4 Ways to Approach the New Year with Jesus

4 Ways to Approach the New Year with Jesus – “Here are four important steps we can take, as we peer into 2017, to draw closer to Christ.”

2016: The Bible in Review

2016: The Bible in Review – “Based on over 1.7 billion pageviews and over 180 million unique visitors to Bible Gateway from December 2015 through November 2016, this data provides a glimpse at how people engaged with the Bible in 2016.”

Resolutions Are Not Enough

Resolutions Are Not Enough – “If we really are resolved to see our hopes for 2017 become life-enriching habits, we will do well to keep several basic truths in mind at the outset of a new year.”

New Years Eve 2016

New Years Eve 2016 – “But as much as we pray 2017 will be significantly different, the primary resolution we’ll make tonight is to abandon ourselves to Jesus…”

Around the World, a Christian Is Martyred Every Six Minutes

Around the World, a Christian Is Martyred Every Six Minutes - This year, almost 90,000 Christians died for their faith, according to
an Italian research group.

4 Christian Principles For Making New Year’s Resolutions

4 Christian Principles For Making New Year’s Resolutions – “The Word of God gives us not only permission to make resolutions, it gives us good reasons for doing so. Various biblical passages seem to provide us with reasons for resolutions and examples of men of God who resolved to live for Him in a particular manner for a particular reason.”

If You Love Waiting, Raise Your Hand

If You Love Waiting, Raise Your Hand – “We must learn to embrace the waiting and use that time for His glory, no matter how hard it gets. We must all must wait, so let’s consider how God might use our waiting for the highest good of His glory.”

Death: The Last Enemy, and Our Deliverer

Death: The Last Enemy, and Our Deliverer – Death is often an object of dread and fear for us. This biblical discussion of death gives a different picture.

Next Year in Jerusalem

Next Year in Jerusalem – Here’s a good reflection for the end of the year and anticipation of the next.

Do More Than Admit Your Sin

Do More Than Admit Your Sin – “Biblical confession involves more than admitting our sin. Sometimes we think fessing up to our sins is enough. ‘Alright, I’ll say what I’ve done, get my grace ticket, and go on my way.’ That’s a confession booth. That’s not biblical Christianity.”

7 Things the Bible Says About New Beginnings

7 Things the Bible Says About New Beginnings - Some reminders as we approach 2017.

How to Make Your Goals for 2017 Actually Happen

How to Make Your Goals for 2017 Actually Happen - It's that time of year.

The One Thing I Do at the End of Each Year

The One Thing I Do at the End of Each Year – This would be time well-spent at the end of your 2016.

One Reason To Dedicate Yourself to Bible Reading in 2017

One Reason To Dedicate Yourself to Bible Reading in 2017 – Here’s just one more good reason to commit yourself to reading your Bible in 2017.

Suffering is a Doorway, Not a Dead End

Suffering is a Doorway, Not a Dead End – “Suffering for Christ is not a dead end (though it might feel like it!). Rather, it is always a doorway to greater joy and life. Here are three ways that is so.”

Freedom from Our Fears

Freedom from Our Fears – “Like Adam and Eve, we hide. We bury pain and protect ourselves from feeling it ever again. We cover the blemishes. Gloss over the less-than-desirable parts. Avoid the shame-inducing. Guard our hearts. Whatever we may do, on our own we cannot escape our fears. We need rescue.”

No One in Christ Ever Misses Out

No One in Christ Ever Misses Out – “The gospel liberates us from the tyranny of the bucket list.”

5 Reasons You Shouldn't Give Up on the Church

5 Reasons You Shouldn't Give Up on the Church - Have we become critics instead of family?

My Prayer for Next Year

My Prayer for Next Year – “Lord, teach me more about yourself than I already know, humble me again with all that I do not know, and make what I do know more alive and real in my heart and life.” Marshall Segal goes on to explain what he means.

When Trouble Comes for You

When Trouble Comes for You – You may want to pick up this book but the summary points here are excellent.

Parenting for a Spiritual Legacy

Parenting for a Spiritual Legacy – “Here are 4 recommendations to help you create a culture of discipleship in the HOME.”

