I have a hard time with my cousin. She is a prolific writer and her narratives always make me cry. Not weep, I mean really cry. It amazes me how she went from that grammar school brat to the woman she is today. It might not sound like it, but I love her dearly.

Memories are in the memory sticks of our mind. They are made up of the good, the bad and the ugly. All of them are needed to keep us between the guardrails of the remaining miles of our journey. They tell us we were here and there must of necessity be a there. Life must be spelled out in a book with its different chapters.

Revelation 20:12

And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.

If you are saved, you are not going to stand before this judgment. Your works are to be judged as a child of God at the judgment seat of Christ, which will be for the purpose of rewards (see 2 Cor. 5:10).

Give this some thought.

Gary

I listen to individuals in 12-step programs for addiction and my interpretation of their cry is, “save me from me.” That’s the beginning of enlightenment because the problem is inside. We came into the world with a problem and it only gets worse.

The psalmist had it right.

Psalm 51:5 

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Slavery needs to be realized

John 8:34 

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.

One must reach out for healing.

1 Peter 2:24 

He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.

Thank God for deliverance.  Give it some thought.

Gary

“Heaven’s Sounding Sweeter All the Time” is a gospel hymn.  The lyrics revolve around the desire for and anticipation of a heavenly home and reunion with loved ones.

Life has been so good, I can’t complain

When I’m down, God gives me strength to rise again

But I’m weary, from the struggle of it all

So I listen, how I listen for His call

Heaven’s sounding sweeter all the time

Seems like lately it’s always on my mind

Someday I’ll leave this world behind

Heaven’s sounding sweeter all the time

Philippians 1:23-24

For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.  Nevertheless, to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 

The Apostle Paul felt caught between two worlds.  May our time in the flesh serve God’s purpose.  Give it some thought.

Gary

“I used to sell furniture for a living. The trouble was, it was my own.“ — Les Dawson

Paul experienced such situations in his ministry. The apostle’s life certainly had its ups and downs, which is contrary to what the prosperity preachers present as a reality for believers.

Philippians 4:12

I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things, I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Situations change, but our relationship with God should stay the same as we put our faith in His divine purpose in it all.   Give it some thought.

Gary

My brother was wounded on a battlefield near the DMZ in 1968. After a year of surgeries and Naval hospital stays, that brave marine went back to Viet Nam for another tour in 69, because of his obstinate and tenacious character.  He could have easily had a medical discharge or at least not had to return to the front.

It is a disappointment when well-trained Christians surrender because of a wound that can be healed. You can’t serve in the Lord’s army without taking a hit. This singer expresses it better than I can:

I am a wounded solider,
but I will not leave the fight
because the Great Physician is healing me
so I’m standing in the battle
in the armor of His light
because His mighty power is real in me

I am loved; I am accepted by the Savior of my soul
I am loved; I am accepted
and my wounds will be made whole

2 Timothy 2:3

You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

2 Timothy 2:4

No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please Him who enlisted him as a soldier.

Knowing that it’s highly likely that you’ve been wounded along the way, l challenge you to look to the Healer- the Great Physician- and get back into the fight.

Give it some thought.

Gary

The song “Baptism of Jesse Taylor” by Connie Smith tells the story of a reformed man who is baptized in Cedar Creek, and the impact the change in his life has on his community. The lyrics focus on Jesse’s past struggles with drinking, gambling, and trouble with the law and his transformation into a devout Christian. It was released in 1973.

There have been a lot of Jesse’s over the millenniums. Maybe you are one.

2 Corinthians 5:17 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Colossians 3:10 

And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

I’ve experienced that transformation and I’ve witnessed it in many others  over the years.

Give it some thought.

Gary

I’ve learned – that you cannot make someone love you.
All you can do is be someone who can be loved.
The rest is up to them.

–       Unknown author

1 John 4:19

We love because He first loved us.

1 Corinthians 16:14 

Let all that you do be done in love.

1 John 4:8 

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Is tough love, not love?  Give it some thought.

Gary