The photographer was going from house to house in 1955, taking family pictures. I treasure the picture of my seven siblings and me and display it on my desktop. I’m the youngest. Much is owed to those other seven who gave me a tremendous start in life.

The Apostle Paul had a successful ministry with the Church in Rome. However, he acknowledged that that success was a group effort. He mentions an impressive list of names of individuals who made his ministry possible. On top of that list was a woman by the name of Phoebe.

Romans 16:1-2

I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.

We have a lot of people to be thankful for as they have paved the way for our journey through life. Don’t forget them.

Think about it.

Gary

Some of us old timers think about a simpler time. June was busy getting dinner in a peaceful home. Ward would come home from work as an exemplary employee, father and husband. The Beaver would be just the kind of polite, considerate young boy that anyone would want to raise. Wally always did his high school homework and was never swayed by his wise-guy friend Eddie Haskell to do wrong. Politics was never a part of programing.

That time has come and gone.  It probably only really existed at the end of some sitcom writer’s pen. This real world of ours is much nastier, especially when it comes to politics. The body of Christ is given some good advice in how to address our present age.

1 Timothy 2:1-2

 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 

The way to change the hostile environment in our day is on our knees.

Think about it.

Gary

My brother-in-law had a saying he taught his children while hiking: “Take only pictures and leave only tracks.” This taught them that the environment needed to be protected in order to remain the same.

There is something similar as Paul was addressing Timothy about this life.

1 Timothy 6:7

For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 

You never see a U-Haul trailer being hauled behind a hearse. How are you treating the environment spiritually while you are here?

Think about it.

Gary

Nations change, people change and religion changes with the times. However, there is something that remains the same and that is the Word of God. The repository of truth is not found in religion or spiritual movements but in the Ancient Words.

Isaiah 55:11

So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

According to the Scriptures, God has a purpose and a plan for time and eternity, and it is centered in His written revelation. I’m going to place my faith in Him and let the unfolding of history take care of itself. How about you?

Think about it.

Gary

I’ve heard statements from individuals that go like this: “I’m not going into a nursing home when I get old.” How come so many people have that fate and that person decides he won’t have to?

Moses discussed facing a mountain of difficulty in Exodus 33 and here is the record of what he said to God.

Exodus 33:15

Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. 

I wouldn’t want to be placed in a nursing home either, but if I have to, I want the presence of God. I don’t want cancer, but if that happens, the presence of God would be a must. I don’t think divorce is in my future, but if it was, I certainly would need the presence of God. I don’t want to experience the death of a loved one, but I know from experience His presence will get me through.

To tell you the truth, like the old hymn states, “I need him every hour” as life unfolds daily in the present. How about you?

Give it some thought.

Gary

Genesis is called the book of beginnings, but not because it is the first book of the Bible, or the beginning of creation, or of life itself. It is the root of all doctrine found in the Bible.  We can discover death, sin, salvation, and the very presence of God in the every-day lives of individuals.

It will take the average person about three hours to read this Book. The journey will be longer if you take the time to meditate on some things. If interest is stimulated, the challenge will be even longer if you are willing to take notes.

This could be the most profitable endeavor you might ever undertake. For some, this can be life-changing.

2 Timothy 3:16

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

Why not start today?  Keep me informed as to how it’s going.

Think about it.

Gary

The book of Philemon is an interesting short story. This is the account of a man who ran away from his master to get lost in the metropolis of Rome. While in Rome, he found his true Master. His true Master desired that he return to his old master and submit to his authority. He had a mediator by the name of Paul who worked out the details. Read about it in the book of Philemon.

Have you submitted to the Master or are you still on the run? He wants you to know the impossibility of hiding from Him. He desires you to be discovered by His agents and have you submit to those in authority over you.

Romans 10:3

For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.

1 Peter 2:13

Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake,

God shows His work in us when we submit to those over us. God always provides someone to work out the details.

Give it some thought.

Gary