Adoring Jesus and Being at Peace, Like Simeon

Adoring Jesus and Being at Peace, Like Simeon – “Lord Jesus, it’s only because you embraced us in the gospel that we have a good measure of the same peace Simeon experienced; for you are God’s promised salvation for Israel, for Gentiles, and for us. In you we’ve found the consolation that cannot be found anywhere else…”

Lay Aside ‘Lone Ranger’ Ministry

Lay Aside ‘Lone Ranger’ Ministry – “Partnering with others in gospel outreach can be powerful and effective. And we find that shared outreach is a very common model in the Bible.”

Mapping Religion in the USA (Infographic)

Mapping Religion in the USA (Infographic) – Interesting information on our nation.

Does God Get Your Leftovers?

Does God Get Your Leftovers? – “Prayer is hard. It’s always been the spiritual discipline I struggle with the most. I blame it on all sorts of things — my busy life, my easily distracted mind, my loud children, my personality, how I’m better at communicating through writing rather than verbally — the list goes on.”

Read the Whole Bible in 2017

Read the Whole Bible in 2017 – Here are three reasons to read the whole Bible in 2017.

Worthless Penny, Priceless Worship

Worthless Penny, Priceless Worship – This missionary testimony is worth reading.

God Will Give You Something To Say

God Will Give You Something To Say – God is our partner in sharing our faith.

Gay Ornaments and Other Christmas News

Gay Ornaments and Other Christmas News – “In a culture like ours, how can we experience and demonstrate the continuing relevance of the first Christmas?”

Worrying Is a Spiritual Issue

Worrying Is a Spiritual Issue - Here's why that habit isn't harmless.

Why Oxford Dictionary’s 2016 Word of the Year Matters

Why Oxford Dictionary’s 2016 Word of the Year Matters – “Oxford English Dictionary compilers recognized “post-truth” as the new Word of the Year.” Ravi Zacharias explains why it matters.

Aleppo

Aleppo – The International Missions Board tells how Aleppo became a city of suffering and how people in North America can help.

To Us a Child Is Born

To Us a Child Is Born – “In one of the most studied and celebrated Bible passages at Christmas, Isaiah announces the arrival of a child.”

The Unfettered Joy of Christmas Day

The Unfettered Joy of Christmas Day – “Jesus, as we celebrate your 1st Advent, our passion for your 2nd Advent is intensified. We long for the Day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that you are, indeed, Lord, to the glory of God the Father…”

For They Know Not What They Do…

For They Know Not What They Do… - “Today we celebrate the events that marked the beginning of Jesus’s life: The angelic announcement, the virgin conception, the difficult birth, the unexpected visits, the prophetic blessings. But even as we remember that Jesus came to live, we need to also remember that Jesus came to die. As we think about his birth we do well to think about his death.”

“And Them that Mourn” — Celebrating Christmas in the Face of Sorrow

“And Them that Mourn” — Celebrating Christmas in the Face of Sorrow – “Is Christmas also for those who grieve? Such a question would perplex those who experienced the events that night in humble Bethlehem and those who followed Christ throughout his earthly ministry. Christmas is especially for those who grieve.”

Why We Know So Little About Jesus’ Birth

Why We Know So Little About Jesus’ Birth – “I probably would have drowned the story in detail. We see it often in the Bible: God does not give us all the details we want, but he always gives us the details we need.”

On Christmas Eve: The King Who Became a Baby

On Christmas Eve: The King Who Became a Baby – “Lord Jesus, whether or not you entered our world anywhere close to our December 25th is irrelevant. What matters is that you actually came from eternity into time and space—not as a metaphor, myth, or legend, but as our perfect Savior….”

Unless You Become a Child

Unless You Become a Child – “The childhood years passed, but Mary’s boy never forgot what it was like to be a little one. He himself, lying in a manger, had been a sign of God’s way of doing things.”

10 Things You Should Know About the Incarnation

10 Things You Should Know About the Incarnation – “It is appropriate at Christmas to think more deeply about the incarnation. Here are 10 things we should grasp.”

Pastor, Am I a Christian?

Pastor, Am I a Christian? – Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times has a fascinating written Q&A with Tim Keller.

On the Eve of Christmas Eve

On the Eve of Christmas Eve – “Lord Jesus, it’s the eve of Christmas Eve—arguably, one of the most pressure-laden, detail-heavy, preparation-peaking, relationship-stressing, and traffic-snarly days of the year….”

Read These Passages On Christmas

Read These Passages On Christmas – Paul Tripp offers some suggested passages and commentary on them.

Come, Thou Unexpected Jesus

Come, Thou Unexpected Jesus – “This Christmas, do not be surprised if you find yourself worshiping Jesus where you did not expect to find him.”

