“Planes, Trains and Automobiles” is a 1987 American comedy film written, produced, and directed by John Hughes. I really enjoyed this movie because it reminded me of some of the guys I grew up with. We went through a lot of crazy times and difficult situations, but humor and close relationships helped us make it through it all.  By some miracle, we all made it to adulthood.

My life now still has crazy times and difficult situations. However, now that I’ve invited God into my life, there is the constant assurance of His presence in what a new day might bring forth.

Moses was shouldered with a monumental task but was given this promise from the Creator:

Exodus 33:14 

And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Believers, always rest in the fact that He who knows the future will faithfully guide you to the Promised Land.

Think about it.

Gary

A popular story says that Newton came up with the theory of gravity instantly when an apple fell from a tree and hit him on the head. Maybe that story was stretched a little from the actual event. Newton lived during the 1600’s but gravity had been around since creation.

What kind of a head injury would it take for you to get thinking about eternal things? A Vietnam vet told me the account of a buddy of his who claimed to be an atheist. This soldier related to me that in their first firefight he looked over and this individual was praying.  That’s the hit he needed to connect with God.

The apostle had to be knocked off his horse and the Ethiopian eunuch needed a man to show up out of nowhere.  Nebuchadnezzar needed a nightmare and the Philippian jailer needed a jailbreak.

God uses many a varied method to reach lost children.

Luke 19:10

for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

When did you take a hit?

Think about it.

Gary

The average lifespan in the United States is 78.54 years or about 28,835 days. Just give this some thought, how many of the days of your life can you remember? Now, what days are you looking forward to?

The following is taken from a hymn about a certain day for every Christian.

There is coming a day
When no heartaches shall come
No more clouds in the sky
No more tears to dim the eye
All is peace forever more
On that happy golden shore
What a day, glorious day that will be

We can know the certainty of that event because John, inspired by the Spirit of God, left us the following truth:

1 John 5:13

These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

Forget birthdays. This is the day I’m longing for.

Think about it.

Gary

My three brothers and one sister volunteered to serve our country in the armed forces during the 60’s.  One of my brothers was a combat marine and was seriously wounded in Viet Nam. As he was recuperating, he counselled me that I would be stupid if I joined up because as he said, “They tried to kill me over there.” Although he was a realist, he signed up for another tour in that war-torn region, after recovering in a naval hospital.

Service is something to be admired, and I am very proud of the members of my family that made such a contribution.

The same holds true to serving our Savior. The Apostle Paul made the following statement about his service:

2 Timothy 1:3

I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day,

God doesn’t draft anyone but is open to every volunteer.

Some believers even get wounded and get back into the fight.

Think about it.

Gary

“Metaphysics is a dark ocean without shores or lighthouse, strewn with many a philosophic wreck.” – Immanuel Kant

Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that deals with the first principles of things, including abstract concepts such as being, knowing, substance, cause, identity, time, and space.

I am so thankful that, as Christians, we don’t have to be lost on that sea of philosophy. However, in examining many of those ship wrecks, the light of Scripture reveals the following:

Romans 1:22

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

God owns the world and everything in it.

Psalm 24:1

The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

Think about it.

Gary

It was Christmas of ’64 and my two brothers were home on leave from the army.  They showed up in their uniforms and I was really taken by those leather gloves with the wool inserts.  I had really missed them, and not just for what I could get out of them, although that’s how young ones generally operate.

Family was special in those days and Christmas meant family would be getting together. Hebrews relates to those special times when the family of God meets to worship Him.

Hebrews 10:25

not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

This Christmas, with the uninvited guest of Covid-19, gathering might not be prudent or possible. However, we have the telephone, facetime, and Duo to make it seem like we’re there in person.

Thank you for taking the time to read these short thoughts and have a merry Christmas in spite of the cruelty of the virus. Be thankful for family and friends.

Think about it.

Gary

It was really just a dumb thing to do. The ranger told us a storm was coming and crossing the Knife Edge on Katahdin Mountain was not a good idea. The ranger was right. Ten minutes into it, the thunderstorm struck in all its fury. I told the people with me we needed to stay at least 200 feet apart and keep moving. Visibility was twenty feet. To shorten up the narrative, we made it.

Scripture instructs that the ever pressing need is for us to keep moving forward in spite of life’s pressures. God has chosen us for a difficult journey.

Galatians 6:9 

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

It might get noisy, you might get wet, and you only have vision for today, but it is only one step at a time. Soon, you will see the end and what a blessed sight that will be.

Think about it.

Gary