“Soldier” is a 1972 song, written and performed by British songwriter Harvey Andrews. Controversial at the time of its release, “Soldier” was inspired by the death of British Army Sergeant Michael Willetts, though it does not mention Willetts by name.

Willetts just wanted to get along with people and put in his army time. He wasn’t out to hurt anyone but wanted to help all he could.  In the song, he died thinking about home and a life without war. He was just a pawn in an endless game.

If you’re going to be involved in a war, know the where, the why and the what ifs. There is a war worth the fight.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5

“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

Give it some thought.

Gary

Add these to your list of signs that you’re getting old:

• Your ears perk up at a laxative commercial on TV.
• When you do the Hokey Pokey and you put your left hip out, it stays out.
• One of the throw pillows on your bed is a hot water bottle.
• You don’t have enemies because you’ve outlived them all.
• You don’t date women your own age because there aren’t any.
• “Happy hour” now consists of a nap.
• You remember what you did yesterday by what hurts today.
• Your mind makes contracts your body can’t keep.
• You find yourself giving good advice instead of setting a bad example.
• The candles cost more than the cake.
• The little gray-haired lady you help across the street is your wife.
• You realize that whatever Mother Nature gave you, Father Time has taken away.

Some good things about growing old:

Proverbs 16:31 

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

Isaiah 46:4 

Even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.

Leviticus 19:32 

“You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.

Think really hard on this one.

Gary

His name was William Griffin and he was a sword swallower. He came to Bridgewater, Maine, in 1903 with the circus. It was his last exhibition by swallowing a sword. He died in the hospital as a doctor tried to save him from bleeding. This was not his first near-death experience by swallowing swords. Just seems like some people never learn. Or maybe, they just don’t want to go into any other line of work even if it kills them.

I don’t want my obituary to state that I died by swallowing a sword. When death comes, I desire the report to read something like King Josiah:

2 Kings 23:25

Now before him there was no king like him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses; nor after him did any arise like him.

This was not what was said of over 90% of the kings of Israel after their death.

I don’t measure up to that, but it is my desire to leave something that honors my Savior.

.

What do you want said of you?

Give it some thought.

Gary

I never understood how a diesel engine works, but I drove an eighteen-wheeler for years. The principles behind electricity elude me, but I still turn the lights on at night. The doctor said I needed a triple bypass and I trusted him completely, although I’m not familiar with cardiac surgery. It’s been five years since the procedure and I’m still snowshoeing.

God’s love, mercy and grace are over my head, but I have embraced it. You don’t need a high IQ to accept things that have proven effective for years.

Jude 1:2

Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Like I said, you don’t need to be a nuclear physicist to be a partaker of things you don’t fully understand.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

The quality of life that we enjoy today lies in the fact that so many people lived out that statement. Someone has to be first. That has always been true of the Great Commission and the millions who have been reached as a result.

2 Corinthians 10:16

to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s sphere of accomplishment.

Hebrews 11:8

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

 I’m so glad Abraham and the Apostle Paul practiced that principle.

 How about you? Is it time to step out?

 Give it some thought.

Gary

It was Christmas Eve when the mother opened the door and the devil was standing there. She turned to her eight-year-old son and said, “I think you misspelled Santa, Tommy.”

He can show up at any time and you sure don’t want him in your life or in the life of your kids. The great problem is he doesn’t have a pitchfork, a tail or horns which would make him readily identifiable. As a matter of fact, he is quite attractive, but deadly.

1 Peter 5:8 

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

2 Corinthians 11:14 

And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

James 4:7 

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Be careful as to whom you open that door for and don’t let appearances fool you.

Give it some thought.

Gary

My niece’s husband is a retired navy pilot. On many occasions, he had to land and take off on an aircraft carrier. He revealed, that on approaching the ship, the pilot sees what looks like a toy boat some kid placed in the lake. He sent me the following quote.

“Courage lifts an aircraft into the air

Caution returns it to the ground”

The Bible has a lot to say about both acts:

Joshua 1:9 

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Ephesians 5:15 

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,

Courage and caution need to be well mixed into the fabric of life.

Give it some thought.

Gary