Don't Worry Son, It'll Be Alright

Therefore I tell you, do not worry....
Matthew 6:25



"The branch of the vine does not worry, and toil, and rush here to seek for sunshine, and there to find rain. No; it rests in union and communion with the vine; and at the right time, and in the right way, is the right fruit found on it. Let us so abide in the Lord Jesus.”



Taylor, Hudson



Down our long, dusty gravel driveway I walked. The sun's beams were shining through the treetops. I was cool from the autumn breeze that rustled the leaves on the tree branches. Standing and waiting for the bus. My first day at a new school. I didn't want to go. My stomach was in knots. I set out for that long walk to the end of the driveway. With tears in my eyes and not knowing what to expect, I dug in against my mother about getting on the bus. Daddy took me by the hand, bent down, and lifted me up to talk to him. He reassured me with these words,"Don't worry son, it'll be alright." I believed him and off I went to school.
At a teenager, I wanted to do my own thing so I set my mind to it. Along that broken road I wanted to be wild and free. In the process, I said some hurtful things at times to my father. In my will to create my own independence and identity, I left carnage in my wake. In my quest, I got into jam after jam. Always escaping by the skin of my teeth. Jumping in before I thought anything through. And through it all, he stood. Knowing alot more of what was going on than I thought I was keeping secret. Always when I had to face the music, to be the better man he wanted me to be, he waited patiently for me to come around. Not wanting to talk about it, he waited on me. Patting me on the back, I sat there slumped over and lost in my thoughts. With the look of despair on my face,I felt noone understood me. And with these words he let me know someone cared, "Don't worry son, it'll be alright." Leaving his door open, he let me know he was available to talk. I may not have always liked his advice, but he always had a sympathtic ear to listen. Though in later years, I came to realize how right he was.
And so the years grew and I settled into a family. As my time with him became more limited, I longed for more moments with him. Obligations and commitments kept me busy, I squeezed every spare chance I had to discuss what life was throwing at me. Life finally threw me the ultimate curve ball. I held his hand as his life slipped away over the weeks in the hospital. Night slipped in and he was doing like he always did. Reassuring me with the same words I heard my whole life,"Don't worry son, it'll be alright:" " How can he be so sure? How does he know?" these questions filled up my mind. All these years I heard these words, but never truly understood the message. With a simple jesture, he put those words into perspectice. Taking his hand, he simply pointed up.

Even after his passing, his words stayed in the back of my mind. Until the moment I was standing in a delivery room, I was amazed at the cries of newborn life. The doctor took my son, and placed him in my hands.Tears welling up in my eyes, he looked up at me with his big blue eyes. Placing him on my shoulder I reassured him,"Don't worry son, it'll be alright."
by
Lance Gargus

All The Colors Of The Rainbow

Once upon a time the colors of the world started to quarrel: all claimed that they were the best, the most important, the most useful, the favorite.
GREEN said: "Clearly I am the most important. I am the sign of life and of hope. I was chosen for grass, leaves, trees - without me, all animals would die. Look out over the countryside and you will see that I am in the majority."
BLUE interrupted: "You only think about the Earth, but consider the sky and sea. It is the water that is the basis of life and drawn up by the clouds from the deep sea. The sky gives space and peace and serenity. Without my peace, you would all be nothing."
YELLOW chuckled: "You are all so serious. I bring laughter, gaiety, and warmth to the world. The sun is yellow, the moon is yellow, the stars are yellow. Every time you look at a sunflower, the whole world starts to smile. Without me, there would be no fun."
ORANGE started next to blow her temper. "I am the color of health and strength. I may be scarce but I am precious for I serve the needs of human life. I carry the most important vitamins. Think of carrots, pumpkins, oranges, mangos, and pawpaws. I don't hang around all the time, but when I fill the sky at sunrise or sunset, my beauty is so striking that no one gives another thought to any of you".
RED could stand it no longer. He shouted out: "I am the ruler of all of you! I am blood! Life's blood! I am the color of danger and of bravery. I am willing to fight for a cause. I bring fire to the blood! I am the color of passion and of love, the red rose, the poppy and the poinsettia. Without me, the earth would be as empty as the moon!"
PURPLE rose up to his full height. He was very tall and spoke with great pomp: "I am the color of royalty and power. Kings, chiefs, and bishops have always chosen me for I am a sign of authority and wisdom. People do not question me, they listen and obey".
Finally, INDIGO spoke, much more quietly than all the others, but with just as much determination: "Think of me. I am the color of silence. You hardly notice me, but without me you all become superficial. I represent thought and reflection, twilight and deep water. You need me for balance and contrast, for prayer and inner peace."
And so all the colors went on boasting and quarreling, each convinced of their own superiority. Soon, their quarreling became louder and louder. Suddenly there was a startling flash of bright lightening! Thunder rolled and boomed! Rain started to pour down relentlessly. The colors crouched down in fear drawing close to one another for comfort. In the midst of the clamor, RAIN began to speak: "You foolish colors, fighting amongst yourselves, each trying to dominate the rest. Don't you know you were each made for a special purpose, unique and different? Join hands with one another and come to me."
Doing as they were told, the colors united and joined hands. The rain continued: "From now on, when it rains, each of you will stretch across the sky in a great bow of colors as a reminder that you can all live in peace. The rainbow is a sign of hope for tomorrow". And so, whenever a good rain washes the world, and a rainbow appears in the sky, let us remember to appreciate one another.

