Monthly Archives: November 2021

November 30, 2021 · 4:30 am

A Day Dedicated To Giving

GivingTuesday began in 2012 by the 92nd Street Y, a New York City nonprofit as the brainchild of Henry Timms. It was simply designed as a day to encourage people to do good.

Today the organization with the same name supports a global movement in which people can unite in a “celebration of generosity.” It’s always celebrated on the first Tuesday following Thanksgiving Day.

Their web page offers this explanation.  “GivingTuesday is an opportunity for people around the world to come together through generosity in all its forms by sharing acts of kindness and giving their voice, time, money, goods, and advocacy to support communities and causes.” Continue reading →

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November 29, 2021 · 8:27 am

Word of the Week: Courageous

In his book Living Above the Level of Mediocrity, Chuck Swindoll tells the story about an experiment conducted by Ruth W. Berenda and her associates designed to demonstrate how young people handle peer pressure.

Ten students were placed in a room and shown three lines of varying lengths drawn on a card. The students were told to raise their hands when the teacher pointed to the longest line. However, nine of the students had been instructed beforehand to raise their hands when the instructor pointed to the second-longest line. Continue reading →

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November 28, 2021 · 6:23 am

Sunday Seed Thoughts: The Scars

“Scars. A sign that you had been hurt. A sign that you had healed,” observed American novelist and poet, Benjamin Alire Sáenz.

On this day when we remember Jesus at our communion services, we often think about the betrayal. The denial. The mocking. The kangaroo court of a trial. And the terrible, excruciating death by crucifixion.

We may focus on His resurrection. His victory over death and the devil. And how His bodily resurrection foreshadows our own resurrection.

We remember also His appearances to the women at the tomb. Peter and John. And the rest of the apostles.

But what about the scars? Continue reading →

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November 27, 2021 · 6:21 am

Weekly Recap: November 21-26

Good morning from Indian Shores Beach

Hope you all have enjoyed Thanksgiving with family and/or friends.  We’ve had a wonderful time with our kids and grandkids.  #Blessed

With the holiday, you may have missed some posts, so here’s a recap of the week’s posts so you can catch up.

Tomorrow, I’m preaching for the Skyview Church, where we worked and worshiped back in the 80s. Continue reading →

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November 26, 2021 · 6:35 am

IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! Black Friday

We’re taking a Thanksgiving holiday break this year. But reblogging some past posts. The post was one of 175 written for this column from 2012-2015.

ThePreachersWord

 Black Friday

Today is dubbed as “Black Friday.” According to Wikepedia the term originally began in Philadelphia to “describe the heavy and disruptive  vehicle traffic that would occur the day after Thanksgiving.”

In more recent years “Black Friday” describes the busiest shopping day of the year. It’s a day when retailers open early and close late. It refers to businesses who’ve been operating “in the red”, now turning a profit and operating “in the black.”

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November 24, 2021 · 7:34 am

A Passage To Ponder: Philippians 4:6-8

This past Sunday we visited the Skyview Church in Pinellas Park, Florida, and heard a wonderful lesson by their preacher, Charles Murray. (Incidentally, I’ll be preaching there this coming Sunday.)

In the beginning, Charles pointed to a study that found the holidays between Thanksgiving and Christmas are the most stressful time of the year.

Apparently, most Americans agree. In a survey conducted by One Poll, 88% of the 2,000 people surveyed said the holidays were the most stressful time of the year. Continue reading →

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November 23, 2021 · 6:02 am

Don’t Leave God Out

Joel Gregory tells the story of a family seated around their table one Thanksgiving Day looking at the annual holiday bird.

From the oldest to the youngest, they were to express their praise. When they came to the 5-year-old in the family, he began by looking at the turkey and expressing his thanks to the turkey, saying although he had not tasted it he knew it would be good.

After that rather novel expression of thanksgiving, he began with a more predictable line of credits, thanking his mother for cooking the turkey and his father for buying the turkey. But then he went beyond that. He joined together a whole hidden multitude of benefactors, linking them with cause and effect. Continue reading →

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November 22, 2021 · 7:55 am

Word of the Week: Thanksgiving

This week as we begin preparations to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States, this thought expressed by author and lecturer Katrina Mayer is worthy of our serious reflection. “Thanksgiving isn’t just a day. It’s a way we can live our lives every day.”

Mayer reminds us that Thanksgiving is an attitude. A spirit that ought to pervade our lives. Everyday. Robert Caspar Lintner was right when he wrote “Thanksgiving was never meant to be shut up in a single day.” Continue reading →

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November 21, 2021 · 6:07 am

Sunday Seed Thoughts: Jesus Outstretched Arms

What a day it must have been! When parents brought their little children to Jesus. It captured the attention of all three synoptic writers. Can’t you see the smiles? And hear the giggles? And feel the excitement?

Unfortunately, the disciples threw “cold water” on their good intentions. The text says they “rebuked those who brought them.” Maybe they thought they were protecting the Master. That He was too busy. Or had more “important” matters. Or just needed a break from the pressures of His ministry.

Whatever the reason, Jesus didn’t like it. Not at all. Mark says, that “he was greatly displeased.” Then Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.” Indeed Jesus loved the little children. Many lessons can be learned from this occasion. Continue reading →

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November 20, 2021 · 6:39 am

Weekly Recap: November 14-19

Good morning from Indian Shores Beach

For the 4th consecutive year, in what is quickly becoming a Thanksgiving tradition, our kids and grandkids are gathering here for some R & R as we make memories and enjoy the holiday together.

Next week, we intend to publish our last post for the week on Wednesday and take off the next few days.  Although I will probably reblog some past posts on those off days. Continue reading →

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