–Colossians 4:5 (NKJV)
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Redeem:  1) to compensate for the faults or bad aspects of something; 2) gain or regain possession of something in exchange for payment.

Redeem, redemption are very much a part of the Christian theology and experience.  I have often wondered what Paul meant when he wrote in Ephesians to “redeem the time.”  How can one buy back time?  How can one compensate for the use of time?  How can one regain possession of time?  Look at the verse again, using the Amplified translation:

              “Making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil.”  –Ephesians 5:16

The NASB, translates the verse, “Make the most of your time.”  The NLT, “Make the most of every opportunity.”  In other words, it does not mean paying in exchange for something.  Vine states it this way, “to buy up for oneself” and the same word used in Colossians 4:5, means “buying up the opportunity.”  Vine continues, “making the most of every opportunity, turning each to the best advantage since none can be recalled if missed.”
       In my reading I came across a piece regarding how we should use our precious, little time.  It was written by Nicholas Herman of Lorraine, better known as Brother Lawrence.  He is famous for his writings on practicing the presence of God.

          “Since, by His mercy, He gives us still a little time, let us begin in earnest, let us redeem the time that is lost, let us return with a whole-hearted trust to this Father of Mercies, who is always ready to receive us into His loving arms.  Let us renounce, and renounce generously, with single heart, for the love of Him, all that is not His; He deserves infinitely more.  Let us think of Him unceasingly; in Him let us put all our confidence.  I doubt not but that we shall soon experience the effects of it in receiving the abundance of His grace, with which we can do all things, and without which we can do naught but sin.
          “We cannot escape the dangers which abound in life, without the actual and continual help of God; let us then pray to Him for it continually.  How can we pray to Him without being with Him?  How can we be with Him, but in thinking of Him often?  And how can we have Him often in our thoughts, unless by a holy habit of thought which we should form?  You will tell me that I am always saying the same thing; it is true, for this is the best and easiest method that I know; and as I use no other, I advise the whole world to it.  We must know before we can love.  In order to know God, we must often think of Him; and when we come to love Him, we shall also think of Him often, for our heart will be with our treasure!”

      To redeem the time because the days are evil.  Therefore, we need to make the most of every opportunity to serve Him.  We should not waste time, as it belongs to the One who gave it to us and we will be called into account for it.  Instead of wasting, or misusing time–think on Him.  You want a relationship, then think of the Him with whom you want the relationship.  What do you know about God?  Do you seek to know more?  Perhaps a loose translation could be–“don’t waste God’s time,” or “don’t waste the time He has given you.”  Why?  Because the days are evil.  
      As we see more and more evil upon the earth and where you live, we need to be more mindful of how we spend our time.  Our thought time, our work time, our play time, our free time, is it being used to come closer to God and for His kingdom?

                    –C.J. Petit  (Wilmore)

       “Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him.”

                    –Luke 22:39 (NKJV)
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Someone said the other day, “things aren’t normal around here.”  At first, I didn’t think a whole lot about it, but then it began to whirl around in my gray matter.  What is normal?  Or normal compared to what?  Perhaps I don’t know what “normal” is, so I looked it up in the dictionary.

          1)  Conforming with, adhering to, or constituting a norm, standard, pattern, level, or type; typical.
          2)  Functioning or occurring in a natural way; lacking observable abnormalities; or deficiencies.
          3)  Relating to or characterized by average intelligence or development; free from emotional disorder.
(The American Heritage College Dictionary)

Almost gobbledygook, so I did what most would do today–I googled it.  “A normal life–everyday life, daily life or routine life comprises the way in which people typically act, think, and feel on a daily basis.”
       There were a couple of things I gathered from this.  First, I’m not sure I know what “normal” is.  Second, “normal” according to whom?  It seems that “normal” could mean different things to different people.  We often use the term culture–a way of life of a group of people.  More could be added to that, norms, mores, government, laws, etc.  Therefore things in one culture might not be normal in another.  Things in one group might not be normal for another.  Strangeness, those who do not act in a “normal” way are not normal, they are deficient in some way, manner, or form.  A “normal” person is free from emotional disorder, therefore, throw out the transgender, et. al, crowd.
       I took it a step further to see if the term was used in the New Testament.  “Normal,” is not used, however, there are two definitions for it:  1) normal, canonical, regular, standard, orderly; 2) physiological normal, natural.  I began to try to work it through my mind.  In the Church, the body of Christ or even the local body, a Christian, a born-again believer is normal.  However, in the world, it is not natural.  The environment to the Christian in which they would work, would not be “normal” for them.  Paul writes, “…For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness?  And what communion has light with darkness?  Or what accord has Christ with Belial?  Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?…  ‘Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord, and I will receive you.'” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15,17, NKJV)
       What we would call “normal” the world says it is not.  The danger is when Christians begin to look at worldly behavior, tolerate it, and then begin accepting it.  That is not normal behavior for the believer.  John tells us, “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine [the doctrine of Christ], do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.” (2 John 10-11, NKJV).  It is not “normal” for believers to have fellowship with nonbelievers.  Yes, we are in the world, we must associate with people of the world.  Ah, but you say Jesus had fellowship with the world.  I would disagree, when He wanted/needed fellowship, He went with His disciples; He associated with people of the world.
       So, what is “normal”?  You tell me.  The world would say that I, and my family, are not normal.  We do not accept teaching that is contrary to the Bible.  We do not accept the gay agenda, we do not accept CRT, we do not accept the ideology of WOKE, or WHO, or the UN, or anything or anyone who would deny the truth of God’s Word.  What is “normal” at our house is joy, prayer, eating meals at the table (together), going to church, Bible reading and study.  Yes, we do the normal chores, shopping, lawn work, house cleaning, maintenance, and once in a while, Annie will make one of those heavenly delights–pie, which is a normal thing.

