Jamey Johnson sings the following words which appear later in bold font.  I desire that my loved ones embrace what he expressed when I graduate to heaven. By personal choice, I don’t want anyone staring down at the shell I leave behind. It’s bad enough, they have to look at it now.  Like I said, that is my personal choice and you, certainly, are entitled to yours.

All my burdens are behind me
I have prayed, my final prayer
Don’t you cry, over my body
‘Cause that ain’t me, lyin’ there, naw

I appreciate His promise of a new covering and a permanent home.

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.

John 11:25-26 

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Just saying, how do you look at death? Are you giving it some consideration?

Gary

One of my favorite Bible teachers, Dr. McGee stated that Christian radio stations play music instead of getting out the Word of God because that’s what the market demands. The study of Scripture is not in vogue, resulting in shallow Christians.  Work and study are what’s needed for those who come to Christ, not a regimen of entertainment.

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.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Crack the Good Book open and put some sweat behind it. Discover what the will of God is for your life.

Give it some thought.

Gary

My kindergarten teacher said, “If you don’t eat those mashed potatoes, you can’t go out for recess.” When her back was turned, I slid all that mush into my pockets. She didn’t know whom she was taking on, and I was just starting my course of stupid decisions. On the playground, with a smile on my face expressing victory, my hand was squishing those potatoes from my pockets.

She was my grandmother, and I never did tell her what I had done. Poor teacher was probably suffering from PTSD by that time.

Some areas of defiance are just not worth the price. Does the Bible address decisions? Glad you asked.

2 Peter 3:17 

You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.

Heb. 3:12

Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.

Today, I like mashed potatoes and would never put them in my pocket. Do you?

Give it some thought.

Gary

From an old country and western song, “You can put me in the cold water, but you can’t keep me down.” The meaning is I can be shoved around, but when I’ve reached my limit, shovers beware. There is a time and place where one needs to fight back. Christians are encouraged to fight, but they should be those who fight at the right time for the right things.

1 Timothy 6:12 

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

2 Timothy 4:7 

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Ephesians 6:13

Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Give it some thought.

Gary

I was probably in my thirties when I ran into a friend on the fairgrounds. He said, “Hey, let’s go for a ride on that scary thing called the Zipper.” I wanted to win my friend to the Lord, so I couldn’t say no. Now I fear those rides, and motion sickness is something that has tormented me all of my life.  That journey so petrified me that my knuckles turned white from gripping the safety bar.  The only good thing about it was that I was so scared that I didn’t get sick.

1 Corinthians 9:22 (The apostle Paul had this to say.)

To the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

James 5:20 

Let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Give it some thought, and if you desire to win others, it might require you leave your comfort zone.

Gary

Most organizations have a goal and it is usually to get the money out of your pocket into theirs. Unfortunately, this includes so-called Christian organizations. One televangelist has a goal of being the first billionaire pastor. When Christ returns, He will, undoubtedly, upset the tables of some money-changers.

1 Timothy 6:10 

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

Hebrews 13:5 

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Don’t give these people your money and don’t send it to me because you’ll be responsible for making me like them.

Give it some thought.

Gary

It’s a stanza in a song by Tom Waits which was released in 1999. It’s not a Christian song, but it is one that describes a life without hope.

So if you find someone
Someone to have, someone to hold, don’t trade it for silver
Oh, don’t trade it for gold
‘Cause I have all of life’s treasures and they’re fine and they’re good
They remind me that houses are just made of wood
What makes a house grand, oh, it ain’t the roof or the doors
If there’s love in a house, it’s a palace for sure
But without love it ain’t nothin’ but a house
A house where nobody lives

If one desires a life and a place to feel at home, it must start with Christ. This world can be a lonely place and a change of location will not produce different results.

John 10:10 

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Proverbs 21:21 

Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.

Give it some thought and let Him build you a place of refuge.

Gary