Christmas for the Discouraged Ones

Christmas for the Discouraged Ones – This year, an extraordinary amount of posts have been written to encourage those who are suffering during the holiday season. Here’s another good one.

The Fullness of God Dwelled in a Womb

The Fullness of God Dwelled in a Womb – “And here we are told that omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, utter eternalness and holiness dwelled in a tiny person. This makes Santa coming down a chimney seem a logistical cakewalk.”

O Disrupted Night

O Disrupted Night – There are bigger lessons in the Christmas story than a warm manger scene. Read the story more carefully.

Together, Let God’s Family Join the Angels’ Joyful Song This Christmas Weekend

Together, Let God’s Family Join the Angels’ Joyful Song This Christmas Weekend – “Perhaps this Christmas season is a difficult one for you. Perhaps it reminds you of loved ones who are no longer part of your life, due to death or strained relationships.”

The Most Overlooked Word at Christmas

The Most Overlooked Word at Christmas – “At Christmas, one little word—with—helps to explain why Jesus came and how we can know him. With clarifies, convicts, and comforts.”

10 Ideas and 10 Tips for Family Devotions in 2017

10 Ideas and 10 Tips for Family Devotions in 2017 – “Less important than how you do family devotions is that you do family devotions.”

A Note to an Unbeliever, On Going to Church This Christmas

A Note to an Unbeliever, On Going to Church This Christmas – Here are some things worth watching for and leaning into this Christmas…whether you are a believer or not.

Do Something Awesome and Build a Family

Do Something Awesome and Build a Family – “How, though, do you actually build a God-glorifying family? Let me share several thoughts with you. (We're going to assume that marriage has already happened.)”

God Came Down

God Came Down – “Christmas is supernatural. And our naturalistic society is starving deep down for something beyond the natural, rarely admitting it, and not really knowing why.”

Why in the World Did I Leave America?

Why in the World Did I Leave America? – “Why in the world have I given all this up? Why not live in a place where my kids could have friends that grow up in Christian homes? Why not go to a great church and grow in my knowledge of the Word of God? Why not avoid the malaria, bugs, and intense suffering that is often at our doorstep?” This missionary and mom then answers her own questions.

You Can Share Your Faith With Your Family Without Making It Weird

You Can Share Your Faith With Your Family Without Making It Weird - How to keep it cool over Christmas.

Do We Really Need Christmas This Year?

Do We Really Need Christmas This Year? – Max Lucado writes, “We need Christmas more than ever this year.”

A Christmas Quiz: How Well Do You Know the Nativity Story?

A Christmas Quiz: How Well Do You Know the Nativity Story? – This short quiz is designed to help you find out! 

What Grieving People Wish You Knew at Christmas

What Grieving People Wish You Knew at Christmas – “While those of us who surround grieving people can’t fix the pain of loss, we can bring comfort as we come alongside those who hurt with special sensitivity to what grief is like during the holidays. Grieving people wish we all knew at least five truths, among others, during the holidays.”

6 Practical Ways to Honor Your Parents

6 Practical Ways to Honor Your Parents – Most of “honoring father and mother” is for adult children.

New Heresies Are Rarely New (Video)

New Heresies Are Rarely New (Video) – “At least once or twice every year—usually around Christmas and Easter—popular magazines and blogs seem to go out of their way to locate some shocking fact that supposedly debunks what Christians believe about Jesus. But this pattern of false claims ab out Jesus isn’t anything new! Even in the first few centuries of Christianity, a multitude of heresies and rival claims circulated, each one taking a different perspective on who Jesus was.”

When Was Jesus Born?

When Was Jesus Born? – This covers the big issues and concludes with “why” He was born as the bigger issue.

Would You Want to Come Home to You?

Would You Want to Come Home to You? – “This Christmas week seems like the perfect time to examine ourselves and decide: Would I want to come home to me? If the answer is no, it’s time we make some changes and become the kind of spouse that is pleasant to be around. I think you would be surprised what a difference it can make in your marriage.”

Light for Those Who Sit in Darkness

Light for Those Who Sit in Darkness – “One reason we lack passion for Christmas is that we often fail to truly see God as holy, and our sin as serious. Therefore, we do not have as much joy in Christ’s coming as we could.”

Christmas for the Weary

Christmas for the Weary – “Do not let your doubt or weariness temporarily mute your worship. Christmas is for you, weary Christian.”

