“Down in the Boondocks“ is a song written by Joe South. It was first recorded by American artist Billy Joe Royal as his debut single, and it became a hit in 1965. It was about a boy from the wrong side of town in love with a girl from the right side of town whose father was his boss. What a mess! He didn’t fit in.

Speaking of messes, we were born in one. The Bible declares us to be sinners and enemies of God.  As such, we are spiritually dead and lost. What a mess!

It’s not over, however.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

The boy from the wrong side of town was trying to find a way out, and as believers, we have accepted what He provided as our way out of the mess.

Give it some thought.

Gary

I read the obituary because my presence in it is not far down the road. However, here is one that I see often and find very hurtful. “They left us unexpectedly in search of peace.”

Now the Bible teaches that peace is to be found in this lifetime and continues for eternity. The Bible describes it as the peace of God.

Colossians 3:15 

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Isaiah 26:3 

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.

If it is not experienced now, it won’t be experienced later.

Give it some careful consideration.

Gary

“The Blackboard of My Heart” by Hank Thompson was written and sung in 1956. The first stanza goes like this:

When I was young and went to school
They taught me how to write
To take the chalk and make a mark
And hope it turns out right

Well, the song goes downhill from there because the love experienced in life didn’t turn out right. How many broken hearts have littered the road of life in the last 6,000 years? I’ve observed that the fire of today can be the ashes of tomorrow.

I like the way I turned that phrase. Just saying.

Back to reality. Do you want something to turn out right? Then turn to God. He doesn’t make up sad songs.

1 John 2:29 

If you know that He is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of Him.

Psalm 106:3 

Blessed are they who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times!

Give it some thought.

Gary

My son was the chief nurse officer at Wyoming Medical Center when they brought in a police officer shot in the line of duty. In spite of the hustle and bustle of being a hospital administrator, David took it upon himself to spend some quality time with the wounded policeman.

Time traveled on and my grandson was speeding through Casper when he was pulled over by the same city cop. The officer looked at his license and noted, “Gardner. Is your dad David?”

The embarrassed offender replied that he was.

The officer said, “Give me your phone.”

He then called David and started the conversation with, “This is officer so and so. I have your son pulled over here for excessive speed. Do you want me to handle it or will you handle it?”

With appreciation, David responded, “I’ll handle it.”

This is the meaning of Ecclesiastes 11:1

Ecclesiastes 11:1

Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days.

Be good when you have the opportunity, for someday the favor will be returned.

 Give it some thought.

Gary

I sat at the table of a friend who was facing his last days. He slid a one hundred dollar bill my way and said, “Gary, you preach my funeral service.”

My reply was, “No, there will be no money involved.”

His dogmatic statement was, “You will take that and you will officiate my funeral.” He left no room for compromise, and had I refused, he would have been insulted. Everything was carried out according to his plan.

How many make plans that include dying and the results of that sure event? Have you?

Romans 14:8 

For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.

Ecclesiastes 12:7 

And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

Give it some thought, and if I’m involved, there is no charge.

Gary

I don’t charge to do weddings. However, there was a construction contractor who wanted me to officiate at his son’s wedding. He wouldn’t accept the fact that I didn’t have a bill for that service.

Finally, I responded, ”Okay, how about a load of gravel?”

On the day of the outside ceremony, rain was in the forecast.  The contractor asked me, “Can you do anything about the rain?”

I kiddingly responded, “Sure, but that would be another load of gravel.”

Never miss an opportunity.

Galatians 6:10

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

2 Corinthians 5:12

For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart. 

Give it some thought.

Gary

“Days of Elijah” is a song written by Robin Mark back in 1994. This is his statement about the song.

The song is generally and principally a song of ‘hope’. The themes it explores are to do with the fact that, although raised a Methodist, I attended a lot of Brethren or Gospel Hall meetings as a small boy and somehow the theology of Old Testament stories and characters being, either as themselves or by their actions, ‘types’ or ‘examples’ of Christ and the Church got stuck in my head.

This makes me realize that spiritual truth, properly taught, can leave a lasting impact on the youth.

The song declares the truth: There’s no god like Jehovah.

Psalm 83:18 

That they may know that You alone, whose name is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth.

Isaiah 12:2 

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”

Give it some consideration.

Gary