My brother and I were trucking logs into Canada in the 70s. Fortunately, there was a little greasy spoon bordering the mill yard.  Sometimes late at night we would stop for a cheeseburger and fries. As we were sitting there half in a daze from too many hours on the road, we noticed something that brought us to our senses. The cook had pulled the propane stove from the wall and was checking the gas line for a leak with a lit match.

With just the two of us in the place, I decided to yell loudly, “Bang!” This outburst caused her to throw her hands in the air, quickly stop the endeavor, and place the stove back where it belonged. She didn’t look at me after that, but my brother got quite a chuckle.  That action probably helped our day end well.

There are many articles written on the safe inspection of propane lines by very reputable organizations. These recommendations should be followed to ensure one’s health and safety and that of others.

God has inspired individuals to write sixty-six different books on how to get through this dangerous world without irreparable damage.

It needs to be read and applied and can save us from some explosive circumstances.

Psalm 1:2-3

but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree
    planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
    and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Mick sang it as only Mick can do in on the Ed Sullivan show in 1964. The title of the song was,” Time is on My Side.” Those of us who were not yet teenagers believed the lyrics. Now pushing hard against seventy, the realization that time waits for no one hits home like a slap in the face.

The Bible has a lot to say about time:

Ephesians 5:16

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Another translation says,” Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.”

1. L. Hunt made millions as a Texas oilman. He was an aggressive businessman with little regard for time. His chief confidant, John, might be called in the middle of the night as quickly as in the middle of the day.

One night at 2:00 a.m., Hunt phoned John. He excitedly declared, “John, I just made the greatest trade of my life. I traded the here for the hereafter… I just got saved.”

If you have never trusted Christ as your Savior, you need to trade the here for the hereafter. You need to be saved. It is the wisest decision you will ever make.

This man grabbed time by the horns. He trusted Christ for his salvation.

Give it some thought.

Gary

We were young and looking for any thrill we could find. There was an old farmhouse belonging to my friend’s grandfather which was empty at the time. It was locked, but in the back of the house on the second floor was a window that could be easily raised.

As darkness descended, our little gang would sneak into that mysterious place and my friend’s imagination would kick in and the hair-raising ghost stories would spring forth. He was a master storyteller. As the sun set, the room would become progressively darker.

The challenge of this game was not to be the first one to break and run for the window. That would make you the biggest chicken. Debilitating fear at the thought that you’d be the last one through the window nearly crippled us. After all, an evil spirit might grab you by the seat of your pants and you would never be heard from again. Why we did this time and time again, I can never understand.

Fear is something that most of us grapple with all of our lives. It may take many different forms that change with age, but the emotional feelings remain the same.

The Bible addresses this emotion many times:

Luke 12:32

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Psalm 23:4

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Luke 2:10-11

 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord

Some fear is healthy because it leads us to right conclusions.

Think about it.

Gary

Two good old boys from my hometown were traveling to work in a pickup truck. Let’s say one was a Hatfield and the other a McCoy. They were discussing the passing of a particular Hatfield who had died the week before. As the conversation progressed, the McCoy, with tongue-in-cheek, asked the Hatfield how they could tell when a Hatfield was dead.  The Hatfield quickly replied, “It’s not like a McCoy because his mouth is shut.”

Always ready to give an answer is strongly promoted by the Word of God:

1 Peter 3:15

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

The Irish have a quick wit that they use to their advantage. We, as Christians, should hone our knowledge of Scripture to be quick in responding to our adversaries.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Gideon was so brave, had an extremely high IQ, exhibited the qualities of a military genius, and demonstrated a magnetic personality. No, that would not be referring to the Gideon of the Old Testament. According to Hebrews 11, he only had one powerful asset and that was faith in what God said and even that took some time and experimentation. His story doesn’t even end well in the Old Testament account.

The only perfect person found in Scripture is the Lord Jesus Christ who gave Himself for all of us who lacked all those characteristics mentioned in the previous paragraph. It doesn’t take much faith to accomplish great things. The all-consuming quality God looks for in an individual is humility and a complete dependence on His power.

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Why don’t you humble yourself, admit your need, and totally embrace Him as Lord and Savior?

Think about it.

Gary

The prosperity preachers would like us to believe their gospel will provide a life of financial success and physical health. One of them blew away Covid-19 with his breath a year ago. Another called angels from Africa and South America to help Trump win the election.  This, of course, flies in the face of Biblical revelation. I would take a pass on the kind of life Abraham, Jacob, Job, Noah, David, Paul, Peter or John endured. The Scriptures state, unequivocally, that the rain falls on the just and the unjust.

The thing I would do is trust Him when adversity, which is a common human experience, comes my way. The hymn writer expressed it well in, “My Grace is Sufficient:”

Many times I’m tried and tested
As I travel day by day.
‘Oft I meet with pain and sorrow
And there’s trouble in the way.
But I have a sweet assurance
That my soul, the Lord will lead.
And in Him there is strength for every need.

Oh, His grace is sufficient for me.
And His love is abundant and free.
And what joy fills my soul,
Just to know, just to know
That His grace is sufficient for me.

When the tempter brings confusion
And I don’t know what to do,
On my knees I turn to Jesus
For I know He’ll  see me through.
Then despair is changed to victory.
Every doubt just melts away
And in Him there is hope for every day.

James 1:4

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Go out there today and prove that His grace is sufficient.

Think about it.

Gary

While standing on the back porch of my nephew’s house, I look out over the confluence of the Allagash and St John Rivers.  Old memories come to life.  I can see us as kids swimming in that water hole between Gardner and Hog Island.  There we are wading over to attack the Wehrmacht with our wooden and plastic guns. The dogs that always follow us are taken downstream by the current and come to shore some distance away. Another has us returning from a camping trip with our sleeping bags and blankets because the night is too long and the ground too hard. Then my mind sees us skiing down the river bank and speeding out onto the ice, unstrapping our skis and trekking through the snow back to shore.

If only the kid could look up and see that old man standing on that porch, looking down. No, that’s not possible. They are only memories of days long gone.

If I live long enough, what will be my memories of my present days? I ask that because what we do now will become a memory. Let’s practice good memory- making.

Acts 10:38

 …how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

Let us imitate Him and do good things with the time and gifts He has given us.

Think about it.

Gary