Here we are again. The holidays are over (Thanksgiving and Christmas), and we are rapidly moving towards the new year. For many, waistlines are up, credit card balances are up, stress is up, and it is time for the annual reset. For those who are athletes, unless you participate in a winter sport, this is... Continue Reading →
The Heart of Christmas is Love
We live in a time when love is seen in so many different ways, and the meaning of the word has been watered down, especially in the English language, where our one word for love has broad meaning. Yet love is something that everyone desires. Everyone wants to be loved by someone. I have even... Continue Reading →
Joy in All Circumstances
As we near Christmas, we enter a season that is joyful for so many, but not necessarily for the right reasons. Our joy (as a people) seems to be found in the giving or receiving presents. VeggieTales had a movie, The Toy That Saved Christmas, where the toy, a Buzzsaw Louie doll, was the... Continue Reading →
Finding Peace in the Heart of Christmas
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 NIV This child to be born would be God Incarnate, which just means God in human form. The... Continue Reading →
Hope is at the Heart of Christmas
If we look around us today, from a human standard, it seems harder to have hope. Our political structures are a mess. Inflation is out of control. People are wondering how they are going to make it through the winter. From a faith standpoint, we hear about less and less people going to church. Nationwide,... Continue Reading →
Are Our Hearts Ready for Advent?
The scene in John 19 puts things into perspective, as far as the state of the hearts of the people who were there, and should be a cautionary tale for us as well. Concerned about their own power and position, the religious leaders wanted Jesus to be crucified. They brought Him before Pilate. Although Pilate... Continue Reading →
The Light of the World
Last year I got the opportunity to go to this amazing place in South Carolina to see the sunrise with Caitie. It was a chapel in the mountains that offered a view of this amazing sunrise over the mountains. But in order to see the sunrise, we had to go in the middle of the... Continue Reading →
Good Stewards of our Gifts
Isn’t it wonderful that God gives His children such wonderful gifts? The challenge is what to do with them. Debbie and I are connected with different pastor’s and pastor’s wive’s groups, and there was one group recently that was lamenting over the unwillingness of those in their different churches to use their gifts for much... Continue Reading →
Reflections..
Taken while at the John 17:23 Pastor’s Retreat at Toah Nipi Retreat Center in Rindge NH. There is something special about fall in New England. I love the fact that this season means apple everything (cider donuts, apple crisp, apple pie 😋). For some, it might be pumpkin everything (I’ll stick with the apples, thank... Continue Reading →
Fear and Love…
A sister in Christ asked me recently about the connection between fear and love. And her conflict came between verses in 1 John 4 and Proverbs. “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”... Continue Reading →