                    –Louis L’Amour  (Lando)

       “Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.”

                    –Mark 13:33 (NKJV)
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We do live in perilous times.  In the United States we see the sledge hammer of idiocy in the form of wokeness, progressiveness, socialism, globalism and other pseudo-intellectual ideas.  There is the jackhammer of the stupidity of transgenderism, moral apathy, sexual confusion and perversion.  The sledge and jackhammer pounding and chipping away at the foundations of this country; those grand ideals laid forth by the Founding Fathers.  Add to that the acid, the poison, of liberal theology, and it is plain to see, if you have eyes, that our country is in grave danger.
       Before continuing, I must remind you and myself that the Holy Bible was written for all.  It was not just for those living in the region of Israel.  It was not written just for the Western world.  So when reading, keep in mind that the words are for every nation.  Each locale has its own special issues.  Persecution is different in each region, in each nation.  Revival is a word used frequently, and while we pray for revival in our country, know that in other areas of the world there is a tremendous influx of souls into the kingdom.  It is good that we read the Scriptures through the lens of where we live, but we must also have a wider perspective.
       In our country, in every nation, Satan is on the move trying to destroy the work of God.  All the carnage, confusion, chaos, evil, and wickedness comes from his working.  “The Christian lives in light of this tension, this reality:  there will be trials and tribulations for the totality of our earthly pilgrimage, yet we never need to lose heart or hope.  We can stand firm in our faith…” (Alistair Begg)

          “For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be.  And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days.”
                    –Mark 13:19-20(NKJV)

       Christian–be on guard–wherever you live.  Whatever kind of tribulation you might face, recognize it, be aware of it, and stand against it.  Do not be alarmed at the things that you see, whether they be wars and the rumors of wars, famines in the world, pestilence, natural calamites increasing.  We know that He is with us, no matter the situation.  Jesus tells us, from the Book of Mark, that
               –there will be war, rumors of war, the threat of war — 13:7-8
               –some believers will be beaten, some delivered up, some brought before rulers — 13:9
               –some will be arrested — 13:11
               –families will fall apart and be against each other — 13:12
               –Christians will be hated — 13:13
               –false teachers, false prophets, false christs will appear, to lead astray — 13:22
In the midst of what is and will take place we are to remain firm.  We are told, “But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand…  Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is….  And what I say to you, I say to all:  Watch!” (13:23, 33, 37, NKJV)  Jesus warns us, He admonishes us.  Look at what He says:
               –watch out for yourselves — 13:9
               –do not worry, the Holy Spirit will help you and tell you what to speak — 13:11
               –“He who endures to the end shall be saved” — 13:13
               –do not believe the false teachers — 13:21
               –know that the end is near–“at the doors” — 13:29
With all that is happening in the world–the chaos, terror, confusion, hatred–don’t get complacent; don’t compromise–don’t fall asleep!  We should be ready to face what comes our way; we should be ready should the Master call.  Read this chapter of Mark–meditate on it, dwell on it, pray on it, contemplate it.  Your life may very well depend upon what you read.  Listen for the Master’s call!  Listen for the sound of the trumpet!  Know for a fact–Jesus is coming back!

                         –George Washington

       “The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy.”
                         –Psalm 147:11 (NKJV)
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Saga of Miles Forrest:  Miles was forced to stay and help Charlie and Mateo control the Durango 4th of July celebration.  There was no real hurry to get back to Silverton, and it gave him more time to work through his plan.  He still was puzzled that a town like Silverton could be bamboozled so easily.  More next week when Miles will put his plan into action.
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For a day, let’s celebrate.  Put aside the problems, the chaos and confusion, the hatred, and celebrate.  Celebrate the greatest country on earth.  Celebrate the founding of this great nation and God’s blessings on it.  Has it had problems–yes, but it was and is still the greatest country.  John Adams stated in regard to Independence Day:

          “It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty.  It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”

     Memorial Day, Patriot Day, Veterans Day are all days of memorial, of remembrance, of solemnity.  But the 4th; it is a day of celebration!  A war had to be fought first, victory over England had to be secured, blood had to be spilt.  Soon afterward, during the term of Thomas Jefferson, the tradition of celebration of Independence Day was established at the President’s Mansion (at that time it was not called the White House).  It was under the administration of James K. Polk that the fireworks display was introduced.
     God has richly blessed this nation, and this nation rose to the challenge to be the greatest missionary-minded nation the world has ever known.  As God poured out His blessings on this country so too did the country respond by sending those with the message of the Gospel to those who had never heard.  Let me include here a thought–one that is often disregarded, one that is placed aside mostly by those who do not have a Christian mindset or worldview.  Slavery was a terrible institution, but because those people were brought to America they were introduced to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and now had the promise of eternal life; the same was true with the American Indian.
     So instead of griping and complaining.  Instead of spewing hatred–rejoice.  Rejoice that you live in this great land.  Rejoice that God saw fit, in His great Providence, to allow you to reside here.  Instead, I would admonish you, me, and all in this great land to celebrate today and to pray for this country.  “God mend thine ev’ry flaw, Confirm thy soul in self control, Thy liberty in law!” (Katherine L. Bates)

     Eat a hot dog or three, grill some hamburgers, laugh around the table with the family for you have that privilege and freedom.  Shoot off some fireworks, but be safe and watch out for those firecrackers.  Enjoy the celebration of what this day means.  Don’t let the pundits and the sourpusses spoil the celebration.  And most of all, be thankful to the Lord for the opportunity that He has blessed you with.