I. Introduction I've always joked that if I was ever asked to teach a lesson from the book of Leviticus, I would focus on the evils of shellfish. I'm allergic to shellfish - did any of you ever see the movie "Hitch" with Will Smith? And after another one of his disastrous dates where he … Continue reading What We Offer to the Lord
Tag: gift
How to Gain the Christmas Spirit
The best way to give wings to the Christmas Spirit is to give gifts to people who need them. My wife and I exchanged few gifts this year, opting instead to give to charities instead. Instead of giving somebody a trinket they didn't need, we'd ask them what their favorite charity was. Then we'd give … Continue reading How to Gain the Christmas Spirit
How to Kill the Christmas Spirit
The message of Christmas is simple: God loved us, so He sent His son to us. We're celebrating His birthday. Ways to celebrate this gift to us are many, and bring peace and joy to us, knowing that God loves us. We can spend time with those we love. We can spend time with those … Continue reading How to Kill the Christmas Spirit
Christian Carnival CCLIV
I could call this the "Day After Trying to Recover From What Might Have Been a Minor Flu Edition," but I won't. Christmas Season and Flu Season accompany each other every year, like Hansel and Gretel, or Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum. I had just enough aches and pains to baby myself to prevent a flu... heck, … Continue reading Christian Carnival CCLIV
Responding to Loss
We’ve been studying the rise of David as King of Israel. David is an interesting man, full of failures, yet David is a man after God’s own heart. What makes David different? How is David different than Saul? As we studied in 1 Samuel, the people of Israel demanded a king and God gave them … Continue reading Responding to Loss
The Tradition of Regifting
The Houston Chronicle has a story about the "tradition" of regifting Christmas presents - Scrambling to find the perfect, last-minute Christmas gift? Then put down that bottle of wine. And please — back away from the blender. Chances are the person you give them to will slap new bows on the boxes and pass them … Continue reading The Tradition of Regifting
Review: 3:16. The Numbers of Hope
Max Lucado writes as only he can, with insight and brevity, packaged in powerful imagery. His latest book, 3:16, is packed with delivious observations and challenges, and he does it by focusing on 27 simple words. For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only son so that whoever believes in … Continue reading Review: 3:16. The Numbers of Hope
Jesus and Money
Jesus and Money Recently in a comment, I was challenged regarding posting my stock selections; the concern from Chris was that such financial considerations were incongruous with the teachings of Jesus. Chris Says: September 18th, 2007 at 11:03 am I find it somewhat ironic and mildly amusing that your blog contains articles of spirituality along … Continue reading Jesus and Money
The Five Love Languages
Ruh-roh. I saw this quiz over at Spin the Moon, and I already know I'm in trouble. I'm 99% sure my wife's love language is "Acts of Service." I'm pretty mine isn't. Funny how God does that - I'm learning to be a better servant. Ok, enough preamble. Let's go take the quiz - I … Continue reading The Five Love Languages
Christian Carnival 171
Christian Carnival #171 is up at Light Along the Journey. This week's best Christian blogging can be found on the Carnival. Some highlights - Playing Your Instrument (using your spiritual gifts) The Uniqueness of Christian Ecology (God signs His covenant with His creation) Lessons from the Terminal Illness that Wasn't (Make the most of every … Continue reading Christian Carnival 171
Washington D.C.
Last week I wrote about Christian Submission to authorities so it seemed only right that a trip to Washington D.C. was in order. The wife & I planned a little mini-vacation to stay with a Russian friend in Alexandria, Virginia, just a piece up the ways (man it feels good to speak Texan again) from … Continue reading Washington D.C.
Prayer for Patience
I received this via email, original author unknown, but it's a powerful prayer: Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a … Continue reading Prayer for Patience
Daily Manna – 2 Corinthians 9:6-9
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things … Continue reading Daily Manna – 2 Corinthians 9:6-9
Kenya Mission, Day 6
January 1, 2006 Today's Swahili phrase: Jambo, which means "Howdy" in Texan. We used this word more than any other, I think, and it was so easy to pronounce. I meant to write these faster and closer together, but the work load skyrocketed on me the last couple of weeks. Several of you have encouraged … Continue reading Kenya Mission, Day 6
Brains and Beauty
Some people are truly gifted.
A Non-Christian Narna
People that hate Christians should not go see "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe." The Guardian Unlimited, England's ultra liberal rag, says "Narnia represents everything that is most hateful about religion." Exceprts: The Christian radio station Premier is urging churches to hold services on the theme of The Gospel According to Narnia. Even the … Continue reading A Non-Christian Narna
A Simple Light
"In all of this haste, all of this shopping, all of this worrying about budgets and finding the right thing for that difficult-to-shop-for friend, amidst the travel and houses full of family, the grumpy uncles and the weepy aunts, it’s hard to remember this time of year offers some beautiful opportunities."
Look Around You
"...Orion looked like he had freckles."
