I watched him come flying down that 30-foot waterslide, whereupon it took another 30 feet of pool water to stop him. My opinion was that it might take the jaws-of-life to recover that Speedo and pull it back where it belonged. It amazes me what people will do for pleasure and expose it to the world.

With that said, the Scriptures give some strong warnings when it comes to some of the pleasures that only belong to the dark side:

2 Thessalonians 2:12

in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

2 Timothy 3:4

treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

Titus 3:3

For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.

Pleasure can prove to be embarrassing sometimes, so be careful where and how you’re looking to have a good time.

Think about it.

Gary

Traveling to work early that morning, I came behind a Mach truck loaded with logs. The driver pulled over to let me pass, and to my surprise and his, the rig rolled over into the ditch. What caused the accident was that the snowplow had pushed some of the snow over the ditch and hidden the fact that it was not part of the road. Looks can be deceiving.

Sadly, he’d decided to take his wife on this particular run. I don’t know if she ever got into a truck again. In any case, she experienced a rollover.

Those hidden things in life can also lead to disaster as Jude describes false teachers:

Jude 1:12

These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted;

How much better to allow the One who sees all things be the chauffeur:

Hebrews 4:13

And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. 

Careful out there! It might look good, but looks can be deceiving.

Think about it.

Gary

“Every morning in Africa a gazelle wakes up.

It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed.

Every morning a lion wakes up.

It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle

or it will starve to death.

It doesn’t matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle,

when the sun comes up, you’d better start running.”

Everybody must run, but most run for nothing. The Bible has a lot to say about running to win. We must allow the Word to be our coach as long as we breathe.

Hebrews 12:1

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 

1 Corinthians 9:26

So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.

Galatians 5:7

You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?

Come on, you big couch potato. Get off that recliner, put on the armor of God, get out there, and run. Your lack of spiritual activity has made a wreck of your body.

Give it some thought.

Gary

She was only four and totally crushed all the blond jokes because I believed her to be the smartest girl in the world. Looking back, I think she understood she could get something from her uncle she couldn’t get from her father…candy. Her father was opposed to having an attractive daughter with rotten teeth which caused diligence in denying her this cavity-producing temptation.

She asked, “Uncle Gary, can we go buy some candy?” I said, “Of course, where do you want to go?” She replied, “Do you know where the Stop and Shave is?” Of course, I knew exactly what she meant, and in minutes we pulled into the Shop and Save.

The years have come and gone, and now she has two daughters of her own. Not sure, and wouldn’t ask, but I’m fairly sure, her being a doctor and all, her view on oral hygiene doesn’t include sugar products for the girls.

People come in and out of your life, and some leave you with a good memory, and sometimes, a cavity that’s worth it. God has blessed me with many a precious memory. This is just one that came to my mind today.

Psalm 116:12

What shall I render to the Lord For all His benefits toward me?

Think about it.

Gary

I asked, “Who are you? You’re no bigger than my fist.” He said, “I’m your heart. Let me tell you a few things about myself:

I beat about 115,000 times each day. Every day I pump about 2,000 gallons of blood. This fluid is pushed through a blood vessel system that extends over 60,000 miles. It tires me to think of what needs to be done for you every day. By the way, I’m not a product of evolution but a very special creation of God.”

Proverbs 4:23

 Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.

This is just one of the many organs that our Creator manufactured for our journey through this life. Along with the facts pointed out above, He uses the organ to illustrate truth.

Give it some thought.

Gary

I have never regretted “burning my bridges.” I’ve only regretted that some people weren’t on them while I was doing it! Now, I stole that statement from someone and it brings a smile to my face. However, I know that thought is a sin and was quickly confessed.

We can’t destroy all the connections we have with the individuals going through life with us. At the same time, they will probably outlast us.

How does the Word of God address such things?

Exodus 23:22

If you listen carefully to what he says and do all that I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and will oppose those who oppose you.

Deuteronomy 20:1

When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you.

Go ahead and burn the bridge, but make sure before you light the match no one is on it. Enemy-punishing is God’s problem, not ours.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Sometimes you need to burn bridges to keep yourself from crossing them again. So many things in life should never have a backward glance. Don’t even stay in the area of the smoke.

Luke 9:62

But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Abraham communicated with his servant that he (Abraham) would not be going back to his old home. He also emphasized to his servant that his son Isaac should not go back there. The meaning was that this bridge has been burnt and there would be no turning back. Abraham is the father of all who believe. He leads us to life lessons. There are bridges that need to be burnt.

Give it some thought and don’t look back.

Gary