An End of Year Marriage Check Up

An End of Year Marriage Check Up – Here are 15 questions to help you and your spouse take the relational temperature of your marriage.

Perfect Peace for Imperfect Parents

Perfect Peace for Imperfect Parents – “Failure isn’t an option in parenting. It’s an inevitability.”

Lord, Deliver Me from Indifference

Lord, Deliver Me from Indifference – “Whatever it takes, Lord, increase my zeal to do your will and my urgency to make the best use of my time during these evil days. In Jesus’s name, Amen.”

Why Kids May Want More This Christmas

Why Kids May Want More This Christmas – What message are we sending our kids this Christmas?

When Holidays Trigger Pain

When Holidays Trigger Pain – Here is a prayer for those we know who will struggle through pain and loss this Christmas.

How to Parent Without Regret

How to Parent Without Regret – “What do you do after that next long, weighty parenting sigh? How do you parent without regret? Pray like you can’t save your kids but parent like you can, try to do the right thing, and rest in God’s sovereignty.”

Don't Spiritualize Christmas

Don't Spiritualize Christmas – “The danger in the seasonal celebration is that we cave to sentimentality and rote nostalgia and thus forget that the meek and mild baby in a manger was nothing short of the opening salvo in the kingdom of heaven revolution consisting in God personally invading earth.”

4 Times In Life You Should Expect To Face Temptation

4 Times In Life You Should Expect To Face Temptation – We should expect temptation and resist temptation.

Putting Christmas Back in Christ

Putting Christmas Back in Christ – “Christmas wasn’t mandated by God; it’s a relic of our culture. To whatever extent it can be helpful to us in our walk with Christ without dominating us, let’s embrace it.”

Are You Bored with Christ at Christmas?

Are You Bored with Christ at Christmas? – Consider what the Gospel of Mark (that doesn’t include a Christmas story) teaches us about Christmas.

Free Yourself to Focus on Christ This Christmas

Free Yourself to Focus on Christ This Christmas – Here are five ways to battle the busyness.

Why I Changed My Mind on Nativity Scenes

Why I Changed My Mind on Nativity Scenes – “Perhaps those outside the church who feel threatened by nativity scenes understand the meaning of Christmas more than those in our churches who feel very little about them.”

The Christmas Connection

The Christmas Connection – Here’s a link to today’s video from church.

Take Your Heart to Calvary

Take Your Heart to Calvary – Our hearts have a tendency to get hard. There’s only one solution to this problem.

Christmas Songs Are Freedom Songs

Christmas Songs Are Freedom Songs – “Sing with all you are until the light of Christ’s return breaks through the darkness one last time.”

God Loves to Work in Our Weakness

God Loves to Work in Our Weakness – “God is pleased to use our various kinds of weakness and limitation to remind us of important truths and refine our trust in him.”

Is There a “War” on Christmas?

Is There a “War” on Christmas? – Should Christians take offense when the signs say “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas”? If not, how can Christians cope with a rapidly secularizing public square?

How to Make Sure You're Not Duped by What You Read

How to Make Sure You're Not Duped by What You Read - Because fake news isn't just Facebook's problem.

Dear Church: I Dare You to Trust Your Bible This Year

Dear Church: I Dare You to Trust Your Bible This Year – “I fear for you, that you have listened to so many voices that you no longer trust yourself to hear your Lord’s voice.” 

Joseph Did You Know?

Joseph Did You Know? – “Why was it necessary for Jesus to have an earthly father if He didn’t need a biological father? Isn’t it conceivable that Mary could have, with the help of family members, raised Jesus without a husband? It was necessary for Joseph to be Jesus’ adopted father” for a number of reasons…

When Babylon Withdraws To Lick Its Wounds

When Babylon Withdraws To Lick Its Wounds – Lately I’ve been enjoying Stephen McAlpline’s reflections on culture. “What do we do when Babylon withdraws to lick its wounds? For that is indeed what we are experiencing – a temporary halt of the post-Christian/anti-Christian framework within the Western setting, as populist politics in 2016 sweeps the progressive agenda aside.”

9 Things You Should Know About Aleppo and the Syrian Crisis

9 Things You Should Know About Aleppo and the Syrian Crisis – “The recent struggle for control of the Syrian city of Aleppo has brought renewed attention to the ongoing war crimes that have devastated the Middle East nation. Here are nine things you should know about Aleppo and the Syrian crisis.”

