Pup, here is a devotional I wrote that you could send out one day:

Third man syndrome is a reported condition where an unseen presence provides support and encouragement during life or death experiences. It is most commonly experienced by mountain climbers, but has also been reported by sailors, shipwreck survivors and polar explorers.

One such case was Sir Ernest Shackleton during his Antarctic expedition, in which he describes having this presence with his men while they remained trapped in the ice for two years.

Not sure about third man syndrome, but the Lord walks beside us through our hardships, too, and if we ask Him into our hearts, He never leaves our side.

Psalms 16:18

“I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me.”

Joshua 1:9

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” 

Give it some thought,

Joshua

Father to his college student son: “Wisdom has been chasing you, but you have always been faster.”

Does the Bible address this phenomenon? Glad you asked.

Proverbs 19:20 

Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.

Psalm 111:10 

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

God has given us a book full of wisdom that we can’t get from the world. Give it some time and consideration.

Gary

A poem supposedly on an old weather-beaten tombstone in England follows. I believe it has theological value.

Here lies John Racket

In his wooden jacket.

He kept neither horses nor mules,

He lived like a hog,

He died like a dog,

And left all his money to fools.

Does the Bible address this? Glad you asked.

Ecclesiastics 2:18-19

Then I hated all my labor in which I had toiled under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who will come after me. And who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will rule over all my labor in which I toiled and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity.

Solomon was right on that account because his successor played the fool. Give it some thought.

Gary

If you’re hunting for wisdom, you need to get up early and sometimes come in late. The right gear, including clothing, is a definite necessity. The areas in which others have found wisdom need to be explored. Then after bagging wisdom, bring it home, store it, and consume some every day. Make sure that after digesting some for yourself, you share with others. There is plenty of it out there for the dedicated hunter.

Ecclesiastes 7:25

I applied my heart to know,
To search and seek out wisdom and the reason of things,
To know the wickedness of folly,
Even of foolishness and madness.

The Scriptures are open year-round for the determined sportsman. Give it some consideration.

Gary

The fathers of the earth don’t last very long. If we’ve had the blessing of a good father, the start of our journey had some tremendous propulsion because of them. An Eternal Father, however, awaits our decision to enter into His family.

Matthew 6:8-9

“Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.

He knows us like no other. Our needs are met by just our asking. We can communicate with Him at any time. He is holy which means set apart. There is no other like Him, and He desires that we share eternity with Him.

Give it some thought.

Gary

“Dumb Ways to Die,” is an Australian public awareness campaign video and media franchise made by Metro Trains in Melbourne, Victoria, to promote railway safety.

My grandsons were nine and eleven and could sing the song together in its entirety. Look it up and read it or listen to it.

However, it doesn’t address the truly dumbest way to die and that is without Christ.

Ephesians 2:8-9 

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Luke 19:10 

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

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.

Don’t die dumb. Smarten up before it is too late. Give it some thought.

Gary

You are not an actor and this is not a play. This life needs to be lived, and He has granted us some control over it. Be the person God wants you to be and examine carefully what He puts in your path.

Matthew 6:2

“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. 

Luke 6:38 

Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

Don’t miss opportunities to be charitable, nor announce your acts of kindness so that others know. God knows and that is all that counts.

Give it some thought.

Gary