This Week’s Thought

Posted on by Horizon Professional Services
Prickly Pear

By Brad Campbell –

Just a thought to help start your week.

When my brother and I were very young, we enjoyed our visits to Nanny’s house down Campbell Road.  Our entertainment was in spending as much time outside as possible.  We dug holes in the red clay dirt driveway with silver kitchen spoons.  We chased one another around the yard.  And we played ball.

What we really enjoyed, much to the chagrin of the grown-ups, was throwing the ball back and forth to each other, one in front of the little tin-roofed house, and the other behind it near the woods.  The ball, usually a baseball, not a softer tennis ball or a little rubber bouncing ball, but a hard baseball, would bounce across that tin roof with a boom, boom, boom.  We could only get away with that for a few minutes before the front door flung open and we were being scolded yet again for making so much racket.

Part of that fun was in finding the ball when it went rolling.  Whichever one of us boys was behind the house would have to chase the ball into the kudzu.  Whichever one was out front did our best to keep the ball from rolling into the prickly pear!  That’s what we called the big sprawling cactus plants, just like the ones you see here in my picture.  I wish I had photos of those that I remember, but this pretty one from Arizona will serve the purpose.

Those flowers blooming on the cactus are certainly pretty, and Nanny had taught us to respect the beauty in God’s creation, especially her flowers scattered around the yard.  We also learned to respect the stickers on the cactus as well.  All it would take was for the ball to go rolling into the prickly pear one time, we would reach in one time to retrieve the ball, and that one time would remind us why we were to respect the cactus.

It was as if our hands were magnets and those stickers were metal needles instantly attracted to the magnet!  I can almost still feel the pain even now.

In your week ahead, look and enjoy and respect the beauty, but be ever aware of the prickly pear.  Sometimes you see it, you run around it, and you admire it, but you make the mistake of thinking it won’t bite you.  Then you have one little slip-up and pow, the pain of that one mistake!

Satan is roaming, right in plain sight in the front yard, in among the pretty flowers.  Beware what you dare to stick your hands into.  Life-long lessons can be learned in an instant.

Just a thought.

This Week’s Thought

Posted on by Horizon Professional Services
Bull

By Brad Campbell –

Just a thought to help start your week.

While on our cruise to Alaska last summer, we were able to do some whale watching.  It was amazing to see those huge sea animals playing in the ocean.  However, the only photos I was able to catch were not at a very good distance.  Once back to our port in Seattle, we explored for another day before returning home.  There, we saw the whale tail you see here, and of course, I snapped a picture.

Fish stories like that are similar to “the one that got away” stories.  But allow me a moment to tell you a whale of a tale.  Many years ago, on a quiet night, a little boy was born.  This took place a long time before hospital births were the ‘norm.’  No one was around but the infant’s parents, but everything went beautifully, and they were so very excited to begin their parenting journey.

The little fellow grew up, following in his father’s footsteps, and then branching out into his own life.  He was a people person, and he traveled extensively, long before airplanes were dreamed of.  He made many friends, but, alas, also many enemies.  Time went by, he grew into a young man, and then his world was turned upside down by some ill-wishing people who simply wanted him out of their way.

A ridiculous trial under terrible circumstances led to a bogus conviction and a death sentence, all within a very brief period of time.  The day arrived, and the hour came, when he was experiencing his last moments, and instead of cursing his accusers, or trying to somehow weasel his way out of this unbelievable situation, he simply looked toward Heaven, spoke to His Father, and requested that the evil-doers be forgiven.

That’s a whale of a tale, isn’t it?  Is it a wonder that the world doesn’t believe that Jesus did all this for every one of us?  But, an unbelievable Man lived an unbelievable life and died and unbelievable death so that we might believe!  It’s an incredible story.

But here’s the kicker.  Unlike those “fish that got away” stories, this whale of a tale is incredibly true!  Don’t let Him slip away from your grasp and out of your thoughts and focus in the week ahead.  His Story is a whale of a tale that all of us fishers-of-men must tell!

Just a thought.

This Week’s Thought

Posted on by Horizon Professional Services
Trail

By Brad Campbell –

Just a thought to help start your week.

You are all aware of those “warnings” on certain product packaging that are apparently meant to keep us from our own state of pitiful uselessness.  For instance, the shampoo bottle that says, “Don’t drink this!”  Wow.  Or the sign posted next to the local lunch grill counter that says, “May be hot!”  May be?  Well, I would hope so.  Sadly, the dumbing down of society has led to a rampant state of ignorance yet unparalleled in my lifetime.  

