Ecclesiastes 12:10

     So, we all taught Columbus discovered America, so how come it isn’t named after him?   The new world was called America after Amerigo Vespucci an explorer sent in 1499 to verify Columbus’ discovery. He was the first to say “ these regions…may rightly be called a new world ”.   Columbus however refused to do so. Convince he had traveled to Asia he scoffed at the notion this was a new land.  He even forced his crew, under threat of corporal punishment, to sign an affidavit declaring they’d discovered Asia. When Columbus died in 1506, he still claimed he was right.   His stubbornness led to his losing the moniker that might have gone to him.   In Romans 2 Paul scolds those who refuse to see the error of their ways. He exclaims in verse 5 “ But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God ”. Since they would not see their...

   As William Shakespeare once wrote, Blow, blow, thou winter wind. Thou art not so unkind As man’s ingratitude.”   Ingratitude comes in many forms. Maybe it’s the boss who passes you over for the promotion. Maybe it’s the spouse who doesn’t appreciate the chores you take care of. The client that never seems to acknowledge the time and energy you expend for them. The kids that expect you to constantly do for them without even a hint of respect or concern.   Even Jesus got frustrated with ingratitude (Luke 17:16-18). It lies at the heart of man's rebellion against God (Romans 1:21) We are commanded to be thankful people (Colossian 3:15, 1 st Thessalonians 5:18). So why is it that ingratitude is so common?   Because it is the easy path. Most ingratitude comes from the fact we just don’t take the time to stop and acknowledge. We are so caught up in ourselves that we forget to think about others. You don’t have to do anything to be ingrateful. It is an easy wi...

   In Haggai 1:6-7 we read: "You have sown much, and bring in little; You eat, but do not have enough; You drink, but you are not filled with drink; You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; And he who earns wages, Earns wages to put into a bag with holes." Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Consider your ways!   It’s funny how often people get caught in a feedback cycle yet never stop to consider why. There is an old adage, “ Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results ”.  In this passage, God is rebuking his people because they can’t seem to get ahead yet they never stop to consider why. In putting everything else but God first in their lives, nothing in their lives seems to be working out. Yet they continue in the same pattern. Consider your ways!   It is a cry we need to hear today.  If things are not improving, it might be because we not doing anything differently. If we are stuck in the same rut, it might b...

    Do you remember when you were in school, usually in the lower grade levels, when they gave out awards? Now often, almost everyone would get some kind of award. Maybe you were not the ‘Top Student’ but you could be the ‘Best Dressed’ or ‘Best Helper’ or ‘Nicest Smile’. I always felt the teacher had to make up an award for me, ‘Didn’t Burn Down The Class…Again’ or ‘Most Noticed When He Was Absent’.   Now if I asked you what was the best award to receive what would you say?  Would it be ‘Most Improved’? We might think that is not a great award but it might be the secret to success.   The biggest hindrance to success isn’t talent or smarts but it follow through. We get complacent, satisfied where we are, and stuck in our ways. But if we are seeking to improve, we will always be moving to the better. As we read in Philippians 3:13-14:  Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and re...

    Why did they decide to start the year in the middle of winter? It is not a solstice or equinox. It doesn’t really seem like a ‘new’ year.  If they had done it in springtime, that would make sense when everything is blooming back and nature is returning. But no that is months off.  The school year isn’t new, we are smack dab in the middle of it. There is no new sports season that starts, nothing is premiering,  no reason for the business world to take notice except we say it is a new year. There is no metaphorically, astronomically, and culturally significant reason for it.  Yet here we are in a New Year. However, there doesn’t have to be a reason to change, except it is time for one. We all need to move ahead, maybe by letting go of something (a sin, a struggle, a grudge) or making a fresh start (better habit, a spiritual commitment, a new walk).  Don’t let arbitrary date on a calendar make you start anew. The only day you need is today! As w...