The Magic of Christmas
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” Colossians 1:15 ESV Why is Christmas such a magical time of year? Of all the holidays we celebrate, Christmas is probably the most planned-for, the most anticipated, and the most joyful. We decorate our houses, we light up...
Joy to the World
“Joy is the serious business of heaven.” C. S. Lewis I recently watched an episode of Star Trek: Discovery in which the crew has traveled through a wormhole to the distant future. However, things are not what they expected. In this new time, Starfleet is almost nonexistent. The crew...
Good and Perfect Gifts
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17 NIV The Christmas season is a time when we have gifts on our minds. My husband and I recently took our eleven-year-old daughter, at her request,...
Let There Be Light!
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The...
Praise Him in the Storm
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us — they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally...
Give Thanks
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV Paul instructs us to give thanks in all circumstances. He further explains, “for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Why does God emphasize gratitude so...
I’ve Got Peace Like a River
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 NIV In the story “The Horse and his Boy” in The Chronicles of Narnia, C. S. Lewis...
I Want to Be in That Number!
“Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name.” Psalm 30:4 ESV “Lord, I want to be in that number when the saints go marching in!” Who are the saints? I want to be one . . . I think. Do I have to do...
The Supernatural
“By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” Hebrews 11:3 NIV “Even though as Christians we affirm the reality of the spiritual realm, sometimes we succomb to the naturalistic assumption that what we...
Thy Will Be Done
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord . . .” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV I told a friend of mine a few weeks ago, “I keep trying to figure out my life, but the more I try, the more I realize that I don’t know the answer...