When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on.                                                                                                            – Franklin D. Roosevelt

There has to be more to life than that kind of philosophy. The Creator must, of necessity, be actively involved in the chaos taking place around us. He must have a hand in all of this confusion. If not, why hang on? Just let go. How many of us have reached out for the hand of God when we came to the end of our rope and found He held on to us tightly! Having only a knot just wouldn’t suffice.

Ephesians 2:10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Isaiah 46:10
Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things that are not yet done,
Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
And I will do all My pleasure,’

Give it some thought.

Gary

“The evolution of the drawing in comic strips is something that you’re not even aware of. I’m not aware that Charlie Brown gets a little fatter, he gets a little thinner.  Snoopy’s nose gets longer, narrower, fatter or shorter . . .”

                                                                           —Charles M. Schulz

We were brought up reading “Peanuts” and didn’t realize the creator was changing things. The comic strip appeared on the scene in 1950 and was a success. Sometimes I identified with Charlie, especially when I messed up or took advice from someone I shouldn’t have and suffered the consequences.

It was created by Charles M. Schulz and entertained us. However, we were created by God and not for entertainment.

Revelation 4:11 

“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they existed and were created.”

We are a wild cast of characters but exist for an eternal purpose. This isn’t funny.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Russia ditches nuclear security amid China visit, ‘dangerous decade’ ahead, expert warns. The headlines can be scary. There was the war to end all wars, WW1. Then some twenty years later there was WW2. Now we look down the barrel of WW3.

Jesus had something to say about wars:

Matthew 24:4-8

Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you.  For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.  You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.  Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.  All these are the beginning of birth pains.

Don’t fear war but serve Him who is in control of it all.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Bob: “Looks like you’ve been missing a lot of work lately.”
Peter: “I wouldn’t say I’ve been missing it, Bob.”
—Bob (Paul Wilson) and Peter (Ron Livingston), Office Space

Unfortunately, for some, work seems to be a problem, but for the child of God, work has an eternal purpose. It can’t save us, but it can give us a better life and an eternal investment that can never be taken away.

1 Thessalonians 4:11

that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12

For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.

For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.

Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.

Work was created by God for you. Adam was told to work.

Genesis 2:15

The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.

Think about it.

Gary

When David Bellamy wrote “Old Hippie,” he had no idea that he was serving as a spokesperson for part of the “thirtysomething” generation at that time. That song was followed by two more and led to the spiritual conversion of the old Hippie as he entered the final quarter.

Many in the baby-boomer generation became disillusioned about life and tried to escape in drugs or alcohol. Some, fortunately, found the One who can make sense of it all. The third song in their trilogy tells of the music that can save the soul.

Here’s one song that can:

Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I’m found
Was blind but now I see

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.

If you haven’t found peace, try God’s Word.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Having a legal firearm within a home comes with responsibility for the gun owner, especially if there are children in the home. Ensuring that all family members understand how the gun should and should not be used is vital in making sure no accidents occur.

However, I just want to state unequivocally that words have caused more damage that guns ever have. Words have led to deaths and damages to the family that can never be repaired, not to mention what they can do to the soul.

Proverbs 18:21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Proverbs 16:24

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

Words, when used considerately, can bring tremendous blessing, but in the wrong hands, they can be killers.

Think about it.

Gary

“Before you marry a person, you should first make them use a computer with slow Internet to see who they really are.”
                                                                                                             —Will Ferrell

You guessed it, the Bible has a lot to say about patience and anger.

Proverbs 14:29 

Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.

James 1:20 

For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Romans 12:12 

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Unfortunately, I’ve seen the explosions produced by individuals over the years. Admittedly, some have been caused by my lack of self-control. However, none have been able to produce anything but more damage to the soul.

Give it some thought.

Gary