The cardiologist said, “Until we run some tests, you shouldn’t lift anything heavy or put any stress on your heart.”

I wanted to look around to see whom he was advising, but the reality was that we were the only two in that room. Now, I want to lift heavy stuff and my joys in life involve stress. What do I do with this piece of information because I don’t like it, and the opinions of others could kill me before my heart fails? How do I handle this? “Help me, Lord, because I’m in uncharted territory here.” It’s not the first time I’ve sent that prayer heavenward, and it certainly won’t be the last.

Do you ever have days like that? How about some Scriptural advice?

1 Peter 5:7 

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

Jeremiah 29:11 

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Give it some thought and remember these verses in those times when you leave the doctor’s office or receive unwelcome news.

Gary

It’s a winter night in 1975, and I’m in a telephone booth in Quebec.  The temperature is in the subzero range. The broken window in that booth allows for a constant breeze. I’m just calling home to make sure everything is okay in the middle of the week. Frozen water pipes were a worry with that mobile home we lived in. I’m telling my wife that I’m looking forward to Friday night when I’ll be home for the weekend and checking in on our son.

Fifty years have come and gone since I hung up and returned to the North Maine woods to finish my day, loading my truck one more time before calling it quits. It’d be almost midnight before I pulled into camp. Life was so unpredictable at that time; however, we had a short time ago allowed God into our lives. Thinking back, that was the best thing we ever did. That is the reason I am writing this today.

Isaiah 30:21 

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. 

Psalm 32:8 

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.

Give it some consideration.

Gary

It’s 1965.  I’m under the covers with my little transistor radio, listening to the Cyrkle singing “Red Rubber Ball.” I’m sure you’ve never heard tell of that group. They never really made it as a rock band, basically only one hit. I was just enjoying a short piece of their existence. Looking back, it amazes me how many insignificant events make up one’s life. The memory is there after sixty years but holds no context. I’m sure glad there are other memories that I can be thankful for because they have given me the life I have today.

Why do I write this? My answer – I want you to plug the memory stick in and review the things you should be thankful for, the things of God that have given you a real life, not the world’s offerings.

Ephesians 5:20 

Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Colossians 3:17 

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Psalm 103:2 

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits,

I’m glad I no longer go to bed with a transistor radio. Give it some thought.

Gary

The old house I was born in had a closet under the stairs, stairs which went up to the attic. There was a curtain covering the little opening to that space. Mom stored all the bedding for a family of ten there. Of course, summers held much more material than winter.  In my early youth, there were times that I would escape there when I was confused by life on the planet.

The old house no longer exists, but I still need a place to hide sometimes. Now it is in a person whom I was introduced to in 1974. His name is Jesus and He is my hiding place.

Colossians 3:3

For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Hebrews 4:13

And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

He’s a good place to hide. Give it some thought.

Gary

Do you want to visualize your most precious gift, the one you absolutely don’t deserve? It’s a gift that keeps on giving, one that can never be lost or stolen. Set your eyes on Calvary some 2000 years ago, to that horrible scene played out for you.

James 1:17 

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Romans 6:23 

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2 Corinthians 9:15 

Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift!

He’s the real giver. Give it some thought.

Gary

The lyrics implied that at a young age she learned how to open doors with just a smile. Now that is not a gift from God, but a work of the flesh to manipulate others. Someday, she would realize that those doors should never have been opened. So many doors to choose from in such a little time.

The Apostle Paul searched for open-door possibilities not brought about by smiles.

1 Corinthians 16:9

For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

2 Corinthians 2:12

Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord,

Careful when opening doors, but the ones God opens, enter in by faith. Give it some thought.

Gary

The singer said, “Life is best when left to chance.”

Based on life’s experiences, I’d say that that is a very dangerous philosophy for many.  The multiple uncertainties of life curse that belief system.  Wouldn’t it be better to leave the future to the only One who knows the days of our lives?

Proverbs 16:9 

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

James 4:13-15 

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”

Don’t leave life to chance because it will end in tragedy.  Give it some thought.

Gary