The congregation I serve as pastor, is a church plant of the Evangelical Free Church of America. Yes, we are as advertised, evangelicals, though these days with gluten-free, sugar-free, and caffeine-free products, a person might surmise we are not.

Dear Reader: I have provided a few Thoughts For The Day for you to ponder over the next few days. May our Lord speak to your heart.

What do the following two sets of names have in common?

The first group of names: Moses, Jonah, and Jeremiah.

The second group: Noah, Abraham, and Mary.

I frequently hear that our society has become more and more selfish when it comes to personal matters. It seems to have become every person for himself or herself.

Christmas is coming. And along with it, the usual griping about the secularization of this highly meaningful time – yours truly included.

My closet has been the longtime home of two shirts. Like the best of friends, they literally have had my back through thick and thin offering their familiar and comfortable embrace. Cotton. Soft. A comfy fit. They are my favorite shirts.

One time I was walking through a store looking at the various offerings for Christmas gifts. While looking around I saw a large mug – the size intended for someone to enjoy a meal of soup, or for someone who is a very serious coffee drinker. There was a message printed on the mug which, when I first read it, thought it was a bit trite. But then the full meaning of it dawned on me. There was a depth to its message that I don’t know if its creator intended or not.

Despite the Christmas decorations in department stores, it is Thanksgiving Day, the day which, in theory, we give thanks. The question that sits before us like the proverbial, giant turkey in the room into which no one dares slice, is: “To whom are we giving thanks?” If you gather on this holiday with family and friends to enjoy an abundant table laden with the traditional fare and someone asks that question, how would you answer?

My wife and I are not “beach people.” We could be living in Nebraska for the few times we have been to the beach in the last five years. It takes having out of town company to get us there. Our attitude was the same when we lived in Naples, Fl, for twelve years, and before that when we lived in Jupiter, Fl. In fact, we have lived in Florida for most of our adult lives. The question going through your mind right now is, “Why?” Two words – God’s call.

It has happened again despite our best efforts to stave off such travesties. We purchased bags of candy anticipating a steady stream of costumed neighborhood kids and only a handful of them showed up. Now we are “stuck with” a large bowl of some of my favorite candy. Oh, the horror!