But then, there are signs like the one I’ve shared here.  There, beside the clean dirt trail through the wooded area ahead, is a sign that simply says, “Trail.”  You would think this sign, placed alongside an old trail adjacent to the Natchez Trace, would be unnecessary.  Yet, some would rely upon such a sign to make sure they are heading in the right direction.

Ah, isn’t that the purpose of the sign?  It is posted there to make like easier for some who might wander away from the trail.

The Bible, heralded as a totally useless book of unimportant little stories and fairy tales by some in our world, is there because so many of us would go wandering off the trail if we didn’t access and read it regularly.  Why should we have to be reminded to get into God’s Word before heading out into our world?  Can’t we navigate the trails and pathways on our own?  You can certainly try, if you want.  But I’d rather follow the directional signs that have been wisely placed beside the trail for me!

Don’t dismiss those little signs or nudges and reminders from God’s written Word and from those good friends He places along our path this week.  Heed the warnings.  Follow directions.  Remain on the trail.  After all, someone before you was wise enough to mark it for your protection – not to showcase your ignorance, but to make life so much easier.

See you on the trail.

Just a thought.

This Week’s Thought

Posted on by Horizon Professional Services
Crab

By Brad Campbell –

Just a thought to help start your week.

We walked along the cold wet sand enjoying the breeze.  Daughter was in search of small shells to incorporate into some jewelry she enjoys creating, so our eyes were on the sand.  We walked, carefully examining the area around our every step.  That’s when I spotted this.

An empty crab shell.  A crab had once lived in this abandoned place.  The shell had protected the animal from dangers in its life.  That shell, because of its distinct shape and size automatically told us that it had once belonged to a crab.  It was all so obvious.

Some days we aimlessly wander through life.  We are busy with daily responsibilities and so many other things that require our time and attention.  We are doing great and wonderful things.  We are witnessing for the Lord as we walk along.  But are we really involved in all that?  Or are we merely recognized by others because of our shell?

The shell – the outer appearance.  That’s what conveys to the world that we are who we claim to be.  We look like a Christian, speak like a Christian, act like a Christian, therefore we must be a Christian.  Right?  Not necessarily!

Yes, the crab’s shell once belonged to a crab.  That is undeniable.  But when the day comes that our journey on life’s sea is done, our shell has washed up on the shore, and others walk by and observe the place where we lay, will they be able to say without a doubt that we were once a Christian?

May our shell speak for itself.  What do others see?

Just a thought.

This Week’s Thought

Posted on by Horizon Professional Services
NOLA

By Brad Campbell –

Just a thought to help start your week.

HOWEVER, before I share that thought, I’d like to say this.  My good friend David Hatcher, over these nearly twenty years, has faithfully shared these ‘thoughts’ with countless others via email.  He began this of his own accord, and I have always been grateful to David for helping me share some good with our world.  David met Jesus face to face this past Saturday morning.  And while I rejoice for him, I would also love your help in reconnecting with the many with whom he had been sharing by email.  If you or someone you know was one of those blessed individuals, please send me your email address to be added directly to my list.  And keep David’s family in your prayers.  Funeral arrangements are set for Thurs. March 12 at Cuba Baptist Church.  Visitation at 10am and service to begin at 11am.  Burial will follow in the Clay Memorial Cemetery.

Now, a brief ‘thought’ for you.  The photo I’ve attached is one I took a few years ago while we were in New Orleans for a few days.  I got out one morning and walked several blocks up and down in the French Quarter and around Jackson Square.  What I want you to see is how basically deserted it looks and how clean the streets are first thing in the morning.  Workers have been busy clearing out the trash and washing off the streets and sidewalks from the hustle and bustle of the previous evening.

A place that some have described as “Hell on Earth,” New Orleans does have some particular reputations.  To experience New Orleans in the evening is quite different than experiencing New Orleans first thing in the morning.  It almost seems like two different places.  Alas, it is the same place, but with two different faces.

I pray that none of us live that way.  Is the person that others see in you first thing each day the same person they see in you in the evening, and vice versa?  Are you consistent in your love for the Lord, witness for the Lord, and life lived for the Lord?  Would the world look at us one evening and not wish to see us the next day?  

Yes, life requires washing up and cleaning up the trash on a daily basis.  But, believe me, it’s worth it.  New Orleans, despite the troubles therein, can be a beautiful place.  I believe that also applies to us.  What side of you will the world see this week?

Just a thought.

This Week’s Thought

Posted on by Horizon Professional Services
Truck

By Brad Campbell –

Just a thought to help start your week.

I knew the old truck had issues.  It is several years old, has many miles on it, and has its own little quirks.  But, it is mine, it is paid for, and it still runs.  Or, at least it did.

