You better not pout, I’m telling you why. Because somebody will snap a pic and post it on social media and you’ll have to live with that face forever. And ever. That’s why I try not to show my seasonal angst. And still…every time. Every time I look awful, I run into my most together friend. HER. That altogether all together friend. I try not to let it, but it surely can make me cranky. And angsty. Crangsty. One time when I looked my absolute worst, I saw HER at Target. Her hair was … [Read more...]
Creating Christmas memories for hurting children
Christmas is right around the corner. For many, just as Andy Williams used to sing, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” Anticipation is building for many children as they contemplate what good things might be in the presents they will unwrap on Christmas day. I know this to be true, as I had the same sense of anticipation and excitement when I was a child growing up. Although my family was as “poor as church mice,” my parents worked hard to ensure that my brothers and I had a good … [Read more...]
Historical treasures
Along the journey, it’s not uncommon to touch, handle or restore historical treasures. Last week, with the help of a friend, I held a family bible that I paid to have restored. When I became the guardian of this family treasure, it was in really rough shape – so much so that I didn’t recognize it as the complete New Testament. Today, it is a beautiful treasure that lists my grandmother’s birth, marriage, and untimely death in 1967. This week, my hands held another historical treasure. As … [Read more...]
God becomes man
“The Christmas message is that there is hope for a ruined humanity – a hope of pardon, a hope of peace with God, the hope of glory – because at the Father’s will Jesus became poor and was born in a stable so that thirty years later, He might hang on a cross.” – J. I. Packer Lights are up, presents under the tree, and Christmas songs on the streets. Yes, it is that time of year. Christmas is a wonderful time, isn’t it? We as Christians must remember what this month is all about! Too often … [Read more...]
Why the pink candle?
By now, many homes and churches are sporting an advent wreath, a greened-wreath typically containing five candles. In a majority of advent sets there are three purple candles, a white candle in the middle, and . . . a pink candle. It is not a mismatch; it has purpose. Before I discuss that purpose, let’s review the season of Advent. Advent means “coming.” The celebration of advent started around the fourth century A.D. in northern Europe in the Gaul area (it didn’t seem to be celebrated in … [Read more...]
Hope always
“As for me, I will always have hope.” (Psalm 71:14a) Hope. Merely reading the word can stir our emotions, inspire positive thoughts and lift our spirit. Hope is what keeps us going, causes us to press forward even in the face of hardship or despair, and prevents us from giving up on ourselves or others regardless of past disappointments or current circumstances. Hope is life-giving and life-sustaining. Human flourishing requires hope. When coupled with the word “eternal,” the two-word … [Read more...]
Parental control issue will be front, center for ‘22
As we conclude another year by celebrating the birth of Jesus, America’s future seemingly hangs in the balance. Whether we become one thing or another may well depend on how we react in the days ahead. Our decisions are sure to impact generations to come. As I think about the coming year and the challenges it will present, I can think of none more important than parental control of their children. Mask/vaccination mandates, gender identity programming, uni-sex restrooms and school … [Read more...]
An opportune time?
“Do not say, ‘Why were the former days better than these?’ For you do not inquire wisely concerning this.” – Ecclesiastes 7:10 NKJV I was born during the Great Depression. I can remember occasionally being awakened at night with a loud boom! My dad always put the shotgun beside his bed at night in case he heard a commotion in the chicken house. If he did hear something, he would go outside, shoot the shotgun up in the air to scare away anyone who might be trying to steal chickens. You … [Read more...]
‘Mind the gap’ for retirement
If you’ve ever been in the United Kingdom, you are likely familiar with the phrase “Mind the Gap.” For those who have not heard this warning in person, as a precautionary measure for subway travelers, a female voice alerts passengers to be alert when they cross the threshold or gap between train and platform. Wouldn’t it be great if a voice would say, “Mind the Gap” when it comes to preparing the final season of our earthly life? According to Forbes, 55% of Americans are or will struggle … [Read more...]
Turn over the work attitude
Hear me out. A blanket fort. Only instead of blankets, puff pastry. Slumber party—and in the morning? Turnovers! I’d work on that fort. I came up with this idea while pondering whether there is anything in the world that would not be better with puff pastry on top of it. Or under it. Or wrapped all around it. Turnovers have to be the best puff pastry application ever. A turnover is like a pie…that you don’t have to share. All wrapped up in flakey layers. How brilliant. Incidentally, I can … [Read more...]
Always keep the main thing the main thing
We live in undeniably polarizing times. We often know more of what people oppose than what they support. This polarization has entered the church as Christians often divide into various ideological camps. Perhaps the most surprising division hasn’t come from convictional differences but from methodological ones. Rather than disagreeing on biblical principles, we’ve found ourselves disagreeing on pragmatic solutions. Whereas once we divided solely on biblical convictions, anymore we divide … [Read more...]
Plan your generosity for the gospel
It was a stereotypical Monday morning. I filled my plastic Missouri Baptist Foundation logoed cup with water and placed it on my desk. I opened my computer to start the daily tasks. I carefully reached over to move my cup further away so I would not knock it over. But I immediately knocked it over! The water, of course, went everywhere. I quickly moved the computer to higher ground and began limiting the floodwaters. Unfortunately, some papers I deemed less critical were sacrificed as … [Read more...]
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