Spiritual Gifts
I was reading a post from Messy Christian who expressed frustration with a call of evangelism. That's understandable, especially if evangelism is not your "spiritual gift." While all Christians are called to spread the gospel and to exemplify a Christian lifestyle, evangelism is one of a dozen or so gifts mentioned in scripture. Others are … Continue reading Spiritual Gifts
Living Beneath Your Means
Apparently, the more you make, the more in debt you are. Statistics show that the highest 20 percent of Americans -- those with a pre-tax income of $110,000 and up -- have seen their liabilities skyrocket since 2001. The net change in that group's total liabilities increased by about $40,000 on average from 2001 to … Continue reading Living Beneath Your Means
Ann Rice Now Writes for the Lord
Another high-profile person (well, high profile in a secular way) has given their life to Christ. Ann Rice, writer of vampire stories such as "Interview with the Vampire." has announced "that from now on I would write only for the Lord." Her next book, "Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt," will tell the story of … Continue reading Ann Rice Now Writes for the Lord
One Out to Go
One out to go. One measly out, and the Astros are going to the World Series. And then a single by St. Louis puts a man on base. And another single. And then Pujols belts it out of the park. He hit it so hard I thought he had punched a hole in the roof. … Continue reading One Out to Go
Church Service in Germany
I have much to be thankful for this morning. My wife and family are safe and there has been little or no damage. Diane has no electricity, but she does have a phone, and my phone bill from here will be horrendous. She and the puppies spent the night in the homemade "bunker" under the … Continue reading Church Service in Germany
Astroworld Closes
Six Flags / Astroworld is closing after 37 years. The property it is sitting on is worth roughly $110 million, or $1 million an acre. I haven't been in years and years. The rides were shorter, the lines were longer, it had a "hoodlum" feel about it, the gift shops were full of overpriced trinkets. … Continue reading Astroworld Closes
Old Age is a Gift
I stumbled across this is my studies this morning. The author is unknown, or at least I wasn't able to track him or her down. "The other day a young person asked me how I felt about being old. I was taken aback, for I do not think of myself as old. Upon seeing my … Continue reading Old Age is a Gift
Summerfest
Thanks to a gift from Sean, I will be spending a large part of my weekend at Summerfest. Don't wait up, I'll be home late. 🙂
Fallen in Love with Death
Peggy Noonan in OpinionJournal this morning expresses the confusion I'm familiar with. Why are those so eager to see Terri Schaivo dead? Excepts: God made the world or he didn't. God made you or he didn't. If he did, your little human life is, and has been, touched by the divine. If this is true, … Continue reading Fallen in Love with Death
Michael & Diane
It's amazing what God can do if you lean on him. 🙂 Diane & I divorced eight years ago. I ran off to Singapore to mope and instead found Christ. Turns out He wasn't lost after all. Studying scripture led me to understand that I was probably going to go solo for the rest of … Continue reading Michael & Diane
Rant Against Rebates
I really dislike the rebate system that a lot of companies are using. I bought a gift this Christmas that was a little over my price range, but it came with a rebate coupon for $50. I cut the UPC symbol off the box, filled out the paperwork, and waited. Eight weeks later, I get … Continue reading Rant Against Rebates
Shadowlands
Last night Diane took me to see Shadowlands at the A.D. Players Theater. Diane played the part of the hostess so well - she drove, she opened my car door for me, she bought me a class of wine and treated me to some appetizers. I sort of felt... funny... not doing those things for … Continue reading Shadowlands
Defend Yourself Against Hobbits
I'm having a weird feeling dizzy feeling. For my brother-in-law, I found a geeky gift. I want to turn him into a true geek someday so our bonding will be complete, but he's not there yet. He's too intellectual still and can recite poems and Homer's Iliad by heart. Stop it; let me find you … Continue reading Defend Yourself Against Hobbits
Blessed Christmas to All
This was a special, blessed Christmas for me in so many ways this year. My son came home to visit from college, my step-father got to come home from the hospital, I spent Christmas Eve with my beautiful sweetheart for the first time in years, and wonders of wonders it snowed on Christmas Eve in … Continue reading Blessed Christmas to All
Christmas Gift Idea
Boycotting "Winter Holidays"
Yep, I'm boycotting "Winter Holidays" as a completely useless and meaningless psuedo-pagan holiday. I'm celebrating Christmas. The birth of Christ, a reminder He came to die for our sins, the loving and giving we share with each other as we remember the loving and giving Jesus gave to us. I'll happily pile on the odd … Continue reading Boycotting "Winter Holidays"
How Faith Works
Coffeeswirls has a very nice article about faith and how it works. From my limited understanding of other major religions, he's done a good job of capturing how each deals with faith: Buddhism: Ignorance is the roadblock to salvation. Ignorance is found in your belief that you and the world actually exist. If we stop … Continue reading How Faith Works
Verse of the Day
I made some minor tweaks to the sidebar tonight. The weather forecast wasn't as useful as I thought and I decided it didn't deserve the prominent place it held near the top, so I dropped it all the way to the bottom. At the bottom used to be the Daily Manna, a bible verse for … Continue reading Verse of the Day
John Kerry and Guns
John Kerry took some flap yesterday when he received a gun at the United Mine Workers Labor Day. Kerry then made the very unpresidential-like offer to shoot President Bush by saying, ""I thank you for the gift, but I can't take it to the debate with me." Drudge reported that the gun was a Browning … Continue reading John Kerry and Guns
It Was a Fun Party Until I Knew Who Was Paying For It
Thanks to a Wizbang lead, I can answer SondraK's recent question about why Air America was no longer on the air. SondraK? An Air America listener? Perhaps she takes Zantax afterwards. Air America went on the air with great fanfare, throwing lavish parties and promising to uproot Rush Limbaugh from the airwaves. The only problem … Continue reading It Was a Fun Party Until I Knew Who Was Paying For It
This would be a great day to rant…
... but I'm too busy. This weekend I'm fortunate to host my entire extended family's visit for my son's graduation, and today there is insufficient bedding, food, towels, etc. Tomorrow I shall be shopping, so today I have to develop a list of stuff. Patch gets to spend the day tomorrow at the groomers getting … Continue reading This would be a great day to rant…
Perhaps the term is "bloguer"
I know why I didn't want a journal. It's a much easier question to answer than why I *do* want a journal. I don't want a journal because I'm a listener (or on blogs, "voyuer" might be a better term). I'm a gatherer of information, just soak up knowledge, useful or not. Reading other people's … Continue reading Perhaps the term is "bloguer"
Chasing the Wind 