Monday Feb 17, 2025
Hi this is Pastor Jim Driskell of Christ Lutheran Church with the NCTV 45 thought for the Day.
Today is President’s Day, that is what has become the day observed as President’s Day. It’s kind of confusing. We now have a day that recognizes those who have served as President of the United States. 45 men have served as president since 1789 in 236 years of American history. Some count it back to the men who served as president of the Congress, which gets us way more convoluted than we have to.
The Presidents Day observance was to replace the individual holidays for George Washington’s birthday and Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. I do have to say that I think there is a lot to say about these two men, one who probably endured the most to establish the independence of our country, referring to George Washington and the one who kept the country from splitting apart, referring to Abraham Lincoln. There were many “leaders” who would have allowed the country to remain British and the others who would have allowed the United States to no longer be United. It takes a great deal of strength and will to stand against those who are satisfied with letting events take their own course. Luckily as Americans we had leaders who seemed to arrive at just the right time to pull our country from the precipice to allow us to continue to grow and prosper as the greatest country in the history of the world. I know many would say that is so chauvinistic, but, this country has always strove for the highest human ideals and as a Christian country. Say what you will but in total we have been faithful to the Christian ideals that have come down to us through history. No it certainly hasn’t been perfect, but we Americans have strove for the highest ideals by far more than any country, again in the course of human history and Washington and Lincoln stood against those who would have taken the easy way. Lincoln especially probably suffered more personal abuse than any president, yet has been one of the most honored. I get it, we should honor all 45, no, some did not at all befit the office, others were mediocre people pleasers of personal people, some should be honored for their courage and perseverance. But in my humble opinion none surpass either Washington or Lincoln and we should honor them separately than the most who aren’t in the same class.
I’m Jim Driskell the pastor of Christ Lutheran Church 1302 E Washington St, New Castle, Pa check us on the web Christlutheran-new castle.org questions comments contact me on the website. For a transcript of today’s Thought go to: wordpress.com/view/revjamesdriskellmdiv.com Sunday worship is at 10:30am, with the NCTV 45 thought for the day, God bless your day
Tuesday Feb 18, 2025
Hi this is Pastor Jim Driskell of Christ Lutheran Church with the NCTV 45 thought for the Day.
Too many people today have a very minimalistic view of God. It’s not a new concept. St James was the half-brother of Jesus, that is he was Mary and Joseph’s son, where Jesus was Mary and God’s Son. James was also the de facto Christian bishop of Jerusalem. He did not appreciate Jesus’ activities initially. He with the rest of his family tried to put Jesus away, shut Him up basically. But after he saw the resurrected Jesus James became one of Jesus’ most ardent supporters. No doubt he heard the silly platitudes of others in his position as the leader of the Christian church. Some variation of “I’m spiritual, but not religious, blah, blah. Another one is well I believe in God, as if “belief” is all that is necessary in order to be somehow justified in God, ah no. James wrote: “you believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder” James 2 :19. You can believe , it doesn’t get you any traction. People need to start getting serious about their life instead of living in the delusion that their beliefs make the difference instead of their actions. Let’s put boot leather to what we think, and not worry about sharing our opinion. No one’s interested in your opinion it’s what you do that matters to people.
Hi this is Pastor Jim Driskell of Christ Lutheran Church with the NCTV 45 thought for the Day.
Your relationship didn’t work out? God knew it was going to happen. That didn’t catch Him off guard; He’s already lined up someone better than you can imagine. Your business has slowed down, the contract didn’t work out? That setback is not stopping you; it’s setting you up for new levels. You’re going to come out, not like you were before, but healthier, stronger, promoted, increased.” I won’t say who said this, but this is so obviously fallacious.
I can hear the “people pleasing” little folk whining, well you can believe what you want to believe, and that is certainly true. There is stuff you can disagree on, then there’s stuff that has no basis in fact. This is the cut to the chase and I’ve said before and frankly requires constant repeating. You can believe what you want, but if it is not in Jesus you are not saved and you will die in eternal condemnation. When people hear stuff that well gee gosh, God wants to make me happy and prosperous and pretty and talented… No! God wants to make you a grownup, like you want your children to be responsible mature grownups. Thinking God is a benevolent gini in the sky is absurd, and has no basis anywhere in Christian belief. He is a strong Father who wants us to be mature, strong in our faith. It’s up to you to be discerning and realize when someone is completely wrong in what they are teaching. Go to a real, well-trained, educated, genuine pastor one with a lot of life experience, who knows that he is subject to His Lord and Savior Jesus and ask that pastor about what is real in Jesus and life. Think about what you and others say, not what you think makes you happy.
