It seems that late winter and early spring afford us nothing but letdowns. Thanksgiving starts the Christmas season. With Advent our hearts gear up for the coming of Jesus! Then the decorations come down, the hymns are gone. Wait, we’ve still got New Year’s! If that’s enough to repulse the winter blahs, how about the … Continue Reading
Lent is a penitential season of the Church year. As such, it is a time for sober reflection on the reality of our sins and the burdensome cost that Christ paid to set us free. So, it is appropriate for Christians to take on a somber mood. At the same time, we recognize that we … Continue Reading
With February comes Valentine’s Day. The holiday is, of course, a celebration of love. Along with all the cards, e-messages, flowers, chocolates, candied hearts, and other gifts, comes the danger of participating in the world’s definition of love. To clarify “worldly” we could also use “society’s definition” or “sinful definition.” In other words, we mean … Continue Reading
During the Church seasons of Advent and Christmas there is a natural emphasis on God the Son. In Advent, we look forward to the coming Savior, Jesus Christ. Seven hundred years before His birth, the prophet Isaiah wrote, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a … Continue Reading
Where Is Jesus before Matthew’s Gospel? One of the greatest challenges teachers face is to present Jesus Christ from the Old Testament. Our Savior’s presence, role, and activity are apparent and accessible in the New Testament, beginning with Matthew’s Gospel, continuing in Paul’s letters, and through Revelation. As a result, we tend to underutilize the … Continue Reading
Time. Do we have enough of it? We manage it and make the most of it. We love our one-click purchases, drive-through meals, and “snackable” news. Why wait? Ain’t nobody got time for that, right? Yet, time is in God’s control. It’s time to slow down, reflect, and view time through the lens of the … Continue Reading
