Category Tail Feathers

Bits and bytes of randomness found along the flyways of cyberdom

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

“Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His
goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children
of men” (Psalm 107:8).

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Two old friends bumped into one another on the street one day. One of them looked forlorn, almost on the verge of tears. His friend asked, “What has the world
done to you, my old friend?”

The sad fellow said, “Let me tell you. Three weeks ago, an uncle died and left me forty thousand dollars.”

“That’s a lot of money.”

“But you see, two weeks ago, a cousin I never even knew died, and left me eighty-five thousand free and clear.”

“Sounds like you’ve been blessed….”

“You don’t understand!” he interrupted. “Last week my
great-aunt passed away. I inherited almost a quarter
of a million.”

Now he was really confused. “Then, why do you look so
glum?”

“This week … nothing!”

That’s the trouble with receiving something on a
regular basis. Even if it is a gift, we eventually
come to expect it. Someone once suggested to me a way
to test someone’s character. Give him (or her) $5 a
day for a month. Then stop, and see what his reaction
is. The natural tendency is that if we receive a gift
long enough, we come to view it as an entitlement. We
feel hurt, even angry, if we don’t receive it any
longer.

It’s the same way with the blessings God gives us
every day. I don’t deserve the comfortable home I live
in, the beautiful scenery around me, the clean water
that I drink. But after receiving these gifts (and a
multitude of others) for years, I sometimes fail to be
grateful. I’ve come to expect these good things. And
when one of them is removed for a short while (like
the water being cut off), I get upset.

Make an effort today to recognize the blessings you’ve
come to take for granted. Focus on what you have rather
than on what you don’t have, and see if it doesn’t
improve your attitude.

Alan Smith, Thought for the Day
Archives at http://www.tftd-online.com

Novembrrrrrrrrr

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

inkquillNo shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees, No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds – November!

(Thomas Hood, “No!”)

Team Colors

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness, And let Your saints shout for joy. Psalms 132:9 (NKJV)

steelersThere was no doubt about it. The Steelers where playing and the whole community showed forth their team spirit. No matter where I looked I could see black and gold. Team replica tee shirts and jerseys galore. Each labeled with the wearers player of choice. Roethlisberger, Polamalu, Ward, all the sainted players of the beloved home team where represented.

Fans came in all shapes and sizes. Tiny baby Steelers to full grown oversized versions of the same. Every style and ethnicity was represented on this yet another football Sunday afternoon.

It was inexcapable, no matter where you went you were confronted by multitudes of Steeler fans. Some vocal and some not so vocal but all where proud members of the Steeler fan club. No one had to ask whose side they were on for one could plainly see.

The lunch counter, the drive-up window at the fast food chain, in line at the grocery store, behind the counter of the drug store and in check out lanes of the local Walmart, black and gold had overrun this tiny town north of Pittsburgh.

All in one accord these fans where not ashamed to be identified with the Pittsburgh Steelers. This area is a huge supporter of their home town team. On game day most of the population can be found around one large screen TV or another intently watching their beloved team play. Each down, each play is met with rousing applause or a resounding boo hiss. For a surety these fans loved their football.

In stark contrast to the overwhelming display of Steeler pride and apparel was the devoid of any signs of those who worship on Sunday. There was nothing to distinguish them from the sea of black and gold. There was nothing to draw ones attention to another team playing on Sunday. There were no team colors or uniform that would indicate to the opposing team which team they were on. Somewhere in that sea of black and gold there had to be some who were on the Lord’s team. One can only assume that somewhere amongst the throngs of Sunday fans there were those who were excited to be called Christian! One would hope that the Lord has not run out of recruits for His team.

Just like the Pro football we Christians have networks devoted to bringing our teams game plans week after week and not only on Sunday. The air waves are filled with commentators who shed insight onto each weeks activities. We have merchandisers who sell team apparel that would rival those of the home town team. And yet with all this there still was a deathly silence in the air this particular Sunday.

Were was the joy and excitement after church that one witnesses after a football game? Where is the anticipation each week as we await another game? Where is all the shouts of approval or for that matter the boos of displeasure when one of our team is over run by an opposing team member? Where is the comraderrie and fellowship of those with the same team “Spirit”?

Why was it easy to spot those who were rooting for the Steelers but so hard to spot those who are rooting for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords? Perhaps we could take a lesson from the black and gold and shout for joy each and every Sunday as our team takes the field to battle yet another enemy! Can I get an AMEN!? Can I get a HURRAY!? Can I get a witness!? Can we stand up and shout for joy!?

Until next game day put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heavniness and cloth yourself with righteousness and joy in the Holy Ghost for we are all members of the same team. GO CHRISTIANS!

Footprints Along the Shore

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

beach As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. Psalms 103:12 (NKJV)

I recently returned from a splendid four days at the Atlantic seashore town of Stone Harbor, New Jersey. This was my first trip to this tiny hamlet on the Jersey shore but not my first experience with the Atlantic Ocean. This weekend the weather was perfect for days on the beach and cool evenings on the balcony.

What I enjoy the most about time at the beach is walking along the shoreline leaving behind footprints of where I have been. These footprints not only tell the story of where I have been but also in which direction I am going. No matter how hard I may try to not leave imprints in the sand there still remains tell tale signs of my passing. Anyone who may come after me can follow those footsteps to where I was going. If they follow all the way to my destination they will know where it was I was heading. They could then experience whatever lay at the end of the trail of footprints in the sand. For better or ill.

As I walked along the shore line I saw many other footprints as well. Tiny footprints of a child as well as footprints of a dog that recently passed that way. The sand pipers would leave behind their tiny claw prints as they darted in and out of the water. Barefooted walkers and those who wore sandals. Each print was unique and had a story to tell.

I would imagine where those footprints were going, what was on their mind as they walked along that seashore. My mind would try to picture the person who left those footprints, where they were from, what they did for a living, how long they had been there. Where they short or tall? Big or small? Rich or poor? It really did not matter because we were both walking along the same pathway heading in the same direction. Continue reading “Footprints Along the Shore” →

Selling the Gospel

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

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This reminded me of a story I heard from someone who attended one of them new mega churches in the area. The story went something like this.

They had a projector and were projecting things on the front of the church and they had advertisements in the messages. Things like worship service brought to you by: XYZ company. I mean we have naming rights on stadiums and schools get sponsors for their sports teams so I guess it just stands to reason that we now need sponsors of our worship services?

I guess it won’t be long until we see Pepsi signs and Cable Network Logos in the church house. The pulpit will be littered with those big sponsor ad signs you see on youth athletic fields and our worship services will be turned into a 30 min infomercial for Christ.

The bulletins or worship slide show will be littered with 30 sec spots for this that or the other thing. Ads for the preachers latest book or audio series just $19.95 cash, check or CREDIT CARD.

No wonder we are loosing the culture war we have sold out to the goddesses of Times Square.