THINK ABOUT IT             4-16-25

If I said, “Sometimes a smack upside the head is better than a pat on the back.”, you might disagree. But it’s true! Sometimes people have to get hurt before they get help. Here’s an example—
When I was a kid I was fishing with my dad, his best friend (my baseball coach), and his son. We were fishing at a place called,”the pot hole”. It was below the Powersite dam, near Forsyth, Mo. We were anchored near the swift tailrace of the water rapids below the dam.

All of a sudden a man in a nearby boat fell out and was struggling for his life. Fortunately, as he was being carried down river my coach was able to grab his arm. It would have been a simple rescue except for the fact that the man had been drinking and would not stop trying to climb aboard. But as he struggled he put us all in danger by tipping the boat and letting water in. To stop him from capsizing our boat, Bill hit him in the face, like a knock out punch, to get his attention. Afterword it was easy to get him in our boat- saving his life.

So I’ll say it again, “Sometimes a smack up-side the head is better than a pat on the back”. We could have commended him for his great effort, or been like a cheerleader urging him to try harder, but it wouldn’t have made things better. We needed his attention and he couldn’t get help until he got hurt.

The Bible gives us many examples of how God used heavy burdens to bring heavenly blessings. Their trials led them to triumph. In some instances people found themselves in difficult, dangerous, and deadly situations. But in their desperation they surrendered to God who delivered them from what otherwise would have destroyed them. Think about it!
– HDS

David Stone  
Lakeway Baptist Church  
Humble, TX

The furrowed brow, the frown, the fretting over petty things, the fussing about our trials, and the feuding among ourselves make a terrible impression on others. Sometimes we act as though God is dead or mighty sick, and unable or unwilling to help us. Unbelievers conclude that if this is Christianity they want no part of it. Can you blame them? Christians need to realize that sometimes a smile is better than a sermon,that our life is more important than a lecture, that our attitude can be of greater value than our actions. What we are speaks louder than what we say. The most powerful message of your life might be your life. Think about it! – HDS

THINK ABOUT IT             4-10-25

At noon last Saturday I was sitting on a swing in the backyard. Charlie, my dog, was laying between my feet. It was a gloomy day with an occasional sprinkle, but no rain or storms. It was an ideal day to relax, think, and exercise my legs.

All of a sudden the loudest and brightest lightening bolt I ever heard seemed to hit right where I was sitting! The sight and sound of it took my breath away. Charlie jumped up, spun around and headed for the house. I was in a state of shock ( no pun intended).

The swing is mounted on a metal frame and I could hear cracking and feel the static electricity in my body. I never felt so close to dying in my life. As I jumped up I was right behind Charlie headed for the door I had to hold back tears. As Elvis used to sing, I was “All shook up”!

In that split second I was reminded how quickly life can end. I mention this to remind you that the same is true of all of us. It might not have anything to do with lightening- it could be a car wreck, a heart attack, a bullet, or an unknown cause. That should cause all of us to be thankful for the gift of life and the gifts of life. Think about it! – HDS

“So teach us to number our days, That we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”‭‭Psalm‬ ‭90‬:‭12‬ ‭

David Stone  
Lakeway Baptist Church  
Humble, TX

THINK ABOUT IT              3-12-25

In this case I should say,”Thinking About It”, because that’s all I can do.

Today, March 12, 2025, would have been the 65th anniversary for Bev and I. Before she went home to be with the Lord on Jan,6th we were looking forward to this day, but God had other plans.

We were married on Mar.12, 1960, so for the rest of my life this date will continue to be special to me. After the first six years of me making our marriage miserable for her, I received Christ as my Savior on Aug.14, 1966, and we enjoyed a wonderful life together. Then God called her home.

Having lost both of my parents, a daughter, a sister, and numerous friends, I thought I knew what grief was like. But I never experienced anything like Bev’s death. I miss her every minute of every day.