The rainbow is a symbol of God's faithfulness and his promise to never again destroy the earth by flood. It comes from the story of Noah and the Flood. After the flood, God placed a rainbow in the sky as a sign of his covenant with Noah to never again destroy the earth and all living creatures by flood (Genesis 9:12-16). In Revelation, John saw a rainbow around the throne in heaven:
Revelation 4:2-3

At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. (NIV)

My daughter simply describes all the colors of the rainbow as this:

by Autumn Gargus, 8 years old.

All the colors of the rainbow are as pretty as they can be.

Let's say all the colors to you and me.

There are lots in the rainbow like red, blue, and green.

There's also orange too.

Pink is the color of a toy pig.

And that's all the colors in the rainbow.

The End.

Prayer For A Lost Cause

My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.
Psalm 38:10
God, I am a lost cause.... My brother felt that way at times. And now at this moment, I feel the same. So much is happening in my life, I don't know where to start. My heart calls out your name, Lord. Your sons and daughters long for You. Even the waves reach up to You. All creation screams out for it's Creator just like a hurt child screams out for a parent.
We are the lost cause without You. We are helpless and alone. The sufferings of this world chain us. You are hope in the darkness but You are so far away... I know there is always a dawn after darkness. A peace after the storm. A time for all this to end. But I am human Lord. I live in the moment. I can't see over the next horizon like You. All I see is my misery. I can only see the mud and mire that I slowly sink in everyday. The cares of this life pull on me dragging me down. And so, I just lay down in the muck and loose hope. The hopelessness and sins of this world drag me back to places I should never be. And as I loose one more light of love one in this world, mine grows darker. You have their lights, and I can't see them anymore...

I leave my son to spend sometime talking to You. He makes me pinky promise I will return to him. I could call him on the phone but it wouldn't be the same. You promised to return to end our suffering but when Lord...when? How much must we wait? How much longer can we stand hurting each other? I want to understand but I don't know how.

Help me to understand where Your light is in a world full darkness. Cause I need help in relighting mine. Cause You can't see mine if my light isn't bright enough. I've just about snuffed mine out... and I am oh so tired of trying to light mine alone.
Father, send the Holy Spirit to ignite me. And please don't forget this lost cause....Amen.

by

Lance Gargus

Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me.
Psalm 38:21

Family

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

Ephesians 3:14-15

I wake up to what seems a madhouse. The kids screaming as their playing. The phone ringing constantly as person after person calls. My neighbor's dog barking at anything it sees, even a bug on the ground. What could make it any worse?  Before me sits a stack of bills that is overdue.. I jump in the shower to grab a quick bath, only to hear the washing machine a thumping. I'll have to remember to fix that. Better quit daydreaming, only 30 minutes left to finish up and eat. The date has gone out on the milk. How lovely. Off I go into the fray of battle called work.

Come home, rush to help finish school work, coordinate their teeth brushing, bathing, prayers, and sometime among the pandemonium catch my breath. After the storm, I catch a moment of calm. Their asleep so I take the opportunity to rest. What do I suddenly hear but knock, knock. "What's wrong?"I ask. "I had a bad dream." You let one in, the other wants in too. Between a truck and unicorn , they crunch into bed. 

