He’s my brother. I carry in my mind an image of him bleeding profusely as a wounded nineteen y/o marine just miles from the DMZ in Viet Nam. Four years older than I, we had a contentious relationship as kids, but he would still protect me from life’s dangers. Police badges and security services took up most of his life. Going against the grain never seemed to bother him as he stood for what he believed. Yesterday he left this world. I truly loved my brother and had a chance to tell him so.

Proverbs 17:17 

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

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.

Hebrews 13:1 

Let brotherly love continue.

Family is so necessary. Give it some thought.

Gary

I discovered a shortcut today. If you put your Fitbit in the dryer, you can get a head start on your steps. I had 3,800 steps in before I put on my pants!

The author of this statement is unknown but considering it was printed in a major publication there will certainly be many people using it. They will impress friends and family with the great exercise program they’re on.

Deception:

Galatians 6:7-8 

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

Proverbs 10:9 

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.

Give it some thought and don’t go putting Ketchup in your fuel tank for better mileage.

Gary

I see him out there on the tarmac checking the plane for his last flight. He knows there will be a lot of lonely people left behind which is difficult, but difficulties carved him.   Soldiering became a part of his life out of which a love for aircraft developed. Then time and God had him flying through the jungles of Brazil as a missionary pilot and, lastly, as a pilot/mechanic in the corporate world.  Old age came quickly and now he’s examining that aircraft for the flight home.

In the arms of an angel far away from here. There’s always some reason to feel not good enough
And it’s hard at the end of the day. – song by Sarah McLachlan

Luke 16:22

 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. 

The flight home is waiting on the tarmac, old friend.

 How about you?  Will yours be a good finish?

Give it some thought.

Gary

My birthday was on June 11. (I know you forgot.) Anyway, I graduated on June 11, 1970, and Paula graduated on the same day at her school some 30 miles away from my high school. One of my favorite classmates never forgot that fact and in recent years calls me to wish me a happy birthday. The amazing thing about her is that she regularly upholds our ministry in prayer. What a treasure she is! I wonder how much octane we have in ministry because of individuals like that. Eternity will be a revealer of what prayer can do.

Ephesians 6:18

Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

 Communication with God helps others.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Clinton said, “I smoked but did not inhale.” Later he said, “I did not have sex with that woman.” To be fair and balanced Nixon said, “I am not a crook.” Chamberlain coming back from Germany in 1938 with a document signed by Hitler said, “Peace in our time.”

World leaders today haven’t improved much in the area of this deficiency in human nature. On the other hand, there is still a market for people wanting to consume lies. There is even a verse for this:

2 Timothy 4:3

For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

Give it some thought. The truth can be hard on the ears.

Gary

Cigarette smoking is responsible for more than 480,000 deaths per year in the United States, including more than 41,000 deaths resulting from secondhand smoke exposure. This is about one in five deaths annually or 1,300 deaths every day.

100,000,000 people died of tobacco-related causes in the 20th century. Many professing Christians are involved in this industry of death. I have a question for you: How come so many Christians protest abortion but the ones protesting tobacco are so few? I can’t give you an answer. I only have a question. It remains a conundrum to me. I’m not like Daniel of old.

Daniel 5:16

And I have heard of you, that you can give interpretations and explain enigmas. Now if you can read the writing and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around your neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.”

When I was young, I smoked Winston cigarettes because I fell for the jingle, “Winston tastes good like a cigarette should.”

Daniel knew the handwriting and explained the enigma. His relationship with God provided insight others didn’t have. Should we follow his example?

Give it some thought.

Gary

About twelve to fourteen kids gathered from the neighborhood to play softball. An appointed captain tossed the bat to the other team’s appointee and both hands, one over the other, went up the bat. This method decided who had first pick for a teammate out of those around. One would pick from the group and then the other. I never considered how the last two chosen felt about their lack of talent. Now sixty years later, I feel bad about that scenario.

What about those who always feel outside, neglected, unappreciated and lacking, who are only grudgingly chosen to be a part? As kids, they were not given much thought.  Now that we are adults, shouldn’t we be more considerate?

Philippians 4:5 

Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

Titus 3:2

to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.

Give it some thought and consider those who are less fortunate in the game of life.

Gary