5 Reasons to Read the Bible When You Feel Absolutely Nothing

5 Reasons to Read the Bible When You Feel Absolutely Nothing – “No glorious revelations of Shekinah glory. No deep sense of God’s abiding presence. No spiritual flashbangs or burning bushes. Did anything really “happen” during my reading? Did the Bible make any difference? Why should I even continue when it just feels like I’m going through the motions?”

Why Doesn't God Heal People We Love?

Why Doesn't God Heal People We Love? – “It’s not that Jesus did not care about the cancer-ridden or the paraplegics, it’s just that their illnesses were not His main focus: the gospel was. Whenever people missed this – whenever they started coming to Him only to have their pains and problems removed – the Savior backed away.”

Love Might Win the Wayward in Your Life

Love Might Win the Wayward in Your Life – “Don’t be afraid. Speak the truth in love, and trust Jesus. He may surprise you.”

10 Ways to be a Christian this Christmas

10 Ways to be a Christian this Christmas – “But whether you love every nook and cranny about the holidays–or consider most of it “noise, noise, noise!”–there is no excuse to be grinchy and scroogeish. Here are ten ways we can remember to be Christians this Christmas.”

The Ultimate Peace Child

The Ultimate Peace Child – I still remember the first time I heard this missionary story almost 35 years ago. I loved hearing it again today.

Why Are Jesus’ Genealogies in Matthew and Luke Different?

Why Are Jesus’ Genealogies in Matthew and Luke Different? – Mark Strauss offers up possible reasons why the genealogies differ, overlap, and seem to disagree.

The Greatest Need in Special Needs

The Greatest Need in Special Needs – “The danger for us is that we presume too much about disability. We may start to think that because someone can’t respond to us or fully articulate faith, that the gospel isn’t sinking in, when it may very well be! We may begin to believe they have no sin nature and don’t need the gospel. We may think that folks with cognitive disabilities and delays in our church are mainly there as some sort of object lesson to enable our spiritual growth, forgetting that God wants spiritual growth for all of us.”

No Gullible Bumpkins Here

No Gullible Bumpkins Here – “And speaking of Jesus, Mike McKinley discusses his virgin birth. “Mary and Zechariah and Elizabeth were not gullible bumpkins who didn’t know how babies were made and believed fantastical stories (nor, for that matter, were Luke and his original readers). They found the whole idea just as unlikely as you and I might, but that’s exactly the point!”

How to Help Your Children Become Better Sermon Listeners

How to Help Your Children Become Better Sermon Listeners – Here are good tips for parents in a multi-generational worship experience.

Jesus Is Fully Human

Jesus Is Fully Human – “The seesaw oscillated back and forth in the early centuries of the church, and has for two thousand years. His opponents have rejected his deity, and too many of his worshipers have been slow to own the extent of his manhood.”

Help Grieving People Survive the Holidays with Hope

Help Grieving People Survive the Holidays with Hope – “Most people look forward to the holidays and the attendant family celebrations and traditions. But during the holidays, those who have lost loved ones will be even more potently reminded of their pain and grief.”

Is the Sin of Gluttony Really that Serious?

Is the Sin of Gluttony Really that Serious? – “The fact that we giggle about gluttony might reveal it as a most pernicious sin. The English word comes from the Latin and means “to gulp.” Gluttony idolizes food to feed our own self-love. The holidays being upon us, it’s a good time to ask the question. Is gluttony really that serious?”

Sorrow, Depression, & the Holidays

Sorrow, Depression, & the Holidays - Depression and discouragement are not respecters of the holidays. For many reasons, the normal sorrow of life can reach a high point this time of year for some. Here are some helpful reminders.

Your Wounds Do Not Define You

Your Wounds Do Not Define You – “Christ has so much more to offer us than the bricks we carry.”

Living in Light of Jesus' Return

Living in Light of Jesus' Return – “There are two days in my calendar: this day and that day,” quipped Martin Luther in reference to Christ’s second coming. We have come a long way since Luther’s statement, with most believers erring dramatically in one of two directions.

Foster Children Need the Church

Foster Children Need the Church – “430,000 children in our country are in foster care, and nearly 112,000 are waiting to be adopted.”

Atheists vs. Christmas: Two Lessons for Us

Atheists vs. Christmas: Two Lessons for Us – “It’s easy to denigrate those who reject the Child we worship. But that’s the exact wrong thing for us to do. Lost people act like lost people. So did we before we met Jesus. It’s up to Christians to act like Christ.”

