The Naval doctors told my brother he would face many operations for his wounds and would be medically discharged from the Corps. He refused the operations. This nineteen-year-old worked out furiously and in a little over a year, he was back in Vietnam for another tour of duty.

We’re in a warfare as Christians, and like my brother who wanted to get back to his band of brothers, wounds should never stop us from serving. In addition, Christ’s wounds and sacrifice for the lost and dying should have a similar impact on us.

Isaiah 53:5 

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed

Wounds are a part of being Christian; accept it. Give it some thought.

Gary

My sister served as an instructor in the Army during the time of the Vietnam War. She attained the rank of sergeant. She had wanted to go overseas, but was too valuable stateside where she taught the men going to a foreign land.

During those early years of the conflict, in order to fly standby, you needed to be in uniform. On a flight, an elderly woman sitting next to her asked if she was attending the girl scouts jamboree in New York. You see, in those days woman soldiers did not get the recognition they deserved.

The Bible gives accounts of many women who have served our Lord faithfully, Lydia and Priscilla are examples in the New Testament.  Regrettably, many fail to recognize the input of women in Christian service in our present age.

Proverbs 11:16 

A gracious woman gets honor, and violent men get riches. 

Proverbs 31:30 

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Proverbs 31:26 

She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

Honor these women and thank them for their service. Give it some consideration.

Gary

Dressed in a Marine uniform with a helmet on his head, my brother looked so small. He was seventeen, but looked twelve. With our father’s signature, that kid from Allagash was able to enlist once past sixteen. He left this life at seventy-five. At a remembrance event held by his daughters, the girls later gave the flag to me. A flag presentation to a loved one at a funeral represents honorable service, sacrifice, and the nation’s gratitude. The ceremonial folding of the flag is steeped in symbolism, with each of the 13 folds holding a specific meaning, such as life, belief in eternal life, and tribute to the veteran’s service to the country. I had a hard time to stop crying. This was the life of a man who was my brother but, truthfully, we rarely saw eye to eye.

I’ve stood by the gravesite of many who were once my spiritual brother or sister in Christ with similar emotion. Needed comfort came as I reflected on the fleeting life lived, about whom I could say he or she is now gone to Him who loved and washed that one from sins in His own blood.

Does the Bible address this? Glad you asked.

James 4:14 

Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

Psalm 39:4 

“O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!

Give it some consideration.

Gary

New York City’s Mayor David N. Dinkins, when urged by Manhattan officials to buy some property thought to be an “extraordinary opportunity for the city,” said: “If they’re selling elephants two for a quarter, that’s a great bargain. But only if you have a quarter–and only if you need elephants.”              –Leonard Buder in New York Times.

I’ve considered all the storage facilities we drive by on our trips around the county. It amazes me how much stuff we store that we might never use, perhaps leaving it to those who might send it to the landfill.

We’ve prospered since the start of our journey, and I’ve considered some attractive elephants. I have the following concerns though: Where will I put it and when will I ever have time to use it and maintain it?

Does the Bible address this human phenomenon? Glad you asked.

Luke 12:15 

And He said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

1 Timothy 6:9 

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.

Give it some consideration because elephants put out a lot of useless discharge.

Gary

“God has promised forgiveness to your repentance, but He has not promised tomorrow to your procrastination.” ― St. Augustine of Hippo

That old guy from Hippo sure had that right. The Bible is clear on the fact that what God expects of His children needs to be addressed sooner, rather than later.

Ephesians 5:15-17 

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Proverbs 27:1 

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

James 4:17 

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

When it comes to cans, get off your “can” and do what you can. Give it some consideration.

Gary

Mohammed Ali was not a power puncher boxer like most. He explained his method of knocking people out. He said, “It wasn’t only one big punch, but rather, a series of blows that usually brought my opponents down.” He explained that a rapid combination of blows caused a kind of a short circuit in the brain. In other words, the brain couldn’t process all of that information, and for a moment, the person would lose consciousness. According to his interviews, that’s how he scored a lot of his knockouts.

Do you realize our opponent, the devil, uses the same principle? He is not looking for a knockout with one single strike, but he uses a multitude of carefully crafted incidences that will bring us down.

Ephesians 6:11 

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

John 10:10 

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

Ephesians 4:27 

And give no opportunity to the devil.

We’re in a fight and must be familiar with the strategy of our adversary. Give it some thought.

Gary

My older brother said, “You don’t have to do this.”

I replied, “When I was an idiotic teenager, drunk and being a fool, you came to take me home.  When I needed a car, you sold me yours for half of its value. When I was messed up in a hill with a loaded logging truck, you came to the rescue, and then when I was in Bible college, you sent money every month.” I need to do this.

Does the Bible address something like this? Glad you asked

Proverbs 11:25

The generous soul will be made rich,
And he who waters will also be watered himself.

I could never repay his generosity, but I was compelled to try. Is there someone who has shown you kindness and it’s now time for you to provide refreshment in some form?  Give it some thought.

Gary