They fall asleep and as I often do, I watch them. Each one sleeping peacefully beside each other. In the still of that late night hour, I believe I can almost hear each one's heart beating. The beat is better than any rhythm I know. It's the beat of life, my life with them.

Thank you Lord for my family you've entrusted me with. Though it isn't always easy, it's a road worth traveling. Help those who are without loved ones on their journey. Be the family that that they're missing tonight.

Amen.

by

Lance Gargus

Lance Gargus

False Gods

And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils,... This shall be a statute for ever unto them throughout their generations.

Leviticus 17:7

God made a statute and a commandment against worshipping other gods. But later on He tells us, right up front, who they truly are. In disguise they came, [ for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:14 NAS] seeking worship at the expense of some kind of demented sacrifice.

They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.

Deuteronomy 32:17

These false gods/demons did not seek out people. Just the opposite, we humans sought them out. What did we give as offerings to these so called gods? Whatever they asked for, including [Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils, Psalm 106:37].

Yet, we didn't fear them. We were friendly with them. [and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 1 Corinthians 10:20]

Even at the end of time, according to the book of Revelation, God gives mankind chance after chance to turn to Him. But they refuse, even after all that happens on the earth. They still won't bend the knee.

... yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:

Revelation 9:20

Why you may ask would they continue in this way? Cause of the lust of the human heart. They offered gold and silver, aka-money; brass, aka metals-automobiles, electronic devices, luxury items; stone and wood, aka-mansions, houses; in exchange for our worship. Sacrificing ourselves for objects that do not think or feel, which cannot see or touch us back.

How foolish we are. Willing to sacrifice ourselves in the pursuit of false gods that do not love. When we have a true God, who willingly sacrificed Himself in the pursuit of our love.

by

Lance Gargus

God Of Second Chances

And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once,
Judges 16:28
O God of second chances and new beginnings,
Here I am,
Again.
That prayer sticks out in my mind. As I recall the conversation held earlier in the Critical Care Unit with my friend, I realize that God is a God of second chances. I was expecting his condition to be quite dire from all the stories at work. A car accident on the way there had resulted in massive internal bleeding, a ruptured lung, and a broken pelvis. Yet, here he was sitting up right and talking to me. Revealing his new scar that ran along his chest, I wondered how this was possible. A year earlier, he had suffered the loss of his mother in a car wreck. Tragedy seemed to have followed him. But now he sat before me in bed carrying on a conversation. I prayed with him before I left. Not sure what words to say but God did. I ended my prayer with the God of second chances, for that is what he had.

He had been heading down a road that would have lead to his own self destruction. Now he had the opportunity to embark on a different course. This opportunity I don't believe had fallen on deaf ears. Shaking my friend's hand I started to leave. I looked back to see tears in his eyes. "Thank you for coming by and what you prayed," he said. " Praise God for this moment not me," was my response.

Leaving I felt a little choked up. I thought of how Samson had failed our Lord, Jonah had ran from Him and Peter had denied Him. How much worse am I than they? How many second chances had God given me in life?

A second chance when my life was shattered. A second chance when my heart had become hardened. A second chance to do the right thing. A second chance after failure. A second chance to walk in God's power. A second chance after death for a new life.

Lord,
Thank you, for all the second chances you have given me. At times, when I become angry at my children, help me to be a father like You, filled with second chance for His children.
Amen..

by Lance Gargus

The Story Of The Three Trees

Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice

Psalm 96:12
Once upon a mountain top, three little trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become when they grew up.

The first little tree looked up at the stars and said: "I want to hold treasure. I want to be covered with gold and filled with precious stones. I'll be the most beautiful treasure chest in the world!".

The second little tree looked out at the small stream trickling by on its way to the ocean. "I want to be traveling mighty waters and carrying powerful kings. I'll be the strongest ship in the world!".

The third little tree looked down into the valley below where busy men and women worked in a busy town. "I don't want to leave the mountain top at all. I want to grow so tall that when people stop to look at me, they'll raise their eyes to heaven and think of God. I will be the tallest tree in the world."

Years passed. The rain came, the sun shone, and the little trees grew tall. One day three woodcutters climbed the mountain.

