NaHCO3.  Sodium hydrogencarbonate.  This is something you probably have in your pantry.  If you are scratching your head, wondering what this is, it goes by a couple of more familiar names:  sodium bicarbonate (sodium bicarb, for short) or baking soda.  “The prefix bi- in “bicarbonate” comes from an outdated naming system predating molecular knowledge. It is based… Read More »

Most of you know that my wife’s favorite Christmas movie is It’s A Wonderful Life.  On her birthday, December 1st, our home and world comes to a grinding halt as we order pizza and watch her show.  It’s a tradition that doesn’t get broken. Interestingly, I ran across an article titled 10 Facts About It’s… Read More »

Francis Julius Bellamy (May 18, 1855 – August 28, 1931) was a second-generation Baptist pastor.  He was a promoter of the Christian Socialist Movement, believing that capitalism served only to promote greed and idolatry.  His beliefs are a bit confusing, though.  After serving as a Baptist pastor, he left the ministry and went into advertising… Read More »

Yesterday, there were two National Day Calendar observances that are contradictory.  Let me share them one at a time. Yesterday was National Thank You Note Day.  This is a practice that has gone out the door along with other conventional manners and etiquette.  However, it needs to make a comeback!  This simple gesture conveys gratitude… Read More »

The day after Christmas.  Look around you and what do you see? Stores are trying to unload Christmas inventory at reduced prices.  Smart shoppers are taking advantage of the sales, looking ahead to next Christmas before this Christmas is barely cold. Throngs of people making returns and exchanges keep the lines backed up throughout the… Read More »

Today, I want to share a devotional from the pen of Pastor Paul Chappell, Lancaster Baptist Church in Lancaster, California.  As you read this, I hope you will have a wonderful and blessed Christmas that ponders the truths set forth in this devotional. At Lancaster Baptist Church, we give “Christmas gifts to Jesus.” It’s an… Read More »

It’s Christmas Eve and many folks are setting themselves up for a bummer of a Christmas.  Why?  Because procrastination and busyness has overcrowded what should be a time of peace, reflection, and serenity. Look at the parking lot of Walmart and Chief.  Didn’t people know that Christmas was upon them?  Why are they just now… Read More »

Today is National Roots Day.  It’s a day to blow the dust off the old photo albums, go through the pages, and consider your heritage.  And with Christmas just ahead, there’s a good chance you will be with many relatives that you only see once a year.  It’s a great opportunity to ask questions about… Read More »

We are a society bombarded with various social movements.  YouGov.com lists 40 social movements currently active in the U.S.  I was really surprised to find that the most supported movements are NOT Black Lives Matter, gay rights, gun control, pro-life, pro-choice, or MeToo.  These are actually a third of the way down this list.  The… Read More »

His name was Fred.  That’s all the book tells us but the movie adaptation tells us that the name is Fred Holywell.  He is better known as the nephew of Ebenezar Scrooge, a name instantly associated with a grouchy, miserly, miserable old man. “A merry Christmas, uncle!  God save you!” cried a cheerful voice.  It… Read More »