Second Stage Ministries

Last week I mentioned some traditions that people might have in their life and I feel that one of the traditions I mentioned is the same for most people. I feel that around this time of year people are always offering up what they are thankful for. They may offer this information in general conversation, a Facebook post, a thank you card or personal thank you in person, around the table at thanksgiving dinner and in other possible ways. But then after they stuff themselves with turkey and express what they are thankful for - from stuff to people in their life - this crazy thing happens to some people that very night. This crazy thing is called Black Friday. The very same people who were just thankful for what they had descend on their local stores fighting for the latest deal. We can all fall into this category of wanting more more more and right after we declare how thankful we are for what we have. This very idea of greed can be seen at the beginning of the 2000 “How The Gr

Do you have holiday traditions? The things that you and your family do every year for Christmas or Thanksgiving. Maybe it’s the day after Thanksgiving and everyone in your family gets together and puts up the Christmas tree and other decorations. Maybe it’s going around the table at Thanksgiving dinner and express what you are thankful for. Maybe it’s opening up a special Christmas Eve present. Maybe it’s going to church for a Christmas Eve service with the family. But there is something that looms in the shadows of those traditions and that is envy. We can now see what other people do for their traditions at our fingertips. We can compare our tree with their tree. We can see when they do something and how they do it and we feel like we didn’t do it right. The Grinch was envious. He was envious of the Whos and their celebration of Christmas. He didn’t like the noise or food or them. The Grinch, I think, most of didn’t like the Whos JOY. He overall was mad that they were happy

One of my favorite holiday characters is the Grinch. Don’t ask me why, I don’t quite know the reason. But, I have always enjoyed watching the older animated version of the Dr. Seuss tale that comes on TV every year. Then in 2000, they made I live-action version of the story that brought a different life to the story. The 2000 version also shined some light on The Who’s in Whoville. But whether it’s the Grinch or The Whos there is some things that can be learned from this little story. One of the first things we pick up on about the Grinch is that he hates Christmas and “no one quite knows the reason.” The Grinch then decides to steal Christmas and he hatches this plan out of his own pride and self-centeredness. He didn’t really care about The Whos or his dog or anything from that matter. He just didn’t want Christmas to come and it was going to be his way or the highway.[1] In the 2000 movie, they really show the Grinch’s pride as he refuses many times to go do to town for t

Did you ever have someone break a promise to you? I know I have and I’m sure that your answer is the same. I know that I have also broken promises that I have made to people and I am sure that you would say the same again. As in past weeks, I have shared with you some thoughts on some topics that have been brought forward to me after listening to some new Elevation Worship songs. This the part of the song that stood out at me: “Light of the world Tremble the darkness Nothing can stop it You are the God of the promise Every word Will be accomplished You are the God of the promise” [1] Those words got me thinking about some of the promises of God. The one I think about the most is the one He gave to Noah. “I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds,  I will remember my covenant  between me and you and all living creatures o