I’m Jim Driskell the pastor of Christ Lutheran Church 1302 E Washington St, New Castle, Pa check us on the web Christlutheran-new castle.org questions comments contact me on the website. For a transcript of today’s Thought go to: wordpress.com/view/revjamesdriskellmdiv.com Sunday worship is at 10:30am, with the NCTV 45 thought for the day, God bless your day
Thursday Feb 20, 2025
Hi this is Pastor Jim Driskell of Christ Lutheran Church with the NCTV 45 thought for the Day.
The theme for the last couple of weeks is how we as Christians contend with the trials in our life. We can feel that God is picking on us for no good reason and that is not what God is all about. If God is imposing a trial on you pray, journal, go to worship, talk to your pastor, study your Bible, be baptized, receive the Body and Blood of Jesus, all sorts of ways to try and discern what God’s will is and if it is His trial He will have something specific that He is trying to get you to learn and apply in your life. Dr J Vernon McGee suggests: “God gives us trials to help us to grow in patience. Patience will produce hope, which will produce godly love. Trials help us to grow to become mature Christians. Trials are always imposed for a particular purpose and to enable the Christian to grow in our Christian strength, faith, maturity.” First yes, I certainly need to grow in my patience, a lot! I fully admit I have no patience, if God wants me to have patience, well it better be quick by dingy!!! When we talk about love in God, we are talking about loving God with all our heart and with all your soul. Matthew 22:37 This is not your mooshy, enabling your sin, making everything about you. Copernicus called and you’re not the center of the universe, certainly neither am I! We need to be stronger in our faith and works. That doesn’t save us, but it makes us far better conditioned, like any well trained athlete in his sport, we are better conditioned to withstand the trials of life. God’s not imposing these trials to be mean, punish you, He’s doing it to make you stronger in your faith and to withstand those times that will challenge your faith, so that instead of giving up on God, you will turn to Him for support and to go through the trials with Him, He will never leave you or forsake you. The goals of the Gospel is to rescue you, transform you, redirect you, not to affirm you in anything but in Jesus
Friday Feb 21, 2025
Hi this is Pastor Jim Driskell of Christ Lutheran Church with the NCTV 45 thought for the Day.
We continue to talk about the trials in life. Wednesday one of our little prosperity gospel people pleasing minister poser, tried to tell us that trials are there to give us something better. If things don’t work out with the current romantic interest, just wait God is moving to set you up with someone even prettier, wealthier, smarter, the whole trophy spouse thing. What!!!! No, no, no, no, no!!! That’s absurd where does anyone see that anywhere in Scripture? Sorry that smells like sulphur from Hell and yes there is a hell! I’ve been offering up thoughts from various men on why they think God imposes trials. We see throughout Scripture that God imposes trials in order for His children to grow stronger. This is from John MacArthur: “Trials don’t destroy faith, they chasten us, push us to perfection, true faith endures trials. True faith gives us a joyous attitude even through difficult trial. We know God is in control, testing of your faith builds endurance, will help you persevere. “When you’re going through trials don’t lean on your own understanding” James. You need wisdom for a trial to remain joyous.” This is from MacArthur podcast on February 11, 2025 James is saying don’t trust what you think a trial is or isn’t take it in prayer, ask God to guide you, help you understand. When I’ve done it, it does give me a peace that God is in control and the whole issue will come to fruition in God’s time and to His glory. As Christians that is what we should be about.
I’m Jim Driskell the pastor of Christ Lutheran Church 1302 E Washington St, New Castle, Pa check us on the web Christlutheran-new castle.org questions comments contact me on the website. For a transcript of today’s Thought go to: wordpress.com/view/revjamesdriskellmdiv.com Sunday worship is at 10:30am, with the NCTV 45 thought for the day, God bless your day
Monday Feb 10, 2025Hi this is Pastor Jim Driskell of Christ Lutheran Church with
Pastor Jim Driskell 