There’s little difference in ethical behavior between the churched and the unchurched. There’s as much pilferage and dishonesty among the churched as the unchurched. And I’m afraid that applies pretty much across the board: Religion, per se, is not really life-changing. People cite it as important, for instance, in overcoming depression–but it doesn’t have primacy in determining behavior. 

George H. Gallup, “Vital Signs,” Leadership, Fall 1987, p. 17.

That’s a sad commentary on the church, but we can’t deny the facts. Two thousand years ago Christ examined seven churches in what is now the country of Turkey. The condition of most of them was less than stellular. Seems like not much has changed in two millennium.

Revelation 1:4

John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before His throne,

Revelation 2:7

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 

How does your church line up? How does our church line up?

Give it some thought.

Gary

I have previously spoken of my neighbor who owned a Mexican Chihuahua. That dog was hardly bigger than a period on the end of a sentence. However, the day that big bull moose came out of the forest, Chico chased him away with the ferocity of a Pitbull. After all, that animal had no business on their property.  With her owner right on her heels, that Chihuahua barked furiously and chased that moose right back into his environment. I would like to have a video of that sight because it would have been worth some money. I can still visualize the three of them running down the driveway.

I like individuals that, in spite of their size, take on insurmountable things because that is their nature.  Jesus offered every believer that kind of ability.

Mark 11:22-24 

And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Give it some thought and stop barking up the wrong tree.

Gary

Any man whose garage is his second-home knows the necessity of certain supplies. You must have duct tape, crazy glue and an ample amount of DW-40.  Most, however, don’t have a clue what DW-40 stands for.

Let me enlighten some of you about this fantastic product. It took the inventors 40 attempts to get their water displacing formula to work, but on the 40th attempt, they got it right in a big way. WD-40 Multi Use Product was born. WD-40 stands for Water Displacement, 40th formula.

Don’t give up on an important investigation. The next try could be the charm.

Galatians 6:9 

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.  

2 Chronicles 15:7 

But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.”

Get yourself a couple of cans of “don’t-give-up,” and get the job done right.

Think about it.

Gary

Become an elementary school math teacher and make the little things count.

Readers Digest.

Little things

Luke 16:10 

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.

Zechariah 4:10 

For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. “These seven are the eyes of the Lord, which range through the whole earth.”

Stay on top of those little things and reap a greater reward.

Think about it.

Gary

As a paramedic, I found myself coming back from a transfer to our trauma center on a slippery winter road.  I was probably going a little bit too fast with the unit. Suddenly a cat, actually a black cat, came out in front of me and it was too late to take evasive action. Needless to say, that was the end of the cat. I turned to my partner and said that must’ve been the ninth time that cat crossed the road. It should have known better.

I don’t believe in that nine-lives-thing or what happens when a black cat crosses your path. The cat was the loser, not me. I do know that every living thing on the planet has an appointment with death. We don’t know when our ticket is going to be punched, but we should be ready for the event.

Ecclesiastes 12:7 

And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

Hebrews 9:27 

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,

Be careful out there because there could be an ambulance coming for you.

Give it some thought.

Gary

“Smart people sometimes do some very stupid things.” 

A few years ago, Jim Warren shared a statement with me that a friend had shared with him. It goes like this. “When hard times come, we always have two choices. We can be a student or we can be a victim.” A moment’s thought will show the wisdom of those words.

–A victim says, “Why did this happen to me?”

–A student says, “What can I learn from this?”

–A victim complains he is being treated unfairly.

–A student thanks God that he is not being treated as he really deserves.

–A victim tries to get even with those who have hurt him.

–A student seeks ways to serve others in the midst of his difficulty.

–A victim believes the game of life is stacked against him.

–A student believes that God is at work even in the worst situations.

From the desk of Ray Pritchard

If you study the life of Abraham in Genesis, you will make an amazing discovery. Believers are not exempt from difficulties. Believers are not exempt from committing sin. Life is uncertain, and lastly, God watches over all.

Isaiah 25:1

Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You and praise Your name, for in perfect faithfulness You have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.

2 Timothy 2:13

If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot disown Himself.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Do you think that Moses sat down and figured out the logistics of what God told him to do before he set out from Egypt? I doubt it. He had faith that God would take care of everything. Let us have courage, for we share the very same God!

Psalm 32:8 

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.

Psalm 37:23 

The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in His way;

Jeremiah 1:7-8 

But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.”

Give it some thought and move on.

Gary