The Other Christmas Birth

The Other Christmas Birth – “The Christmas story contains the narratives of two miraculous births, both recorded in Luke 1 and both announced by the angel Gabriel. The births of Jesus and John the Baptist are intrinsically connected to each other in Scripture.”

Battling Sin in the Heart

Battling Sin in the Heart – “Our battle against sin will only result in victory if it is waged at the heart level. Battling sin by removing the externals from our lives is only the first step in a multi-step battle.”

Jesus Isn’t Threatened by Your Christmas Gifts

Jesus Isn’t Threatened by Your Christmas Gifts – “Christmas falls on a Sunday this year and I think this gives us an especially good opportunity to see how all of Christmas integrates with our faith, with the Christian life.”

The One Thing No One Tells You About Getting Married

The One Thing No One Tells You About Getting Married - The work begins sooner than you think.

20 Quotes from Tim Keller’s New Book on Christmas

20 Quotes from Tim Keller’s New Book on Christmas – I so appreciate Tim Keller. The quotes here are worth a read.

I’m an Adorable Deplorable

I’m an Adorable Deplorable – David Murray begins with the cultural divides in our own country and moves into the story of a deplorable little Bethlehem.

When God Goes Big And I Go Small

When God Goes Big And I Go Small – “The Bible speaks in broad words, in great sweeping statements. There are times to interpret those words and statements, to apply wisdom to them. But first we must deal with them as they are, to allow them to hit with all of their force, all of their impact. Then, and only then, do we ask our “what if” questions.”

What If I Don’t Want to Pray?

What If I Don’t Want to Pray? – “Few aspects of the Christian life can cause God’s people more guilt than a lack of personal, private prayer. Few disciplines in the Christian life are as difficult as private prayer. And this struggle doesn’t just exist for immature Christians or those very weak in faith. The testimonies of even some great Christians verify that prayer is difficult.”

How Would Jesus Celebrate Christmas?

How Would Jesus Celebrate Christmas? – “If Jesus were still walking the earth, what would He be doing this Christmas? Here's my best guess.”

We Can't Be Pro-Life if We're Not Anti-Poverty

We Can't Be Pro-Life if We're Not Anti-Poverty – “We cannot work to end abortion while being ignorant of, or unmoved by, the social and economic factors that often contribute to it.”

How You Can Make 2017 a Banner Year

How You Can Make 2017 a Banner Year – “To see a change in our lives there are five critical attitudes and actions to consider embracing.”

Five Myths About the Ancient Heresy of Gnosticism

Five Myths About the Ancient Heresy of Gnosticism – This continuing heresy may not be on your radar but it circles around far too often. “Fake news” theology loves it.

Just Drop the Blanket

Just Drop the Blanket – The classic “Charlie Brown Christmas” has a much deeper story than some might realized. Have you ever noticed when Linus drops his beloved blanket? Jason Soroski explains when and why it happens. It may impact you more than you expect.

The History Behind “Silent Night”

The History Behind “Silent Night” – Here is the story behind the classic hymn.

Giving: The Victory Over Materialism and Covetousness this Christmas

Giving: The Victory Over Materialism and Covetousness this Christmas – At this point in December, this is worth reading.

The Christmas Present in Lot’s Cave

The Christmas Present in Lot’s Cave – “The cave seemed like the perfect hiding place but soon it became the setting for one of the most heinous scenes in all of the Bible. But even here amid the darkness of depravity God was laying the tracks for an especially shocking revelation on Christmas morning.”

Why Christmas Is the Antidote to FOMO

Why Christmas Is the Antidote to FOMO – “As it turns out, there’s only one thing you have to see before you die.”

The Christmas Miracle of the Incarnate, Omnipresent Word

The Christmas Miracle of the Incarnate, Omnipresent Word – “In the end, the Incarnation is not for analysis but for worship.”

Do Not Be Surprised if the World Hates You

Do Not Be Surprised if the World Hates You – “Why is it that we should be not surprised when the world turns against us?”

When God Changes Your Plans

When God Changes Your Plans – This is an interesting piece on the genealogy of Jesus. “God is working out the unexpected and seemingly chaotic developments in our lives to fit perfectly into his good plan for us.”

New Research Debunks The Claim That Your Beliefs Can Kill Gay People

New Research Debunks The Claim That Your Beliefs Can Kill Gay People – “Reducing another’s life by 12 years by failing to agree with his or her sexual desires is no small charge. But is it legit? New research says no.”