The first woodcutter looked at the first tree and said, "This tree is beautiful. It is perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining axe, the first tree fell. "Now I shall be made into a beautiful chest, I shall hold wonderful treasure!", the first tree said.

The second woodcutter looked at the second tree and said, "This tree is strong. It is perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining axe, the second tree fell. "Now I shall sail mighty waters!" thought the second tree. "I shall be a strong ship for mighty kings!"

The third tree felt her heart sink when the last woodcutter looked her way. She stood straight and tall and pointed bravely to heaven. But the woodcutter never even looked up. "Any kind of tree will do for me" he muttered. With a swoop of his shining axe, the third tree fell.

The first tree rejoiced when the woodcutter brought her to a carpenter's shop. But the carpenter fashioned the tree into a feedbox for the animals. The once beautiful tree was not covered with gold, and not filled with treasure. She was coated with saw dust and filled with hay for hungry farm animals.

The second tree smiled when the woodcuter took her to a shipyard, but no mighty sailing ship was made that day. Instead the once strong tree was hammered and sawed into a simple fishing boat. She was too small and too weak to sail to an ocean, or even a river, instead she was taken to a little lake.

The third tree was confused when the woodcutter cut her into strong beams and left her in a lumberyard. "What happened?" the once tall tree wondered. "All I ever wanted was to stay on the mountain top and point to God..."

Many many days and nights passed. The three trees nearly forgot their dreams.

But, one night, a golden starlight poured over the first tree as a young woman placed her newborn baby in the feedbox. "I wish I could make a cradle for him.", her husband whispered. The mother squeezed his hand and smiled as the starlight shone on the smooth and sturdy wood. "This manger is beautiful." she said. And suddenly the first tree knew he was holding the greatest treasure in the world.

One evening a tired traveler and his friends crowded into the old fishing boat. The traveler fell asleep as the second tree quietly sailed out into the lake. Soon a thundering and thrashing storm arose. The little tree shuddered. She knew that she did not have the strength to carry so many passengers safely through with the wind and the rain. The tired man awakened. He stood up, stretched out his hand, and said, "Peace." The storm stopped as quickly as it had begun. And suddenly the second tree knew he was carrying the King of heaven and earth.

One Friday morning, the third tree was startled when her beams were yanked from the forgotten woodpile. She flinched as she was carried through an angry jeering crowd. She shuddered when soldiers nailed a man's hands to her. She felt ugly and harsh and cruel.

But, on Sunday morning, when the sun rose and the earth trembled with joy beneath her, the third tree knew that God's love had changed everything. It had made the third tree strong. And everytime people thought of the third tree, they would think of God. That was better than being the tallest tree in the world.

Author Unknown

God often uses the most insignificant things bring about His will. Only at the end is that reason fully understood. May my soul searching lead me to that purpose.

By Lance Gargus

Empty This Vessel

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Matthew 5:6
My Creator,
I know how far I can stray. Seeking the ways of man. Trying to fill myself with this world. But it always leaves me wanting more. It's never quite enough. The father of lies leads so many prodigals away. He whispers words of vain ambition. Allowing myself to be filled with selfishness inside. As the poison of my pride slowly kills me, separating me from You.
The vessel that I am becomes filled with his lies. God, empty it and fill it with your truth.
Amen.

by

Lance Gargus

"There once was in man a true happiness of which now remain to him only the mark and empty trace, which he in vain tries to fill from all his surroundings, seeking from things absent the help he does not obtain in things present. But these are all inadequate, because the infinite abyss can only be filled by an infinite and immutable object, that is to say, only by God Himself."
Pascal, Blaise

Life On The Train

Even to your old age and gray hair I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Isaiah 46:4

(NIV)
A while back, I read a very interesting book that compared life to a train ride or a series of train rides.

Life is like a train ride it read. We get on, we ride, we get off. We get back on and ride some more. There are accidents and there are delays. At certain stops there are surprises. Some of these will translate into great moments of joy, some will result in profound sorrow.

When we are born we first board the train, we meet people whom we think will be with us for the entire journey. Those people are our parents.

Sadly this is far from the truth, Our parents are with us for as long as we absolutely need them. They too have journeys they must complete . We live on with the memories of their love, affection, friendship, guidance and their ever presence.

