May 20, 2024 — The Dollar Spot Devotions

Tootsie Roll – the “Super Size”

“When people began to multiply on the face of the ground, and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that they were fair; and they took wives for themselves of all that they chose.Then the Lord said, “My spirit shall not abide  in mortals forever, for they are flesh; their days shall be one hundred twenty years.” The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went in to the daughters of humans, who bore children to them. These were the heroes that were of old, warriors of renown.” Genesis 6:1-4

“The Tootsie Roll is a chocolate flavored, taffy-like candy that has been manufactured in the United States since 1896. The candy has qualities similar to both caramels and taffy without being exactly either type, and does not melt while being transported during hot summer months.  The manufacturer, Tootsie Roll Industries, is based in Chicago, Illinois. It was the first penny candy to be individually wrapped in America. (Wikipedia)

The Tootsie Roll candy is a favorite in my family. When the Tootsie Roll candy is collected at Halloween, it does not last very long. In the Dollar Spot at my local store, it came in the jumbo size. I don’t know why you would need the jumbo size Tootsie Roll, but I guess it gives you enough to share with your friends.

One of the biggest mysteries in the bible is the story of the Nephilim (Genesis 6). The bible calls them “heroes and warriors of renown” – but many people see them as nothing short of “Super Men”. Could Goliath have been one of the Nephilim? It sure seems that he fits the stature and reputation of a warrior of renown. But as to who they were and what happened to them, and as to whether any fossilized record can account for their presence on the earth is something to be debated. 

But what cannot  be debated is the fact that there are many mysteries about prehistoric times and how G-d related to creatures before the known fossilized record was determined. It is not out of the realm of possibility that G-d created giants that once roamed the earth. And if so we would be richer in knowing so that this biblical account could once again confirm what we know – G-d is truly mysterious, unpredictable, and awesome.

Pastor Dave

May 21, 2024 — The Dollar Spot Devotions

Sixlets – If it has chocolate, it has to be good!

“…and a woman there had been disabled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was hunched over and could not stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, He called her over and said, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.”  Then He laid His hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and began to glorify God.  But the synagogue leader was indignant that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath. “There are six days for work,” he told the crowd. “So come and be healed on those days and not on the Sabbath.”…Luke 13:11-14

Sixlets are small round candy-coated, chocolate-flavored candy made by Oak Leaf Confections, a SweetWorks company in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The chocolate centers are made from a mixture of cocoa and carob, giving them a “malted” taste.  One hypothesis for the name’s origin is that the candy, when originally manufactured, was sold as a penny candy with six candy beads to a tube.

Isn’t it fascinating to learn how candies get their names. In this case, the Sixlets were named probably because only six could fit in the original packaging. Possibly it was the precursor for naming the “Six pack of beer” and the “Six pack Abs”. Nevertheless, six was the magic number.

Six was also the magic number for the synagogue leader in the lesson above.  He wants to make it clear to all who can hear him, including Jesus, that the Sabbath is not to be a day considered for healing. It went against Sabbath rules. Notice the leader is not particularly interested in the fact that Jesus healed a woman – right in front of him. This was not enough to get him to flinch. Would you have stopped and wondered in amazement if someone healed a person right in front of you? I sure would. But not this leader. He is only concerned with following the rules of the synagogue. “There are six day of the week to work – come on those days and be healed.”  Does the leader even hear himself? Does he know he is suggesting the supernatural – the amazing work of G-d in his midst should only be done on the days that humans determine? How presumptuous of us to say G-d can only work on certain days. It would be like a pastor saying “G-d is only available on Sundays.” 

The message is clear – we cannot try to put G-d in a box and presume we know when and where G-d will work. What we need to do is be prepared to respond with prayer, praise and thanksgiving when G-d does amazing things in our lives.

Pastor Dave