I’m seventy-three years old, and a memory of my grandfather standing behind a wood cookstove was stored in my mind some seventy years ago. I have no context, just one memory. My great grandson has turned one, and in a few years, a picture might be formed in his memory of me, his great grandfather, if I’m still around.

I don’t even know my great grandfather’s name. We’re considering six generations here. Blows my mind. I think my medication was missed this morning.

Joel 1:3 

Tell your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children to another generation.

Life, what a trip! Is there any time for conversation with the next generation or the previous one?  Give it some thought.

Gary

Headlines: Tulsi Gabbard tells podcaster aliens may be real: ‘We’re continuing to look for the truth’

I would like to inform Tulsi that she is on the right track concerning the alien thing. Sadly, the only foreign entity to her audience is God, for the truth is found in Christ who is revealed in the Word of God. People need to turn from the twilight zone to the Bible. Give that some thought.

John 14:6 

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

John 8:32 

And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 16:13 

When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come.

I used to fear aliens and now I love the truth. Some people fear aliens and the truth. Where do you stand?

Gary

“Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but of playing a poor hand well.” — Robert Louis Stevenson

I understand this statement. I truly loved poker when I was young. Even if I was losing, I was enjoying the game.

What kind of hand did David, Joseph, Jonah or Gideon have? Maybe you have a hand like that. Just put on a smile and play it as best you can.

Hebrews 11:36-38

Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. ³⁷ They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— ³⁸ of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

It’s not how the world sees winners and losers, but how God sees them.

Give it some thought.

Gary

I just read where 41% of the world’s workforce was stressed. My problem lies in the thought that the words stress and work could be used interchangeably. I’ve always found work stressful. Maybe I’ll have to bring that up to my therapist. Can one find relief?

What does the Bible say about the matter? Glad you asked.

Psalm 118:5-6 

Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?

Matthew 11:28-30 

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Stress is a mechanism God uses to draw you close to Him. Stress has been common since Adam walked the planet. Give it some thought. No charge for this one or any other, for that matter.

Gary

I’m sure thankful my parents and teachers didn’t have access to Ritalin back in the 50’s. I’m certain I’d have been kept back in the fourth grade and definitely in the seventh. Fortunately for me, I graduated from high school as class president with the class I started kindergarten with. I didn’t need to be slowed down; I just needed management. Thankfully, there were those capable of the task at hand.

Oh, I still have ADHD, but my wife, family, church, and friends have kept me in therapy successfully. Did I mention they were all brought into my special program by God?

Philippians 4:19 

And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 40:17

As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!

 Give it some thought.

Gary

“This Is for All the Lonely People” is a song from 1974 sung by the band America. It had a tremendous market because loneliness is a part of the fabric of most individuals. The older people get the more reflective they become of past mistakes and failures which leave them empty.

This is for all the lonely people
Thinkin’ that life has passed them by

Let me suggest some proven therapy.

1 Peter 5:7 

Casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.

Psalm 23:4 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Don’t let life pass you by. Let Him live His life through you.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Jim Croce sang the song “Operator” in 1972 and it topped the charts. It was about a friend who took away the love of his life. Some time had passed and he wanted to call, using an old telephone number written on a matchbook. Although he was still not over the betrayal, he was trying to make contact and wish them well.

It’s about a struggle very common to man. Trying to stop the demons of the past from dragging you down when they just don’t want to let go. Working to make amends when emotions are still raw doesn’t seem possible.

It’s not like that with God, and what we’ve done to Him.

Hebrews 10:15-17

And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying,

 “This is the covenant that I will make with them
after those days, declares the Lord:
I will put My laws on their hearts,
and write them on their minds,”

 then He adds,

“I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”

He can do what is impossible for us. Give it some thought.

Gary