It was just a comment on a news story about the rise in immoral activity affecting Christian colleges in America at graduation time. The person wrote, “I’m sorry, I was at work and paying taxes. What happened?”

It reflects the fact that the ones keeping our American way of life afloat are too busy to get involved in this radical transformation of culture. Does the Bible address this phenomenon? Glad you asked.

Isaiah 5:20

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Will we return to decency? I don’t think that will happen until the Lord returns. In the meantime, be a light and don’t add to the darkness. Give it some thought.

Gary

Most people don’t have one best friend through life. I did. He was always faithful to me, but I wasn’t to him. Haunts me even after half a century that he was hurt by me, yet he chose to remain best friends. I’ve done that terrible sin to more than one individual for which I am truly sorry.

While I’m in the confessional, let me tell you of another Friend that I’ve developed a relationship with. I’ve hurt Him many times also, but He has remained faithful.

2 Timothy 2:13 

If we are faithless, He remains faithful— for He cannot deny Himself.

Proverbs 18:24 

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a Friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 17:17 

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Give it some thought and bask in His faithfulness.

Gary

I’m walking down the hall in a nursing facility when I hear this stanza of a French song. For some reason a memory from the past comes alive in my mind, and I know the English words.

When the sun says goodbye to the mountain
And the night says hello to the dawn
I’m alone with my dreams on the hilltop
I can still hear your voice, though you’re gone

How many of these residents are sitting on their mountain of remembrance, shedding a tear. I could join in, but I must control my emotions. After all, I’m there to teach a Bible study.

Jacob explained it best to Pharoah. My interpretation of what he said follows: This has been some trip. Sadly, I can’t go back and the memories are killing me.

Genesis 47:10

And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, the days of the years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.

I don’t like that mountain, but we must all spend some time there occasionally.

Give it some consideration.

Gary

So, you have it all together. You can take the best of what this world has to offer and fly high all the way to boot hill in Tombstone. You have no cares about others or what you might leave behind. Does the Bible address this misplaced thinking? Glad you asked.

Jeremiah 17:5

Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord.

If you don’t put God into the equation, you will inevitably be embarrassed when your answer is corrected by the Teacher. Give it some thought.

Gary

Many times someone has informed me that I was from the end of the road. In their minds, Allagash was where the paved road ended. That’s not the way I looked at it because I always knew that’s where the road began. I never had to make a choice about the direction to go because it was already made for me. How blessed I was!

Speaking of roads, does the Bible address the path we should take? Glad you asked.

Mark 10:52

“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

Matthew 7:13-14

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

My road is leading me to my eternal home. Where is your road leading you? Give it some thought.

Gary

The priest I was talking to was the son of the physician who had delivered me seventy-three years ago. He told me that his father had delivered over eight thousand babies in our valley in his career.  I do appreciate the fact he came to our home to make sure I entered this life without incident.

Speaking of physicians, here’s one that really put me unto the road of a more abundant life.

Mark 2:17 

And when Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

He’s the One who really gave me life.

John 10:10 

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Who has delivered you? Give it some thought.

Gary

The song stated, “The feeling is gone and I just can’t get it back.” That represents the case for most divorces, jobs being terminated, army desertions, failure to raise kids properly and lack of trying to educate by educators. The list could go on to a multitude of other things.

The contemporary thought is: just trust in your feelings. I wonder how much damage that concept has cost oneself and the collateral damage it has inflicted on others.

Does the Bible address real and lasting trust? Glad you asked.

Proverbs 3:5 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

Psalm 56:3-4 

When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. In God, whose Word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?

Put trust and vows ahead of feelings. Give it some thought.

Gary