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Friday Links Roundup: Automated Christmas Edition
Sorry to disappoint, but I’m not typing this on Christmas. I typed this Wednesday and set it to publish today. We hope you are having a wonderful Christmas, and we hope you are able to spend quality time with family and friends. On to the links for this week: 1. On Wednesday nights, I am teaching the Gospel according to John. The “I Am” statements of Jesus found in that book are some of my favorite passages. Justin Guin shares some thoughts on one of them in “Knowing Our Savior: I Am the Bread of Life.” 2. For some reason, many do not trust God. Tim Pyles shares some very…
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Thursday Hymn Reflection: "My Jesus, I Love Thee"
[NOTE: This post continues our Thursday Hymn Reflections. If you would like to suggest a song for this series, please leave a comment. We still have over 30 songs lined up for this series at this time, but we will try to do them all!] My first reflection on this hymn has always been its simplicity. There are very few songs we sing that are easier to “pick up” and sing. The melody is easy to follow and the harmonies are very straightforward. That is so fitting for this song! In a song that simply praises the Son of God in simple language, it is only fitting that the music…
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5 Gifts that Cost $0, but are Special
Our shopping is done (thankfully). I don’t mind shopping some for Christmas (and, yes, I buy or at least help with more than just Leah’s present), but day after day of it gets old. I was thinking recently about what we can do for our kids as they get older. There is nothing wrong with getting presents for Christmas, and I love seeing the look on a child’s face as they unwrap (read: destroy) a package. But I was also thinking of some things we might do in the future along with the presents to help them mature. Here are a few. 1. Volunteering. Many people give some time on…
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A LOT of Verses
For many years, preachers in churches of Christ were known for using a lot (and I mean, a lot) of verses of Scripture. Whether the sermon was basically textual or topical, many passages were used to show the truth of the matter being presented. Of course, passages can be taken out of context, but, as I read and listen to many of these sermons, I am touched by the faithfulness to the text in using verse after verse. A few weeks ago, we were visiting where my parents worship and the young men led the evening services. One young man presented a good sermon on baptism. His lesson was basic…
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Friday Links Roundup: Christmas Zzzz Edition
I say it all the time: Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I like Christmas, but it’s only the 18th, and I’m already tired. I’m tired from shopping and standing in line. I’ve already heard “Feliz Navidad” twice (which is twice too often for this horrible tune). The “Christmas season” just lasts too long. When I’m President, we’ll cut it down to two weeks….tops! Now, that whole line about a “long winter’s nap?” Where is that in all this? It sure sounds tempting! On to the links for this week: 1. Many wonder if Christians should celebrate Christmas in any form or fashion. Cindy Colley does a good job answering that question…
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Thursday Hymn Reflection: "Let the Lower Lights be Burning"
[Note: If you would like to add your favorite songs (up to 3) to the list of those to be done in our Thursday reflections, add a comment. As of this writing, there are about 35 on the list, but we are doing them in random order.] “Let the Lower Lights be Burning” was written by Philip Bliss in 1871 and uses much imagery that, sadly, most do not fully understand anymore. D.L. Moody wrote this brief description of where the idea for the lyrics came from: On a dark, stormy, night, when the waves rolled like mountains, and not a star was to be seen, a boat, rocking and plunging, neared the…
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20 Uses for Evernote for Everyone*
*Assuming you have a computer, since you’re reading this! I have mentioned Evernote on the blog before, but have never expanded the thought. I thought for the Wednesday list, I’d share a few thoughts about the program, then ways you can use it. First, what is it? Evernote is a FREE online program that stores all types of information. What can be stored? Here’s a partial list: Text notes pdf files pictures audio tweets from Twitter web addresses web clips So what? Can’t you just save those on your computer? Of course you can, but here is what makes Evernote unique: since it is an online program, you can access…
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"Joke" or "Opportunity"?
Many congregations will see an increase in attendance this Sunday, since it is the Sunday prior to Christmas. For many, this is one of the times that “you have to go to church,” since we see so many reminders of the birth of Jesus this time of year. I think it’s sad that many congregations see this as only a joke. Someone comes to worship because it’s “Christmastime,” and, for some, the first thought is “We’ll see you again at Easter.” We simply welcome them, wish them well, and assume they won’t be back any time soon. I’ll be honest. That is the case for a vast majority of visitors this…
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Friday Links Roundup: We Don't Quite Get the Concept Edition
Last night, we went Christmas shopping and out to eat (with cash, of course!). Part of the fun was that we took the kids to see Santa. It was the second time this year they sat on Santa’s lap, and both gave the same list (thankfully!). Turner, however, is having a problem. He loves seeing Santa and sitting on his lap. He loves telling the jolly one that he wants a “hericopter” (helicopter). However, when he gets down from Santa’s lap, he expects the toy to appear right then. We haven’t quite got the “you have to wait until Christmas day” concept yet. Here’s to not sitting on Santa’s lap…
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Thursday Hymn Reflections: "Jesus Is Lord"
[NOTE: If you would like to add your song ideas for these “reflections” series, leave a comment with no more than 3 songs. There are almost 40 in the line-up now!] The first verse of this song is very old, while additional verses have been added in the last 40 years. As the verses, especially the final one, have been added, the song has been much more used. It is a song that usually is accepted first by young people, but that adults love to. I love this song for its simple message. It doesn’t get simpler than “Jesus is Lord, my Redeemer; how He loves me, how I love…