There are others who board the train who eventually become very important to us in turn. Those people are our brothers, sisters, friends and acquaintances whom we will learn to love and cherish.

Some people consider their journey like a jaunty tour. They will just go merrily along. Others will encounter many upsets, tears, losses on their journey. Others still, will linger on to offer a helping hand to anyone in need.

Some people on the train will leave an everlasting impression when they get off. Some will get on and get off the train so quickly, they will scarcely leave a sign that they ever traveled along with you or ever crossed your path…

We will sometimes be upset that some passengers whom we love, will choose to sit in another compartment and leave us to travel on our own. Then again, there is nothing that says we cant seek them out anyway. Nevertheless, once sought out and found, we may not even be able to sit next to them because that seat will already be taken.

Thats okay everyones journey will be filled with hopes, dreams, challenges, setbacks and goodbyes.

We must strive to make the best of it no matter what…

We must constantly strive to understand out travel companions and look for the best in everyone.

Remember that at any moment during our journey, any one of our travel companions can have a weak moment and be in need of our help.

We too may vacillate, or hesitate every trip hopefully we can count on someone being there to be supportive and understanding.

The bigger mystery of our journey is that we don’t know when our last stop will come. Neither do we know when our travel companions will make their last stop Not even those sitting in the seat next to us.


I know I will be sad to make my final stop. My separation from all those friends and acquaintances I made during the train ride will be painful. Leaving all those I am close to will be a sad thing. But then again, I am certain that one day I will get to the main station only to meet up with everyone else. They will all be carrying baggage…most of which they did not have when the first got on the train.

I will be glad to see them again, I will also be glad to have contributed to their baggage… and to have enriched their lives, just as much as they will have contributed to my baggage and enriched my life.

We are all on this train ride together. Above all, we should all try to strive to make the ride as pleasant and memorable as we can right up until we can make the final stop and the leave the train for the last time.

Author Unknown

The day of my father's passing, I heard a train whistle off in the distance. He spent his entire working career on trains. Maybe this was one small sign of God's reassurance that all is well on The Heavenly Express.

by

Lance Gargus

Who Is God?

And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
1 John 5:20
He is the First and Last,
The Beginning and the End!


He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all!
He is the Architect of the universe and the Manager of all times.
He always was, He always is, and He always will be ...
unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone!



He was bruised and brought healing!
He was pierced and eased pain!
He was persecuted and brought freedom!
He was dead and brought life!
He is risen and brings power!
He reigns and brings Peace!
The world can't understand him,
The armies can't defeat Him,
The schools can't explain Him, and The leaders can't ignore Him.
Herod couldn't kill Him, The Pharisees couldn't confuse Him, and The people couldn't hold Him!
Nero couldn't crush Him, Hitler couldn't silence Him,
The New Age can't replace Him!



He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.
He is goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God.
He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure.




His ways are right,
His word is eternal,
His will is unchanging, and His mind is on me.
He is my Savior,
He is my guide, and He is my peace
He is my Joy,
He is my comfort,
He is my Lord, and He rules my life!



I serve Him because His bond is love,
His burden is light, and His goal for me is abundant life.

I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the wise,
the power of the powerful,
the ancient of days, the ruler of rulers, the leader of leaders, the overseer of the overcomers, and is to come. And if that seems impressive to you, try this for size.



His goal is a relationship with ME!
He will never leave me,
never forsake me,
never mislead me,
never forget me,
never overlook me and
never cancel my appointment in His appointment book!



When I fall, He lifts me up!
When I fail, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong!
When I am lost, He is the way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage!
When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me!
When I am blind, He leads me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face persecution, He shields me!
When I face problems, He comforts me!
When I face loss, He provides for me!
When I face Death, He carries me Home!




He is everything for everybody everywhere, every time, and every way.

He is God, He is faithful. I am His, and He is mine!

My Father in heaven can whip the father of this world.
So, if you're wondering why I feel so secure, understand this...

He said it and that settles it.
God is in control, I am on His side,
and that means all is well with my soul.



Everyday is a blessing for GOD Is!

Author Unknown

That says more than enough. Case Closed.

By

Lance Gargus

Legend Of The Sand Dollar

A beautiful poem of the hope of resurrection and new life symbolized in the sand dollar. It is said that Christ left the sand dollar on Earth as a symbol to help the evangelists teach the faith.

