I got a call from a contractor who wanted me to drive a logging truck for a few days. I’m seventy-one years old and licensed, but I haven’t jammed those gears for thirty years. Some would say it’s like riding a bicycle, and you never forget. No, you might hurt yourself when you’re out bike riding, but a mistake in trucking can hurt others. Truckers are always dealing with the following: How wide do you make the turn? How many gears do you skip in that hill? What is the distance needed to stop 100,000 pounds and twenty-two wheels? And when are you too tired so that you need to call it good and shut her down? Those skills the years have stolen from me and I can never get them back.

Somebody needed me, but I had to face my limitations. That’s the stinker about age-related problems.

Psalm 90:10 

The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.

Psalm 90:12-13 

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Return, O Lord! How long? Have pity on your servants!

Give it some thought the next time you’re called to do something that time has taken away from you.

Gary

Back in 1934, when the Cunard line was getting ready to name its greatest ocean liner, the consensus was that it should be named after Queen Elizabeth I. A high official is reported to have had an audience with King George V. “We would like to name the ship after England’s greatest queen,” he told the king.

 “Well,” said King George, “I shall have to ask her.”  The ship was promptly named Queen Mary.

This is a legend. However, if true, it tells you something of Mary. Does the Bible mention this flaw in human nature? You guessed it.

Philippians 2:3-4

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

James 3:16

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

James 3:13

Who among you is wise and intelligent? Let him by his good conduct show his [good] deeds with the gentleness and humility of true wisdom.

Give it some thought the next time you are being bypassed.

Gary

This article was sent to me by a friend. I certainly couldn’t have said it better myself. 

The walk out.

Everyone in ministry knows the feeling.

Every Sunday.

The sound is off and the lights are down, and the flock has gone to get lunch with their family and friends.

Empty. Having poured out all physically, spiritually, emotionally.

Not sure if the sermon worked.

Questioning the worship.

Wondering about the distractions.

Remembering all that did not go right.

Praying someone got help, instruction, encouragement or edification.

Hoping the people who sat on these pews today received something to help them navigate life this week.

Praying God’s presence meets me in my place of preparation.

Until, the next time I pour out, before the crowd leaves and it’s time again to walk out.

1 Peter 5:2 

Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;

Acts 20:28 

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

Give it some thought.

Gary

My greatest thought is my accountability to God. 

–                                                                              –   Daniel Webster

Remini writes that, though Webster occasionally attended other churches, he remained closely affiliated with the Congregational church throughout his life. In an 1807 letter to a Congregational pastor, Webster wrote, “I believe in the utter inability of any human being to work out his own salvation, without the constant aids of the spirit of all grace…” His last words were, “I still live.”

I don’t know if his life reflected the new birth or not. However, I fully believe that with these comments he hit the ball out of the park.

Matthew 9:6-8

But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—He then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Give it some thought.

Gary

I deposited my payment for my electricity bill at the bank and the teller said, “Thanks, honey.”

My thought was, “Why did she call me honey?” I’m certainly old enough to be her grandfather and the years haven’t been kind to my physical appearance. Then I realized that’s what they call you when you’re old and decrepit. If I were an Eskimo living 300 years ago, I’d be put on a cake of ice and pushed out to sea.

How should the elderly be treated? Glad you asked.

Proverbs 16:31 

Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life. 

Job 32:4 

Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he.

1 Timothy 5:1 

Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers,

Give it some thought.

Gary

Rowland V. Bingham, founder of the Sudan Interior Mission, was once seriously injured in an automobile accident. He was rushed to a hospital in critical condition. The following day, when he regained consciousness, he asked the nurse what he was doing there. “Don’t try to talk now, just rest,” she replied. “You have been in an accident.”

 “Accident? Accident!” exclaimed Dr. Bingham. “There are no accidents in the life of a Christian. This is just an incident in God’s perfect leading.”

Christian, as you journey through the Old Testament, the realization that God is in complete control should comfort your heart.

Isaiah 30:21 

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.

Psalm 25:4-5 

Make me to know Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all the day long.

 Give it some thought.

Gary

We have got but one life here…It pays, no matter what comes after it, to try and do things, to accomplish things in this life, and not merely to have a soft and pleasant time. 

                                                                                         – Theodore Roosevelt.

So, with the time you have left what are your plans? You do know that there are others who have plans for you.

Proverbs 16:3 

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

Ephesians 2:10 

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Give it some thought before someone else’s plans come crashing into your life. And by the way, Teddy, it does matter what comes after this life.

Gary