Faith

PASTOR’S CORNER, Pat Mann, President of Good Samaritan Auxiliary

James 1:2-4 (KJV): “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

Do you think God will test your faith? He will. God does not need to test our faith so that He can learn something. He already knows everything. He tests our faith so WE can learn something about ourselves.

PASTOR’S CORNER, Dr. Jeff Nagell, Friends Church of Liberal

A pastor was invited to share a meal with a family who attended his church. As the serving dishes were brought to the table, the family eagerly dove in to help themselves and proceeded to eat. The minister was surprised no grace was offered, so he bowed his head and gave thanks privately. The mother of the house asked why he did so, and he said “I always give thanks for what God gives,” to which the indignant mother replied “In this house, Daddy works for what we get.”

PASTOR’S CORNER, Jeff Nagell, Friends Church of Liberal

The church hymnal is becoming a relic in many churches of today. Worship choruses and the contemporary Christian music market are making lyrics, which have words whose meanings are often antiquated, that have driven even staunch defenders of the classic hymns to change the lyrics. As one who grew up singing out of a hymnal, usually to organ music, I long for the days when I knew all the verses of many hymns by heart.

In this, I remember men in matching suits singing four-part harmonies and women in satin gowns matching the men but in a higher octave. The rhythms of the holidays were reflected in the song choices of the choir director, who doubled as the song leader in many instances. It was a church where tradition reigned supreme and codified by both the secular and church calendars.

PASTOR’S CORNER, Dr. Jeff Nagell, Friends Church of Liberal

If you are like me, you have already seen a dozen or more commercials about a big holiday coming up soon – Christmas.

Don’t get me wrong, I like Christmas, but the great calendar-makers of all time decided we needed to stop and be thankful before piling up gifts and trinkets before the really fun holiday to come. Not to imitate The Grinch, but Christmas can’t be Christmas without a moment to think about all the good we already have. It’s like the old question “What do you say to an atheist who sneezes?” “I don’t know.” “Exactly.”

So who do we thank on Thanksgiving?