The writer of Ecclesiastes made it perfectly clear: there is a time, a season, and a purpose for everything—the good, the bad, the ugly. (See Ecclesiastes 3:1–8.) Just as the earth experiences spring, summer, fall, and winter, our life cycle has its seasons. Much like spring, we emerge into existence…
“And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.” (Luke 1:38). And Mary said, “Yes” when the angel came, not knowing all it would mean. For “yes” was only the beginning. “Yes” to…
“And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures,they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2:11). Our children were grown and Christmas seemed to have lost some of…
During this time of year, it may be easy to forget that the bigger purpose behind Bethlehem was Calvary. The purpose of Jesus’ birth was His death. The purpose of the manger was the Cross. It wasn’t as pretty as a department store tree. There were no lights or fancy…
Christmas is upon us. I love dressing my house with all the holiday décor and enjoy all the festivities that accompany this time of year. Along with all things “holidayish” comes the time when we get to bestow well-thought-out gifts on our favorite people. Around the dinner table, our family enjoys deep…
“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7) In 1719, Pastor Isaac Watts, who wrote over eight hundred hymns, penned the words to the hymn “Joy to…
OUT OF CONTROL: So, you are driving along life’s highway and decide to let God take control of your life. You move to the passenger seat and give God the wheel. This is a big step! Finally. You are ready to relinquish control. Or so you think. You sit in…
“And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.” Hebrews 11:39-40 The previous verses describe some of the terrible things that the followers of God suffered because of their…
“And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the…