Life can be tough and if it’s not throwing a curve ball, then it’s a fast ball. How can one stand at the plate and take it? David also considered that request in Psalms.

Psalm 27:4

The one thing I ask of the Lord—
    the thing I seek most—
is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
    delighting in the Lord’s perfections
    and meditating in his Temple.

So the genie comes out of the bottle in a cloud of smoke and asks, “What are your three wishes?”

It’ll never happen. So you have the rabbit’s foot and are ready for the day. Remember it didn’t help the owner. That four leaf clover is rare, but it won’t bring you good luck.

I think David’s going to the source of all wisdom is the proper attitude for all of us. Let’s pray.

Think about it.

Gary

Received an email from Jack and thought it would be a good devotional.

”I came across a quote from Sydney McLaughlin, a Christian athlete and current world record holder of the women’s 400 meter hurdles. She is competing for gold for the U.S. at this year’s Olympics. I like her attitude!”

“I no longer run for self-recognition, but to reflect His perfect will that is already set in stone. I don’t deserve anything. But by grace, through faith, Jesus has given me everything. Records come and go. The glory of God is eternal. Thank you, Father.”

Sydney McLaughlin, June 29th, 2021

The Bible has a lot to say about our testimony as Christians.

Luke 8:39 

“Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.

Psalm 66:16 

Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul.

Psalm 119:46 

I will also speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame,

What an attitude this young athlete has! This should be true of all of us who profess Christ.

Give it some thought.

Gary

“Dust in the Wind” is a song recorded by American progressive rock band Kansas and written by band member Kerry Livgren, first released on their 1977 album Point of Know Return. The song peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 the week of April 22, 1978.

Same old song
Just a drop of water in an endless sea
All we do
Crumbles to the ground, though we refuse to see

Dust in the wind
All we are is dust in the wind
Oh, Now, don’t hang on

Nothin’ lasts forever but the earth and sky
It slips away
And all your money won’t another minute buy

Dust in the wind
All we are is dust in the wind
(All we are is dust in the wind)
Dust in the wind
(Everything is dust in the wind)
Everything is dust in the wind

So many individuals made this song rise to number six because it catered to a prevailing belief. We are just here for a while and our dreams and aspirations along with our very being will only be dust in the wind.

The Bible gives a much different view of the now and eternity. Our actions today will be brought up at a future time and the soul God created will never be destroyed.  Grinding your ashes and throwing them into the wind will not give you an escape from the Creator.

Jeremiah 17:10 

“I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”

Give it some thought.

Gary

Too much alcohol can make us act in ways we wouldn’t normally, including making us more angry or aggressive. Experts believe the reason some people can become aggressive when drunk is due to the way alcohol affects the brain.

Many crimes are committed simply because alcohol was involved. On the same vein many sins have been committed which never would have happened without the effects of alcohol.

The Bible illustrates the opposite effects of another influence:

Ephesians 5:18

Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,

The Holy Spirit will influence how you act and react. He will only do you good and never harm. Throughout eternity you will appreciate His being on board.

Give it a shot.

Gary

Toyota sent me a letter informing me of a rust problem that started when my truck came off the assembly line. It’s only eight years old and they tell me it needs attention if it is going to outlive me.

Those shingles on my roof warn me that Maine summers and winters are taking such a toll that replacement is becoming a present reality. If I don’t do something, “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head” will be more than a song out of the sixties.

I’ll not mention my medical problems because I shared them all before and ended up in your junk email.

What is my point? “The way of all the earth” is inevitable decay and replacement.

Joshua 23:14

“Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.

Joshua was coming to the end of his run and reflecting on the promises of God.

Think about it.

Gary

We were logging on a mountain and I had rolled a skidder over a few times. This particular event had my chopper witnessing my failure to apply safe operational practices. As I was crawling out, he stood on a ledge above me and said, “Son, that’s not a skidder you’re driving, but a Suzuki. “ He knew what took place on the motocross track should not be seen in logging.

Youth has a way of canceling out fear when it is most necessary. We need to heed the advice of older folks who have been around the block a few times.

This is what David left Solomon:

1 Kings 2:1-3

Now the days of David drew near that he should die, and he charged Solomon his son, saying:  “I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man.  And keep the charge of the Lord your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn;

We ride this wild bull called Living-in-a-Dangerous-Place and should listen to those above us.

That was the last time I rolled a skidder over.

Think about it.

Gary

The story of Annie Johnson Flint is one of tragedy and suffering. We read about such individuals and wonder how they stand up to the onslaught. With Annie, we find the answer in her poetry.

He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

The Scripture has many an individual who has suffered in the faith and found God’s grace always sufficient.

1 Peter 1:6-8

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

Give it some thought.

Gary