Brief podcast in which Dan and Vic share some details about the services this Sunday.
Click here for audio!
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Friday, December 30, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Podcast for 12-29-11
Brief podcast from the beach with some words of inspiration and a few laughs.
Click here for audio!
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Click here for audio!
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Tuesday, December 27, 2011
What's Open At 7:45pm On Christmas Day In Southern Indiana?
What’s open at 7:45pm on Christmas day in southern Indiana
But the line was almost out the door because just about the only thing open at 7:45pm on Christmas day in southern Indiana
I must say, however, the cashier at this McDonalds gets the Official Christmas Day Wonderful Attitude Award (administered annually by the Christmas Attitude Association of the Greater Midwest Region). After spending over 8 hours on her feet, with a line out the door the entire day, she was smiling, cheerful, patient and friendly. Seriously, she was. I was impressed and pleasantly surprised. What a nice lady! In fact, I was so impressed that I offered to give her a McNugget from our order.
She smiled and said, “No thanks. I’m alright.” (Then she gave Nadia a look that said, “You actually hang out with this guy all the time, huh?)
Have you been wondering for years how to perfectly cap off a Christmas Day? Well, it turns out that the answer is a double cheeseburger from McDonalds. Who would have guessed it?
Well, who knows where we are right now, frankly, I’m blurry eyed.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!
Sunday, December 25, 2011
I Pray You're Experiencing The Hope Of Christmas
The angel said, “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem., the city of David
Saturday, December 24, 2011
The Humility of Christ - Merry Christmas
The word “humility” is almost inadequate to describe the idea of God coming to earth and becoming human. Why would He do such a mind-blowing thing?!? Well, He tells us in His word that He did it because He loves you and me. Amazing, huh? Merry Christmas!
Friday, December 23, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Let's Be Merciful
Mercy happens when a person deserves some consequence—for example, punishment for doing wrong—and yet goodness, forgiveness & kindness is extended to the person instead. It’s very difficult to extend mercy to anyone unless we have been the recipient of mercy. Fortunately, anyone who walks with Christ has been shown mercy. So, let’s be merciful.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
People Are Not A Waste of Time
People are not a waste of our time, they are actually a significant aspect of what our lives are all about. The truly enduring and worthwhile legacy of our lives has a lot to do with the mark that we make on people. “What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” –Pericles, approx. 431 B.C.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Arranging Our Lives To Connect With God
Do you ever think about the fact that there are ways in which we are involved in “arranging” our lives? “Part of the way we seek God with all our heart is to arrange our life in such a way that we are connecting with God as many minutes of the day as possible.” Jan Johnson
Monday, December 19, 2011
The Way We Deal With People Says Something About Our Love For God
God tells us that the way we deal with the real flesh and blood people in our lives says something about the authenticity of our love for Him. “…For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.” 1 John 4:20
Sunday, December 18, 2011
The Value of Spiritual Disciplines
When we engage in a spiritual discipline like prayer or Bible study we are connecting with God and cultivating our relationship with Him. We are strengthening our ability to live life on His terms. That’s why these are critical practices for those who are serious about following Him.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Being Available To God
It can be a bit scary to take the step of being completely available to God because He usually doesn’t tell us in advance everything that will be required of us. That’s why these words of Isaiah are very impressive. “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” Isaiah 6:8
Friday, December 16, 2011
Living In A Responsible Way
God expects His followers to be careful not to cause another brother or sister in Christ to stumble. So there may be things that, technically speaking, we’re ALLOWED to do but we would willingly refrain from doing because we don’t want to cause someone else to be confused or stumble in some way in their relationship with Christ. Living like this calls for us to be responsible.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
What's Coming Up This Sunday, Dec. 18th?
Brief, fun podcast (4 mins. and 10 secs.) with info regarding the services, this Sunday.
Click here for audio!
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Click here for audio!
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Our Response To Circumstances
Writing about his experience in a Nazi concentration camp, Viktor Frankl says, “In spite of all the enforced physical and mental primitiveness of the life in a concentration camp, it was possible for spiritual life to deepen.” This reminds us that it is not our circumstances that determine whether we grow spiritually, it is how we respond to our circumstances.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Testing Produces Perseverance
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4. I’m continuing to discover the truth of these verses in real life. How about you?
Podcast For Dec. 14th -- Words of Encouragement
This is a brief podcast (5 mins. & 45 secs.) with some encouraging words for you. God will never leave you nor forsake you! Have a great day!
Click here for audio!
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Click here for audio!
