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.

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 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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November 19, 2021 · 4:19 am

Friday’s List To Live By #64

Today’s list is authored by my preaching colleague and fellow Hoosier, Max Dawson.

In his weekly email, Max’s Monday Musings, my brother offered some help with our Christmas shopping list this year with ten gifts everyone can give.

TEN PRICELESS GIFTS Continue reading →

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November 18, 2021 · 7:40 am

Don’t Drink the Kool-Aid

Today is an ignominious day in history.

It was on this date in 1978 that 909 people died during a murder-suicide in a remote part of the South American nation of Guyana. The commune consisting of followers of Jim Jones, the founder of the Peoples Temple persuaded many “to willingly ingest a poison-laced punch while others were forced to do so at gunpoint.” Continue reading →

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November 17, 2021 · 7:30 am

A Passage To Ponder: John 17

Have you ever heard someone pray whose passion, feeling, and fervor were so intense that their sincere petitions brought you closer to God than you’d ever felt before?

Such is the prayer of Jesus in John 17 that some writers have called this chapter “The Holy of Holies of John’s Gospel.” It’s the longest recorded prayer of Jesus in the Bible.

In John 17 we gain deeper insight into Jesus’ relationship with the Father and His thoughts and emotions in the shadow of the cross. Continue reading →

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November 16, 2021 · 6:30 am

Tolerance Day

Today, November 16, is the International Day for Tolerance.

It is a day officially designated by the United Nations, which “is committed to strengthening tolerance by fostering mutual understanding among cultures and peoples.”

From their web page, the UN offers this explanation for this day which was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993. Continue reading →

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