More and more people are critical of New Year’s resolutions because so many of them fail in short order. With that in mind my resolutions are to read fewer books and gain 20 pounds. Whatever you do to celebrate stay safe and we’ll see you in 2019. Continue reading
I have been sitting on this picture for the past six months, saving it for Christmas. Comedy is all about timing. Welcome to Happy Monday, post #303. Continue reading
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. -Luke 2:8-20 Continue reading
There is no command in the New Testament to celebrate Christmas. Jesus is not disappointed over losing “his day” to Santa Claus or commercialism or anything else. He never asked for a day but rather we assigned him one. What Jesus wants is a place in your heart not a date on your calendar. He wants to bring each of us into a personal relationship with a loving God. He tells us to abide in him as he abides in the Father.
Suing the local government over the right to put up a nativity scene doesn’t “keep Christ in Christmas.” The secular society never had Christ to begin with so there’s no keeping him there. We as believers must keep Christ in our hearts, in our homes and in our church. And we must do so year round not just when Santa is at the mall. That’s not to say we can’t celebrate Christmas. We put up a tree in our home (after Thanksgiving), hang stockings, watch Rudolph on tv and put out milk and cookies for Santa. We also light the candles on the wreath as we keep the weeks of Advent. I can’t do anything Hallmark Channel showing Christmas movies in October but I have a great deal of control over what verses we read, hymns we sing and prayers said during our family devotions.
Don’t be surprised or offended that the world is not interested in Jesus. The manger reminds us that he came into the world. The cross reminds us that, for the most part, the world rejected him. Do good deeds, share good news. Badgering unbelievers with Christian images isn’t going to do anything for them. Show them Christ. Be salt and light. And like I said, that continues into January and beyond. If your Christianity can be stored in a box in the attic, maybe it’s time to revisit the Gospel.
Some folks got nothing but rain (and perhaps flash flooding and damage from high winds) while others got more snow than they can handle. If you live in the Goldie Locks zone you are stuck at home today and still have electricity. Perfect conditions for a Happy Monday, imho. This is Happy Monday #301. Continue reading
Happy Monday turns 300! Many of the blogs I read back in 2012 are no longer with us today. The Master’s Table has gone on hiatus a time or two (if you do the math this post milestone is about six months late) but I am pleased to be with you today.
Take a look at the very first Happy Monday post from July 23, 2012. It was really more of a news thing for those who missed the news and didn’t read any blogs over the weekend. A post from September of that year explains What is Happy Monday?
By Happy Monday #13 it was becoming more pictures and less writing but still had a news sort of vibe to it. By post #22 the look was there but the length varied each week and there was no pattern. It would be a couple of years before Van Til came along. His backstory was included in the Happy Monday Turns 100! retrospective.
Before I talk you death let’s do what we came here for. Here is a fresh batch of everything you’ve come to expect on a Monday morning. Continue reading
The Master's Table 