The Blessing(s) of Immanuel

The Blessing(s) of Immanuel – “The hopes and hurts, fears and tears of all our years are met in this passage. You are all we need, and way beyond all we can imagine.”

7 Advent Practices That Will Make Your December Better

7 Advent Practices That Will Make Your December Better – “And avoid some of the holiday stress, too.”

Divorce Isn't the Only Way to Quit a Marriage

Divorce Isn't the Only Way to Quit a Marriage – “What happens when your spouse becomes just a roommate?”

It’s Time To Take Your Medicine

It’s Time To Take Your Medicine – “Knowing our tendency to reverse the order of gospel logic, we are wise to study God’s Word until we are utterly convinced that indicatives always precede imperatives.”

Born to Give Us the Second Birth

Born to Give Us the Second Birth – There’s great theology to be found in Hark! the Herald Angels Sing.

7 Privileges of Being a Child of God

7 Privileges of Being a Child of God – “Feeling weary today? Distant from God? Anxious? Uncertain? In this article Tim Keller warms our hearts with seven breathtaking privileges of being a child of God set out by Paul in Romans 8:14-17…”

5 Ways We Stunt Our Spiritual Growth

5 Ways We Stunt Our Spiritual Growth – “With a heavy heart, I realized that in the 168 hours that made up my week, I could hardly carve out one hour for communion with God. Does this sound familiar?”

Christ Came into Hostility

Christ Came into Hostility – “Perhaps this Christmas, rather than joy and peace flourishing in your relationships, tensions are high and truth is a battle to be fought. Christ came into this world, freely and joyfully, and he walks closely with you in yours.”

The Wisdom in What God Doesn’t Say

The Wisdom in What God Doesn’t Say – “God is very wise and intentional in what he makes clear to us and does not make clear to us.”

The Christmas Volunteers (Video)

The Christmas Volunteers (Video) – The folks at Igniter Media did a great job with this.

The Unseen Misery of Christmas

The Unseen Misery of Christmas – “The pain of broken relationships is more real for people at Christmas than at any other time of the year. Even while we enjoy the company of others around the table, we remember those who are not with us, because they have died or are distant from us.”

How God Became a Man: What Jesus Did for Thirty Years

How God Became a Man: What Jesus Did for Thirty Years – “The third Gospel …captures three decades of the most important human life in the history of the world in remarkably simple terms.”

Lord, Help Me Raise My Children With a Backbone

Lord, Help Me Raise My Children With a Backbone – “If you do not stand firm in your faith, then you will not stand at all” (Isaiah 7:9).

Six Ways to Love a Wayward Child

Six Ways to Love a Wayward Child – These suggestions are biblical and applicable.

5 Ways We Stunt Our Spiritual Growth

5 Ways We Stunt Our Spiritual Growth – “Many of us unintentionally stunt our spiritual growth. Here are some common pitfalls that may be holding you back.”

Who Is the Word that Became Flesh?

Who Is the Word that Became Flesh? – “Who or what is this Word that became flesh? John informs us that the Word is God.”

Marriage Is Not About Me

Marriage Is Not About Me – “Romance and sentimentality are a special part of marriage, and gifts we can delight in, but God is taking us somewhere deeper when he tells us marriage is a gift.” 

Husband, Pray For Your Wife

Husband, Pray For Your Wife – “Husband, do you pray for your wife? Not just a few words here or there. But do you really pour out your soul to God in desperate pleadings, fervent cries, and intercessory petitions on behalf of your most treasured possession on earth, your bride?’

Don’t Go to Bed with Your Anger

Don’t Go to Bed with Your Anger – “Consider five reasons (among many) why God is good to ask for our anger each night.”

Dad, Why Must I Obey?

Dad, Why Must I Obey? – “Parents, take note. Here Moses teaches us three answers for the why of true obedience.”

How to Celebrate Advent When 2016 Has Been the Worst

How to Celebrate Advent When 2016 Has Been the Worst - Advent reminds us to wait with expectancy.

The Disciple-Making Parent

The Disciple-Making Parent – This is a review of a book by the same title. Several great quotes are included in this article such as – “As parents it’s easy to assume that if we give our children the right ingredients, keep out the wrong ingredients, and put them in the right environment for the right amount of time, we are guaranteed a certain result. Parenting doesn’t work that way.”

