Blog.
The Hope of Salvation Has Come
“Joy to the world, the Lord is come!” We often sing these words at Christmastime, as we celebrate the birth of Christ. But interestingly this song is about the second coming of Christ, not His first. More on that later. This song is still fitting to sing at Christmas as we celebrate the birth of Christ. We are filled with joy when we reflect on the first coming of our Lord and Savior, and we are joyful as we look forward to His return…
O Come All Ye Faithful
On a dark night, in a regular field, 2000 years ago, ordinary men watched over their sheep. On this seemingly routine work night for the shepherds, God chose to change their lives and make the most wonderful news known to them. He revealed the birth of the long-awaited Savior to these ordinary men! Why reveal this great news to shepherds? Why not share it with a religious leader or someone with political power? You see, God knew the hearts of these men. He didn’t just randomly flip a coin to see which field His angels should arrive in. God had a perfect plan. The shepherds were specifically chosen by God for His divine purpose…
Silent Night, Holy Night
The holiday season often feels like a whirlwind. Between holiday parties, shopping for gifts, decorating, and school events, the pace of December can leave us feeling tired. Christmas, the celebration of Jesus’ birth, can become just another thing on our to-do list. But what if we celebrate Christmas a little differently this year? What if taking the time to slow down this year isn’t just good for us but essential for experiencing the true joy of the season?
O Come O Come Emmanuel
I love the musical diversity of Christmas carols. Seriously, how often do we get to sing in a minor key at church? Most of the time we are trying to capture the joy of the Lord with our worship music, but this carol is mournful. At a time as cheerful as Christmas, what is there to mourn?
Good News Gut Punch
Have you ever been literally punched in the gut? Those of us unfortunate enough to have experienced this sensation know a couple things. First, you literally cannot prepare yourself for the reverberating pain that you are going to experience. It is radiating, sharp discomfort that seems to last and last. Action movies don’t do justice to the toll even a minor injury like this can take on the body! Second, it will stop you in your tracks. You have no choice but to confront the pain that you are experiencing and let it sink in before you can move on…
Who is This Jesus?
He came into the world He created, born in a manger on a night in Bethlehem. He came quietly, but his coming was the moment the tide began to turn. The world had long ago rejected its maker, it would soon reject Him too, as it was written.
“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces. He was despised, and we esteemed him not.”
What is Love?
Valentine’s Day — You either love it or you hate it. You either have somebody, or you don’t. It’s the one holiday that’s all about love. Looking forward to celebrating with that special someone makes for a day filled with excitement. But for those without a significant other, Valentine’s Day can feel like another holiday you just have to get through…
Is Free Will Real?
Do people have free will? This is a broad question that could be answered in several ways. It is also a complex question that has been debated, discussed, researched, and written about in great detail. Here I will point out some basics things to consider when determining if free will is real…
Can I Get a Witness?
Growing up in the Bible Belt of the Deep South, I occasionally heard this phrase when I would attend a friend’s church. The pastor would be praising God for all He had done, and then would suddenly say, “Can I get a witness?”. He was asking if anyone in the congregation would stand up and share something that God had done in their life…