Posts

Friday; January 2

On January 2, 1961, the temperature on Haleakala in Hawaii fell to 14 degrees!   Who would have thought this tropical island state could ever get that cold? Interestingly, the state record has been set since then at 12 degrees in 1979.   That’s kind of unbelievable isn’t it – until you also realize that Haleakala’s elevation is over 10,000 feet above sea level.   Mauna Kea (where the new record was set) is almost 14,000 feet above sea level.   Again, who would have thought it was this high and could get that cold! It is easy to make assumptions about things that shield us from considering them rationally.   We just expect something to be a certain way, so that’s how we think about it whether it is the truth or not.   While this can be limiting in our understanding of the world around us, this is most dangerous when we apply it to people.   Just as we assume something in the natural world can divert us from truth, assumptions about people can take us ...
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Thursday; January 1

I know, I know … there really isn’t anything significantly different between December 31 and January 1.  We make a big deal about moving from one year to the next, but in all honesty, it is more fabrication than fact.  However, since our culture honors the break in years, let’s take some time to play along with them and think about what is coming up in this new year.  The new year can be about new opportunities if we allow it.  When we turn over a new chapter in our minds as we turn the page on the calendar, we give ourselves a chance to start over – and, honestly, there is something special about that.  It may be an artificial reset, but it can be productive to give ourselves a chance to begin again.  One of the verses that strikes a chord with me is when Paul reminded believers of their spiritual renewal, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” (II Corinthians ...
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Wednesday; December 31

How was your 2025?  Did you accomplish what you set out to do?  Are you better than where you were on January 1?  I think that we tend to be a little harsh on ourselves when we look back at our progress (or digression) in the preceding years.  I think we highlight our failures more than our successes.  No, we didn’t do everything right in any preceding year, but with mistakes can come advancement … and that leads to growth.  I like Paul’s thinking when he wrote, “Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Chris...
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Tuesday; December 30

I am about to make some very general statements using broad terms, but if you bear with me, I do have a point to make.   So, let’s start with a question – where in the world are the most Christians?   (Again, I am not going to define or debate the term “Christian” – let’s accept it in general terms.)   If you are like me, you probably assume that North America in general and the United States in particular is the epicenter of Christianity.   However, that isn’t exactly true.   According to the Pew Research Center, there were some 2 billion “Christians” around the world in 2020 (by the way, that’s an increase of almost 6% over 2010).   With this in mind, some 237 million of them live in North America.   That sounds like a lot, until you realize that about 500 million of them live in Europe, 546 million live in Latin American counties and almost 700 million live in Sub-Saharan Africa.   Interestingly, the greatest growth of Christianity between 2010...
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Monday; December 29

When we think about the blessings of God, what comes to mind?   For some, they might feel they are in God’s good graces when they receive fiscal gifts.   Others might perceive His blessings when they are successful.   Yet, how many of us think outside the physical realm and focus on something “out of this world”?   When the Apostle Paul reviewed God’s blessings he observed, “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4).   God’s blessings are more than just what He gives us; it’s also about how He treats us.   When we feel the kindness or tolerance of God, we should get that warm fuzzy feeling. When we sense He is being patient with us, we should beam inside.   Yet, there is another side to this discussion – when we feel blessed what do we do?   Paul admonishes us to repent when we recognize how blessed we are.  ...
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Friday; December 26

It wasn’t long after Jesus was born that joy turned into jealousy.   Shortly after Jesus’ appearance on the planet He received a visit from some wise men.   They made a courtesy stop in to see the local leader and when they told him what they were up to, Herod put a plan in motion to get rid of Jesus.   The plot was so heinous, it would cost an untold number of lives of young boys in Bethlehem.   Jesus would be saved to do what He had been sent to do, but because of Herod’s inhumanity, a lot of people suffered.   A period that began as a time of great hope became filled with godlessness. As I thought about this, I got to wondering what the world is up to today?   After so many people stopped to honor Jesus yesterday, how many are still focused on praising the Lord and Savior and how many are back in a self-serving mode?   I like the holiday season and Christmas Day, but I hope that as we move back into day-to-day life we don’t forget about the joy, p...
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Thursday; December 25

It is one of the most often cited passages of the Bible, but I never get tired of hearing it:  “And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.’” (Luke 2:8-14).  Folks, I honestly do not know that today is Jesus’ birthday, and quite frankly, I don’t care.  I am just so thankful that so many people will stop their routines and at least t...
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