Having plenty of time to listen to advertising on the radio while driving, the constant investment advice is now to buy gold.
It's probably always been a good investment but now seems to be the best time to stock up your trunks, lock boxes and safes with gold bars. But don't cash in your 401K's just yet.
 
In reading the Bible I see where God has placed a tremendous value on human beings. Somehow we lose sight of just exactly how God perceives his creations. We treat ourselves badly, abusing our bodies and souls with many forms of things that are designed to be only temporary measures of what we think of as joy. But if we read closely we see that the Lord had made us to "shine like stars in the universe", and that only happens if we turn on his light switch.
 
We can truly be as good as gold, because the investment He made in us lasts an eternity. The value is beyond measure. Next time you look in the mirror say to yourself, "I am wonderfully made, in the image of God', so now I need to act like it, and be more aware of how much we are worth. Think of it in a practical sense....who could spread the gospel other than us? Who could bring good news but us?
 
Maybe God needs us as much as we need him. We are his golden men and women who can forever help others who don't feel so golden to change their lives. What a difference we can make by perceiving ourselves as an investment in eternity, not in a short term fix. Gold attracts awe and admiration from those who see it shine, so lets be as good as gold wherever we go and whenever we meet someone who needs to make an eternal investment.
 
As we remember our departed brother T.J. Fernandez this week, he is about as close as I can think to someone who was always shining that golden light around on others. So, in his honor, let's remember the golden rule this week and act upon it:
 
Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you...........
 
 

                                          
 You've probably seen the latest Marine Corps commercial which indicates that Marines run toward the battle, not away from it. That's what I was taught over and over while serving, we do not retreat under any circumstance, we stand and fight. However somewhere along my path toward addiction, escape became a reality and usually I would avoid the battle, preferring the bottle.
 
Sobered up 28 years later, that which I learned as a Marine has come back into play. I absolutely enjoy running toward tha battle now because there is now something inside me that is non-alcoholic that gives me courage. My battles, others battles, doesn't matter, let's fight them together, because far greater is Him that is in me than he that is in the world. Some we win, some we lose, either way He is still with us, and hopefully we will still be facing it together. We don't shoot our wounded or leave anyone behind, we are always looking to win the war, even if we have to lose a battle to ultimately win. Remember that.
 
This afternoon I am driving toward Pensacola where flooding and rain has been in epic proportions this week. So far the roads are clear, but the battle scars still remain. Once again I find myself running toward the battle, who knows who might need help. However, as in life, some are spared while others suffer. Somehow, our Fiat store, sitting within 50 feet of three flooded other dealerships that lost more than 500 cars to flooding escaped unharmed and open for business as usual. Which brings to mind my point.
 
Just because folks are fighting battles that they lose, and others remain winners (so called), consider it a blessing because our next battle we may lose is right around the corner. Ask Paul or Peter, check out any of the other apostles. Check out the early Christians who died so that we may worship freely.
 
The key is when you run toward the battle, you are inviting the presence of God to see you through, win or lose. When you run away, you are seeking counsel from the enemy, and he is clearly ready to help you avoid it as often as possible.
 
In the Marines, you earn your stripes, when you see men and women with numerous decorations, you see hardened combat veterans who you want to stand with you in battle. If we can do the same as Christians, run toward the battles with our brothers and sisters, see the decorations on the faces and in the hearts of our leaders, then maybe we can borrow that slogan and use it for the Lord.....
 
The few, the proud, the Christians!
 
Glenn