I am SO psyched that the people at Muppet Central are producing new material.

Check out this amazing rendition of Carol of the Bells.

And if this doesn’t make you smile, go ahead and change your name to Ebeneezer!!!

Lead role.

Small story.

Think bigger.

Don’t settle.

A month or two ago I preached a message at True North called

The Art of Walking Slowly.

This week I got an email that both humbled and encouraged me. I was humbled because it was obvious that even two months later, God was still using this message to speak into someone’s life. And encouraged for the same reason.

This is the email – published with permission, names removed for privacy.

I hope it helps you to walk a bit more slowly during this truly chaotic season of the year.

Hey Bert,

Just wanted to let you know every time I go grocery shopping “Walking Slowly” comes to my mind. This morning in the pouring rain, before rushing off to work, after an already hectic morning getting the kids to school, I had to go to the grocery store and pick up Dog food (diabetic dog).

Anyway as I’m rushing down the aisle at breakneck speed, “Walk Slowly” whipsers the Holy Spirit in my heart. OK ~ I can just be late for work. So I walk slowly, even pick up a few extras. At the check out counter I notice the cashier just isn’t right. Since I am walking slowly I ask her if she’s ok. She says No, and proceeds to tell me that the missing girl on the news is her girlfriend. My heart breaks for her. I spoke with her and hugged her and told her I will pray.

The Lord showed me that as I am so busy walking fast, I walk by hurting people that need the hope of Jesus. So Bert I’m still working on it, but wow, that’s a great reason to slow down. Not just so I can take it all in, but instead so I can notice God’s people and the needs all around me.

So I pray that you continue to walk slowly!

Sincerely,

Hey, it may have gotten past you but today was Pearl Harbor Day.

On this date in 1941, the US was taken completely by surprise by an enemy it had thoroughly underestimated.

During our recent message series on Shipwrecks, a friend emailed me these amazing photos from Pearl Harbor, taken by what would today be considered a rather primitive camera.

Take a look.

And when you’re done looking, let’s all take a minute to remember that we have an enemy. Vicious, cunning, ruthless and filled with hate. And while he is a defeated foe who cannot harm us, he can bring out our inherent tendency to harm ourselves.

Walk wisely.

“”We will always remember. We will always be proud. We will always be prepared, so we may always be free.”

-Ronald Reagan, 1984