Daughter and Hubby had borrowed the truck, and Wife and I went to get it and bring it home, making sure we left their house in broad daylight, just in case.  Well, only three short miles from the kids’ house, with me behind the wheel, it lurched, jerked, and shut off.  I’d made it to top of a hill, then carefully coasted off the side of the road into a mud-hole of a place that seemed to have been waiting just for me and whomever came along.  Quickly I called Wife, who had been not too far ahead of me.  And there on the side of an extremely busy highway curve in afternoon traffic we stood, along with Daughter and jumper cables and her Hubby’s Uncle who had seen us and circled back to lend aid.

We fiddled with this and that, then tried some of that and the other.  We called a friend, who suggested another who called another, and tow truck came to our rescue.  As I am writing this, the incident I’ve just described took place a couple of days ago.  I have more calls to make to tow shop and garage to line up who can do what when.

The Lord, no doubt at all, is always looking out for His children.  I knew truck had its issues, but it hadn’t been causing any great problems.  Daughter had used it a few times for very recent one-way hour-long trips with no problems.  As we left the house that morning to go after the truck, I instinctively turned on our carport light.  We were to be home well before dark, but God knew otherwise and certainly is the reason I flipped on that light switch.

God knew truck was about to pitch a fit, but took care of Daughter and her Hubby so that it ran perfectly for them, and saw to it that I was the one driving it when it quit.  God let me travel only three miles from the kids’ home before the machine stopped.  God orchestrated the straight stretch of mud hole along the side of the road that was plenty wide enough and long enough for all three of our vehicles and the tow truck to get out of traffic.  And God saw to it that the sun was still shining while all this took place just inches from maniacal drivers who were apparently off to the races for the afternoon.

Not sure what comes next for the truck, except that I know Who has His hand on the steering wheel!  And I’m oh so very thankful.  We stood beside that muddy stretch of roadside and laughed about God’s sense of humor and timing in it all.  What a wonderful God we serve.

Is He holding your steering wheel as you drive off into the week ahead?  I’m certainly glad He has a hold on mine!

Just a thought.

This Week’s Thought

Posted on by Horizon Professional Services
Fog

By Brad Campbell –

Just a thought to help start your week.

Very recently, I was driving my car down the highway, literally praying as I went that nothing or no one appeared in front of me.  The fog was so thick I could barely see the lines on the road.  I simply had to trust that I would get where I was going.

From time to time, my wife and I travel by airplane.  I snapped this photo from my window seat on one such flight.  The clouds were so thick in the air surrounding our plane that I was certainly thankful I wasn’t the one having to pilot that very large machine.  It was indeed an eerie scene from inside the plane, but we merely had to trust that the pilots and their equipment would get us safely where we were going.

Do you ever step out of the house on Monday morning, or maybe just get out of the bed on any given morning of the week, and you can’t see the end of the week for the “fog” in your mind?  Your calendar is full.  Your days are chaotic.  Perhaps you have the demands of family, employment, and even church weighing heavily upon you, and you have no idea how you’ll accomplish all you need to accomplish.  You can barely see the proverbial lines beside you or the end of the airplane wing because of the thick cloud of uncertainty, unpleasantries, and perhaps even fear that surround you.  You briefly enter panic mode.

But, you must remember that God is in control!  Have you ever seen one of those bumper stickers that says, “God is my co-pilot?”  Well, that’s a very dangerous statement!  If God is the co-pilot, then it means you are the pilot!  You best switch seats to avoid impending disaster!

Trust the Lord to pilot you, lead you, guide you, carry you, and protect you through the foggy cloudy days of uncertainty in today’s world.  For the Christian, we have a guarantee of arriving safely at our final destination!

Just a thought,

This Week’s Thought

Posted on by Horizon Professional Services
rest

By Brad Campbell –

Just a thought to help start your week.

We arrived first thing that morning at the dock in Ketchikan, Alaska.  Ketchikan is known both as ‘Alaska’s first city’ and as the ‘salmon capital of the world.’  As a matter of fact, the ship had a few tense minutes wait for some random fishing boats who meandered entirely too close as the ship attempted to near the dock.

We eagerly awaited our time to disembark the ship and spend the day exploring the city on foot.  We did just that, too.  We walked along the water, went shopping, ate an amazing meal, admired many hundreds of different beautiful flower beds and arrangements, and enjoyed the great weather.  We walked here, we walked there, we walked everywhere we went.  Then, as time began to near for us to settle aboard the ship, we did just that, beat most of the heavy crowds, walked back and went straight up to our cabin where we kicked off our shoes and rested our weary feet.

Because we remained at the dock for a little while and the town was bustling below, I chose to sit on our balcony, prop up my feet, and read a book I’d not had a chance to begin, one by my friend and wonderful storyteller Sean Dietrich.  I greatly enjoyed those quite moments reading and people watching at several times on our trip.

