Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were an American married couple convicted and executed in 1953 for passing nuclear and military secrets to the Soviet Union during the Cold War. They were the only American civilians executed for espionage-related charges during the Cold War.

It is a terrible thing to sell out your country. However, Scripture describes a time when many will sell out what we hold dear.

2 Timothy 3:1-5

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

I’m not sure if we are close to the end, but these people can be found not only in our world but also in our churches as well. Give it some thought.

Gary

Jesus is dying on the cross for the sins of the world. At the same time there is some unfinished business. His human relationships are dissolved, but life continues. His earthly mother must be cared for.

John 19:26-27

When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

Isn’t it something that our relationship with the God of the universe is the same as any other believer?

Matthew 12:46-50

While He was still speaking to the people, behold, His mother and His brothers stood outside, asking to speak to Him.  But He replied to the man who told Him, “Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?” And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”

You can be part of the family of God if you become His follower. Give it some thought.

Gary

“Which Way You Goin’ Billy?” is a classic 1969 hit song performed by the Canadian psychedelic pop group The Poppy Family. It hit the charts. The song is about heartache and abandonment. Tragically, many in our world experience this.

Don’t get hooked up to Billys, because it makes a sad song and never ends well.

Does the Bible address it? Glad you asked.

1 Corinthians 15:33 

Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”

Proverbs 13:20

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”

2 Corinthians 6:14 

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?

Careful out there, because Billys will capture your heart and then break it. Consider it.

Gary

The Little Boy and the Old Man

Said the little boy, “Sometimes I drop my spoon.”
Said the old man, “I do that too.”
The little boy whispered, “I wet my pants.”
I do that too,” laughed the little old man.
Said the little boy, “I often cry.”
The old man nodded, “So do I.”
But worst of all,” said the boy, “it seems
Grown-ups don’t pay attention to me.”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
I know what you mean,” said the little old man.”
― Shel Silverstein

The way we respond to the elderly says something about our relationship with God. As followers of our Lord, we should never be guilty of the kind of negligence the story speaks of.

Leviticus 19:32 

‘You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the Lord.”

Job 12:12 

Wisdom is with aged men,
And with length of days, understanding.

1 Timothy 5:1-2 

Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.

I recall when youths started treating me differently – like calling me honey  at the checkout counter. Give it some thought.

Gary

The song writer wrote, “Promise me, Son, not to do the things I’ve done; stay away from trouble if you can.” Good advice from an earthly father, but much better advice comes from a Heavenly Father.

Proverbs 6:16-19

There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

Stay away from what God hates. Give it some thought.

Gary

A man named Mason first developed these jars but sold off his rights and died a poor man.  Then the five Ball brothers perfected the process.  After receiving a $200 loan from their uncle George, their business exploded.

• “50 Ways to Use a Mason Jar”
• “100 Clever Ways to Repurpose Mason Jars”
• “Over 60 Mason Jar Wedding Ideas”
• “DIY Mason Jar Room Décor”
• And on Pinterest, “One Million Ideas for Mason Jars”

Sad story about Mason but a lesson for all of us. We are links in a chain, but what about the link before us and the link after us? Does the Bible address this phenomenon? Glad you asked.

Psalm 145:4

One generation shall commend Your works to another and shall declare Your mighty acts.

Psalm 78:6

That the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children,

Where did you come from? What are you doing here? What will you leave for the next generation? Consider these things.

Gary

“A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams.”
― John Barrymore

Barrymore reached the age when he realized the mistakes of the past were a drag on hopes for the future. We can’t go back there, but proper planning and good relationships can make life worth living, especially when it includes a relationship with God.

The old age he spoke of is a curse for some in their final inning. Don’t be one of them. Youth will never escape you as long as you see a future.

Isaiah 40:31

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Jeremiah 29:11

I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Give it some consideration.

Gary