Deion “Prime Time” Sanders, outfielder for the Atlanta Braves and cornerback for the Atlanta Falcons, is the only athlete to have hit a Major League home run and scored an NFL touchdown in the same week. Sanders grew up on the mean streets of Fort Myers, Fla., where exposure to some would-be athletes spurred him to make a success of himself. He explains: “I call them Idas. ‘If I’da done this, I’d be making three million today…If I’da practiced a little harder, I’d be a superstar.’ They were as fast as me when they were kids, but instead of working for their dreams, they chose drugs and a life of street corners. When I was young, I had practice; my friends who didn’t went straight to the streets and never left. That moment after school is the moment we need to grab. We don’t need any more Idas.

It’s about planning and execution of all the potential in an individual. Deion grew up with Idas, but he didn’t become one. The vaccination for potential Idas is found in hard work.

1 Timothy 5:25

Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.

Don’t be looking in the rear-view mirror. Fix your eyes on what’s ahead and the opportunities for what can be done through hard work.

Think about it.

Gary

In 1928, Gerber held a contest to find a face to represent a baby-food- advertising campaign. Artist Dorothy Hope Smith entered her simple charcoal sketch of a tousle-haired, bright-eyed cherub of a baby with endearing pursed lips. She won.  Dorothy just turned ninety-five and is still going strong.

Most of us either ate some of that Gerber product from that well-known jar or forced it on our kids. That’s how we started out, but no one has a desire to go back to that.

The Bible discusses the change from the food of infants to the more mature food of adults.

1 Peter 2:2

as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,

However, the time comes when we have to exchange the baby food for the real thing.

Hebrews 5:12-13

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.

Get away from the mashed carrots and sink your molars into a steak.

Gary

If my heritage came through the Maliseet, Micmac, Penobscot, or Passamaquoddy, I think I’d have a difficult time with the historic reason for Thanksgiving. However, in 2021 it doesn’t matter our lineage, we can be thankful for the country we live in and all the opportunities it has given us. Many have sacrificed much to allow us the many blessings we have today.

For all the individuals tracing their ancestry back to Noah, let us give thanks to our Creator.

2 Corinthians 4:15

For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

As you stuff your face with turkey, don’t be one. Give thanks to God for all you have.

Gary

It is a common statement through the centuries from the older generation about the younger: “They don’t know the value of things.” However, in my very cursory research, the older generation doesn’t do much better.

God inspired the writers of Proverbs to enlighten His children as to what has the most value.

Proverbs 8:10
Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold;

Answer these four questions:

• How do you value things?
• What hour of TV is of more value than Bible Study?
• What recreation is of more value than prayer?
• When is the broad road more relevant than the narrow road?

Use us, Lord, and make us humble,
Rescue us from foolish pride;
And when we begin to stumble,
Turn our thoughts to Christ who died. 

When figuring out your assets, do you include all that God has given to you?

Give it some thought.

Gary

In a world where truth is elusive, the way uncertain and life challenging, God can be a guide.

John 14:6

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

I don’t know if you are like that sometime, but Thomas needed for it to snow again before he could get the drift. Jesus is patient and will always give a clearer explanation to those sincere seekers who are spiritually challenged.

Give it some thought.

Gary

A friend of mine was relating a story from his youth. When he was very young, his aunt and uncle would have him over to do some yardwork. If he stayed over for lunch, they would prepare a meal and have him join them. At this particular meal, she placed a platter on the table with a cow’s tongue on it. He waited for her attention to be drawn away from his person and made his move quickly to the door, flung it open and didn’t stop running till he was in sight of home, almost a mile away.  His mother told the aunt later never to serve cow tongue to her boy again.

The Bible does say to eat whatever is set before you, asking no questions. However, I’d have a hard time to concentrate on chewing when the tongue of some animal would be sliding over mine.

Here is what Ezekiel was told:

Ezekiel 3:1-3

 And he said to me, “Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the people of Israel.”  So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat.

Then he said to me, “Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.” So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.

The meaning was obvious.  God’s messenger must first internalize God’s truth for himself, and then preach it.

Don’t be sticking out your tongue on this one. Give it some thought.

Gary

Norman Rockwell’s paintings have been a blessing to many over the last eight decades or so. The thing that most people don’t realize is the fact that he had tremendous bouts of depression. He even moved to be near a psychiatric hospital.

D.L. Moody was one of the most profound evangelists and Bible teachers of all time. Moody said once, “I am the most overestimated man in America.” He even started a Bible institute that continues to the present. It has educated a multitude of missionaries and pastors throughout its history. Yet depression almost destroyed him.

There is one thing that these two men had in common.  In spite of depression which haunted them, they were willing to be a blessing to others.

The Apostle Paul spoke of Timothy’s tears:

 2 Timothy 1:4

greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears

Individuals who work to be a blessing to others in spite of the drag on their lives are to be admired.

Philippians 2:3-4 

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Think about it.

Gary