I called her “Lady” because she was truly a lady. I called her “Babydoll”when I was expressing my affection for her. I called her “Little Miss Detail” when I was teasing her. When I was going somewhere I always told her “I love you” and gave her a kiss or blew her a kiss when  she was leaving in the car. But she was much more to me than words can describe. I love her more than anything on earth.

Now that she is gone I catch myself thinking I hear her voice. I have often started to call out a question to her before it dawned on me that she isn’t here. And now I’m blowing kisses at her picture on the dresser. I suspect I’ll be doing these things the rest of my life. But thank God for the memories.

Missing her makes me miserable, but I’m learning to deal with it by reminding myself of all the great years we had together. Having enjoyed those blessings I have no right to complain. The other thing that helps me is knowing I will see her again. God’s people never meet for the last time. So, knowing I’m going to be with Christ assures me that I will see my Lady again and that keeps me going with gladness, rather than groaning with sadness.

I’m glad because I had the privilege of being married to a virtuous woman, a help-meet, a lady whose value is far above rubies, a wife who is deserving of honor. And I’m glad that someday, maybe soon, I will be reunited with her forever. Until then I live with the precious memories of a woman who loved Christ more than me. It doesn’t get any better than that. As the song says, she’s always on my mind. So, I’m thinking about it everyday. I am blessed! HDS

THINK ABOUT IT              3-10-25

DISTRACTIONS

The author of the following is unknown by me, but this message deserves to be made known.- HDS

We are distracted. We are so distracted, and so accustomed to it, that after a while we almost become distraction. We lose the ability to be still. We fear the quiet. We are intimidated by the moments where there is nothing to look at, nothing to do.

Distraction is one of the costs of life in a digital world. Paul Graham says it well: “Distraction is not a static obstacle that you avoid like you might avoid a rock in the road. Distraction seeks you out.” We surround ourselves with devices that bring us so many good gifts, but even these good gifts exact a cost—the cost of distraction. The iPad that allows me to read the Bible anytime and anywhere also barges into my devotional life with notifications and alerts. The phone that allows me to stay in touch with my family while they are far away also wakes me at night with its buzzes and flashes. It giveth with one hand and taketh away with the other.

We are learning. We are learning the costs so that we might also learn the solutions. Here are three of the costs of all of this distraction.

Shallow Living.

Distraction leads to shallow thinking, and shallow thinking leads to shallow living. All of this distraction prevents us from thinking deeply. No sooner does the mind press in on a problem and begin to turn it over and examine it and search for a solution, than there is a beep or a buzz or another interruption. If we are unable to think deep thoughts, we will be unable to live deep lives. The best-lived life is the life that flows from deep contemplation, and especially deep contemplation of the deepest truths. Distraction is the enemy of the best kind of life.

Shallow Doing

Distraction leads to procrastination, and procrastination leads to discontentment. Many of our distractions are gladly received. We want them, we welcome them, we miss them when they have been absent for too long. When they don’t come, we go looking for them, mindlessly typing f-a-c-e-b-o-o-k into our browser, hoping for something, anything, to amuse. An hour passes. Two. And we have accomplished none of what we desired, none of what we had set out to do. As distraction increases, productivity declines, and we become discontent with what we have accomplished. Distraction is the enemy of the best kind of productivity.

Shallow Loving

Distraction leads to shallow communication, and shallow communication leads to shallow relationships. Our distraction prevents us from deep engagement with other people. We are always just one beep or one more buzz away from disengaging from a conversation and turning our attention to that text message, that email, that notification. Relationships thrive on deep communication; relationships flounder on trite and inattentive communication. Distraction is the enemy of the best kind of relationships.

The costs lead us to the solutions, and those solutions are so very simple: Take control! Our devices and new technologies have only as much authority in our lives as we allow them. Determine how much authority your device will have, and force it to live within appropriate boundaries. If you don’t own your tools, they will own you. – End of quote. THINK ABOUT IT

David Stone  

Lakeway Baptist Church 

Humble, Tx.