Life is busy.  I don’t have to tell you that.  Many of us have jobs, schedules, calendars, events, meetings, activities, and family responsibilities that keep us busy most waking hours.  That isn’t necessarily a complaint or a bad thing.  It’s just the truth.  We run throughout the days and weeks going here, going there, and squeezing in yet another something at which we must show up and appear to be on top of our game.  We desperately need to stop, prop up our feet, and focus on other things.

Maybe we need to do just as I did and take a break from it all.  Even from my perspective on the balcony, I could see that the world remained busy, people were still going about their business, things didn’t stop or cease to exist simply because I chose to take a break for myself and my sanity.

Oh, that we each could learn to do that very thing.  The thing is, the world will continue to operate without us running ragged thinking we are the ones who have to keep it going.  The Bible reminds us, as I’m sure I have repeated from time to time, to “be still and know that I am God.”  Be still.  Be still.  Be still.  And in that stillness that certainly can exist even with the world bustling around us and below us, know that He is God, He is in control, and He is all you need.

Just a thought.

This Week’s Thought

Posted on by Horizon Professional Services
donuts

By Brad Campbell –

Just a thought to help start your week.

I want to first explain that I am not a paid spokesperson for any doughnut company.  I can tackle a box of Krispy Kreme glazed doughnuts, devour a bag of Little Debbie’s mini powdered doughnuts, or very willingly knock back some fresh-from-the-grease homemade doughnuts from our local ‘Touch of Home’ Mennonite bakery.  They are all equally divine in nature.

The doughnuts you happen to see in my picture were a carefully chosen grouping we gathered at just one of a great many Dunkin Donuts establishments we came across while venturing around New England.  We enjoyed every flavor, size, and style that we tried.  All wonderful in its own way.

We had driven past more Dunkin Donut establishments in those few days than I’ve seen in my entire lifetime elsewhere, but we chose to stop at this particular one after my wife had made it her mission to point out every single one that I had let go by.  So inside for a snack and coffee we went — gladly, I might add.

The one thing that makes Dunkin stand out differently from all the rest is their slogan, “America runs on Dunkin.”  If you stop in their shop in Maryville, TN, for instance, you’ll see the “Maryville Runs on Dunkin” sign, and each town with one of their shops has their own personalized sign.

What do you run on?  Or, what runs you?  Or, on what do you run?  (See, the sugar affects my grammar as well!)  Is it doughnuts, coffee, or some other such sugar or caffeine providing item?

I just want to offer a very simple challenge for us each this week.  Let’s make it our mission to “run on Jesus.”  Maybe we could even make us some shirts with that slogan and adopt it as our life’s goal.  Let’s Run on Jesus this week!  He will provide much more for you than that quick sugar rush of a doughnut ever could!

Just a thought.

This Week’s Thought

Posted on by Horizon Professional Services
Rim Rock

By Brad Campbell –

Just a thought to help start your week.

My wife and I had spent several days exploring the four-state area of Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico.  Along the way we saw many spectacular scenes.  One of the beautiful spots we enjoyed was the view you see here.  This is part of Colorado’s Fruita Canyon as seen from the amazing twenty-three-mile route that Rim Rock Drive spans through the Colorado National Monument.  God’s beauty abounds.

Rim Rock Drive is aptly named because of the winding route it takes along the rim of the canyon.  Harrowing at times, it makes it very difficult to both drive and keep your eyes on the road while also trying desperately to take in all the views below.  But the only way to see the beauty below is to drive that narrow winding breath-taking road along the upper rim of the canyon.

Life offers some amazing views and experiences along the way.  Maybe we are even currently living in an amazing time in our own lives.  But we don’t have the same view from down here that the Lord has from up above.  He looks down and watches His children as we navigate life’s highways and byways.  He knows the beauty we seem to ignore.  He sees the whole picture while we tend to wallow in the here-and-now.

Sometimes it is necessary in life to step out of our comfort zone, which I very much did by driving this and several other routes that week, and tackle the unnerving so we can get but a glimpse at the bigger more beautiful picture the Lord has painted for us.  You see, those who stay down in the canyon may see the beauty of the mountain rock walls surrounding them, but until they take the higher road, they will never see the whole picture.

God has so many “great and wonderful things” prepared for you.  Perhaps you just need to take a tighter grip upon the steering wheel of the car and head out on the winding highway to see for yourself.  Until you do, you’ll never know what beauty you’re missing, what blessings you could have had from Him, what experiences you might never have had.

Take a trip through the uncomfortable.  When you finally reach the other side, there will be no doubt how blessed you are because of the experience.

Just a thought.