I seem to have a remarkable capacity to forget things. A number of years ago, I blamed it on Diet Coke, but I don’t drink it much any more, so I don’t have that excuse.

I’m pretty good at remembering certain things. I remember to eat. I remember to exercise. I remember to go on vacation.

For some reason, I forget the big stuff. The invisible, eternal stuff.

On a beautiful day like today–it’s currently in the 70’s and a cool breeze is blowing, which is really unusual for Arkansas in July–it’s easy to forget. Nice weather. Good family relationships. Enough food to eat. Cars that are all in working order. Health is good.

The very good things of this life can be distractions. They cause me to forget the very good things of the unseen kingdom, the one I’ll live in forever, not just for 70 or 80 years.

As Peter begins to wrap up his second letter, he says, “Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking.”

Peter goes on to remind his readers that this world will pass away. If you don’t see it, then remember that God’s way of looking at time is different. With God,  a thousand years are like a day and a day is like a thousand years. When the end comes, it will come like a thief…you won’t be expecting it.

What do you need to be reminded of today? What have you forgotten? Maybe one or two of these are relevant for you…

People matter more than your to-do list.

The new thing you think you need isn’t going to last or make you happy, at least not for long.

The very best of this life can’t compare to what’s coming…and might even be a distraction for you.

Heaven and hell are real places. You, your family and your neighbors will live in one or the other.

God’s word is true…but it doesn’t do us much good if we don’t read it and apply it.

Jesus loves you. More than you know.

Your money and your time don’t belong to you.

You have an enemy. His name is Satan, which means “deceiver.”

God knows all your needs and has promised to meet them.

So here’s the question: what are you going to do to stimulate yourself to wholesome thinking? If you’re like me, chances are good you’ll forget what you’ve just read without a way to intentionally remember.