I’d like to suggest something as we approach Advent and Christmas. It’s to make your faith visible. I don’t just mean with words and deeds—although that is very important too. What I mean is including visible faith-based objects in your celebrations. What about a nativity scene? Or an Advent wreath? What about putting up a … Continue reading Standing out and standing firm
advent
She sobbed when she saw Mary
Richard Mouw and his wife were visiting Gothic cathedrals in France for their vacation. On one of those visits they noticed a young couple pull up on a motorbike. They were both wearing “punk” clothes and hair, and she had her face covered in black and white paint. Mouw watched as they “swaggered” through the cathedral. … Continue reading She sobbed when she saw Mary
Changing your life
Can you imagine if you had personally heard the powerful preaching of John the Baptist 2000 years ago? I bet it would have been life changing. He told people powerful truth. So they flocked to him and asked how they should live. He said they should “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (Luke 3:8). In … Continue reading Changing your life
Celebrate that you can celebrate
Let's be honest. Your faith makes you stand out. Because of that, you can sometimes be reluctant to say things about your faith, Jesus, the church, or the Bible… Or even the meaning of Christmas. But I’d like to invite you to look for and seize those little moments to share the true importance of … Continue reading Celebrate that you can celebrate
If there was an x-ray of your soul
Repentance. It’s an unpopular topic. But it’s biblical. And therefore, it matters. When John the Baptist bursts onto the scene in Matthew 3:2 (ESV) he says, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2 ESV). Jesus says the EXACT same thing in Matthew 4:17. Repentance is making a U-Turn. It’s being honest … Continue reading If there was an x-ray of your soul
The dead faith of the living?
Theologian Jaroslav Pelikan said: “Tradition is the living faith of the dead, traditionalism is the dead faith of the living.” Let me explain. Tradition is the “living faith of the dead.” It’s a reference to the dynamic and life-changing Christian faith of those who have gone on before us, and which we remember through certain … Continue reading The dead faith of the living?
Muck on your boots or wind at your back?
When I was in high school I remember walking into a room where painters were working away. I was overwhelmed by the paint fumes. I asked one of them how they could stand all the fumes. He replied, “What fumes?” They had become so used to them that they didn’t even notice anymore! In a similar way, … Continue reading Muck on your boots or wind at your back?
The courage to face ridicule for God
No matter who or how old you are, I’m pretty sure you want your Christmas to be meaningful. And you don’t have to look further than Joseph for some help to do just that. When Joseph married Mary he stepped into a world of ridicule. After all, she would have given birth to Jesus LESS … Continue reading The courage to face ridicule for God
What the seventh seven means for you
Humans were designed for one day of rest per week. They need it to be at their best the other six days. But even if you go to school or work five days a week, the other two days don’t always feel like rest, do they? The bully we call Busy has muscled his way … Continue reading What the seventh seven means for you
The War on Christmas
Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father..." (ESV) Today's Thought Is there a war on Christmas? According to some people, there certainly is. The “war on Christmas” phrase sometimes comes up in news stories or conversations … Continue reading The War on Christmas
