People reading the news and trying to interpret some of the statements made can develop a real headache. Two cases come to mind from the last election in California. One, the black candidate was called the “face of white supremacy.” Second, Governor Newsom stated the election was “a matter of life or death,” but he is unequivocally for abortion, taking the life of preborn children.

It is hard to keep up with terms that we once had a handle on. However, for four millennium the old truths of Scripture remain the same. This is the firm foundation that can never be shaken.

John 17:17 

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

Proverbs 30:5 

Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.

Get back to the truth the next time you hear something crazy. Think.

Gary

Quantum Leap was an American science fiction television series that premiered on NBC and aired for five seasons, from March 26, 1989, to May 5, 1993.  The series was about  a physicist who involuntarily leaped through spacetime during experiments in time travel, to temporarily take the place of other people to correct what was discovered to be historical mistakes.

Now, wouldn’t it be nice to have the ability to go back in time and correct our mistakes. I think I’d need another thousand years to work it all out. Besides that, the irony is that some past failures propelled us into a better position today. No, we can’t go back, and we can’t stay here, but we can learn from the past to give us a better future.

Philippians 3:13-14 

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 

Hebrews 8:12 

For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.”

 Give it some thought and get on with it.

Gary

“It is an old ironic habit of human beings to run faster when we have lost our way.”

– Rollo May

Nothing wrong with running. However, at seventy it is not recommended for medical reasons. The point is, if you run, have a reason in mind and a clear course to your destination. Run for some sort of profit from the endeavor.

Hebrews 12:1

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

Galatians 5:7

You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?

Habakkuk 2:2

Then the LORD replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.

Give it some thought and slip on those running shoes.

Gary

1. What lies at the bottom of the ocean and twitches?
   A. A nervous wreck.   

    –  Health, Canada.

The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety. 

–       George Muller.

Anxiety is a thin stream of fear trickling through the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all others thoughts are drained. 

–       Arthur Somers Roche.

He made us and He put us here. He saved us by the power of His Holy Spirit. All we have to do is finish this course by walking by faith. Don’t sweat it.

John 14:27 

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.  

1 Peter 5:6-7 

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Give it some thought.

Gary

A story was told of the greatest soccer player that ever lived. The great soccer player Pelé was a smoker when he was younger. His father caught him one time, and instead of getting angry, he called his son to the porch where they spoke. His father reasoned, “Pelé, you realize that if you continue smoking, you will not play as well as you could.”

Pelé said “Yes, I know, but I can’t stop.”

His father continued as he pulled out his wallet, “Well, if you are going to smoke, I would prefer it if you had your own and did not have to borrow.” With this, he pulled out the last two dollar bills that he had. Pelé never had a problem smoking again.

It is only when we realize the love that our heavenly Father has for us that we start dealing with our evil habits. He has gone to great lengths to redeem us for Himself.

1 Corinthians 7:23 

You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men.  

1 Corinthians 6:20 

For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Like Pelé, if you stop now, who knows what great things the future has awaiting you.

Give it some thought.

Gary

When I was a third grader, we would play king of the mountain during recess in the winter months. During cleanup after a snowstorm, the crew would plow the snow into a high mound at the end of the parking lot. This would be our mountain. The girls were to have the mountain first and we would charge up and throw them off. One Irish girl could handle herself well, and it would take more than one boy to dispatch her. Her older brother could look out from his classroom and observe the interaction. He went home and told his mother that his sister was embarrassing him with her antics. It wasn’t her fault; she just wanted to be king.

There is one place where we can reach legitimate kingship and that is to be found in Christ.

Revelation 1:6

and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

This is no game and you can be on top.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Why does a piece of chalk produce that hideous squeal? According to the book, The Flying Circus of Physics (With Answers), squealing chalk results from the phenomenon of “stick and slip.” Incorrectly held chalk actually sticks to the blackboard. But when the writer bends the chalk enough, it suddenly slips and vibrates, sporadically striking the chalkboard and producing that squeal we hear. As the vibrations decrease, the friction between the chalk and the board increases until the chalk sticks again and the torture begins once more. 

–       “Chalk Talk”, Campus Life, December, 1979.

Unfortunately, some people are like that. They seem to drone on and on in the most torturous manner. They strike a chord that penetrates the soul. If you feel you’re bothering people, get out of there. If you are the recipient, then you get out of there.

Proverbs 25:17 

Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.

Proverbs 10:26 

Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him.

Give it some thought.

Gary