Steven J. Cole wrote the following article and I thought it was worth sharing. The Scripture verses are taken from Genesis chapter two.

Some people think of “Paradise” as a place where you lie in a hammock under a palm tree, never lifting a finger. But God planted a garden and put Adam there to cultivate it and keep it before the fall (2:15). God also assigned Adam the work of naming the animals (2:19-20), a “mental” job. Thus, before the fall, God gave man both physical and mental labor as legitimate enterprises. A Swedish proverb says, “God gives every bird his worm, but he does not throw it into the nest.” Even in paradise, Adam had to work for his food.

Here we are paying people not to work. The state just sent me a check, thanking me for working during the Covid epidemic. I’m going to work because I was designed to and you don’t have to thank me. During Covid, I would have worked two jobs to help EMS if they were in a crisis.

This subject was addressed by Paul two thousand years ago.

2 Thessalonians 3:10

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

What a help to the economy if we applied this principle. I’m not talking about those folks who earned their rocking chair by giving their youth to filling an occupational slot or those with physical disabilities.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Still the Same” is a 1978 song written and recorded by the American singer Bob Seger. This song is about a slick gambler who always seems a step ahead. At first, Seger seems to be talking this guy up, enamored with his winning ways and how he’s still the same. But at the end of the song, we learn this isn’t the case: Seger turns and walks away from him because he hasn’t changed, and there’s nothing left to say. It’s like reconnecting with an old friend, only to be reminded of why you stayed apart.

Can you imagine a college friend of the Apostle Paul running into him after forty years of separation? This friend certainly wouldn’t be singing that song about Paul, for the only thing left that would be recognizable would be his physical appearance.

Jesus spoke to a man who needed change. He had also attended the same school of higher learning as Paul. His name was Nicodemus.

John 3:3

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

These men were no more the same than the demon-possessed girl was after Paul had God deliver her from the demons in Philippi.

How about you, Mr. Segar? You still the same?

Think about it.

Gary

Henry David Thoreau’s quote, “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” was an observation that most people live an empty life caused by unfulfilling work, lack of leisure time and misplaced values of money, possessions and accolades.

This one goes out to all the hard workers who are battling demons, running against the wind, trying not to slip on the high wire, reaching for that aerial ring and missing it by half an inch, and trying to tame the lion that is uncooperative.

Here is a more rewarding pursuit:

Romans 12:2

 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Jeremiah 9:23-24

This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the LORD.

Life can be difficult and no one gets out alive. This could really help in the desperation struggle.

Gary

“How to Open Doors” is a good title for a book. Some open doors by their looks. What if you are not handsome or beautiful? Some open doors with money. What if you don’t have any? Some open doors with connections. What if you don’t have any connections? Some force the doors open with brute strength. That can cause some real problems.

The Bible addresses some significant doors that He opened:

The door of faith

Acts 14:27

Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

The door with challenges

1 Corinthians 16:9

For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

The door for the gospel

2 Corinthians 2:12

Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord,

A door even though chained

Colossians 4:3

Meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains,

A door to the future

Revelation 4:1

After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”

How are you making out with the doors of life?

Gary

Deion “Prime Time” Sanders, outfielder for the Atlanta Braves and cornerback for the Atlanta Falcons, is the only athlete to have hit a Major League home run and scored an NFL touchdown in the same week. Sanders grew up on the mean streets of Fort Myers, Fla., where exposure to some would-be athletes spurred him to make a success of himself. He explains: “I call them Idas. ‘If I’da done this, I’d be making three million today…If I’da practiced a little harder, I’d be a superstar.’ They were as fast as me when they were kids, but instead of working for their dreams, they chose drugs and a life of street corners. When I was young, I had practice; my friends who didn’t went straight to the streets and never left. That moment after school is the moment we need to grab. We don’t need any more Idas.

It’s about planning and execution of all the potential in an individual. Deion grew up with Idas, but he didn’t become one. The vaccination for potential Idas is found in hard work.

1 Timothy 5:25

Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.

Don’t be looking in the rear-view mirror. Fix your eyes on what’s ahead and the opportunities for what can be done through hard work.

Think about it.

Gary

In 1928, Gerber held a contest to find a face to represent a baby-food- advertising campaign. Artist Dorothy Hope Smith entered her simple charcoal sketch of a tousle-haired, bright-eyed cherub of a baby with endearing pursed lips. She won.  Dorothy just turned ninety-five and is still going strong.

Most of us either ate some of that Gerber product from that well-known jar or forced it on our kids. That’s how we started out, but no one has a desire to go back to that.

The Bible discusses the change from the food of infants to the more mature food of adults.

1 Peter 2:2

as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,

However, the time comes when we have to exchange the baby food for the real thing.

Hebrews 5:12-13

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.

Get away from the mashed carrots and sink your molars into a steak.

Gary

If my heritage came through the Maliseet, Micmac, Penobscot, or Passamaquoddy, I think I’d have a difficult time with the historic reason for Thanksgiving. However, in 2021 it doesn’t matter our lineage, we can be thankful for the country we live in and all the opportunities it has given us. Many have sacrificed much to allow us the many blessings we have today.

For all the individuals tracing their ancestry back to Noah, let us give thanks to our Creator.

2 Corinthians 4:15

For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

As you stuff your face with turkey, don’t be one. Give thanks to God for all you have.

Gary