Category: 2011 Column

As we stand at the door of 2012, I would like to offer some random thoughts that may encourage you, make you smile, or even give you a nudge in a healthy direction. Someone sent me this from a church in another state: “We do not allow children between the ages of three months and … Continue reading Random thoughts on the doorstep

The wise men brought expensive gifts to the Christ child. The shepherds just brought wonder. But it is from the shepherds that we can all learn a life-altering lesson. Look at how they obeyed the messenger sent from God. The shepherds said, after hearing from the angel that the Savior had been born, Let us … Continue reading Lesson in obedience from the shepherds

Dave Barry wrote several years ago about the increase of political correctness we find in our culture surrounding Christmas: “To avoid offending anybody, the schools dropped religion altogether and started singing about the weather. At my son’s school, they now hold the winter program in February and sing increasingly non-memorable songs such as ‘Winter Wonderland,’ … Continue reading When great fear turned to greater joy

Those of you around my age, or “old” as my kids like to say, will be humming the Three Dog Night song about now. It’s long on emotion and short on lyrics; in fact, the idea that “one is the loneliest number” is repeated 18 times in just 24 lines. It is the classic plot. … Continue reading One does not have to be the loneliest number

Paul lists the qualifications for deacons in 1 Timothy 3, right after those for elders. The pattern for New Testament leadership in the church is clearly a plurality of elders, not a solo pastor. Deacons are chosen from among the congregation to assist the elders by taking care of the physical needs of the flock. … Continue reading He is a servant of the church

I asked my college students this extra credit question on a quiz: “When the Pilgrims gathered for their first Thanksgiving in 1623, to whom did they give thanks?” The answers may surprise you. More than 60 percent of the students said the pilgrims gave thanks to the Indians or the “King.” One person said, “Columbus.” … Continue reading I thank God for the pilgrims