I’m behind the wheel 1978 GMC General loaded and crawling down a steep one-mile grade. I know the brakes are heating up, but the deep throbbing of the Jacob brake is music to my ears. That engine brake plays a huge part in a successful descent, thus avoiding catastrophe. Having reached the bottom of the mountain, I stop to allow the brakes to cool down. The smell of those hot pads greets my nostrils, and though it may seem crazy to some, I imagine that we both have an attitude of thankfulness.

I have people in my life like that brake. They provide the extra protection I need to successfully complete the journey. I’m thankful for them.

Hebrews 6:10 

For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for His name in serving the saints, as you still do.

2 Timothy 2:2 

And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

The faithful hold you back when situations can get out of hand. Give it some thought and keep on trucking.

Gary

I was three years old when that photographer came around taking pictures. It was 1955 and I was the youngest of eight. My oldest sister had me on her lap with my hair all combed, which just wasn’t natural. The photographer put up a white sheet for a background and told us to smile and most did. Of all the pictures I possess, that is one of my favorites, just a snapshot in time.

Over the past four years, I have been giving you pictures contained in my memory bank. They are just snapshots in time and time is running out. We can’t go back there, so we should consider some of the snapshots we’ve been given of the future.

James 4:14 

Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

Isaiah 43:18-19 

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

Give it some thought.

Gary

“Let the cowboys ride“ means, these people are good at what they do and can’t wait to do it. God has given each one of us gifts and abilities, and no satisfaction will be found in life unless that becomes our pursuit.

1 Peter 4:10 

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:

James 1:17 

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Romans 11:29 

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

So, get on that pony and ride. Give it some thought.

Gary

John 13:34 

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

How are you doing with that commandment? I know, I’m having the same problem. Do I love my enemies? I’d have to answer, no. Jesus said we should love our enemies, and He’s right, but how do I do that?

I’m going to heaven, not because I’m keeping these commandments, but because He did. He has taken these sins of mine and given me His righteousness.

2 Corinthians 5:21

For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

Thank God that He did what was impossible for us to accomplish. Give it some thought.

Gary

I’m looking at my great-grandson. Tears form because he’ll never ride behind me on my motorcycle, we’ll never dive into the St. John River together, or gaze at the Allagash Falls while sitting on a ledge. In addition, he’ll not listen to me tell stories like an Irishman. He won’t be asking me questions about where Gardners came from or how I came to date his great-grandmother. He won’t be helping his great-grandmother cook bread. He won’t be borrowing my Tacoma for the summer to do his internship. He’ll know nothing about my life before Christ, nor will I be waiting for his calls to know how he’s doing.

Time to consider signing off and letting time have its way with another generation. I’m glad another life is coming because this one hurts at times.

Psalm 102:18 

Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord:

Psalm 71:18 

So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim Your might to another generation, Your power to all those to come.

Give it some careful consideration.

Gary

What was the most requested song by soldiers in Vietnam in 1965?

 “We Gotta Get Outta This Place” – The Animals (1965) – while not explicitly about Vietnam, the song’s themes became a popular anthem with the troops.

This world of uncertainty, sorrow, and death causes one to look for a better day when sanity will reign.  Many of the old hymns speak of that reality.

I’m gonna move from this world of fear,
Kinda gettin’ tired of living here
I want to go home where the winds of sorrow never blow.
Far from the shadow of the tomb, Far from the sadness and the gloom
I wanna go home when death demands my shattered soul.

Revelation 21:4 

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

What a day that will be when the fighting will be over and that prepared-place will be experienced.

Give it some thought.

Gary