About once a quarter, our local fairgrounds hosts a "Vendors and Yard Sale Day," where both professionals and locals rent spaces to sell their items. Our church will often acquire space at these events. We don’t sell a thing; we give things away. In December, we gave away ten different styles of tree ornaments that … Continue reading The Importance of the Cross
Christmas
Who Is Jesus?
Easter is less than two weeks away. For some families, it's a significant day with morning church services and often new clothes for the event. For many, it is the only day they attend church, aside from possibly Christmas. For others, it is just another Sunday. I am always encouraging people to know what they … Continue reading Who Is Jesus?
The Fulness Of Time Was Come
“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” Galatians 4:4-5. This is one of my favorite Christmas passages. Notice that Jesus came at just the … Continue reading The Fulness Of Time Was Come
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
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is upon us. In our family, Thanksgiving is one of the three big holidays; Christmas and Easter are the others. As much of the family as possible gathers for those three holidays. If people cannot attend, Julie and I usually spend another day with them within a week or so of the big celebration. … Continue reading Thanksgiving
Warnings From Jeremiah
As I read Jeremiah, I cannot help but see the parallels between the United States and Israel of old. Do not get me wrong; Israel is God's nation. God gives promises to Israel that belong to no other country, but there are striking similarities in spiritual history. God makes it clear that Jeremiah is a … Continue reading Warnings From Jeremiah
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
Happy Birthday To Us
The 4th of July is upon us. My family celebrates four holidays every year: Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, and July 4th. Every year, everyone gathers at my oldest daughter's house for our nation's birthday. Food, fun, and fireworks are the events of the day. Each year, we have a corn hole tournament. I had won several … Continue reading Happy Birthday To Us
The I, Thee, And Them Of Christian Memory
Every holiday has two purposes - to remember and to celebrate. It's the remembering that we tend to forget. Christmas is a day to remember the birth of Christ and celebrate his birth with presents and family dinners. The Fourth of July, a day to remember our nation's birth and our freedom as Americans, is … Continue reading The I, Thee, And Them Of Christian Memory
The Coming Persecution
Prophecy is a popular topic. People seem enthralled by the Biblical accounts of the end times. Whenever there is news of saber-rattling with nations involved in end-time prophecies, my mailbox fills with questions and predictions. Large earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, blizzards, hurricanes, and other natural events that are Biblical signs of the times also spark increased … Continue reading The Coming Persecution