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Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Childlike Faith
There’s a childlike faith that is commended in the Bible. It’s a type of faith that is not cynical. It is still open to awe and wonder. This faith is open to great possibilities because it hasn’t been frequently disappointed, yet. “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God
Monday, December 12, 2011
Yia Yia Palooza 2011 Highlights
Now you can spend the Christmas holidays watching the highlights from Yia Yia Palooza over and over again!
Click here for video!
Click here for video!
We Love Because He Loved Us First
When we understand love, we realize that genuine love is not primarily motivated by our feelings for a person. Love is primarily motivated by the fact that we are, first, recipients of God’s love. “We love because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19
Sunday, December 11, 2011
The Desire To See God Be Glorified
An indication of spiritual maturity is a genuine desire to see God be glorified. So, if you are wondering how you’re doing spiritually, a fair question to ask yourself is this: Can I honestly say that it matters to me that God is honored, revered, respected and praised?
Sunday AM Sneak Peek Podcast
Here's a quick taste of what we'll be talking about at the services today, 12/11/11.
First Church of God, 4600 W. 111th Street, Oak Lawn, IL.
Click here for audio podcast!
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First Church of God, 4600 W. 111th Street, Oak Lawn, IL.
Click here for audio podcast!
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Saturday, December 10, 2011
How We Treat People Matters To God
It’s very clear from the Bible that how we treat other people matters to God. So, how should we treat other people? One of the simplest but most profound answers to that question is that we should treat other people the way we want to be treated. These qualities come to mind: Fairness, patience, kindness, respect, graciousness, dignity, & love. Easy, right?
Friday, December 9, 2011
Don't Let Anything Else Take God's Place
Anything that distracts us, or consumes us, or dominates our time and thoughts to the point that God’s place in our lives gets diminished, is not good, healthy, or wise. Jesus says, it’s foolish to let that happen.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
E-Flash From Dan -- December 8, 2011
Dear E-Flash Friends;
For hundreds of years, during the Christmas season, children all across the world have gathered in Oak Lawn , Illinois
…Oh, wait a minute. That’s right. This year will only be the second time we’ve ever held Yia Yia Palooza. Well, never mind about all the children gathering for hundreds of years, then. However, a pretty good sized group of us gathered for the Promiseland Christmas program (a.k.a., Yia Yia Palooza) last year and we had a wonderful time.
Even now, my mind is harkening back to the music, the skits, the tasty snacks, the sound system troubles, the children’s warm smiles, the police SWAT team intervention—it all made Yia Yia Palooza a magical night to remember. I think you’re going to want to be here.
I invite you to join us for this year’s Promiseland Christmas program, Yia Yia Palooza, this Sunday, December 11th at 5pm. I don’t know about you, but nothing could keep me away!
(Unless TBS runs that “Barnaby Jones” marathon, again. I’d definitely stay home for that.)
Also, I hope you’re planning to be at the service on Sunday morning (9am or 11am). The worship team is planning a terrific service, we will be having Communion, and I will be bringing a practical message from an interesting section of Scripture, Ecclesiastes 11:1-5. For sure, nothing could keep me away from the Sunday morning services…even that “Barnaby Jones” marathon.
Hope to see you this Sunday morning… and evening.
Blessings,
Dan
P.S. If you would like to have the E-Flash From Dan sent directly to your e-mail, send an e-mail message to cog111st@aol.com and type "Send me the E-Flash" in the "subject" field.
We Want To Do Whatever We're Not Supposed To Do
Why do we have this inclination to do things that are “forbidden”? It seems to involve an interesting mixture of curiosity, pride and rebellion. And this is often coupled with a desire to challenge the things that we fear. It’s an odd thing, sometimes all we need to know is, “you’re not allowed to do it” and, that’s it! We are strongly tempted to do it.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Always Love People More Than Money
There’s something very potent about the affect that greed can have on a person. Here’s an interesting finding: “Neuroscientists have found that the prospect of making money stimulates the same primitive reward circuits in the brain that cocaine does.” – Dr. Atul Gawande. Always be careful to love people more than money.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Pain Can Be A Positive Change Agent
Isn’t it odd that one of the points at which we make positive changes in our lives is when the pain from our unhealthy choices becomes too great to handle any more? So, it might seem strange, but in a way, we can say that the pain is actually good and helpful.
Monday, December 5, 2011
World's Fastest Haircut
I just received one of the world’s fastest haircuts. I went to a place near our house called Sports Clips. The timing was good. I walked in the door and they had me in the chair immediately.
