Here are some events that shaped my life: being born in a great town with good parents; having three brothers, four sisters, lots of friends, enemies, pets and bikes; never having to take the bus to school; having a broken jaw and leaving some teeth at the end of the Allagash bridge; enjoying the companionship of girls and the one I’ve been with for over 53 years; earning a paramedic license and a master’s degree in Christian studies; and pastoring the  Mountain View Bible Church. The greatest event, however,  was what the Bible calls the new birth I had in1974. That spiritual birth put me on an unbelievable trajectory, and it was sponsored by Christ.

John 3:3 

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

1 Peter 1:23 

Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;

It’s the new life that counts for all eternity. Give it some thought.

Gary

When I was in high school, we had this English teacher that was one fry short of a happy meal. Towards the end of the year, we walked into class and he had written a number of occupations and titles on the blackboard. He asked which one of those would describe his profession before he became our English teacher. No one got the right answer, so he went to the board and circled “Minister.” Now, I didn’t really know what a minister was but was convinced one should have a high moral standard to be in that position. A few weeks later, he was gone, never to be heard from again.

You see qualifications for leaders are found in the books of Timothy and Titus. However, most churches don’t hold elders to that standard. That is the reason this individual could call himself a minister. The Scriptures are clear on the subject.

Titus 1:5-9

⁵ For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you— ⁶ if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. ⁷ For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, ⁸ but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, ⁹ holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

Do the church leaders you know measure up? Give it some thought.

Gary

I clearly remember an incident where our dog threw up on the living room floor. My wife was gagging when she called out for me to get something to clean it up. I responded, “Why? She’ll come around later and lick it clean.” That answer was truthful, but certainly not appreciated. However, it always amazed me from my youth as to how a canine can regurgitate and return some time later and lap it all back up. Does that make you nauseous? Well, here is something that will.

2 Peter 2:22

What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”

Don’t be barking up the wrong tree, for it does more than make you sick. Instead, stand in awe of the tree from which the cross erected at Calvary was made, that one our Savior died on, for it can make us whole, free us from the disease called sin.  After that look, don’t return to false doctrines.  Give it some thought.

Gary

I talked to a “cochon” the other day and this is what he said about his world view. “I’m in this pigpen and I’m going to eat all the slop that is poured my way. I don’t care if others have eaten some of it first or if they stand in it with their filthy feet. This pen and its limitations are all that I have.  My only pleasures are found in what’s left over and discarded as unfit for human consumption and mating. Being a hog is my lot in life.”

2 Peter 2:22

What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”

Don’t make a pig of yourself. Trust Christ and inherit a new nature. Give it some thought.

Gary

One of my son’s Naval assignments brought him to Pensacola, Florida. During a visit with him, we watched the Blue Angels fly out of their home base in Forrest Sherman Field. Can you imagine what it takes to become part of that wing? They have to possess physical stamina, endure training, receive necessary education and have the willingness to give up so many of life’s pleasures. Those pilots sit up there in that cockpit because they deserve it.

We will never reach heaven because we deserve it. Continuing with that thought, becoming angels is also an impossibility. However, heaven is in reach, not because of our accomplishments but because of His.

Hebrews 9:28 

So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for Him.

We will see heights and be involved in feats impossible for those without Christ. If you want to be part of that wing, take Christ as your Savior. Give it some careful consideration.

Gary

He was being transported to a higher level of care, and I was loading him into the ambulance. Standing there with a solemn look on her face, a young woman watched over him.  I was about to ask, “Would you like to say goodbye to your dad?” Just then, she bent over and an affectionate lip lock between the two of them revealed their true relationship. That was his wife and I just missed a bullet by a fraction of a second. Things are not always as they appear.

John the Baptist was the last of the prophets and his dress and diet revealed that God isn’t concerned about the special dignity some seek with their finery.

Mark 1:6

Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.

Don’t go by the outward appearance. Give it some thought.

Gary

If you’re going to sail your “ship of life,” there are certain things you need to know in order to stay afloat.

Prepare: Check the weather, make sure your boat is in good condition, and have all safety equipment working.

John 16:33

I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Stay safe: Wear a life jacket, keep a first-aid kit on board, and use sunscreen.

John 14:6 

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Stay hydrated: Drink warm liquids to stay hydrated, even if you’re not a coffee drinker.

John 4:14 

But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Maintain your boat: Regularly check your boat’s rigging and lines, and keep your engine well-maintained.

2 Timothy 2:15 

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

 Give it some thought and we’ll see you at the end of the run.

Gary