And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas

Genesis 1:22

Version One :
The legend of the Sand Dollar
There's a pretty little
legendThat I would like to tellOf the birth and death of JesusFound in this
lowly shell.
If you examine closely,You'll see that you find hereFour nail
holes and a fifth oneMade by a Roman's spear.
On one side the Easter lily,Its
center is the starThat appeared unto the shepherdsAnd led them from afar.
The
Christmas poinsettia,Etched on the other sideReminds us of His birthday,Our
happy Christmastide.
Now break the center open,And here you will release The
five white doves awaitingTo spread Good will and peace.
This simple little
symbol,Christ left for you and meTo help us spread His GospelThrough all
eternity.

Version Two :
Upon this odd-shaped sea shellA legend grand is toldAbout
the life of JesusThe wondrous tale of old
The center marking plainly showsThe
well known Guiding StarThat led to tiny BethlehemThe Wise Men from afar
The
Christmas flower, PoinsettiaFor His NativityThe Resurrection too is markedThe
Easter Lily, see
Five wounds were suffered by our LordFrom nails and Roman's
spearWhen He died for us on the crossThe wounds show plainly here
Within the
shell, should it be broke,Five Doves of Peace are foundTo emphasize this
legendSo may Love and Peace abound

Version Three :
The Sand Dollar Legend
Upon this odd-shaped seashell
a legend grand is told,about the life of Jesus, that wondrous tale of old.At its
center you will see, there seems to be a star,like the one that led the
shepherds and wise men from afar.Around its surface are the marks of nails and
thorns and spear,suffered by Christ upon the cross; the wounds show plainly
here.But there is also an Easter lily, clear for us to see,the symbol of
Christ's resurrection for all eternity.

Version Four :
The legend of the Sand dollarThat I would like to tellOf
the birth and death of JesusFound in this lovely shell.If you will examine
closely, You'll see that you find hereFour nail holes a fifth oneMade by a
Roman's spear.On one side the Easter Lily,It's center is the starThat appeared
unto the shepherdsAnd led them from afar.The Christmas PoinsettiaEtched on the
other sideReminds us of his birthday,Our happy Christmas tide.Now break the
center openAnd here you will releaseThe five white doves awaitingTo spread good will and peaceThis simple little symbol,Christ left for you and me.
~ Author
Unknown ~

The times I walked on the beach as a child on vacation, I never realized the mysterious messages God had hidden in all His creations. As I grew older I come to a deeper appreciation of all His works of art, that no man duplicate or completely comprehend. But when I was a child I just knew it was beautiful. What more could I have asked for?

And so my soul searching journey continues.

by

Lance Gargus

God Of Order

God of Order,

While amongst the ruins of my chaotic life, reveal what your doing inside of me. Help me to see the bigger picture. Silence the voices of doubt that confound and confuse the mind. You made order out of the chaos of the universe, make order out of the chaos of my life.

Amen.

Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.

Psalm 25:4

Closer Than A Brother

There are friends who pretend to be friends,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24 (RSV)

"Fair Weather Friends," are those who stay by you only during good times. My mother use to say, "You count your true friends on one hand with one or two fingers left over." When your on top of that mountain, everybody wants to slap your back or shake your hand. But if you slip and fall, see who's around you. As the bandwagon comes to the end of the road, they all jump off.

Is your true friend someone you can call upon any time of night or day? Or is he someone who only comes around when they have nothing else better to do?

Does he have your back when others face you down? Or is he one who takes the side of the one who is winning?

The only one I can find that even comes close in my life is my brother. Sure he becomes irritated at me at times, as all brothers do, but just let someone say something about me. They will get more than a piece of his mind.

This kind of bond and friendship is built over a lifetime of good and bad. You grow up together. Looking out for each other in an often relentless world. I know some brothers aren't like this, that is a sad fact. But the Bible knows that alot of brothers are. A friendship forged sometimes out of mutual strife. Good times don't build brothers, hard times do.

"He's like a brother to me. We were a band of brothers. He ain't heavy, he's my brother." These quotes are but a few in reference to brothers, and the link between them. To the outside world, it may seem fragile until this link is tried to be broken by an outsider. And to his dismay he finds out how really strong the link is.

