“Metaphysics is a dark ocean without shores or lighthouse, strewn with many a philosophic wreck.” – Immanuel Kant

Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that deals with the first principles of things, including abstract concepts such as being, knowing, substance, cause, identity, time, and space.

I am so thankful that, as Christians, we don’t have to be lost on that sea of philosophy. However, in examining many of those ship wrecks, the light of Scripture reveals the following:

Romans 1:22

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

God owns the world and everything in it.

Psalm 24:1

The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

Think about it.

Gary

It was Christmas of ’64 and my two brothers were home on leave from the army.  They showed up in their uniforms and I was really taken by those leather gloves with the wool inserts.  I had really missed them, and not just for what I could get out of them, although that’s how young ones generally operate.

Family was special in those days and Christmas meant family would be getting together. Hebrews relates to those special times when the family of God meets to worship Him.

Hebrews 10:25

not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

This Christmas, with the uninvited guest of Covid-19, gathering might not be prudent or possible. However, we have the telephone, facetime, and Duo to make it seem like we’re there in person.

Thank you for taking the time to read these short thoughts and have a merry Christmas in spite of the cruelty of the virus. Be thankful for family and friends.

Think about it.

Gary

It was really just a dumb thing to do. The ranger told us a storm was coming and crossing the Knife Edge on Katahdin Mountain was not a good idea. The ranger was right. Ten minutes into it, the thunderstorm struck in all its fury. I told the people with me we needed to stay at least 200 feet apart and keep moving. Visibility was twenty feet. To shorten up the narrative, we made it.

Scripture instructs that the ever pressing need is for us to keep moving forward in spite of life’s pressures. God has chosen us for a difficult journey.

Galatians 6:9 

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

It might get noisy, you might get wet, and you only have vision for today, but it is only one step at a time. Soon, you will see the end and what a blessed sight that will be.

Think about it.

Gary

“In Christ Alone” is one of my favorite contemporary hymns. So much of my life was made up of only using the name of Christ as a swear word. Now that word is the Name above all names. Paul, inspired by the Spirit of God, made it clear-Jesus stands alone.

1 Timothy 2:5

For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,

In Christ Alone

Stuart Townend

In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

Hebrews 12:24

to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.

Jesus is the fulfillment of all those Old Testament pictures and prophecies.

Think about it.

Gary

Winston Churchill was a great leader for the British Empire during its darkest hour. The Prime Minister left us a lot of tremendous speeches and quotes. Some were moving and some were challenging. However, there was one that bothered me.

 “I am ready to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter,” Winston Churchill.

You see, meeting our Maker if not a humorous matter.  Many times in Scripture individuals met God and they were fearful and mostly speechless.

Exodus 3:6

He said also, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Then Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

We all will meet God, but it is no joke. Are you ready?

Think about it.

Gary

My cousin and I were five years old. There was an old man that used to go around town carrying a Bible, and most folks made fun of him. I don’t know where he came from or where he went, but at five we knew he was crazy. This cousin of mine and I were in the field and this individual, whom people called brother Young, was passing by walking down the road. In fun I shouted out to him, “Brother Young, pray for us.”

That old man got down on his knees and started praying for us. We ran for the house as fast as our little legs could carry us. Mother had been watching from the window and was not at all pleased with my antics.

That was sixty-three years ago, and I often wonder if I’m writing this today because some old man, who was often belittled, got on his knees and prayed for me. It had been a joke for me but not for him.

James 5:16

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Maybe in eternity, it will be revealed to us how some, whom we never knew on earth, had brought us before the throne of grace before their death.

This tells us to pray for others, especially snotty-nosed, belligerent, little boys.

Think of it.

Gary

Someone said the saddest word in the English language is the word “alone.” Homesickness and loneliness are viruses none of us want to contract. This brings me to my song of the day, “North to Alaska.”

Johnny Horton sang “North to Alaska” which was a hit song in 1960.

Here is one stanza.

George turns to Sam with his gold in his hand
Said Sam you’re lookin’ at a lonely lonely man
I’d trade all the gold that’s buried in this land
For one small band of gold to place on sweet little Jenny’s hand

I don’t know if George ever made it back to the lower forty-eight. One thing for sure, he found out there was something more valuable than gold. Most people never find that out, even when it is in their hand.

The Bible has a lot to say about gold.

Proverbs 8:10

Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold;

Proverbs 8:19

My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, And my revenue than choice silver.

Proverbs 16:16

How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

Take up the reading of Scripture and you will discover you don’t have to be alone.

Think about it.

Gary