“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35) All around the world, children are flocking to malls and shopping centers to sit on Santa’s lap and tell him what they want for Christmas. The truth is the real story of Santa Claus has gotten lost in the commercialization of Christmas, a testament of sorts largely to the genius retailers who wanted to be sure that moms and dads didn’t forget them at Christmas either. The irony behind all this truth is the story of St. […]

“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:44) Consumer analysts who track the whims of shoppers report that gift cards are being purchased this Christmas season in record numbers. It is one more indication of the quality of life that we enjoy. In other words, we are hard to shop for because we have just about everything we need. Be careful if you were on the receiving end of a […]

“Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, ‘Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before me.’” (Jonah 1:1-2) If you grew up in church, you know the story of Jonah. God asked him to go to Nineveh, a city of 120,000, to help him save them from their own wickedness. Like most of us, when we run from what we think is trouble, we often go somewhere we think we […]

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16) I was snarled in traffic near a Chick-Fil-A the other day. Out in front of the restaurant, close to the road, […]