lost and encouraging believers and his method is the one that works.

John 16:8-11

And when He comes, He will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see Me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

Give it some thought because the slogans are not working.

Gary

“A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool.”

                                                                                 William Shakespeare

Knowing we’re not all that great is a major accomplishment in life. Next to my senior picture was a statement, “All great men are dying and I don’t feel so well myself.” I sure had a lot to learn about life and where I fit in.

Here’s how the Bible describes it:

Psalm 33:13-15 

The Lord looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man; from where he sits enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth, he who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds.

Job 4:17 

‘Can mortal man be in the right before God? Can a man be pure before his Maker?

Psalm 144:3 

O Lord, what is man that you regard him, or the son of man that you think of him?

Job 10:9 

Remember that you have made me like clay; and will you return me to the dust?

You are not much and you are not here for long.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Robert Robinson had been saved out of a wretched life of sin at the age of twenty-three. Robinson later wrote the hymn, “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing.”

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.

Sadly, Robinson wandered far from those streams and turned from the Lord. One day — he was traveling by stagecoach and sitting beside a young woman engrossed in her book. She ran across a verse she thought was beautiful and asked him what he thought of it.

Prone to wander — Lord, I feel it —
Prone to leave the God I love.

Bursting into tears, Robinson said, “Madam, I am the poor unhappy man who wrote that hymn many years ago, and I would give a thousand worlds, if I had them, to enjoy the feelings I had then.”

                                    – Kenneth W. Osbeck, 101 Hymn Stories, p. 52.

Warning signs ignored can lead to disaster.

Acts 20:31

Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.

1 Corinthians 4:14

I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.

1 Thessalonians 5:14

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.

 Don’t neglect the warning signs. Give it some thought.

Gary