“The Cremation of Sam McGee” is a poem that, like so many, I really enjoy. Sam left Tennessee to get rich in the Yukon. However, the only thing he got for his efforts was cold, which he hated. He didn’t want to be buried in that cold climate so he asked his friend to cremate him.

Google that poem and read it for yourself.

The lessons from the poem are many. First, when you go out there, you might not find what you’re looking for. Secondly, you might find something you hadn’t counted on. Lastly, because of bad decisions you might not make it back home.

It is much better to put your future in the hands of a higher power than in your own imagination.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

No need to die like Sam McGee. This is not just for the Scots, but for all of us.

Give it some thought.

Gary

When I was nine years old, I would walk a mile to have a piece of my sister’s graham cracker pie. I believed at the time she was the only one in the world who could make a graham cracker pie, even my own mother couldn’t do that.

I realized years later that she knew my tastes and at times was doing that especially for me. What an asset to have someone love you like that, even though you were just a spoiled kid brother.

God loves us in spite of all our short comings and has prepared a special meal just for us.

Revelation 19:9

Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.”

I will not make it to your house for the Christmas meal, but I pray that I will see you at the supper that God is preparing for us.

Think about it.

Gary

There are so many books written about the end times.  If I wanted to make money off Christians and had the skills and lack of integrity, I’d write a book on end times.

The reality is that God has only given us one book and that is the Bible. Unfortunately, more people would rather read what someone has to say about the Bible than read the Book for themselves.

Solomon put it like this thousands of years ago:

Ecclesiastes 12:12

And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh.

A very wise man made the following statement:

We talk of the second coming, half the world has never heard of the first.

• Oswald J. Smith

Put away the commentaries and the conspiracy theorists’ epistles. Open up the only writings inspired by God.

Think about it.

Gary

“Change” is a word I don’t always appreciate. We only lived 600 feet from the school yard; therefore, I never had to take a bus to school. Every day, even on Sundays, the noise of children playing something on school grounds could be heard from our house. Now it is no longer a school and it is rare to see a child near it. There are no more ball games, monkey bars, swing sets, or words being said before a fight. (Yes, I grew up in an Irish community.) It’s all a part of history and will never be repeated on that spot.

My generation just moved on because that is the way of all the earth. Joshua made that statement,

Joshua 23:14

“Behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth”.

We are to appreciate what is behind us and allow it to propel us forward, not to be a drag.

Philippians 3:13-14

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Always be moving on to greater things.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Yes, gifts for Christmas can be disappointing. I got the red sled with the four wide runners, just like it looked in the Sears catalog. I pulled it across John’s field and up the mountain trail that Joe used to cut pulp. Placed myself in a sitting position and believed it would be the ride of my life. After pushing, jerking and pleading, this thing just wouldn’t slide.

The vision of a kid pulling a beautiful sled back home is a scene in my mind from sixty years ago. That sled never did speed down a hill with a happy kid on board. Since that time there have been a few gifts without any real practical purpose.

Thank God He has given us a gift that is valuable for the present and good for eternity.

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Claim the greatest Gift ever given.

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Do a study on New Testament Gifts.

Think about it.

Gary

“Make Your Bed “is a speech given by US Navy Admiral William H. McRaven. He addressed the graduating class of the University of Texas at Austin on their commencement day. Taking inspiration from the university’s slogan, “What starts here changes the world,” he shared the ten principles he learned during Navy Seal training that helped him overcome challenges, not only in his training and long Naval career, but also throughout his life. He explained how anyone can use these basic lessons to change himself and the world for the better.

I would strongly suggest you go to YouTube and listen to his short but powerful motivational speech.

God’s Word suggests to us, as believers, that we can overcome the obstacles of life. Life is made up of “all things “so I am giving you some biblical references to consider:

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Philippians 4:12

I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Whatever you are facing, it is just a thing from life’s “all things.”

Think about it,

Gary

In Old Testament times there was the constant irritation because of prophets for profit. The same thing can be said about New Testament times because of preachers for profit.

1 John 4:1

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Jesus spoke to the apostles about the future in relation to this matter:

Matthew 24:11

Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.

Paul gave Timothy a warning:

1Timothy 6:9-11

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.

If any prosperity preachers are reading this, better take a shot of Eno because it won’t go down well. You’ll need some sodium bicarbonate and citric acid.

Think about it.

Gary