Leading up to and during the Christmas season, we read how the angel of the Lord told Zacharias that he and Elizabeth were to have a child who would be the forerunner of the coming Messiah, how the angel told Mary that she would be the mother of God's Son, and how the...
"When the righteous cry out for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles." (Psalm 34:17 ESV) "He said, 'The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer.'" (2 Samuel 22:2 ESV)Christmas is right around the corner. This is the time for joy...
"And he [Gabriel] came to her and said, 'Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!' But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor...
"And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth." (Luke 2:6 ESV) When a baby decides it's coming, it's coming, and there's very little you can do to stop it. Joseph must have been frantic, trying to find a place where his wife could deliver her baby....
"When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a...
As a student, I participated in a job experience program for a few weeks at a local newspaper office. One evening, I took the stairs to the building lobby instead of the elevator, but found as the heavy door latched behind me, it would not reopen. With...
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. " (1 John 4:7 ESV)I was sitting at a table eating a chicken salad sandwich. I wasn’t really hungry but I was supposed to sit a bit and eat...
A gentle rain is glorious to watch and listen to. The peaceful sound of raindrops pattering off the leaves of trees, or plopping into puddles on my deck is wonderfully relaxing. I enjoy the rain and how it refreshes everything it touches. Without it, our world is void...
"When people are bewildered, they tend to become gullible." (CALVIN COOLIDGE 1872–1933)Nothing is stranger than the gullibility of the average citizen. We can be persuaded into accepting almost any absurdity presented to us, provided it has sufficient emphasis from...
"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you." (Psalm 56:3 NIV) "Casting all anxieties on him, because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7 NIV) Did you know "fear not" is listed in the Bible 365 times? That's one scripture per day. Except leap years, then you have permission...