Christopher Columbus on his voyage, "No one should fear to undertake any task in the name of our Saviour, if it is just and if the intention is purely for His holy service."

That sound you heard was not a woodpecker outside on one of your trees. It was just me pecking on the keyboard to get out today's edition here on this back-to-work Monday, October 9, 2017. Some people will be celebrating Columbus Day today. I remember the little poem and it had something to do with him sailing the ocean blue with his three ships, the Nina and the Pinta and the Santa Maria. He has become controversial and in many quarters, a reviled figure in today's politically charged, revisionist world. At any rate, we know Columbus didn't “discover” America — he never set foot in North America. During four separate trips that started with the one in 1492, Columbus landed on various Caribbean islands that are now the Bahamas as well as the island later called Hispaniola. He also explored the Central and South American coasts. While the debate continues, historical scholarship has concluded the most likely discoverer of North America to be the Viking Leif Eriksson who was born 500 years before Columbus. Maybe we could start a campaign to change any and all cities, towns, and other entities from Columbus to Eriksson. To me, this sounds like something our current do-nothing Congress might be interested in. I leave you with this one, Happy Columbus and/or Eriksson Day. I do believe Eriksson Day would be the one highly favored by that notable and influential personality, none other than Sponge Bob.

People have some strange notions about things. I read one sentiment related to those killed out in LasVegas. This posting had something like this, "I do hope all the 59 who lost their lives while listening to Jason Aldean are rocking out now to the songs of Tom Petty." That may sound soothing to you, but, truth, God's truth, is never defined by our take or our emotional feelings. I do hope those who lost their lives are now in the presence of the Lord. ("Thus we are full of courage and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord." 2nd Corinthians 5:8, as rendered in the NET translation.) I was aware of Tom Petty, but, had to ask someone to name one of his hits. The truth is whatever their standing was with God, their time here on earth has ended. However, if you are reading this, it means that you and I are still able to do business with God. We can know that we know without any doubt about our eternal destination by responding to God's provision and offer of salvation. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16, as rendered in the New King James Version of the Bible, NKJV) Whoever believes. Everlasting life. That's right. "For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13, NKJV). Amen.

We are a peculiar lot, don't you think? ~ I read that in Japan, girls with crooked teeth are considered to be more attractive, therefore, many undergo a procedure to make their teeth crooked. ~ Based on research, judges are more likely to be stricter in their rulings closer to lunchtime because of a lower blood glucose level. ~ A lying competition is held annually in England. Participants come from all over the world and have five minutes each to tell as big a whopper as they can. Politicians and lawyers are banned from the games because they are thought to be too good at telling lies. ~ Children exposed to family violence show the same brain patterns as soldiers who have been in combat. ~ According to a Stanford University study, people with higher IQ's tend to be more forgetful. ~ A man sued Pepsi because he claimed to have found a mouse in a can of Mountain Dew. They defended this charge by proving how quickly a mouse would dissolve in Mountain Dew. ~ Like I say, we do live in a strange world populated by some strange folks. Just like me. Just like you. The good news? Jesus loves us all and He came, lived a sinless life, died on a cross, and was resurrected so that any who receive Him can live with Him forever and ever, Amen.   ....More later.