Think About It

          While days of Thanksgiving had been celebrated around the nation for almost a century, it wasn’t until 1863 that President Abraham Lincoln sought to make it a national holiday.  In his proclamation, President Lincoln reflected on the gracious gifts from God, then stated, “ It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.”  This statement, in-and-of-itself, is challenging; but it’s true power comes to light considering what was happening on the North American continent in 1863.  In the midst of an uncivil war, Americans wer...

          I realize it is inappropriate to discuss “diets” during the week of Thanksgiving – but, here goes.   I have been on enough diets in my life to realize that the hardest time for me to stick to a program is during this time of year.   I would like to blame it on Thanksgiving, but the truth of the matter is that the problem typically begins the day after Thanksgiving.   Let me see if I can explain.   A lot of people are successful with a diet leading into Thanksgiving, then comes our national annual feast day and our good intentions go out the window.   This, however, is still not a problem.   Most diets can stand one day of diversion, the problem comes in when we never get back on track.   I mean, we can’t leave the left-overs to spoil can we ... and then there are all the holiday parties ... and then there is the Christmas dinner ... and, of course, we should be able to enjoy the New Year’s Eve pa...

          When the Apostle Paul wrote to the Christian church in Ephesus he spent part of his time discussing unity.  One interesting section of the passage is how he calls them to be unified in spite of their diversity.  At one point he noted, “ And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,   for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ ...” (Ephesians 4:11-12).  As we read this section, two things are apparent – we all have different talents, but every one of us has a talent.  While this is a simple concept to understand, the problem comes in its application.  Specifically, what is our talent?  We understand that we are supposed to have one – but, how do I determine mine?  It would be nice if we all came with a label that stated our talent, but since we don’t how do we deter...

          Which is more important in a conversation – facts or feelings?  I would imagine that each of us would have our own opinion about this, but let me throw out an alternative answer of “it depends”.  It depends where I am in the discussion.  If we are discussing something that doesn’t really cause me much pain or angst, facts are probably more important, but when the focus is on something that creates a major emotional response inside me, then feelings take precedence.  It might be something as insignificant as to where my favorite college football team is ranked or something as complex as social issues, but there are typically two thoughts on the matter – one based on empirical evidence, the other rooted in emotions.           If we really stopped to think about it, most of us would naturally come to this conclusion, but the reason I bring it up is that too often we don’t honor this confl...

I am annoyed that I can’t just go hop on a plane and fly down to Cuba.   That may be an interesting way to begin this, but, hang in there with me for a little bit; hopefully, it will make sense.   I have been fascinated by Cuba most of my life.   The island nation has a rich heritage and an interesting history.   From what I understand it is stunning – filled with all kinds natural beauty and cultural expression.   There it is, just 90 miles off the coast of Florida, and because of the political environment in which we have lived during the past six decades I can’t go!    I wish someone would fix this so that I could enjoy this island paradise. Now, the reason that I share this rant is not as much about wanting to go to Cuba as it is a realization about my own state of mind.   You see, in my own life:   I would like to be happy ... I would like to find peace ... I would like to get rid of worry ... I would like to fulfill my potential. ...

          Have you ever been in a situation where one person seems to ruin everyone else’s mood?  In recent years the terminology used to describe someone like is that they have a “toxic personality”.  These toxins can be found in all areas of our life – in our families, in our jobs, in our friendships, in our social organizations – even in our churches, but they have one thing in common, they suck the life right out of us!  Their constant negativism, criticism and cynicism makes the rest of us miserable!            While most of us are familiar with these situations, we are often confronted with the challenge of what we should do with them.  Well, while the term “toxic personality” might be new, the issue has been around since the beginning of time and so has the answer.  When the wise man of the Old Testament pondered on this issue he wrote, “ Drive out the scoffer, and contention wi...

          When Jesus taught His disciples about working to influence the world, He chose a different approach.   Jesus’ disciples were about to be challenged to change the world – a world that was controlled by the Roman Empire.   The believers in this new movement would be no match for the powerful military machine, so they would have to figure out another way to exert their influence.   To accomplish this goal, Jesus told a short and simple story, “ To what shall I compare the kingdom of God?   It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened.” (Luke 13:20-21).    The answer wasn’t in overpowering the Roman government or even the Jewish religious aristocracy – the way they could accomplish it was being active agents of goodness.   The victory would not be won on the battlefield or in the ballot box, but by influencing one person at a time.  ...