Rejoice In The Lord

Rejoice In The Lord. That was Sunday’s message. Rejoice!

This is a great goal, to rejoice. How is it done though? Life is so crazy busy that sometimes, I don’t know what day it is.

Ever feel like that?

Or, perhaps some people, this year especially, are struggling so much financially, that they can’t see straight.

So, what are we supposed to do? How does one rejoice under these circumstances?

We all know the answer, don’t we?

Forgive Tiger Woods?

Do you? Can you? Will you?

Forgive Tiger Woods?
Forgive Tiger Woods?

Traveling all last week, I heard many negative and malicious comments about Tiger Woods. There’s a fairly rampant, and unfavorable, judgement on Tiger Woods, the Golfer.

And when I took this photo, I was actually in a negative judgement mindset as well.

And then it hit me. What about Tiger Woods, the man, not the golfer. The human being, just like you and me.

If Tiger Woods asks God for forgiveness, do you think God will deny Tiger Woods?

Would God deny you forgiveness?

Then why would Tiger be any different?

Then why would I be any different?

Opportunity isn’t always obvious.

Stewardship On a Billboard?

Passing through Atlanta airport the other day, and a hallway billboard caught my eye. It wasn’t Jane Goddall or the chimp that made me want to stop and look, it was the word – STEWARDSHIP – that did it.

If you visit jeffnoel.org, and don’t know, there are four other blogs I write daily. Over on the upper right corner is Blogroll, which has a one click function to the others.

Anyway, it dawned on me, humbly if I might add, there aren’t too many five-a-day bloggers, so it’s a working name for now.

Five-a-day blogger.

Sounds funny. And crazy. And slightly boastful. Oh well, my apologies.

So here’s another crazy thing, in writing this post, it dawned on me that I should mention, just yesterday, I coined also myself the “One-take-You Tube video” guy.

Back to today’s story on Stewardship. Here’s the one-take-You Tube video, as a result of stopping to pause:

Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941.

At dinner last night, a friend reminded me that the day before was the anniversary of the attack at Pearl Harbor. This came up because I had mentioned that John Lennon was assassinated December 8, 1980.

I can’t explain to you why, but I felt particularly stupid for remembering a rock star milestone, but not an American milestone.

Well, actually, I hadn’t remembered John Lennon’s death. Was reminded of that by a Facebook friend. Anyway, I had a spiritual moment that gently reminded me that the world has always been a tough, uncertain place.

It prompted me to silently, and discreetly, count my blessings and give thanks for what we have today.

From Wikipedia: Despite numerous historical precedents of unannounced military action, the lack of any formal declaration prior to the attack led President Franklin D. Roosevelt to proclaim “December 7th, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy”.

And while it’s proper to remember American milestones, it’s even greater to remember another day that will live on forever – Christmas.