Welcome to all those tuning in for today’s one-way dialogue on Monday, November 2, 2026. I want to thank everyone who has been praying for the wife of my youth as she continues to recover from her thoracic surgery this past August. It has been tough sledding for her, especially since she is so accustomed to being on the go.
We are looking forward to our first Santa appearance of the season this coming Saturday in Arkansas. We hope the change of scenery will be refreshing. This will be our 17th year of making appearances as Santa and Mrs. Claus.
I just remembered. It is actually my 18th year, since I was a very young Santa at one of the Sears locations back in the early 1970s. I put in many evening and weekend hours back then. During orientation, we would-be Santas were instructed to do our best to reflect the Santa portrayed in “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” better known as “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.” That classic holiday poem was first published anonymously in 1823 and later attributed to Clement Clarke Moore.
I do hope I’ve come a long way since back then. However, I’ve learned a very important lesson: Children of all ages are much the same when it comes to connecting with Santa Claus. Call it an illusion or a fantasy—whatever you like. Kids love Santa, and Santa loves them back. He does. He really does. That makes for a very interesting and rewarding time for Mrs. Claus and me. Yay and Ho-Ho-Ho!
Yesterday, I was privileged to teach from the writings of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the local, called-out assembly—the church—meeting in Rome, Italy. The portion I taught is what we know as Chapter 11. While I believe everything in this text, inspired by God through the Holy Spirit, I will be the first in line to admit that I mostly apprehend it by faith. Understanding it all is way above my pay grade.
I grasp the Greatness and the Goodness of God as I see how He acted to provide for sinners just like me. After all is said and done, it is His created world, and He has done as He pleased, always in keeping with His perfect attributes. I will say this: Those who think God has abandoned His chosen people, the Jews, will need to rip many passages out of God’s Word to support that conclusion.
Chapters 9, 10, and 11 are amazing in their presentation of God’s Master Plan for the world He created, for time and eternity. Once again, I bow before our Great God as I embrace by faith the truths He has chosen to share with us.
Is it any wonder that the Apostle Peter himself said the wisdom given to and expressed by the Apostle Paul includes things that are hard to understand? (2 Peter 3:15–16) Peter also warned that some people twist those writings. That, my friend, is going on 24/7. We should heed that warning and listen to and follow only those who are committed to handling God’s Word with great care.
Okay. That’s a lot to say grace over, but it’s the truth, and I say Amen to it. What say you?
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