As a paramedic, one of my least-liked duties was taking people out of their homes for the last time. This particular elderly gentleman had put a lot of work into his house and property. He had even planted trees in a circle so he could hide in their midst and watch the wildlife in his field. The pain on his face, knowing he would never return, was palpable.

Everything in this life comes to an end. We need to learn not to hang onto it too tightly and start considering the eternal home that awaits us. If you haven’t made a reservation for that place with your name in His Book of Life, I hurt for you.

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.

Psalm 90:12 

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Give it some thought before the ambulance pulls up to your door for the last time.

Gary

At 5:45 in the morning, I’m out walking the dog. I know, but that’s what you do when you’re old. As the sun is trying to rise,  I look up and gaze upon what is known as the Morning Star. It’s Venus and its light left that planet almost four minutes ago. Again, I marvel at how God speaks through creation.

Romans 1:20 

For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Jeremiah 32:17 

‘Ah, Lord God! It is You who have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for You.

My God is an awesome God. Give it some thought.

Gary

When I was growing up, the big thunderstorms would be coming from the west. If a person was looking up the river, the black clouds could be seen from a distance, and one knew to find shelter because a downpour was coming.

From my examination of Holy Writ concerning the last worldwide flood, I would say there is a real possibility another worldwide judgment is about to hit. Not water this time, but multiple disasters from diverse angles. It’s called the Great Tribulation period.

How should one be ready? Glad you asked.

Matthew 24:44 

Therefore, you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

John 5:24 

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

Give it some thought.

Gary

My wife and I were watching geese practicing for their long flight south. Their loud, insistent noises had drawn our attention.  Did you know that geese honk to coordinate position shifts while flying in that V formation, which makes the flock more aerodynamic? Geese also honk to encourage one another to stay in position.

Christians are to be like geese. We need to encourage one another to stay in position, and at the same time, help lighten the load.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 4:18 

Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Give it some thought, and don’t be afraid to honk encouragement at those in the same flight pattern.

Gary

My dad’s in his hospital bed with half his brain inflamed with cancer. I’m on one side of that bed and a member of the clergy is on the other side. He said, “Mr. Gardner, you are going to walk again.”

I blurted, “No, he isn’t. My dad is going to die.” That didn’t go over so well. Lies told to my father by me in times past were many, but this was a time for truth, and it was the truth he was going to hear. I was too concerned about the consequences of his believing a lie at that time.

Truth is important. Does the Bible address it? Glad you asked.

John 8:32 

And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Psalm 86:11 

Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name.

Give it some thought and stand for the truth.

Gary

No longer able to speak for himself, my dad looked at me with an expression that I interpreted as, “Do something for me, Son.  I don’t want this done to me any longer.”

I then told the nurse, “Don’t put that tube in my dad’s nose. This is over.” It’s the last constructive thing I could do for my father. I did many destructive things in my youth, things I certainly regret today. However, honoring him in his last days is not one of them.

Does the Bible address it? Glad you asked.

Exodus 20:12 

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

1 Timothy 5:8 

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Give it some thought.

Gary

That Neil Diamond song, “Forever in Blue Jeans,” came out in the 1970’s and was a hit. However, like so many, I also understood it to be saying, “the Reverend Blue Jeans.”

But it don’t sing and dance and it don’t walk
And long as I can have you here with me
I’d much rather be forever in blue jeans

I’d like to springboard off of that to focus on the those who see themselves as a “reverend.” This character is an oddity that has appeared in the contemporary church. His or her concern is not about doctrine but about making everyone feel comfortable and complacent. Sin, sanctification and judgment are left out of his or her sermons because the market won’t bear it. Music, testimonials and mythology have replaced prayer, Bible study and edification.  Like Ed Sullivan, these “revered ones” want to create a “really big show” to bring the crowd back for another week, a crowd that desires entertainment and not commitment.

Does the Bible address it? Glad you asked.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

Give it some thought.

Gary