Now we see how close brothers are, but the Bible says we have One closer than a brother. The one it's referring to is Christ. He is always available 24-7, you will never disturb Him, and he will go to bat for you no matter the obstacle.

I don't know about you, but I kind like the thought of having the Big Guy and my brother both watching out for me.

by

Lance Gargus

What Value Is It To Me?

And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?
Genesis 25:32

Surveying the old home place I ponder,"Does anything have sentimental value to anyone anymore?" Anything tears up like an old tv, vcr, or any other electronic device, we throw it out and buy a new one. A house that is not brand new is not worth living in. If its old, its outdated. We want it bigger, faster, and better than the original.

When did we loose our taste for heirlooms or things passed down from generation to generation?
Unless it has some kind of monetary value to it, we don't want it. We discard them among that day's garbage.

Have we become so haughty that we no longer appreciate the simple things of the past? A trinket, a locket, a hope chest, these things have no value to others unless layered with gold but retain a sentimental value to the few.

What is sentimental value, and what gives it meaning? The memories that are invoked from the object brings out its true value to the owner.

For example, the old home place where one was raised. Even if the house is long gone, everything brings thoughts of the past. Carefree days in summer spent underneath the towering shade tree. It's branches stretching forth to cover the hot sun from your reddened neck. There it stands as a reminder of the conversations had with your parents underneath it. Pouring your heart out over life's troubles as you sat in the swing beneath it.

Glancing back you shut your eyes, and see your mother calling you in after playing in the snow. Hands and feet frozen, her there to give you hot chocolate to drink.

Listening to the rustle of leaves through the trees, you can almost hear the sound of your dad's approaching car. For a moment, you can feel his outstretched arms as he picks you up in the air. Your feet lift off the ground as he spins you around. Looking up, you think that you can fly to the top of the tree, right up into the sky.

Laughter fills your ears of siblings as you once were. Playing chase in the yard as you run until you collapse underneath the mighty cedar. Lying on your back with them you look at the clouds. Hours is spent talking about the various shapes you can make out.

Mostly, is the longing for the way things use to be, when love was all that your family could afford.

Now you stand grown, aged by the years. Nothing ever remains the same it seems. Families move away, busy with their own lives. Cousins once playmates, drift away. There is isn't anything time hasn't touched. All remains is an old cedar, shade tree. Beaten by the elements, and neglected. The land surrounding it has been sold off by the inheritors to be developed or chopped up piece by piece. All that remains is one lone spot of a tree that once enjoyed picnics underneath it.

And lastly, it is sold. The stories of the past are soon forgotten with the passing of the mantle. Like Esau, he discarded his inheritance for a bowl of soup. His birthright was treated by him as nothing." What value is it to me if I'm hungry?" was his exclamation.

We disregard sentimental value by trashing it or making a quick buck off it, if we can.

There will come a time, when you will want to pass something on to your children.. You will look at them and want them to honor something you hold valuable. And they're answer will sadly be,"What value is it to me?"

by
Lance Gargus

Fountain Of Life

And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
Revelation 21:6

The fountain of life is mentioned throughout the Bible. It is a place where we can go to become renewed and reborn. Baptism is an example of the fountain of life. But how wonderful would be to catch a glimpse of this fountain.

My mother had a dream about standing in a majestic garden. The most loveliest one she had ever seen. In the midst was a water fountain with an angel watching over everything. The abundance of flowers and plant life was astounding to behold. In the distance, she could make out an image of a woman. The woman was smiling and standing by the fountain. The woman seemed so familiar. My mother walked closer to get a better view. At that moment, the woman's features came into view.

A face she had recognized since her birth. "Mother?" she cried with question in her voice. "I am so happy here,"her mother softly spoke back. Oh, how, my mother wanted to hug her mother and tell her so many things. As she stepped forward her mother stepped back. She wanted to go with her so badly. "No, not yet," she sadly said,"Your dad and Jim are here with me."

From behind the cascading water, she could make out two shapes. They stepped out into view from behind the fountain with smiles on their faces. She tried to step forward again to go to them. In unison, they put their hands up, and said,"Not yet, but it will be soon."

I know the twilight of my mother's life draws near. It doesn't make it any easier. But I know, in my heart, that there is One who has put a fountain in a garden for those who trust in Him. That's all I need to know.

by

Lance Gargus