"I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear; but now my eye sees Thee." - Job 42:5

This is the best Christmas greeting sent to me this year.  It reserves the word “Merry” for those who celebrate the winter solstice.  For what reason should mankind be merry that the Word had to become flesh?

Years ago, to save advertising costs, the promoters of “Merry Commerce” took Christ out of “Xmas.”  Christ has now been restored, if only in the vernacular.

But Evanlogically, has Christ actually been restored to the hearts of people?  This could be aided by changing the name and date Christ’s Birth is remembered:

The Commemoration of Christ’s Birth, held annually on Worldwide Communion Day.

But as it was in the beginning… organized religion opposes change to its centuries-old practices.   Perhaps those who run the business of organized religion could have their hearts softened by a former commercial business practice:  taking something out of Christmas.

Drop the “Merry” for something less gruesome, more befitting honoring our Redeemer for what the Birth of Christ meant… and means.

Listen to the PODCAST or

Read the BLOG POST here!

https://youtu.be/3xe66mqUZlM

My current pastor shared a Christmas poem called: A Funny Thing Happened On The Way to the Manger. If you'd like to view it, just click on the link.

So, I sent Bill the following message:

Was this a parody?  I sensed the meter of the secular poem, “The night Before Christmas.”

Would it be OK with you if this poem were shared with the 1^st Evanlogical Church congregation when they Commemorate the Reason for the Birth of Christ?

You could present it yourself!  The Commemoration will be held Sunday, October 2, 2022 in conjunction with Worldwide Communion Day.

1^st Evanlogical Church of Open Your Eyes, Look Around and Pay Attention.

Located in the forest through the trees.

Seekers of needles in hay stacks welcome.

If you make a grievous mistake, then realize it, shouldn’t you correct it?

Organized religion made such a mistake when it officially set December 25^th as Christmas.  This overlapped a pagan feast, now called the winter solstice.

Over the succeeding centuries, Christmas was infiltrated by pagan practices.  Fir trees were incorporated in the 16^th century.  Father Christmas arrived in the latter part of the 19^th century.

Christmas became commercialized early in the 20^th century.  Later “Xmas” was used to reduce advertising costs for merchants.  Near the end of that century, what was now called holiday shopping season expanded.  It now encroaches on the 4^th of July.

This 1700 year-old tradition, Christmas, is annually buried under pagan based, secular commotion.  Each year Christians participate in this procession:  a funeral procession that is reburying Christ.

It’s time for Christianity to confess its Christ dishonoring error.  It’s time for Christianity to correct its conduct.   It’s time for Christianity to commemorate, not “celebrate,” the reason that Christ had to be born on earth.  A more Honoring time would be the first Sunday in October – Worldwide Communion day.

https://reimaginenetwork.ning.com/members/RichardHSkibaJr

Contrary to congregational opinion, Evanlogicals do not hate December holidays.

Christians say that Christ is the reason for the season.  Evanlogicals hear that.  Amen!  Opening their eyes, looking around and paying attention, however, Evanlogicals wonder if the Christian slogan rings True.

You better think
When you go out on that shopping spree

Yeah, think
Think about it Evanlogically

Christ’s message would come through more clearly if we separated the commemoration of the birth of Christ from the winter solstice holiday shopping season.

People at the mall every day
Buying gift cards at the stores
With time getting short, they lose focus

Ah, be careful you don't lose yours

We shouldn’t be trying to fool God as to what we’re actually doing this time of year. He can see for himself.

You better think

Hanging ornaments upon that tree
Think
Think about it Evanlogically

Paraphrasing the Bible, let’s render unto the winter solstice that which is the winter solstice’s.  Then render unto God that which is God’s – on Worldwide Communion day.  That is closer to a possible time of the year for the Birth of Christ anyway.

There’s no Scriptural prohibition on shopping for gifts in December or even having parties. Just don’t worship any sun gods.

Then Christians could sincerely wish everybody a merry commerce without any spiritual guilt whatsoever.

Contrary to congregational opinion, Evanlogicals do not hate December holidays.

Christians say that Christ is the reason for the season.  Evanlogicals hear that.  Amen!  Opening their eyes, looking around and paying attention, however, Evanlogicals wonder if the Christian slogan rings True. 

You better think
When you go out on that shopping spree

Yeah, think
Think about it Evanlogically

Christ’s message would come through more clearly if we separated the commemoration of the birth of Christ from the winter solstice holiday shopping season.

People at the mall every day
Buying gift cards at the stores
With time getting short, they lose focus

Ah, be careful you don't lose yours

We shouldn’t be trying to fool God as to what we’re actually doing this time of year. He can see for himself.

You better think

Hanging ornaments upon that tree
Think
Think about it Evanlogically

Paraphrasing the Bible, let’s render unto the winter solstice that which is the winter solstice’s.  Then render unto God that which is God’s – on Worldwide Communion day.  That is closer to a possible time of the year for the Birth of Christ anyway.

There’s no Scriptural prohibition on shopping for gifts in December or even having parties. Just don’t worship any sun gods.

