Monthly Archives: December 2011

Monthly Archives: December 2011

Happy New Year

Posted on December 31, 2011 by ML Smith Posted in Insights | Leave a comment

Another one bites the dust! Another year that is.  It seems the older we get the faster time seems to roll. This has been such an awesome year.  Starting this web site has been a thought silently screaming in the back of my mind for about 2 years now.  2011 was the year I finally did it! I hope all of you have something you can say the same thing about as well and have something planned for the upcoming … →

Me and My Yoga: Is there such a thing as Christian Yoga and who cares anyway?

Posted on December 29, 2011 by ML Smith Posted in Insights | 1 Comment

Winter break has given me a perfect opportunity to get back in touch with one of my favorite activities: Yoga.  I’ve been a fan of yoga since college.  The poses, the breathing, the meditation…practicing yoga has always challenged me physically and mentally.  Unfortunately, like everything else, I often find it difficult to make time for it.  But life has a way of bringing you into the places and spaces you need to be. Lately I’ve been having problems with my … →

Wimps of the Bible: Judas

Posted on December 27, 2011 by ML Smith Posted in Wimps of the Bible | Leave a comment

With Christmas official over, we see the holidays winding down.  The story of baby Jesus fades to back and in a couple of months we’ll be focusing on his crucifixion.  While this may be the time for the year to talk about the beginning of the Christ story, I think it’s also just as fitting to talk about the end of the Christ story.  More specifically I want to focus today’s Bible Wimp on the character who kicked off the … →

Merry Christmas

Posted on December 25, 2011 by ML Smith Posted in Feel the Music | Leave a comment

This is my favorite Christmas song.  Be sure to read the words.  An interpretation has been provided below…     According to the Global Ministries Website: The words painted a rich illustration of the many biblical prophesies fulfilled by Christ’s birth. So the story of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” is really a condensed study of the Bible’s view of the Messiah-who he was, what lie represented and why lie had to come to Earth….the song’s lyrics reveal the unfolding … →

What if Joseph and Mary Had Facebook?

Posted on December 23, 2011 by ML Smith Posted in Guests | 2 Comments

So I realize that I might be the only person on the planet who hadn’t seen this.  But I’m gonna share it anyway, because I think it is soooo cool (and features one of my favorite Christmas songs)….

Joy to the World

Posted on December 21, 2011 by ML Smith Posted in Feel the Music | Leave a comment

I love Chris Tomlin’s twist on the holiday classic!

Guilty Conscious

Posted on December 19, 2011 by ML Smith Posted in Insights | Leave a comment

Guilt: a feeling of responsibility or remorse for some offense, crime, wrong, etc., whether real or imagined. Despite my general sour disposition, the holidays can be a wonderful time.  Many of us get to take time off of work.  We get an opportunity to see friends and family members that we normally don’t.  Often people have favorite foods or traditions that they get to partake in. But for some, the holidays also bring with it a huge pile of guilt.  … →

Holiday Thoughts…

Posted on December 15, 2011 by ML Smith Posted in Insights | 1 Comment

In keeping with my promise not to turn into a ranting cynical grinch this year,  I’ve found some neat quotes to help share the sentiments of the season. I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.  ~Charles Dickens   Christmas is a necessity.  There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we’re here for something else besides ourselves.  ~Eric Sevareid ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This is the message of … →

Can the Cans

Posted on December 12, 2011 by ML Smith Posted in Insights | 2 Comments

Tis the season…..to collect can goods to help feed the many homeless people in our community.  But I recently came across an article explaining why can good drives are a bad idea.  If you’ve got a few minutes check it out.  In summary the article points out how we can be more helpful if we gave the various agencies the money rather than buying can goods.  When you or I buy can goods at a grocery, we pay retail whereas … →

When you say it like that….

Posted on December 9, 2011 by ML Smith Posted in Insights | Leave a comment

Here is a conversation I had with a couple of my students the other day: Student A:  “I have a headache, do you have any Tylenol? Me:  “No I don’t and even if I did have some, I couldn’t give it to you” Student B:  “Really?” Me:  “Yes I can lose my job and even my teaching license” Student B (with genuine disbelief):  “You can really get fired for that?” Me (enunciating each word):  “For. Giving. A. Student. Drugs.” Student … →