‘Tis the Season of Reflection

‘Tis the Season of Reflection – John Maxwell writes, “I want to give you three areas in your life that you can look back on for 2016, in order to determine where you grew, where you need to grow, and how you can capitalize on both moving into 2017.”

Who Was St. Nicholas?

Who Was St. Nicholas? – “Why was Nicholas so famous?  Well, it’s impossible to tell fact from fiction, but this is some of the legend of St. Nicholas…”

The Identity Beneath Your Identities

The Identity Beneath Your Identities – “The wisest thing to do in an identity crisis is to put our trust in the Lord. When we do this we will not dry up in the heat, but we will get our nourishment from putting our roots deep down into the water of the gospel in Christ.”

Lord, Deliver Me from Distraction

Lord, Deliver Me from Distraction – “Since the fall of man, people have had trouble staying focused, but we live today in an age of unprecedented distraction. Since you’re already reading this on some electronic device, I don’t need to elaborate.”

Women and Sexual Temptation

Women and Sexual Temptation – Kelly Needham writes about the importance of discussing sexual temptation with women: “When we don’t talk about them, a subtle message is conveyed: Sexual sins are unacceptable among women.”

O Children Come

O Children Come – Here is a Christmas song that blessed me this morning. I hope it will bless you as well.

Stop Underestimating Christmas

Stop Underestimating Christmas – “Christmas is familiar, but it isn’t tame.”

He Didn’t Choose the Lamb

He Didn’t Choose the Lamb – At the Passover, why did Jesus choose the bread rather than the lamb to represent himself?

Should Parents Lay Down The Law Or Give Grace?

Should Parents Lay Down The Law Or Give Grace? – Paul Tripp says, “The problem with the question is that it treats God’s law and God’s grace as two opposing forces.”

Christmas Spirit or Christmas Snob

Christmas Spirit or Christmas Snob – “The Christmas spirit does not shine out in the Christian snob. For the Christmas spirit is the spirit of those who, like their Master, live their whole lives on the principle of making themselves poor–spending and being spent–to enrich their fellow humans, giving time, trouble, care and concern, to do good to others–and not just their own friends–in whatever way there seems need.”

What So Many People Don’t Get About the U.S. Working Class

What So Many People Don’t Get About the U.S. Working Class – Another helpful article in understanding the past election.

The 5 Gossips You Will Meet

The 5 Gossips You Will Meet – Here is a gallery of gossips—five different kinds of gossips you’ll meet (even in the church).

The Best Day of the Week

The Best Day of the Week – “If we’re to use it rightly and call the Sabbath a delight (Isaiah 58:13), we need to think about how we can cultivate that delight instead of dread in our children’s (and our own) hearts on the Lord’s Day. Here are eight ways we can help our children view Sunday as being the best day of the week…”

Your Church Needs to Hear You Sing

Your Church Needs to Hear You Sing – “If we see our singing as part of our personal ministry to others, it will shape how we approach music at church in practical ways. Here are four suggestions to help press the implications of Paul’s command into the corners of our worship.”

Love Is Never a Waste

Love Is Never a Waste – “Love always perseveres. Love never fails. So don’t give up.”

4 Suggestions for Post-Election Listening

4 Suggestions for Post-Election Listening – “Talking to one another about our responses to the election is important if we want to be a church where all believers express the love of Christ toward one another. We have a great opportunity to grow in our ability to love our neighbors in the manner we love ourselves, so that the world might see the truth of Christ at work in us.”

Why All World Maps Are Wrong (Video)

Why All World Maps Are Wrong (Video) – They are wrong and this explains why.

Heaven Could Never Be Boring

Heaven Could Never Be Boring – “Some imagine that in Heaven we’ll be all dressed up with nowhere to go and nothing to do. 

Christ Came into the World

Christ Came into the World – “For the suffering, Christmas seems to carry with it a sharp edge and a sour taste. When the pain feels unbearable, the relationship unchangeable, the grief immovable, and the disasters irreparable, what we need most isn’t relief; we need a Savior who can enter into our pain.”

Repenting of Hurry

Repenting of Hurry – “ Heavenly Father, the Advent theme of “waiting” confronts me in every context of life. Why am I in such a hurry? Why the rush? At just the right time, you sent Jesus. Not a day too early, and not a day too late…”

New Mercies Every Morning

New Mercies Every Morning – “What’s the first thing you think about when you wake up in the morning?”