After a week of fires engulfing sections of Los Angeles, what word might fit this year? “Armageddon” is apropos, but not exactly helpful. A woman who survived the Napa Valley, Sonoma County fires in 2017 was deeply struggling with PTSD five years later. “Armageddon” was a word she used to describe her experience. She had […]
By Brother Matt Henson What did you get for Christmas? This question has been asked in our family several times as we have gathered at different family and church events. What was your favorite gift? Did you get what you asked for? Now, I will admit few people have asked me this question, but I guess […]
By Brother Matt Henson On a recent trip to Michigan, I traveled with family to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park. The steep dunes created a newfound challenge as we embarked on the hike. The intensity of the first ascent made my heart beat much faster and my breathing to become more labored. I had not […]
By Brother There once was a ten-year-old girl whose grandmother was teaching her about the Bible. One day at Christmas time, she asked, “Which virgin was the mother of Jesus? The virgin Mary or the King James Virgin?” So many people have become confused about the details of Christmas. Jesus is completely absent from every […]
Mercy. When Brother Matt wanted mercy to be a “word” during the season of Advent, I thought: “Mercy? Since when is that an Advent word?” The Advent Candles lit for some worship settings during Advent might uplift the words, “Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love” or numerous other words. But “Mercy” — I’ve not encountered that […]
By Sister Cheryl Jacobs There was once someone who said such amazing things and did such wonderful things that people began to follow him. And as they followed him they asked him who he was. One time when they asked him, he answered: “I am the Light of the world.” – a Godly Play (r) […]
By Sister Becky Swisher 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:3-4) “Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble, when you’re perfect in every way.” Let’s be honest, we […]
By Brother Guy Ames In All Things, Give Thanks 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (NLT) 1 Thessalonians 5:18 I love Thanksgiving! During my young years our family would gather for a tradition with friends. Without exception, sometime during that day we would […]
By Brother Matthew Henson The early morning hours are quiet in my house. As my family continues to sleep, I enjoy getting up to read, pray, journal, and consider the opportunities in front of me for the day. Our couch faces east toward a window in our kitchen. When I first sit down on the […]
By Brother Matthew Henson My wife’s family gathered this weekend for the funeral of my wife’s sister-in-law. It was the first time my wife’s family had this many family members together in one place in seven years. As each person arrived, the room lit up with greetings, hugs, and laughter. We all recognized the weight […]
