“City of New Orleans” is a nostalgic folk elegy. It is about the last trip of a passenger train. The song is about what was and will be missed. Many of us relate to that feeling of being on the last leg of a journey that will never be repeated.

We can’t hang on to the things of this world, because they are only transitory.  There must be more to look forward to than the vaporing memories of the past. Only God offers this means of changing your mood when you’re faced with that reality.

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.

Romans 15:13 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Everything of the past pales in the light of the future for the believer. Give it some consideration.

Gary

The only mystery in life is why the kamikaze pilots wore helmets.

–       Al McGuire

Reminds me of the false teachers dressed in their religious garb which will do them no good in eternity,

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 Peter 2:1 

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

Begs one to consider, how am I dressed and where am I going? Give it some thought before you fly off on a mission.

Gary

The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

–       Steven Wright

Now this might set off the circuit breaker in your brain, but think about it. We can learn a great deal which can be very profitable from the missteps of others. Case in point: Eve listened to Satan; don’t do that. Noah got drunk; don’t do that. David committed adultery and murder; don’t do that. The list goes on.

James 4:17 

So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

3 John 1:11 

Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.

Now enjoy the cheese provided by others with less knowledge. Give it some thought.

Gary

Gadarene Swine Law: Merely because the group is in formation does not mean the group is on the right course. If you could examine them closely, you would find they were really possessed.

That brings me to today’s crowd. Have you examined what drives them to believe and do what they do? Obviously, there is something wrong because what they are doing is not of the nature of their heritage. Something outside human consciousness is involved here. Does the Bible address these phenomena? Glad you asked.

Ephesians 6:12 

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Matthew 8:16 

That evening they brought to Him many who were oppressed by demons, and He cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.

The ballot box will not be effective in dealing with this curse, but God will in His time. Give it some thought and don’t be running with a herd of demon-possessed pigs.

Gary

About the only thing that comes to us without effort is old age. 

–       Gloria Pitzer

 Everything else requires work and this is the definition of work: the exertion of effort or the application of energy to produce a result, achieve a goal, or complete a task. Does the Bible address this expenditure of energy? Glad you asked.

Proverbs 16:3 

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

Philippians 2:12

Therefore, My beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in My presence only, but now much more in My absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;

Make sure you read that correctly. It says work out your salvation, not work for your salvation. Now give it some consideration and get to work.

Gary

The tombstone is leaning over precariously, and the engraving is almost indiscernible. It may be that there is no family left alive, they don’t really care about their ancestor, or they know the body is merely a person’s tent for a short period of time. Of course, there is no one home, but those remains are waiting for a promised future event. Daniel spoke on this subject some 2500 years ago.

Daniel 12:2

And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

What will be the hope of your physical body when the dead are reunited with their bodies and stand before the Creator? Give it some careful consideration.

Gary

I have some antique farm equipment on the front lawn, meaningful gifts from a beloved brother-in-law. Tacked up on the beams in the basement of my home are some old number plates that had belonged to me or my son. Some empty soda bottles from the 50’s sit quietly on the windowsill in my study. Different articles on the foundation shelf relating to moose display my fascination with these animals. My diplomas and awards hang on the wall and are meaningless to everyone but me. I’ve also stored some communications from many individuals in various places because they have meaning. My toolboxes contain a multitude of tools that will never be used by me or anyone else. A plastic model of the battleship Bismark that my grandson printed for me holds a special place and sits out in the open. Many coffee cups with numerous sayings that will never be filled with caffeinated liquid adorn a place or two. That’s enough. Someday, when I’m out of here, someone will have a load of stuff to take to the dump.

I’m reflecting on all of this and wondering what have I accumulated for eternity? Let’s consider the following verses:

Matthew 6:19-20

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Luke 12:20-21

But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?

So is he who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.

Just thinking. How about you?

Gary