1 Thessalonians 4:13-18             Today is “Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.”  In 1941, when most of the world was at war, the United States was trying to stay out of the conflict.  On December seventh, the Japanese navy conducted a surprise attack on U.S. naval and army forces in Hawaii.  The next day, the United States officially entered World War II.  The lives of every American alive at that time were severely impacted.  The fallout and effects from the events of that day

John 6:1-14 , 25-35             How many meals a week do you eat?  Do you get your “three squares” a day?  That would be twenty-one meals a week.  We all know that because of crazy schedules, sometimes we miss a meal or just grab something “on the go.”  Perhaps we should reword the question: How many times a week do you eat?  Most of us (all?) also eat snacks (nutritious or not) during the day and do some snacking in the evening.  Without stretching it too much, we may be eat

Colossians 3:15             Thanksgiving is our very favorite holiday.  It bothers us a great deal that it gets squeezed out (even crushed) between Halloween and Christmas.  Thanksgiving brings together faith and family, along with food (some would add football!).  To use an overworked phrase: it doesn’t get any better than that!  Although Paul encourages us to “be thankful” as a matter of course, Thanksgiving is an opportunity to pause from the hectic pace of daily living an

1 Corinthians 6:9-11             It is a well-known fact in the parenting and teaching literature that children will tend to fulfill the expectations made for them.  If a child is encouraged to do well and are told they have talent and are praised for their work, then they will develop a healthy view of themselves and will persevere in life.  If a child is never encouraged, and constantly put down and never praised, they will develop a negative view of themselves and find the

Acts 1:6-11             What would you do with five minutes with Jesus?  Suppose He appeared at your door one evening and asked to come in.  It was just the two of you there in the room.  Take a minute or two and give it some thought.             Did you prostrate yourself?  Kneel?  Or did you forget to show reverence to God?  Perhaps you were too stunned to do anything.  Or did you start filling the air with your questions and requests?             “Lord, what happened in 20