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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…
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Book Reviews for Your List
Our Wednesday list this week is the latest books I’ve finished. Due to the Thanksgiving break, I read a few different types of books. I hope you enjoy. ————— A Million Miles in a Thousand Years Donald Miller An autobiographical tale, A Million Miles was given to me by Justin Gerhardt (thanks!). Miller recounts his struggle to find him real purpose in a book that is amazingly open. One of my favorite features of this book is that it is written in a quasi-journal style. Miller is able to keep the book moving forward, while taking small tangents to describe certain details as needed. I would recommend A Million Miles…
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Being the Best Bible School Teacher You Can Be in One Step
Teaching Bible class is something I greatly enjoy. It is truly a skill, and one I need to hone! I pray often that my classes see that I am trying and that I truly enjoy the honor of teaching. It is a blessing to teach classes in which students offer input and are willing to answer questions and provide feedback. That being said, teaching is work! It isn’t hard to tell when a teacher has “thrown together” a class at the last minute. No teacher is going to be 100% prepared every single week, but it should not be a pattern for the instructor to be waiting until the last minute…
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Friday Links Roundup: The REAL Game on Saturday
Did you know there are football games tomorrow? I know, with the lack of media coverage, it would be easy to miss that Florida and Alabama play tomorrow. I hope that wasn’t a shock to you. However, we know that one of those teams will play for the BCS national championship. So, why watch? There’s no drama there. The REAL game is between Texas and Nebraska! If the Cornhuskers pull a major upset, they will earn a BCS bid and quite possibly open the door for TCU to play for a national title. Now THAT’S worth watching!!! On to the links for this week: 1. I often speak about the…
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Your Help Needed for a New Series
Two Thursdays ago, I posted an article on some general reflections on the hymn “Where No One Stands Alone.” That brief post received a lot of positive feedback, and led me to think that it might make a good series to continue. I want to take Thursdays for the next few weeks and do more “reflections on hymns.” However, I don’t just want to do my favorites. I like all sorts of songs, from older “standards” to many newer songs of praise, but I want to know which ones YOU like. In the comments, or via email or Twitter, please leave me a list of no more than three songs…