Then Christians could sincerely wish everybody a merry commerce without any spiritual guilt whatsoever.

What Did Jesus Do?

and what can we do?

by Alan Doswald

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,”

            Hebrews 10:24_NIV

Several years ago, people had bracelets and bumper stickers that said “WWJD”-what would Jesus do?  It might be better to ask, “What did Jesus do?”  We don’t have to wonder about that.  In His keynote address Jesus told us what He came to do:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. 

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18-19_NIV

James was anointed or set apart by God to do these 4 things:

1. To preach good news to the poor.
2. To proclaim freedom for the prisoners.
3. To bring recovery of sight for the blind.
4. To release the oppressed.

The gospels tell us how Jesus did these things.

He preached good news to the poor.  

He shared good news with a despised Samaritan woman that changed her life and her entire community.  He also started his most famous sermon, the Sermon on the Mount with, “blessed are you who are poor for yours is the kingdom of God.”  Luke 6:20_NIV  He preached good news to the harassed and helpless-the lost. (Matthew 9:35)  Jesus loves the poor-in fact the first people to hear about Jesus coming were very poor-the shepherds. 

He proclaimed freedom for the prisoners. 

Jesus delivered several people that were possessed by demons.  In one town, Jesus freed 2 men from bondage to demons and in doing so, he freed their town from having to put up with them (Matthew 8).  He also freed a woman caught in adultery from a death sentence (John 8).  Even on the cross, he gave freedom to a dying criminal and said he would see him in paradise (Luke 23:43).  Jesus freed those trapped in many types of bondage. 

He provided recovery of sight for the blind. 

He healed people who were physically blind (Matthew 9, Mark 8, John 9).  One of them was challenged by enemies of Jesus and said in reply, “one thing I do know, I was blind, but now I see” (John 9:25_NIV).  What a testimony!  Jesus also made one man blind, then restored his sight and gave him his marching orders-the Apostle Paul. 

He released the oppressed. 

In Mark 1, a leper came to Jesus and asked to be made clean.  Lepers were the most oppressed group in that day-totally excluded from society.  Jesus had compassion on him, touched him and healed him.  By the way, no one touched lepers.  In Luke 7, Jesus forgave and restored a sinful woman, who was oppressed by those around her.  Jesus told her “your faith has saved you, go in peace” Luke 7:50_NIV. 

As followers of Jesus what can we do as we follow Jesus and His example?  1 John 2:6_NIV says, “Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did.”  As children, many of us played “follow the leader”.  Let’s never stop following our leader.  Acts 10:38_NIV says that Jesus went around doing good.  We can do that.

We can preach good news to the poor.

They’re all around us, even people with lots of money, can be poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3).  Look around you-your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, fellow students.  Ask God to open your eyes to their poverty.  A few years ago I got to know an elderly man across the street.  In time we became friends and he learned I was a minister.  He asked to be born again and baptized.  Later he told me “this is the moment I’ve been waiting for my entire life.”  It’s good news.

We can proclaim freedom for prisoners.

One night, years ago, I got a call from a friend that I knew was an alcoholic.  He was in the hospital and he told me he had been an alcoholic for many years and couldn’t stop drinking.  He asked me if God could help and I said yes.  I immediately took him a Bible and led him to Christ.  God freed him that night and he never took another drink.  I know that it doesn’t always work like that, but God has the power to free people from addictions of all kinds.  We can lead people to freedom.

We can provide recovery of sight for the blind.

Blindness is both physical and spiritual.  In 2 Corinthians 4:4_NIV it says that Satan blinds the eyes of unbelievers so they can’t see the light of the Gospel.  We can shine our light into their darkness and help the blind to see.  John Newton, a former slave ship captain, wrote a song called Amazing Grace that said “I once was blind, but now I see.”  Do you know people who are blind?

We can release the oppressed.

The oppressed are those who suffer the consequences of someone else’s sin.  Do you know people who are abused, neglected, bullied, left out, lonely, lost?  You can, help free them from their oppression by simply loving and befriending them.  Every child in school can befriend someone who is lonely and left out-it will change their life.  Even during COVID, people are only a phone call away. 

One thing Jesus did that we can’t do is to atone for our sins.  Jesus was called, “the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29_NIV).  The Bible says that Jesus would save His people from their sins, which is the very thing that can change our lives forever.  We can follow Jesus and serve others as Jesus did.  Jesus said that He did not come to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for others.  Let’s be followers of Jesus and serve others.

“…let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16_NIV

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                                                                          black hole - Hubble Telescope image 

                They think the whole world revolves around them! 
                                      EZEKIEL 38:12 NLT



Rabbi Hillel asked a good question in Ethics of the Fathers:
     “If I am only for myself, who am I?”
     Selfishness runs counter to My will, and isolates you from others.

The earth is not the center of the universe—the Eternal One is.
     Earthly-mindedness is limiting and worrisome.
     Go about your business, ignoring Mine, and you will go spiritually bankrupt.

