Good News: God will never forsake us!

 

There was a glitch in the system

The place where I get my haircut has a computerized record-keeping system. When I walk in the door, I am asked for my phone number. The number is entered into the system and they are immediately provided with the information needed to give me the same luxurious haircut I get every time I go.

I prefer a “luxurious” haircut and I suspect you do, too.

Their method is quick, efficient and sophisticated. I have found it to be a no-fail system which helps to explain why I am considered, by far, the second most dashing man living at our address. (I’m the only man living at our address but let’s not get hung up on small details.)

…Anyhow, I got my haircut on Monday, however, there was a slight glitch in the system. Instead of providing my usual information, other slightly-more-creative instructions—as shown in the photo—were accidentally given to the very capable stylist who did my hair.

If nothing else, I think we can agree that the uniquely artistic flair of the style is certainly to be appreciated.

By the way, it’s possible I may be wearing a hat to our special services at church this weekend.

Do not live in fear

The phrase “do not be afraid” appears 70 times in the New International Version of the Bible.

God does not want us to live in fear.

This does not mean: “be reckless” or “go ahead and take unnecessary risks.” However, it is good and important for us to not allow fear to rob us of life.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

If we are willing, there is hope!

There is a poignant scene in the Terminator 2 movie in which John Connor, who is about 10 years old, makes a somber observation about human nature. He is speaking with the Terminator and they are watching two young children play. The behaviors of the children reveal something troublesome about human nature. Their exchange goes like this:

 

John Connor: [pensive] We’re not gonna’ make it, are we? …People, I mean?

Terminator: It’s in your nature to destroy yourselves.

John Connor: Yeah, major drag, huh?

 

Sometimes, when I look around and consider the things people do and say, when I think about the positions people are taking on issues and the way we are treating each other, I can almost start to feel like young John Connor. And, believe it or not, I tend to be a fairly optimistic person. (Especially if this post is not the primary factor in making that determination.)

John’s sentiment seems plausible: “We’re not gonna’ make it, are we? …People, I mean?”

Fortunately, my faith in Christ and my acknowledgement of the Bible as an authoritative source of truth, bring me hope. I write the previous sentence sincerely and seriously.

Obviously, I do not know in a specific way how the future will unfold. I do not know how good it will be or how bad it will be.

But I know it is possible to live with hope and not despair.

Please consider this passage:

“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed….

“…That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” 

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 and 16-18

If we are willing to see it, if we are willing to seek Him, there is hope!

 

God even loves punks like me

 

What happened to the proud canine tradition?

 

Doctoring up a pizza!

The excitement is at a fever pitch around our house when I get out a frozen pizza and begin my magical process.

It involves “doctoring” the pizza with additional mozzarella cheese, bacon bits, garlic, tomatoes, a little Elmer’s glue around the edges and, of course, tears of joy.

The tears add a pinch of salt.

Nadia and Rachel feel a sense of wonder as it all comes together in a culinary experience that thrills, inspires and delights the senses on every level. Lucy and Finley feel this sense of wonder, too, but it usually means they just scratch themselves…on every level.

If only you could smell it, even now, through the digital screen. Ahhhh! It is going to be delightful!

Bon appetit! 

 

Palm Sunday - 3/28/21 - Full message

 

The wonderful, mysterious beauty of music

This may not be typical.

I realize everyone will not be able to relate to this post but perhaps some of you will. One of the most extraordinary gifts God has given us is music. For me, it’s not just that certain songs move me deeply and bless my heart in inexpressible ways but some pieces of music can actually, for a moment, treat the difficult, stressful issues of life in such a way that they are gone from my mind. Forgotten.

It may brief, but the mess and struggle are replaced with profound, overwhelming beauty and joy. I don’t even know if it is normal but there are small sections of certain songs—a lick by a horn section, the beginning of a guitar solo, vocals harmonizing, a line in the lyrics—for which I have to make sure no one is looking at me when I hear it because I’m embarrassed that I have tears in my eyes.

Grown men, are not supposed to be that easily moved with emotion. Especially when they are dangerous ninjas.

Thank you Lord for the mysterious, wonderful, staggering, glorious favor you have extended to us through music.

Don't get involved with those who want to argue for the sake of arguing

 

Where Are You Looking For Jesus?

 

You’re invited to our Easter services!

