Meditation and Prayer
When I started my life as a God-follower, I had no idea what it meant to be a true follower of Jesus Christ. I wanted instant success. I wanted someone to sprinkle magic Christian pixie dust on me and let me get started. Maybe you did, too. But it does not work that way.
Strength Is Overrated
Wilt Chamberlain was a brilliant basketball player, but terrible at shooting free throws from the foul line. Why? He was just too strong.
I Am A Chameleon
We can’t seem to like people who don’t look, think, act, and speak like we do. What if you changed yourself instead of trying to change others? Maybe together you could move closer to God.
Imagine Garcia at Asia
What's in a name? "Michael" has a value of 101. So do: Garcia, at and Asia. But the emperor Nero's name had a numerical value of 666. Was he the beast in the book of Revelation?
What's in a vaccine? Life-giving protection from disease or the dreaded mark of the beast? A little history of the book of Revelation will help sort out its true meaning.
Straight Shots with Crooked Sticks
“I hate my enemies with a perfect hatred,” Devil Anse Hatfield roared. Then he made sure his entire family hated them, too.
If you don't believe God can save the foulest human, then you don't really believe in God’s power to save your own soul.
Spies Like Us
Things that are unknown, things in the shadows, things that appear fierce and ferocious, things that are large and powerful – these things can make us feel overwhelmed. But how often are those things we fear really not nearly as large, powerful, or scary as we believed them to be?
Do Not Pass Go
Remember playing Monopoly? Were you crushed when you got the card that said "Do not pass GO"? In the book of Acts, Paul talks to some disciples who don't understand what happened when they were baptized. They think they're done -- ready to pass GO. He tells them baptism is only the beginning of living a new life in Christ.
That's Why We Tell
What guides you through the darkest night? Is it a star? Long ago, wise men followed an unusually bright star to a surprise ending in Bethlehem that was really just the beginning of changing the world through love.
Meet Me in St. Louis
The classic film starring Judy Garland was a huge hit in 1944. "Meet Me in St. Louis" revolves around multiple love stories. It's a good reminder that each of us should be continually thinking and acting out of love. Good works and good intentions come to nothing unless they are based in love.
Christmas eve
Kids know all about Baby Jesus' birthday and the presents he got. But some of the other details of the story get fuzzy. Enjoy three short videos featuring Tennison's children as they act out the nativity story, read scripture and tell what happened long ago when the angel scared the shepherds.
It's a wonderful life
George Bailey has so many problems he is thinking about ending it all - and it's Christmas! As George is about to jump from a bridge, he ends up rescuing his guardian angel, Clarence. Clarence then shows George what his town would have looked like if it hadn't been for all of George's good deeds over the years. Will Clarence be able to convince George to return to his family and forget suicide?
This classic movie might make you think about how different the world would be if Jesus never existed. Think about how different you would be if nobody ever told you about Christ and hope for the world.
How the Grinch stole Christmas
Don't let the Grinches in your life steal your Christmas joy. Surprise them with a healthy dose of grace and maybe their hearts will grow!
Christmas Vacation
Clark wants everything to go perfectly at Christmas. We all do. But that’s not how 2020 has gone. Most of us see our plans are a wreck and feel overwhelmed by what is happening around us. That’s when we turn toward God with our worries and fears. We’re always better when we are close to God.
Home alone
Every human has times of feeling alone and unloved. This pandemic year has magnified that feeling for a lot of us. Sometimes we may even doubt God’s love. The best way we can ensure we aren’t lonely is by focusing on making sure that others aren’t lonely.
Merit Badges
How will you get your stamp of God's approval -- your Christian merit badge? Tithing, volunteering and good behavior aren't enough. Showing unconditional love is the risk we must take to be the church in the world.
Darn Rosebay Willowherb!
Even a beautiful plant can be a noxious, invasive weed. When we see them, we want to pull them up. But Jesus taught a confusing parable saying to leave the weeds mixed in with the wheat in the field. Why would anyone do that?
Those Blessings Look Great on You
We all need God’s grace. When we loosen our grip on self-confidence, self-importance and self-righteousness our hands are open to reach humbly toward God.
Beauty from Ashes
God is in the business of making all things new. Even when life is in ruins, you can trust His promise that beauty will come from the ashes.
YOU DID SAY EMMANUEL?
You don't have to hide in the rocks like Moses did to see God. In fact, you don't have to look for God because He's not far away. God is always near.
Is Seeing Believing?
Jesus always shows up and reveals what God has been doing when nobody was watching. There are those who are out there bringing hope and healing with confidence that our God is working. They have not despaired even when they cannot see.