Cartoon of  people at a group study. A man says, “The opinions I will express at this Bible study are my own. They do not necessarily reflect those of our church, the pastor or my wife.”

I based this cartoon on Ephesians 4:15

But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— (Ephesians 4:15, New King James Version)

I like to watch the news. But one thing I can’t stand is when angry, belligerent pundits shout out their opinions at those who do not share all of their views.

I’ve learned people won’t listen to me if I am obnoxious and arrogant. They may even agree with me, but not with the way I am presenting myself. Nobody likes to be treated rudely. We all want someone to treat us with respect.

So today, when we have an opinion, let us be sure to speak in love just like the way we want to be treated. Otherwise, we may have to start using the disclaimer technique.

Cartoon of boy choking while girl eats. The girl says, “You didn’t give thanks for your food, did you?”

I based this cartoon on Luke 17:11-19 So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17:17-19, New King James Version)

Which is the hardest time to give thanks? Is it when you are in the middle of a trial or when you’ve just had a breakthrough and it feels like you can take on the world? If you’re like me, you may blame God when things are bad and forget to thank Him when things have turned around.

This week, I’m making an effort to show gratitude through each and every situation. I hope to be the one out of the ten that gave thanks. By the way, I thank God I’m able to create a cartoon and share it with you today.

Cartoon of  boy and dad next to broken window. Boy says, “We should give thanks that my baseball is okay.”

I based this cartoon on 1 Thessalonians 5:18

in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
(1 Thessalonians 5:18, New King James Version)

It can be tough to find the silver lining in a situation, can’t it? The car breaks down, you find yourself facing an urgent home repair, or you get some news that tears your soul.

It can be tough to be thankful in every situation. Yet, it helps to know it is God’s will for us to be just that. When we face trials tribulations and just plain stinky days, we can know that God is in control and He will take care of us. In the end, He will make it all work out.

I drew this in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Cartoon of a son and boy at dinner. The son says, “For me, whenever you try a new recipe, it becomes a leap of faith.”

I based this cartoon on Romans 3:27-28

Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. (Romans 3:27-28, New King James Version)

I’ve learned over the years that you can’t please everyone all the time, especially if a person is a picky eater. Let’s face it! You can make the perfect meal that would win awards and deserve a full exposé on the Food Network. But you can’t get a picky eater to consume it if they hate the main ingredient.

It’s similar to the way we are condemned under the Law. We are all prone to be selfish, which causes us to sin under God’s law. We can’t boast because no matter how hard we try to be good, we fail.

That’s why I am thankful that we can be justified by faith. When we trust God, and the sacrifice Jesus made for us, then we are saved.

This cartoon is based on Proverbs 12:22
God can’t stomach liars; he loves the company of those who keep their word. (Proverbs 12:22, The Message)

We see plenty of times when lying gets people in trouble. We have many time where stretching or conveniently ignoring the truth seems like a good idea at the moment. We are all glad we don’t have Pinocchio noses that act as obvious lie detectors.

Yet, when we lie, God hates it. I love how The Message version says he can’t stomach. It makes me realize part of the consequences of lying is it makes God sick.

Today, I’m going to act as if I have that nasal lie detector. Let’s all keep our word and be in good company with God.

Cartoon of two women walking. One woman says, “Have you ever tried not to covet when you’re a the mall? It gave me an anxiety attack.”

This cartoon is based on Exodus 20:17

Cartoon of a boy with a crown. He says, “Nobody treats me like a king.  Get ready for the mother of all temper tantrums!”

This cartoon is based on Psalm 36:1-2

¹ An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked:

There is no fear of God before his eyes.
² For he flatters himself in his own eyes,
When he finds out his iniquity and when he hates. (Psalm 36:1-2, New King James Version)

Cartoon of a boy at the front door and a Mom. Boy says, “I know, ‘This is the day the Lord has made.’ Can’t I rejoice and be glad tonight?”

This cartoon is based on Psalm 118:24

This is the day the LORD has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
(Psalm 118:24, New King James Version)

Do rainy days (or snowy days) and Mondays get you down? Are you a night owl? does the very thought of morning make you want to file a protest with Department of Weights, Days and Measures?

It can be tough when we don’t feel like rejoicing. We like to look forward and imagine when we will feel like rejoicing in the future. Not a future thinker? Some of us like to think back to glory days when we felt like a million bucks and you were sure you can take on the world.

The past is gone. We don’t know what the next minute will bring All God has given us is this present moment. Let’s rejoice because He has given us another day to celebrate.

Look around you today and think about reasons you can rejoice right now. You can start by being thankful your computer and Internet connection is working. That’s a miracle right there!

I drew this in Adobe Illustrator CS2

This is my sermon notes from December 27, 2009. Pastor Jim Lyon was talking about accepting all people, whether low-class shepherds or high-class Magi.

The sermon was taken from Luke 2:8-16 and Matthew 2:9-12. How different would the Christmas story be if Joseph and Mary didn’t welcome the shepherds or the Magi. Yet they were two very different groups. God welcomes all groups regardless of social class.

Cartoon of of poem about Christmas on a Bethlehem night.

On a night, so long ago,
Bethlehem began to glow.
Our hope to break free from sin,
was born beside a shabby inn.
Darkness feared this tiny child,
with rage it drove the Devil wild!
He would kill this little one,
and not rest ’til he was done.
Thirty three years he tried and failed,
’til on a cross, this child was nailed.
Satan thought he won the game,
but things would never be the same,
for that child became our light,
like on that dark, Bethlehem night.

I originally drew this comic in 2001

Merry Christmas!