A Little Bit of Hangin’

Pastor's P.O.V.

Abraham Lincoln once listened to the pleas of the mother of a soldier who’d been sentenced to hang for treason. She begged the President to grant a pardon. Lincoln agreed. Yet, he’s reported to have left the lady with the following words: “Still, I wish we could teach him a lesson. I wish we could give him just a little bit of hangin’.”

I’ve always loved reading those words from a short devotional written by Pastor Max Lucado. I always remember that little article after Thanksgiving Day is past when the time for giving thanks is over and I start to take things for granted once again.

His little devotion reminds me of the brevity of life, and how one day a person we love is here, but the next they may be gone.

Lucado explained what “a little bit of hangin’” meant when describing an incident that happened while friends were gathered at his home:

Read More

30 Years a Slave

1 CommentABOUT ME & MY BLOG, Special Days, Steve Sanchez' Testimony,

This old photo from my “other life” circa 1980, reminds me of my “stupid 20’s,” when I had no sense, lived for myself and cared not a whit about anybody else.

I was at a bar called Hussong’s Cantina in Ensenada, Mexico and decided it would be a good idea to dance on top of a table. Suddenly, two Federales grabbed my shoulders and escorted me to the shadows. Thankfully, a Mexican local, whom I did not know, followed us into the “torture room” and negotiated my release. (I’m the smug, shirtless guy standing next to one of the arresting officiales.)

Today, December 2nd, not only marks the day that shiftless guy died in 1990, but also marks my 30th anniversary as a Christian, a bond-slave of Jesus Christ, an unworthy servant, worm, wretch, completely dependent on my Master for life and breath and everything I have.

That picture, which shows up every year in my Facebook “Memories,” is a great reminder of what the Lord has done in my life…and in the lives of so many others.

Read More

Thoughtfully Thankful

Special Days

Psalm 100 is subtitled “A Psalm of Thanksgiving,” and gives us four reminders on how to be thoughtfully thankful to God this Thanksgiving so we won’t get confused and thank a turkey for its giblets.

1st Reminder: SHOUT!

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!” (Psalm 100:1)

Too many Christians are staid, formal, stiff and boring. Our God is none of those. When we shout to the Lord it shows excitement. But why shout? When you are excited about your favorite football team what do you do? Why should the excitement end when you’re in church?

Remember who you are shouting about: God, the Maker of Heaven and earth and you and me. Here’s a suggested shout: “Thank you, Lord!”

Read More

Thank the Universe and an Aspargus

2 CommentsPastor's P.O.V., Special Days, , ,

THE WORST THANKSGIVING SERVICE I ever saw advertised was from a church in Dripping Springs that had a special “Thanking the Earth” ceremony. And the silliest bumper sticker ever stuck to a Hyundai said this: “Did you thank a green plant today?” How far away from God these people are to thank the creation and not the Creator.

The Babylon Bee reported that “local atheist Hal Woodring is preparing his heart to humbly show gratitude to the cold, mechanical processes that randomly led to mankind’s existence and his own fleeting life this Thanksgiving, sources confirmed Friday. Woodring plans to bow his head silently before partaking in his family’s extravagant Thanksgiving feast Thursday evening to give thanks to the meaningless, cold, inconsequential universe for preserving him and allowing him to partake in its bounty. His family members report that he does this every Thanksgiving, pausing to thank the meaningless, vast, and ancient universe that doesn’t care at all whether they live or die.”

That was satire, but it wasn’t far from the truth.

Religion News Service reports that atheists and the non-religious have a Thanksgiving called “secular grace” which invokes no deity and has no spirituality, yet it still fulfills a need.

Read More

The Morning After the Election 2020

2 CommentsPastor's P.O.V.

THE MORNING AFTER THE BALLOTS WERE TALLIED, the sun came up, the birds started singing, morning coffee was made, breakfasts were consumed, and families were late to church again. People went deer hunting, or to their friend’s homes or to a million other places. A dog barked somewhere off in the distance. Life went on.

As usual.

Why? Because God is still on the throne, in control, large and in charge. Nothing escaped his gaze; he holds all things together.

Many felt great elation while others profound disappointment over who God put into office and who he didn’t. Remember this: “It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.” (Psalm 75:7) Whomever got elected was God’s man or woman.

Thank Him. Praise Him. Our God knows what he is doing.

Read More