A woman began cutting my hair—did I mention that she works at the place?—and she finished in about 4 and half minutes.
I said to her, “Have you been doing this a long time?”
She said, “Yes.”
I said, “I thought so, you’re pretty quick at it.”
She laughed and said, “It goes faster when you don’t have much hair.”
God calls us to be loving and generous to everyone—even hairstylists that zing you with lighthearted digs (I think it says something like that in the Bible)—so, I gave her a nice tip, anyhow. Because that’s the kind of wonderful, loving, gracious man that I am.
…Twenty eight cents is a nice tip, right?
*NOTE: Come on, you know I’m just kidding about the 28 cent tip.
Is Everyone Religious?
There’s a sense in which everyone is religious. In other words, everyone has some ultimate principle or some starting point which they accept, on faith. “Humans are inherently religious beings, created to be in relationship with God—and if they reject God, they don’t stop being religious; they simply find some other ultimate principle upon which to base their lives.” – Nancy Pearcey
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Staying Connected To Christ
If we are going to do anything of spiritual significance, we must be connected Christ. He is the source in the same way that the trunk of a plant is foundational to the branches of the plant. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” – Jesus, John 15:5. Are you walking closely with Jesus?
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Christmas Decorating And Spreading Holiday Cheer!
I’m sitting here listening to Christmas music. Taylor
(Alright, I don’t actually see your eyes rolling, but I’ve got a pretty good imagination.)
Speaking of Christmas music, by the way, do yourself a favor and listen to Bryan Duncan’s version of The First Noel. Seriously, I love it. If this was an audio file instead of just text I would play it for you right now and you would be blessed and say, “That was great, Dan, thank you!”
So, I’ll just go ahead and say, “You’re welcome.”
Then you would probably add, “And for the record, Dan, you’re a pretty decent DJ.”
“Thank you.”
I think about my parents more as Christmas approaches (my mom loved Christmas). I’m blessed to have many incredible memories of Christmas when I was young. So, I’m going to tip back an eggnog, continue listening to the music, and reminisce.
You know what? Here’s an idea. If your parents are still around, give them a call and say, “Just wanted to tell you, again, that I love you.”
When they say, “Okay, what’s going on? What do you want, now?”
Say, “Nothing. Can’t a guy [or gal] call during this season when we remember the Savior’s birth and express some love for wonderful parents?”
Take notice that, at this point, they may think it’s a wrong number.
……Or, they may wipe away a tear of joy.
You’re welcome.
Time Flies
When I was in my 20’s I thought, “Boy, time seems to be passing quickly, these days.” Now, just a few months later—at least that’s how it seems—I’m in my 50’s, already. Can someone explain to me how that happened? By the way, make it quick, I’m a little pressed for time.
Friday, December 2, 2011
What Did You Say About The Beverage Dispenser?
Rachel and I were sitting at a fast food restaurant today. (Hey, it’s the first time we were at a fast food place since yesterday.) Here is a brief snippet of our adventure…
Rachel: [Noting that a kid has put his mouth on the Pepsi beverage dispenser spout.] That boy is drinking from the thing.
Me: What thing?
Rachel: Over there. [Pointing to a teenaged kid who was goofing around with some friends at the beverage dispenser.] He was drinking from it.
Me: He put his mouth on it?
Rachel: Yes.
Me: [Looking at my Diet Mtn.
Rachel: Yes. That’s gross, isn’t it?
Me: [Getting up to throw my drink away.] Yes it is.
Rachel: [With total innocence.] Want me to get you another drink?
Me: No.
*NOTE: Don’t worry, I won’t post too many of these kinds of incidents, otherwise no one will go out to eat at anymore and they’ll close all of my favorite places.
By the way, can I get anyone a beverage while I’m up?
God Has Blessed Me With The People In My Life
One of the ways that God has been generous, loving, gracious and faithful to me is through the people He has brought into my life. Of course, it is true that some people can be a blessing and some people can seem as if they are more of a curse. I can say, with gratitude to God, the people in my life have been a blessing.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Check Out Joshua Powell And The Great Train Robbery
I love Joshua Powell as a person first; he is an outstanding and gifted young man who has a genuine heart for God. That matters because great music comes from the heart of the musician. So, I admit that I’m biased. I really want Josh’s music to be fantastic. The good thing is that it is. Check it out. I think you will like Josh’s music and you will appreciate the heart of this artist from which it comes.
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Looking Out For The Interests of Others
The more focused we are on “self”, the less healthy our relationships tend to be. When we care about others and look out for the interests of others, our relationships tend to be healthier.
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