Topic(s): Blessings

On November 24, Americans will once again celebrate a national day of thanksgiving. It is a day set aside to give thanks unto God for our great heritage and the many blessings He bestows upon us. For many, Thanksgiving is simply a day off from work. It is a time to overeat, enjoy parades and ball games, and visit friends and relatives. However, for the child of God, every day is truly Thanksgiving Day. Paul admonished, “In everything give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). For what does the child of God give thanks?

• Give thanks for God’s goodness and mercy (1 Chron.16:34).
• Give thanks for God’s holiness (Psalm 30:4).
• Give thanks for God’s creation (Psalm 75:1).
• Give thanks for God’s deeds (Psalm 105:1).
• Give thanks for God’s righteous judgment (Psalm 119:62).
• Give thanks for our food (Matthew 15:36).
• Give thanks for the body and blood of Jesus (Matthew 26:26-28).
• Give thanks for the victory found in Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57).
• Give thanks for the care and compassion of others (2 Corinthians 8:16).
• Give thanks for God’s unspeakable gift—Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 9:15).
• Give thanks for our brethren (Ephesians 1:16).
• Give thanks for all things (Ephesians 5:20).
• Give thanks for the church (Colossians 1:12-13).
• Give thanks for all men (1 Timothy 2:1).
• Give thanks for civil authorities (1 Timothy 2:2).
• Give thanks for the hope of heaven (Revelation 11:16-17).

Surely we can think of countless other blessings for which we should give thanks. These are just a few of those mentioned in the Holy Scriptures. As His children, let us begin today thanking God for His many favors. —Barry M. Grider

Did he spit in the face of an umpire?

Topic(s): Bible Authority, Denominationalism

Recently, the chaplain for the Washington National’s baseball team was suspended and barred from the clubhouse . . .  What did he do?  Did he spit in the face of an umpire as I have seen some players do? Did he run onto the field in an uncontrollable rage, cursing and screaming at the umpire or an opposing player as some managers and players do? Did he get in a locker room brawl as some players do?

The answers are “No.” His offense was simply in answering a question that had been asked of him by a player. Ryan Church, an outfielder for the Washington Nationals asked the chaplain if the Jews were “doomed” because they do not believe in Jesus. The chaplain nodded affirmatively.

While I understand that this answer may be offensive to some, my question is, “Why have a chaplain in the first place if you don’t want biblical answers to biblical questions?” If you don’t want religion in the locker room, then don’t hire a chaplain, hire a counselor or a psychologist. However, it’s not that they don’t want religion in the locker room, they apparently do. However, they want a watered-down, inoffensive, feel good, post-modern religion in the locker room. That’s where the chaplain went wrong. It seems to me, they suspended a man for being who they hired him to be? What do you think?

—Steve Higginbotham at http://www.glasgow-coc.org/mercemail.htm

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” —John 14:6