December 19, 2025 Jason Bonnicksen THE GIFT OF GRANDCHILDREN 365 DAYS OF THANKSLIVING — DAY 19 365 days ago today, my wife and I were blessed to hold our grandson for the very first time. The memory of that wonderful day popped up on my Facebook page this morning. Honestly, just looking at the picture of Danielle cradling Bishop put tears in my eye. That grin from ear-to-ear — a picture is worth a thousand words, isn’t it! I know I’ve said this before (perhaps not in this for

As I dashed to my car from the comforts of the church, I quickly wondered: How did the native populations survive in conditions like this? I mean, truly, how in all creation did they not freeze to death? Obviously, the Great Plains people were more robust and resourceful than me, probably than most of us alive today. As I zoomed into the garage (and thank goodness for automatic garage doors), I whisked my shivering body into the warmth of our home. Ahh, I thought, there’s not

In that same way, you are indispensable: in your home, your church, and the greater corpus of our society. No one can say that you’re less than nor not needed. So, thank you for being you and being a part of the communities in which I live and do life. Thumbs up to God. Thumbs up to you! And thumbs-up to every organization and body that welcomes and sees you as valued.

December 16, 2025 Jason Bonnicksen A MOMENT TO REST 365 DAYS OF THANKSLIVING — DAY 16 Today’s been one of “those” days. You know what I mean, right? It’s not been anything bad; in fact, today was a good, productive day. It was just a go, go, go… go, go, go kind of day; one where ya couldn’t even think about taking a moment to rest. (I guess technically, my day isn’t done, because I still have to finish writing this blog—a 365-day commitment I’m not about to break.) Of the ma

I thank the Lord for creating us with the desire to sing, design instruments, and to make music together. I thank the Lord for the many of you who can sing with the gift of angelic voices. I thank the Lord for musicians of all kinds; and I thank the Lord for all the genres of music throughout the world.

December 14, 2025 Jason Bonnicksen LANGUAGES OF THE SOUL 365 DAYS OF THANKSLIVING — DAY 2 I've often heard it said that mathematics is the language of the universe. There’s probably truth to that. In that same way, there exists a language to the soul — perhaps more than one. For unlike the universe, which may be monoglot; I contend our souls are multilingual. Of those many languages, one of them profoundly spoke to my soul today. I mentioned it before, and I’m not ashamed t

December 13, 2025 Jason Bonnicksen SHOULDER TO SHOULDER 365 DAYS OF THANKSLIVING — DAY 13 As I sit in the comfort of my family room with laptop in hand, I’m tuning in to the best college game in the land. It’s not a bowl game or the National Championship. It’s the only matchup where every competitor plays for something bigger than himself. Today’s the 126 meeting of the Army-Navy game. It’s the rivalry of rivalries; yet one where each player cares more about a cause bigger th

December 12, 2025 Jason Bonnicksen CAN YOU HEAR ME? 365 DAYS OF THANKSLIVING — DAY 2 The phone rang. The area code said (757). “That’s the Tidewater area,” I said. “And honey, that prefix is Norfolk or Virgina Beach. It looks like it’s coming from base.” My phone had now rung three times. “Should I pick it up?” There’s no way it could be her. She was supposed to be deployed— halfway across the world at sea. I quickly started to worry… I pressed the green icon and picked up. “

I believe every day is a gift from the Lord; and for that, I thank Him every day that awake. But even on the day when I fall asleep on this earthly plane, I know I’ll awake to an endless day where the sun always shines, and every day will be the best day that’s ever been.

Whether it be dogs (or cats), a sunrise or unexpected moment, or simply listening to your favorite musical compositions, life’s joys can be gifts from heaven above. And for those daily gifts, I gotta thank the Lord.

Perhaps people living in our nation’s cities could learn a thing or two from our country’s C-Store congregations; for theirs is a form of church that most churches can’t even replicate. If only our churches could be like the C-Store Congregation, perhaps commitment to God might grow again as it was in days of old.

For me anyway, snow is something more than just the magical white fluffy stuff we play in. It's a reminder of God’s mercy and the forgiveness through his Son Jesus Christ. Just as there’s a tiny particle at the core of every snowflake (often a piece of dust, pollen, or a bit of soot), we too are made of dust (and dirty on the inside).