Make this a happy Mother’s Day if your mom is still living. If that is not the case, let your wife know that you appreciate the way she mothered your children. Even if your mother is gone and your wife is a terror, I’ll bet someone mothered you somewhere along the way. Show that person appreciation.

Some memories that remind me of my mother’s love: My mom cooked meat just the way I liked it, fried until all the moisture was gone. The chicken stew had only white meat. I never used an alarm clock because she was the alarm. She didn’t put raisins in my food. Her molasses cookies lathered with butter melted in my mouth. Dirty clothes just stayed on the floor and mysteriously reappeared clean, folded and placed in a drawer. My bed was always made when I crawled in. I never gave that a thought. Christmas included a variety of nuts and fruits, plus a real feast at mealtime. All friends were welcomed and could readily join us around the table.  As you can see, I had a good mom.

Isaiah 66:13

“As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you.”

Proverbs 31:31

“Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

Isaiah 49:15

 “Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne?” 

Think about it.

Gary

“A Horse with No Name” was a hit that came out in 1971. Writer Dewey Bunnell said, “It is a metaphor for a vehicle to get away from life’s confusion into a quiet, peaceful place.”

The world doesn’t offer a peaceful place because conflict, division, hate, pride, greed, and jealousy reign supreme. I believe the horse had a name, but the owner was ashamed of it. So, he rode through life on a horse he was ashamed of.

My question to you is, what is the name of your horse as you travel through life? Let me offer you a different means of locomotion.

John 16:33

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Little Eva sang “Locomotion” in 1962. I’ll pass on doing the locomotion with her and stick with Jesus.

Give it some thought.

Gary

In 1946 a cartoon character started using a state-of-the-art, two-way wrist radio while fighting crime. His name was Dick Tracy. Many today look back and state that, if man can make it up in the funny papers, then it can become a reality.

The same is true of Star Trek fans. They believe that someday man will sail right out of the Milky Way and beam down to visit some Klingons. They would like their bodies put in a super-frozen state and thawed when that future date materializes. Reality seems to be a concept that they struggle with.

Humans since the garden have been placing their bet on a fig leaf. God put us here and we will be accountable to Him. We are His creation.

Romans 14:12

So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Matthew 12:36-37

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Look, Dick Tracy, this is reality

Think about it.

Gary

“Texas Rattlesnake Handler Dies After Bite at Festival” was the headline of the article. I would think that being a rattlesnake handler must require a high insurance premium. How do you practice that occupation? What’s the learning curve? Do friends and family mind staying at your house? It seems that you can lose even after you are at the top of your game. Maybe you lose interest, but the snake never does.

The Scripture has a lot to say about this type of animal:

1 Corinthians 10:9

We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents,

2 Corinthians 11:3

But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

Revelation 12:9

And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

Some prosperity teachers lay claim to being handlers of the serpent. Many have suffered the same fate as the snake handler in my opening narrative. Only One Man has been designed to handle him and that is the Lord Jesus.

Revelation 20:2

And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years,

Don’t mess with the serpent; it doesn’t matter how brave you are.

Give it some thought.

Gary

I certainly wouldn’t want to be alone on life’s river as it carves its treacherous course through uncertainty. What’s around the next bend? Is there another rapids or waterfalls? Can my vessel handle the distance? What about the hidden rocks?

This poem has been an encouragement to me because my life belongs to Him and I rest upon His promises.

“Behind our life the Weaver stands

And works His wondrous will;

We leave it all in His wise hands,

And trust His perfect skill.

Should mystery enshroud His plan,

And our short sight be dim,

We will not try the whole to scan,

But leave each thread to Him.”

–       C. Murray

Psalm 16:11

You will make known to me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

Exodus 33:15

Then he said to Him, “If Your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here.”

Genesis 28:16

Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.”

Give it some thought.

Gary

Making amends was not much of a consideration in the past. All one had to do was search for different grazing grounds. Not sweating the small stuff seemed to be good advice, but the small stuff grew into monsters. Words left unsaid reached their expiration date. Unaccomplished goals couldn’t be realized because older bodies wouldn’t cooperate. Not taking life too seriously was only a theory that really has never been proven in the test tube of life.

That is the unfortunate conclusion of many as they face the uncertainty of eternity. They seem to be rolling the dice and hoping to win the big one. They put all their chips in and wait for the final card to be turned. The tragic conclusion is to be left with nothing to show for life. Betting on a losing horse spells disaster.

There is a better way:

Acts 4:12 

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” 

Matthew 19: 25-26 

“When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”  Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

The game has been rigged against us by Adam, but Christ is there for winners.

Romans 5:12

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned

Romans 5:15

But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.  

Give it some thought, gambler.

Gary

Staring at seventy, I spend more time thinking, which I was never really good at through the years. The winds of change always were a challenge, but I never thought they would reach hurricane proportions.

I definitely hang on to the promises made to Abraham. You see, Abraham is called the father of all who believe. God would be the author and finisher of his journey through life, and so it will be with all who believe.

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.

James 2:23

And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.

I don’t know where it’s all heading, but I do know the account of Abraham and I do know the same God has my future in His hands.

Give it some thought and ready the camels.

Gary