Friar Tuck's Occasional Wisdom

Christ came to flood the world with peace, not drown it in anxiety. Be done with the anti-Christ spirit of Black Friday and manic gift buying. Rise above the chaos that consumes the marketers and the coveters. They stumble because they are chasing the wrong gods. Bathe in the serenity of “Oh Holy Night”. Make room in your inn. Bring your gifts and lay them before the King. The angels have come near to us. God is with us. Unto us a child is born. Sleep in heavenly peace. -- Friar Tuck’s Occasional Wisdom

During this Thanksgiving season filled with food, family and football, could we squeeze in a little gratitude to God? God’s people are called to overflow with thankfulness. This can happen in two ways. We can be so full of thanksgiving that it naturally runs over the sides of our cup and onto those around us. Or our cups can overflow (spill out) when we get bumped hard by life. When our cup gets shaken hard by tragedy, trials, and testing, it will naturally overflow with what’s inside it. We cannot overflow with something we are not filled with. So what’s in your cup?” -- Friar Tuck’s Occasional Wisdom

Be careful what you swear to in front of God and witnesses. Peter declared that he would die before ever denying Christ. He declared it. He promised it. He vowed it. He swore to God. But when the soldiers came, the disciples all scurried like rodents off a sinking ship. They weren’t ready to die for Jesus yet. Later, when he was asked if he knew Jesus, “Peter the mouth” became “Peter the mouse” and swore in a whole different way. It’s easy for us all to do the same. A little denial here… a little silence there… and the next thing you know, we too have become mere church mice. -- Friar Tuck’s Occasional Wisdom    

Happiness is a lot like a carrot on a stick. We chase it until eventually we become consumed by the chase itself. Even if we catch up with the carrot, it’s unlikely that we will really be happy. The truth is, many people already have what you are chasing, but they are still miserable and anxious. That’s because happiness does not come from obtaining success or achieving goals. Happiness comes from knowing God and learning to appreciate what He has provided for us today… our daily bread. This is the essence of contentment. -- Friar Tuck’s Occasional Wisdom