The female steamer duck can fly, but only about 1/4 of the males are able to, and only before they eat! The rest are too heavy to get airborne. They use their wings as paddles and beat furiously across the surface of the water, never quite able to break into flight.

–       Source Unknown

Weight seems to also be a problem with most believers. They just seem to not be able to get off the ground because of their diet. Does the Bible address this phenomenon? Glad you asked.

Hebrews 12:1

Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Get rid of the weight. Run and then fly. Give it some consideration.

Gary

He who never makes a mistake never makes anything.

–       A. Lincoln

Come on, get out of bed and face the world. You’ll probably make some mistakes because you, like the rest of the civilized world, are not exempt. The Scriptures are loaded with the many failures of those called to serve, who continued despite a flawed testimony. If you get tripped up, regain your stride and keep running. We need you to stay in the race.

Hebrews 12:1

Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

We probably all have a problem with individuals who believe they’ve lived a life of perfection. The truth lies in the following verse.

 1 John 1:8

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Give it some thought; put some power behind your stride.

Gary

“Look What They’ve Done to My Song, Ma” (often called “What Have They Done to My Song, Ma”) is a 1970 folk song by singer-songwriter Melanie (Safka). It is a satirical, heartbroken lament about artistic control and being exploited by the greedy, commercial machinery of the music industry.

The word here is exploitation. Culture, politics, religion, advertising, government and fraternal organizations all take a stab at it. Have you ever been exploited? Do you know how to be protected? Here’s the answer:

Psalm 56:3-4 

When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. In God, Whose Word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?

Psalm 37:5 

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act.

Isaiah 26:3-4 

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

Give it some consideration because we live in a dangerous world.

Gary

The story about Benjamin Franklin wanting the national bird to be a turkey is just a myth. This false story began due to a letter Franklin wrote to his daughter in which he criticized the original eagle design for the Great Seal, saying that it looked more like a turkey than an eagle.

Speaking of mythology Christendom is full of it.  If an individual is going to separate truth from error, he or she needs to have a working knowledge of the Word of God.

John 8:32 

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

John 4:24 

God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.

Don’t be a turkey, be an eagle and sore above the myths of Christendom. Give it some consideration.

Gary

I came back from the dentist’s office and Paula asked, “How did it go?”

As I looked at the meal set before me, I was going to tell her that he said, “You have a broccoli allergy, and you’ll have to stay away from that vegetable.”

Then the realization of the ninth commandment came to mind, and my future without broccoli became less secure. The Word of God can interfere with our plans on many levels.  Does the Bible address this phenomenon? Glad you asked.

Psalm 101:7 

No one who practices deceit shall dwell in My house; no one who utters lies shall continue before My eyes.

Colossians 3:9-10 

Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

The cost of truth can even mean you’ll be eating more broccoli. Give it some thought and swallow it.

Gary

Let me lament to you that sitting on the bench during a basketball game is not a pleasant experience. You wear the numbered uniform. Western Flyers grip your feet. The crowd is engaged. Nghtly practice is behind you, yet you wait with a wistful heart. Charley Brown is what comes to mind.

Who doesn’t want to be in the game? Listen to winners:

1 Timothy 6:12

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Hebrews 12:1

Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

If you have been faithfully practicing and are equipped, then it’s time to get in the game. You even have an audience. Give it some thought.

Gary

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science that develops systems capable of performing tasks requiring human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, and decision-making. These systems analyze data to achieve specific goals, often automating tasks and improving performance over time without explicit programming for every action.

That is really something. Do you know that God gave man enough intelligence to develop a thing like that?  However, man will eventually use it for evil because evil and rebellion are in man. Thankfully, God comforts us with His wisdom.

Romans 11:33-35

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

 “For who has known the mind of the Lord?  Or who has become His counselor?”
 “Or who has first given to Him and it shall be repaid to him?”

Don’t use AI for your search engine; use the Word of God. Give it some thought.

Gary