 

First Church of God

4600 W. 111^th Street

Oak Lawn, IL  60453

 

Easter Service times: Saturday, April 3, 5pm;

Sunday, April 4, 9am or 11am

 

#ThankYouForSharing

Get up!

It’s actually pretty easy to give up.

That’s why it is impressive when a person can face obstacles, set-backs, troubles, heartbreak and serious dilemmas and still keep going.

“For though a righteous man may fall seven times, he still gets up…” Proverbs 24:16

 

We have limits, God does not!

 

Here's a thought...

 

Rachel's nap policy

Sometimes the way it works is you just simply take a nap wherever you happen to be at the moment.

 

Making a fashion statement

In the world of fashion I suspect there will always be a desire to “try something new,” “be innovative,” “push the limits,” “see how gullible people really are.” Because of my extensive knowledge and experience in fashion—along with a tremendous flair for crochet—my opinion about the latest fashions coming out of London and Paris is generally sought after.

“What does Dan think about this?” the designers usually ask. And then they lie down with a cold rag on their foreheads.

The photos you see with this post are part of the 2021 Men’s Pants Fashion Collection from the London College of Fashion. (No kidding!)

Hip, talented, influential, cutting-edge designers—who were not blindfolded at the time—are thinking this is a style we will embrace. A look we will like. A fashion sense we will affirm and accept, even while sober.

So the question hangs in the air like wet socks on a clothesline: What does Dan think about these fashionable new pants?

I think the question has already been answered. I have 5 new pairs of these pants and have been wearing them regularly when I’m out running errands and working my part-time job as a junior rodeo cowboy.

By the way, if the right amount of helium is used with these pants one can enjoy the fun of floating around the village.

 

Forget everything except Christ crucified - Full message 3/21/21

 

Spring is here!

 

Are you willing to receive from those you never expected?

 

What has Finley done this time?

When Finley has done something wrong—which is not uncommon—she has a way of acting and appearing very innocent…much more innocent than usual. She becomes more loving and more affectionate. She gives a look like the one in this photo.

This look is her way of establishing a pre-emptive dose of cuteness which is delivered in order to minimize any disciplinary action which may be coming in response to her wrongdoing. She may also have flowers delivered to the house, but that’s if her misconduct is likely to require a really big measure of grace!

I don’t know what she did…but look at that face.

It must be something big.

 

The powerful desire for acceptance and approval

 

No one likes McDonald's? Really?!?

Almost anytime I talk with anyone about McDonald’s (which is frequently because it is a critically important subject which is worthy of serious discussion) they tell me they do not like McDonald’s.

“It is terrible food. It is filled with all types of disgusting ingredients. And eating McDonald’s will ruin your health,” they tell me with great assurance and conviction, usually from their cell phone while waiting in the Drive Thru line at Burger King.

Since I have received this type of feedback about McDonald’s many times—even once or twice while lightly anesthetized during surgical procedures—I always assume McDonald’s will certainly not be busy when I go there.

“It can’t possibly be busy,” I think. “How could it be?!? Everyone hates McDonald’s and believes it is incredibly unhealthy!”

But of course, almost anytime I go to McDonald’s, day or night, virtually anywhere in the country…  [ get ready ]

…Yep, you guessed it: It’s busy!!!!!!!!

McDonald’s is almost always busy! Every time I go!

I was at McDonald’s this afternoon. Primarily for research purposes. It was at a time that was too late for the lunchtime crowd and it was too early for the suppertime crowd.

It was busy.

So now, when people tell me how much they hate McDonald’s—and how bad it is—I wait until they are finished talking then I say, “Thank you. That’s helpful information. You want to go get a Big Mac?”

They say, “Yes.”

And we have a wonderful time enjoying the fine cuisine of the Golden Arches.

 

My message got canceled by Facebook

 

Message on Trans from 1/24/21 - Audio only

 

He must increase I must decrease - Full message 3/14/21

 

Do not allow fear to make your life smaller

 

Just one step to begin

 

Math involves universal truth it is not culturally dependent

If you love people, you respectfully tell them the truth.

If you love the truth, you willingly stand up for the truth.

Below are some excerpts from an article titled, “There is No Such Thing as ‘White’ Math” by Sergiu Klainerman, professor of mathematics at Princeton University, MacArthur Fellow, Guggenheim Fellow and member of the National Academy of Sciences.