The sun is not the center of the universe—the Son of God is. 
     The Light of the World illuminates the Way to the Truth of Life.
     The Sun of Righteousness holds everything together, including you.

The north star is not the center of the universe—the Bright Morning Star is. 
     The Creator of the cosmos directs the traffic patterns of the galaxies.
     The Star-Maker inspires hope in the darkest night of your soul.

You are not the center of the universe—I am. 
     Self-centeredness is laughable and sinful.
     Egocentricity breeds lust, impurity, greed, idolatry, anger, and slander.
     Egomaniacs eventually self-destruct—they love themselves to death. 
     Arrogant enough to take a do-it-yourself approach to life?
     Self-righteous to the point of taking center stage and claiming holiness?
     Convinced you are strong enough to handle any problem you may face?
     Smart enough to figure out all the enigmas of the world?
     Bragging you have it made, the world wrapped around your finger?

Christ-centeredness alone is eternally significant.
     Find a nobler purpose—honoring your Savior in all you do.
     Enjoy greater pleasure—celebrating the joy of His company.
     Experience higher power—surviving difficulties by His grace.
     Celebrate greater purity—thinking your Master’s thoughts.

Live His way—beyond yourself.

                                         

                                    (c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond 
                           Day 288,  Gentle Whispers from Eternity 

                                                      You boasted proudly against me, and I have heard it all!
                                                                                    EZEKIEL 35:13 NLT


When you talk big, you think small.
Are you actually arrogant enough to claim that—
     by your power you have accomplished great feats?
     by your wisdom you have figured out the riddle of the universe?
     by your intelligence and strategy you have conquered the evil one?
     by your hard work you have built a financial nest egg?
     by your rebellion you have found your own way?

Are you really insolent enough to pit yourself against the Almighty?
Are you conceited enough to feel stronger than the Omnipotent Creator?
Are you egocentric to the point of believing you can do-it-yourself?

The essence of sin is attempting to live independently of Me.
     Unchecked pride will cause you to foolishly repeat Lucifer’s folly—
          exalting yourself and claiming to be greater than the Creator;
          trusting your ingenuity instead of the Sustainer of the universe;
          feeling stronger than the One who whispered stars into existence.
     If you strut, you will stumble—if you brag, you will blush—
          if you carry on, you will get carried away.

I am in heaven and you are on earth—keep your words to a minimum.
     Do not multiply words—be quiet and realize that I am God.
     Avoid high-sounding speeches, designed to impress others—
          they do not impress Me!

Thank Me for My unfailing love—My mercy that forgives sin,
     My grace that helps you endure,  My patience that encourages faith.
Worship Me all the time—sing My praises in sunshine and shadow.
     Honor Me with all you are—boast only of the cross of My Son.

If you want to brag, brag about the great things I have done for you.
 

                                                                           (c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond 
                                                                  Day 287,  Gentle Whispers from Eternity 

My book, SIGNS, is out!

Please pray with me for God to use it as He desires

"SIGNS: Stories highlighting the signs recorded in The Gospel of John," is available to buy on Amazon.

You will not yet find SIGNS there, but you can see all of my published books on my Amazon Author Page, Amazon Author Central

My book, SIGNS, is out!

Please pray with me for God to use it as He desires

"SIGNS: Stories highlighting the signs recorded in The Gospel of John," is available to buy on Amazon.

You will not yet find SIGNS there, but you can see all of my published books on my Amazon Author Page, Amazon Author Central

As he admitted to a wrongdoing, the young man said, “I just couldn’t control myself.” Self-control is a difficult thing. It has to do with discipline, and discipline is hard. We live in an out-of-control society and If you don’t discipline yourself, someone else will control you. Thus the importance of self-control. It is similar to a muscle in that the more you exercise it, the stronger it gets. The idea of self-control gains in importance when you realize that if a person can’t control themselves, it is highly debatable if they can control others, thus they disqualify themselves for effective leadership. The Apostle Paul wrote to his young friend, Titus and told him to, “Encourage the young men to be self-controlled” (Titus 2:6, NIV). So, what is there in your life that you need to bring under self-control? It is after all, a God-given ability.

I spoke recently at a Men’s Breakfast for a nearby church. Present at that gathering was a man who had been a member of a neighboring church where I had served as Interim Pastor thirty-two years previously. Unfortunately, his wife was having memory issues, and it prompted him to share a story with me. A few days earlier he had been going through one of his wife’s purses in an attempt to help her find something, when his hand felt a cassette tape at the bottom of a purse. Removing the cassette, he looked at the writing on the side, which said, “Dr. Crawford’s Sermon” followed by a date. Following a brief “Wow’ and a comment or two from me, he said, “Dr. Crawford. You have no idea how many of your sermons are at the bottom of women’s purses.” This man went on to recall in some detail, another sermon I had preached as his Interim Pastor – 32 years ago. What an awesome encouragement that was to me and a timely reminder that we who preach and teach need never take our presentations lightly. Some who hear us, will remember. The writer of Ecclesiastes was correct, “Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days” (Ecclesiastes 11:1).