I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

By Philip Reynolds The Daily Signal The winter of 1863 was a grim one for American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow—it was a grim one for the entire country. The Civil War had been raging for two years. Communities across the nation lay blanketed in an aching grief. Like years previous, Christmas had come. But it’s … Continue reading I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

Christmas Thoughts

I can't believe it's 2 days before Christmas!! Where did December go? Where did 2021 go?? As a kid growing up on a farm with two older brothers, a dog or two, several cats, milk cows, sheep, a couple of ponies, and a go cart, I didn't know we were dirt poor. I don't think … Continue reading Christmas Thoughts

Clutter

A couple of men were taking their lunch break on the construction site, and as the younger man opened his lunch, he declared "Oh, no, bologna sandwich again!" After this scene was repeated for about 3 days in a row, the older man said "Hey, if you don't like bologna sandwiches ask your wife to … Continue reading Clutter

Branded

We have all been branded with a “scarlet letter” because of how we look, think, do, and believe. Because I’m a parent, I’m a terrorist. Because I’m white, I’m racist. Because I’m male, I’m sexist. Because I’m old, I’m prejudiced. Because I’m straight, I’m homophobic. Because I believe in Right and Wrong, I’m intolerant. Because … Continue reading Branded

The Lord Is…

Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! 2 Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. 3 Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, … Continue reading The Lord Is…

Pleasing God

God is the Most High God. YHVH, the Ancient of Days. Too many times we want Him to please us, and we take it for granted that He is pleased with us. With my great power and outstretched arm I made the earth and its people and the animals that are on it, and I … Continue reading Pleasing God

The Walking Dead, part 2

You might call them "spiritual zombies." (Although I, nor anyone I know, have never seen a 'zombie' like on tv.) John wrote in the 3rd chapter of his epistle: 18 Whoever believes in him (that is, Jesus) is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name … Continue reading The Walking Dead, part 2

The Walking Dead

No, not the tv show. (What’s up with the infatuation with zombies??) The other walking dead. Actually they’re not really “dead” as the world sees dead. Paul wrote to the church in Rome: 3Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4We were therefore … Continue reading The Walking Dead

Mercy and Judgment

Three blind men were taken to an elephant, and asked to describe it. One, feeling the tail, said an elephant is like a rope. Another, feeling the trunk, said an elephant is like a snake. The third, feeling a leg, said an elephant is like a tree. Spiritual blindness also prevents people from seeing the … Continue reading Mercy and Judgment

The Master’s Touch

Some people are like canvas, their lives taking shape as God paints His vision upon them. Some are like clay on the potters wheel, being molded by His loving hands into a vessel He can use for His Glory. Some are like wood, being carved into a glorious shape that He can use for His … Continue reading The Master’s Touch