All of what follows comes from Dr. Klainerman’s article:

In my position as a professor of mathematics at Princeton, I have witnessed the decline of universities and cultural institutions as they have embraced political ideology at the expense of rigorous scholarship. Until recently — this past summer, really — I had naively thought that the STEM disciplines would be spared from this ideological takeover.

I was wrong. Attempts to “deconstruct” mathematics, deny its objectivity, accuse it of racial bias, and infuse it with political ideology have become more and more common — perhaps, even, at your child’s elementary school…

…Nothing in the history and current practice of mathematics justifies the notion that it is in any way different or dependent on the particular race or ethnic group engaged in it.

For historical reasons, we often discuss contributions to the field of mathematics from the Egyptians, Babylonians, Greeks, Chinese, Indians and Arabs and refer to them as distinct entities. They have all contributed through a unique cultural dialogue to the creation of a truly magnificent edifice accessible today to every man and woman on the planet. Though we pay tribute to great historical figures who inform the practice of mathematics, the subject can be taught — and often is — with no reference to the individuals who have contributed to it. In that sense it is uniquely universal. 

Schools throughout the world teach the same basic body of mathematics. They differ only by the methodology and intensity with which they instruct students.

It is precisely this universality of math — together with the extraordinary ability of American universities to reward hard work and talent — that allowed me, and so many other young scientists and mathematicians, to come to this country and achieve success beyond our wildest dreams. 

The idea that focusing on getting the “right answer” is now considered among some self-described progressives a form of bias or racism is offensive and extraordinarily dangerous. The entire study of mathematics is based on clearly formulated definitions and statements of fact. If this were not so, bridges would collapse, planes would fall from the sky, and bank transactions would be impossible.

The ability of mathematics to provide right answers to well-formulated problems is not something specific to one culture or another; it is really the essence of mathematics. To claim otherwise is to argue that somehow the math taught in places like Iran, China, India or Nigeria is not genuinely theirs but borrowed or forged from “white supremacy culture.” It is hard to imagine a more ignorant and offensive statement. 

We cannot change what happened yesterday

 

Humor Mash Up from past services

 

Be careful not to insult your own intelligence

 

You don’t need to pray and ask God this question

 

How we respond to God - Full message

 

No more irrational fears

I was reminded a little while ago about some of the crazy, irrational fears that happen when we are children. For example, when I was a little kid, sometimes, I got frightened at night because I thought someone was looking in the window of my bedroom.

Of course, I’ve outgrown that silly childhood fear. When we grow up we become more rational, sensible and mature.

However, I’m fairly certain I hear someone or something underneath the bed after we turn the lights off, at night. I’m not saying it’s a monster but I don’t think that possibility can be ruled out.

This week with Lucy and Finley

 

We can help bring some much needed light

 

It is very important for us to be willing to forgive each other

 

Cannot change yesterday

 

A pastoral word: Things are likely to get difficult for people of faith, let us be resolute

 

Finley is a leaper!

 

Excerpt of a letter from a guy named Paul

This is an excerpt of a letter written by a fellow named Paul while he was in prison. What he writes reveals a faith in Jesus that was so certain that he was not, at all, afraid of dying. It is almost impossible to intimidate or frighten someone who is not afraid of death.

What follows is a small part of Paul’s letter to these folks whom he dearly loved. The recipients of the letter looked to Paul as a spiritual leader:

“For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live. Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith.”

Living with hope!

For a person who is living without God there is a sense in which life is being lived without hope.

“…You lived in this world without God and without hope.” Ephesians 2:12(b)

Hope involves an expectation or desire for something good and positive which we believe will happen. What is hoped for is in the future and has not happened yet but it is genuinely believed it will occur.

Hope is incredibly encouraging. To live with hope is a wonderful way to live.

When Paul (who wrote the book of Ephesians) talks about being “without God and without hope” he is indicating that life, in an ultimate sense, needs something which transcends the troubles, pressures, disappointments, frustrations, problems, etc., of this world.

Think of it this way: If our brief lives (relatively speaking) in this world are all that exist, despair is more likely than hope.

With God, on the other hand, there is hope. Hope for eternal life. Hope for lives that continue on in actual glory. Hope for ultimate meaning and purpose. Hope for an existence that is better than we can even imagine…and it never ends!

I want to live with authentic hope. I trust that you do, too!

It’s time to open up a dialogue…