The Christmas season of 2011 was different. There was an old practice revived due to the economic situation in the U.S. Those “seasoned” Santa’s will recall the ways which businesses conducted “lay-a-way” plans. This was credit before there were credit cards. You paid some money down, and some each week, until you could get your merchandise out of lay-a-way. Almost all stores did it, especially during the Christmas ... read all »
All my life I have heard people use excuses not to go to church services.
"Those people 'pretend' to be religious, but they're just hypocrites!"
"It's just full of gossips and people who are worse sinners than I am!”
"I messed up so bad even God wouldn't want me."
There are many more excuses, which are supposed to be valid reasons, for not attending worship, but most are at best half-truths, if not... read all »
“Sticks and Stones may break my bones…but words can never hurt me!”
Remember learning that? How’s it workin’ out for you? This was the tool I was told to use when people called me names, made fun of me, or insulted me. It certainly has never worked for me. It never fixed anything nor did it make me feel any better. Nothing can hurt us more permanently, cut our hearts in two more quickly or ca... read all »
Seems like I spend an awful lot of time driving. I’m picking up kids, going to the store, running errands…how about you? Most of the time my mind is running in different directions and everything is on autopilot, and my random thoughts flash in and out of my head (most I can’t remember and count as “senior moments”).
But, the other day a stop sign caught my eye. STOP. In this day of acronyms, (WWJD, TGIF, lol, 24/7, etc.) I thought th... read all »
As I write this note, the TV in my office is presenting a program on “Electric Fish”, in particular, electric eels. As I watch and listen I cannot ignore the evidence of our God’s majesty. How can anyone see creatures like these, and deny a supreme and tremendous creator? Even the word “creature” come from the same root as “create”. They are not “evolvers” coming out of evolution, they are creatures coming from a... read all »
Consider the lowly battery. They produce work by causing electrons to flow from itself through a conductor into something else. You can’t see the electrons as they move, but you can verify the movement by whatever is connected to the battery. If , when it performs its function, then we know the battery is charged and empowering whatever it is connected to.
Today’s lineup of batteries includes all sizes and types. A, AA, AAA, 3 volt, 9 volt, 12 volt, etc... read all »
Did the title get your attention? What are you expecting this article to say? Do you think I’m going to talk about 900 phone numbers, or maybe pornography, or the difference in the male and female species? Nope.
“Sex Sells” is the cry from retailers and the media. Perhaps I want to sell you a car, or a pair of blue jeans. How about a bag of potato chips? Surely that was what God had in mind when He created sex as sacred, right? (Not really). Evide... read all »
I contemplated a long time on my New Year’s resolution for this year. Guess what it is? This New Year I resolved not to make a New Year’s resolution! I’m tired of breaking them… and then I realized by not making one, I made one and therefore, I already broke it. Kinda like sin, huh? Paul wrote something about it in Rom 7:15-16… “I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate&rdquo... read all »
Along with many other scriptures, I love the message of Jesus in Matthew 11:28 –30… “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
I love that passage more and more each year because I’m getting older. In fact, I will in a few days, celebrate my 63rd ... read all »
I found out the secret of losing weight fast! Before I tell you my secret though, I have to tell you how I discovered it.
Linda and I had just returned from visiting her relatives, but while I was there, everyone kept commenting on the weight I had lost since they had last seen me. I basked in the “loser’s glow” limelight for a while; actually beginning to believe I looked “smaller”. In fact, I enjoyed the mistaken belief until on the... read all »
Here’s a story to think about from an unknown author.
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, “My son, the battle is between two “wolves” inside us all.
One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.
The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kin... read all »
One of the hardest things for me to do is to let God take care of my life. When things are going good, I thank Him sincerely. When things are going bad, I beg Him to fix it…sincerely. When things are just running along smoothly I sometimes forget to say anything. Upon reflection, it seems I get sincere in seeking His guidance during “feast” or “famine”, and that I credit myself with being able to “... read all »
(I’m not sure how I came on this story, but if you gave it to me, thank you.)
A woman looked out her kitchen window and observed her new neighbor hanging
out her wash while her husband consumed his breakfast. She began to complain
about how this “new neighbor lady”, whom she hadn’t even yet met, needed to do
something about the ‘dingy’ clothes she was putting out on the line. “Doesn’t she
know how bad it looks to ... read all »
1. Have you ever gone away, for example, on a vacation, and when you returned no one in your church family noticed you had been gone?
2. Do you feel like no one ever tries to find out about you or your family?
3. Ever feel like you have the “family name”, but aren’t a real part of the family?
4. Would you say your feelings toward your church involvement is like this an... read all »
Crosby, Stills and Nash recorded this song in the 1970’s. It was a truly different lyric for its time. This was the time of “free love” and “if it feels good, do it” philosophies, not an unwelcome “look at yourself” and “what your life is teaching” concept. But there it was, a sermon in song title. The concept is certainly Biblical.
1. Jesus taught “God’s children” by His example throughout H... read all »