Have you seen all those ads for Le Vian’s “unique chocolate diamonds”?

The only problem is that brown diamonds are a) the most common and cheapest diamonds, plus b) they look like shiny poo! But those clever Le Vians decided instead of calling them ubiquitous and virtually useless brown chunks of compressed dinosaur doo-doo, they would hype them as magical chocolate diamonds—and everyone loves chocolate! And so, the Le Vian family has been making a whole butt load of money from shiny poo ever since!

Let’s face it, if 2020 was a gem, it would be a chocolate diamond, but here’s how to turn your doo-doo into diamonds! [Continue reading]

While this month is designated Pastor Appreciation Month, every month should be filled with appreciation for the selfless and sacrificial service ministers provide every day of the year. (Having a day off from being a pastor is like having a day off from being pregnant!)

So, from someone who has spent forty-five years in ministry, here are Top ten ways to appreciate your pastor this month—and every month.

And if you’re a pastor, here’s whole a collection plate of hope and humor for you.

University studies have shown the people with clinical depression tend to be more creative, more empathetic and deeper thinkers than “normal” people.

What I had always viewed at a curse has become a gift. Here’s what St. Paul writes:

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

And so, clinical depression has made me a more creative, empathetic, and compassionate person to encourage people through my writing and speaking. And God can turn your weakness into a strength as I describe in this brand new video.

If you find this video helpful, please share it on your social networks. Thanks!

Hi, I’m Jim Watkins: author, speaker, and—for my grandkiddos—”Corn Stalker.” (It’s what we do in Corn Borer, Indiana!)

Welcome to my annual look at really creepy stuff. Don’t read alone!
• Are demons, exorcisms real?
• Are there really ghosts?
• Harry Potter: the good, the bad, the muggly
• Ouija: It’s not just a game
• Psychic secrets revealed
• Should Christians celebrate Halloween?
• Talking to the dead
• Top ten reasons Halloween is a strange holiday
• The Why Files: My book on the supernatural
• Vampires, werewolves real!
• Which witch is which?

I keep hearing—often from Christians—that wearing masks and socially distancing during this global pandemic are infringements on freedom. “My civil rights are being trampled.”

May I gently suggest Christians have no freedom, except from sin:

The problem with American Christianity is that when the cross gets wrapped up in the flag, it becomes more American than Christian. For instance, America is all about freedom; Christianity is all about servitude. [Continue reading]

Fall is my favorite season with cooler temperatures, fresh cider and spectacular colors!

As the chlorophyll—the green pigment in leaves—drains from trees, we see the true colors of the red and yellow maples, yellows of birch and reddish-purple of dogwoods. Their true colors come shining through in fall.

For that reason, this season always challenges me to show brighter and bolder colors as I age. I want my “autumn years” to be spectacular! So, here’s what I’m aiming for as God displays His amazing artwork. [More of God’s artwork]

Two small numbers—9/11—have become shorthand for an infinite number of emotions: the shock and disbelief of watching the terrorist attack on live TV, the horror of watching the twin towers collapse upon themselves, the national grief as the number of confirmed casualties grew to over 2,800, the growing realization that we are no longer beyond the reach of terrorist attacks, and perhaps most of all, the fact that those who remember where they were on that date, will never, ever be the same.

Here are some of my thoughts posted within hours of the original attack and throughout the subsequent years. I trust they’re helpful in dealing with the shock, anger and grief of that day and continuing attacks.

Reacting
• Dealing with death and grief
• “bin Laden, kiss my pass!” (September 10, 2003)
• Talking to your children about terrorism

Reasoning
• Hope amid horror (September 11, 2006)
• What motivates terrorists?
• Taking the terror out of terrorism

Responding
• Can war on terrorism be won? (September 11, 2005)
• How can we overcome evil with good?
• We are strong! We will survive! (September 17, 2001)
• What we haven’t learned from 9/11 (September 9, 2002)
• Candle-lighting ceremony following terrorist attacks (September 11, 2001)

Copyright © James N. Watkins
Photo: AOL.com

What are your thoughts on the anniversary of 9/11? Please leave a comment below.

Happy Labor Day! Here in the States, we’re celebrating labor by taking the day off!

However, not everyone loves his or her job, so I have in my right hand, direct from CareerCast.com, today’s category: Ten top worst jobs in America. The company took a look at 200 jobs and ranked them based on a variety of criteria, including “income, outlook, environmental factors, stress and physical demands.” (Of course, my first question was “Am I on the list?” And second, “Where does “survey-taker” rank on the list?”)

[Continue reading]

America has always been more “un-united” than “United” during my lifetime: deadly race riots, protests of unpopular wars, bitter political fights creating years of deadlock. Today, the States seem less United than ever, but keep in mind that less than 150 years ago, Americans were killing each over the issues of government sovereignty and slavery. And both sides sincerely believed that God was on their side! Sound familiar?

So, deep divisions are nothing new. Here’s one of my newspaper columns from 16 years ago that is even more relevant today: [Continue reading]