My Christmas Wish for You

I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and (more…)

Moving at the Speed of Life

What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.—James 4:14 ESV

I was 14 when I first experienced the death of someone in my circle. It was a 16-year-old tuba player in our high school band—a boy who had delivered our newspapers and on whom I had a serious crush. Just a few (more…)

Making All Things New

Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. – Isaiah 43:8

God is in the business of making all things new. He gives us new life in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:4). He makes His mercies new every morning (Lamentations 3:23). He fills each day with new hope and new possibilities.

And He has given us this new year.

Yes, it (more…)

Being a Friend to the Grieving

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. – Romans 12:15

In the past week, we’ve learned of several families who have experienced sudden loss. No one welcomes grief in any season, but it’s especially unwelcome in the holiday season. And it’s not just the very recent losses that sting; it’s the losses of those who have long been (more…)

The Giver of Good Gifts

We put so much thought into Christmas presents, and they are such a source of stress. Will the recipient be happy? Should I include a gift receipt? Did I spend enough? Did I spend too much? Will our gifts even be remembered in years to come?

Some of our gifts may get packed away  or even regifted. But still we give, because (more…)