If you ask people why we celebrate Christmas, or about the meaning of Christmas, there are three basic answers. “It’s when we celebrate Jesus’ birthday!” “Christmas is a time of giving, peace, and joy.” “Christmas is a time to spend with family and friends, a time of good food, and gifts.” There is truth in … Continue reading Please Meditate On Christmas
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Be Still
Yesterday, friends asked if we could get together before Christmas. We checked our calendars, and there was no date between now and Christmas that we both had open. We set a date for Tuesday after Christmas. The holiday season, busy, busy, busy. People tell me it's good to be busy, that way you're not bored. … Continue reading Be Still
Your Cup
When I think of the symbolic Biblical definition of "cup," I think of the phrases "Your lot in life" or "The hand you are delt." But these do not quite fit the bill. Those two phrases address a situation that spans a person's entire life. Yet, sometimes our "cup" can be a temporary situation. Our … Continue reading Your Cup
Have We Witnessed A Sign?
Most importantly, everyone should pray for the people of Myanmar and Thailand and everyone involved in the rescue and recovery attempts. As the world watches the thousands of videos from the quake itself and its aftermath, we can see the devastation and understand the urgency of the moment. People need to help in any way … Continue reading Have We Witnessed A Sign?
Generations
I overheard a conversation between a mother and her twelve-year-old daughter about ten years ago. The scene was a parade. A local church had a float in the parade with a man on a cross. "Why is that man hanging on that cross?" "That's church stuff. You don't need to worry about that." Something to … Continue reading Generations
The Cop In Me
I worked for the United States Justice Department, Federal Bureau of Prisons, for twenty-two years. I retired on the last day of 2009. Outside the fence, I was a Pastor, but inside the wall, I was a guard. I was involved in my share of criminal investigations inside the prison. In one case, by gathering … Continue reading The Cop In Me
How Close Are We?
I came to Christ at age fifteen, and God called me to preach at sixteen. From the get-go, I was fascinated by prophecy. When I was younger, I desired (and thought the odds were good) that I would live to see the rapture. However, as time passed, I began to think that maybe the rapture … Continue reading How Close Are We?
Please, Think About Christmas for a Minute
Christmas is less than two weeks away. December is always a hectic month for us. Life is busy enough, but December adds school and church programs (and the practices associated with each), work parties, family gatherings, church suppers, and gift shopping, among other things. The weather does not cooperate either; it is usually drab and … Continue reading Please, Think About Christmas for a Minute
Stuff Or Saviour?
Thanksgiving is past, and there is now less than a month until Christmas. At a recent local Thanksgiving parade, a bunch of people in elf costumes walked in the parade. A mother said to her child, "Why all the elves? Christmas isn't about elves. Christmas is all about Santa Claus!" What momma said reminded me … Continue reading Stuff Or Saviour?
There Is Power In The Blood
I keep running into Christians who tell me they believe they can lose their salvation. I scratch my head at this belief. Many times, I will ask them this, "Suppose a saved man is driving down the street. On the sidewalk, he sees a beautiful woman. His eyes stray, and while looking at the woman, … Continue reading There Is Power In The Blood
Preacher's Point 