Category Archives: Holidays

Church Write-Up: Easter 2017

Posted on April 21, 2017 by jamesbradfordpate

I went to two church services on Easter Sunday.  The first was the 8:30 am traditional service at a Missouri Synod Lutheran church.  The second was a United Methodist church service. Here are some of my thoughts: A.  I was … Continue reading →

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Thanksgiving, the Problem of Evil, and Eschatological Hope

Posted on November 30, 2016 by jamesbradfordpate

I have three items about last Sunday’s church service. A.  Someone was telling the congregation about his Thanksgiving.  He was talking about sitting on the couch, watching football on TV after having his Thanksgiving meal, dozing off.  In the midst … Continue reading →

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Mother’s Day at a Presbyterian Church

Posted on May 12, 2016 by jamesbradfordpate

Last Sunday, I visited a Presbyterian church. It was Mother’s Day, so the pastor gave people in the audience the microphone so they could share thoughts about their mothers.  A young man talked about how his mother taught him not … Continue reading →

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Chesed Shel Emet; Easter and Sabbatarianism; New Life from Bitterness

Posted on March 27, 2016 by jamesbradfordpate

I have three items for my write-up on church this morning.  Since today is Easter Sunday, the sermon was about Jesus’ resurrection.  The pastor focused on the story in Luke 24. A.  The pastor referred to the Jewish concept of … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Church, Holidays, Religion | 1 Comment

Scattered Ramblings on New Year’s Day

Posted on January 1, 2016 by jamesbradfordpate

Many people see New Year’s Day as a time of hope and new beginnings.  We may have had a bad year, and we hope for a better one.  Or we may simply hope for a better year, even if the … Continue reading →

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Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh

Posted on December 25, 2015 by jamesbradfordpate

In Matthew 2, magi from the east present the child Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  Why did they give Jesus those particular gifts? Here are three items.  The first two items draw from Tim Widowfield’s post on … Continue reading →

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Giving Thanks, Without Being Perfunctory

Posted on November 26, 2015 by jamesbradfordpate

During my prayer time last night, the subject of thanksgiving entered my mind because, well, it is Thanksgiving!  Philippians 4:6 came to my mind: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Holidays, John MacArthur, Life, Prayer, Religion, School, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

2015 Easter Ramblings

Posted on April 5, 2015 by jamesbradfordpate

For Easter Sunday, I went to church this morning.  Actually, I go to church every Sunday, but there were more people at church this morning because it is Easter. My pastor preached about the folded napkin, or burial cloth, that … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Church, Holidays, Life, Religion, Resurrection | 1 Comment

Scattered Christmas Ramblings

Posted on December 25, 2014 by jamesbradfordpate

It’s Christmas today!  Here are some thoughts: 1.  I didn’t go with my Mom and her husband to midnight mass last night because, well, it was at midnight, and I was tired.  Maybe I’d be more cheerful today had I … Continue reading →

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Scattered Ramblings on Comparing Jesus with Santa Claus

Posted on December 2, 2014 by jamesbradfordpate

My pastor in last Sunday’s sermon was comparing Jesus to Santa Claus.  My pastor was actually seeing similarities between the two, but others have said that there are differences. Santa Claus makes a list, checks it twice, and is going … Continue reading →

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