“Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but of playing a poor hand well.” — Robert Louis Stevenson

I understand this statement. I truly loved poker when I was young. Even if I was losing, I was enjoying the game.

What kind of hand did David, Joseph, Jonah or Gideon have? Maybe you have a hand like that. Just put on a smile and play it as best you can.

Hebrews 11:36-38

Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. ³⁷ They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— ³⁸ of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

It’s not how the world sees winners and losers, but how God sees them.

Give it some thought.

Gary

I just read where 41% of the world’s workforce was stressed. My problem lies in the thought that the words stress and work could be used interchangeably. I’ve always found work stressful. Maybe I’ll have to bring that up to my therapist. Can one find relief?

What does the Bible say about the matter? Glad you asked.

Psalm 118:5-6 

Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?

Matthew 11:28-30 

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Stress is a mechanism God uses to draw you close to Him. Stress has been common since Adam walked the planet. Give it some thought. No charge for this one or any other, for that matter.

Gary

I’m sure thankful my parents and teachers didn’t have access to Ritalin back in the 50’s. I’m certain I’d have been kept back in the fourth grade and definitely in the seventh. Fortunately for me, I graduated from high school as class president with the class I started kindergarten with. I didn’t need to be slowed down; I just needed management. Thankfully, there were those capable of the task at hand.

Oh, I still have ADHD, but my wife, family, church, and friends have kept me in therapy successfully. Did I mention they were all brought into my special program by God?

Philippians 4:19 

And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 40:17

As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!

 Give it some thought.

Gary

“This Is for All the Lonely People” is a song from 1974 sung by the band America. It had a tremendous market because loneliness is a part of the fabric of most individuals. The older people get the more reflective they become of past mistakes and failures which leave them empty.

This is for all the lonely people
Thinkin’ that life has passed them by

Let me suggest some proven therapy.

1 Peter 5:7 

Casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.

Psalm 23:4 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Don’t let life pass you by. Let Him live His life through you.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Jim Croce sang the song “Operator” in 1972 and it topped the charts. It was about a friend who took away the love of his life. Some time had passed and he wanted to call, using an old telephone number written on a matchbook. Although he was still not over the betrayal, he was trying to make contact and wish them well.

It’s about a struggle very common to man. Trying to stop the demons of the past from dragging you down when they just don’t want to let go. Working to make amends when emotions are still raw doesn’t seem possible.

It’s not like that with God, and what we’ve done to Him.

Hebrews 10:15-17

And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying,

 “This is the covenant that I will make with them
after those days, declares the Lord:
I will put My laws on their hearts,
and write them on their minds,”

 then He adds,

“I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”

He can do what is impossible for us. Give it some thought.

Gary

I Met the Master Face to Face

by Lorrie Cline

I had walked life’s way with an easy tread,

Had followed where comforts and pleasures led,

Until one day in a quiet place,

I met the Master face to face.

With station and rank and wealth for my goal,

Much thought for my body but none for my soul,

I had entered to win in life’s mad race,

When I met the Master face to face.

I had built my castles and built them high,

With their domes had pierced the blue of the sky,

I had sworn to rule with an iron mace,

When I met the Master face to face.

I met Him and knew Him and blushed to see,

That His eyes full of sorrow were fixed on me;

And I faltered and fell at His feet that day,

While my castles melted and vanished away.

Melted and vanished, and in their place,

Naught else did I see but the Master’s face.

And I cried aloud, “Oh, make me meek,

To follow the steps of Thy wounded feet.”

My thought is now for the souls of men,

I have lost my life to find it again,

E’er since one day in a quiet place,

I met the Master face to face.

James 4:14

whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.

Give it some thought.

Gary

She leaves me with the feeling that when we bury the hatchet, she’ll mark the exact spot.

–       Author unknown for multiple reasons

The problem lies in forgetting the slights of life. These come from every angle, circumstance and individuals. Does the Bible address it? Glad you asked.

Matthew 7:1-29 

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. …

Have the Healer bury that hatchet for you, so you won’t be digging it up again.  He desires that you know Him in that capacity.  His name is God.

Give it some thought.

Gary