The Star of Bethlehem
“After listening to the king, they [the Magi] went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.” – Matthew 2:9–10 The new dazzling light that appeared in the night sky, catching the Magi’s attention in the first place, rarely gets the press it deserves. This anomaly led these professional star-watchers to
The Baby in the Manger
I remember the first moment I laid eyes on my daughters, how small, how helpless, how fragile they felt in my hands. The responsibility I felt to protect and nurture these tiny humans was overwhelming. We all enter this world with a blazing fragility, totally dependent on those in whose care we are placed. Why, then, would salvation begin with the baby in the manger? Why not begin with the Son of God descending from heaven onto the earth, adult and mature,
Daniel: How Can We Live Faithfully in Babylonian Times?
Our next session of The Munich Bible Study on Zoom is off to a great start! We began last Wednesday, September 11, at 7:00 p.m. with the book of Daniel. What wisdom and insights can we draw from Daniel regarding living in an increasingly hostile world? The study will teach us how we can live faithfully in Babylonian times. Professor George Barna, a leading expert in church and worldview trends, states that we’ve reached a place of “Christian invisibility in our culture.” It’s
The Truth, the Whole Truth, And Nothing But Lies
Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. -Psalm 51:6 “Corrupt politicians, dishonest journalists and media outlets, broken social institutions, immoral religious leaders, unconstitutional government programs and policies, and more, have generated non-stop headlines highlighting the decadence of American society and the demise of the United States.” So George Barna concludes in a new study conducted recently. Although the study is about American society, the same can be said of many other parts of
A Bad Day?
So, you're having a bad day. A very bad day. No. You're having a bad, very long season in your life. Do you think that something horrible that happens to you could turn out to be something really good—or maybe not even really good, but one of the best things that ever happened to you? The apostle Paul thinks so. 1) In Romans 8, Paul says that God is at work in everything for good for those who love God and are called according to his
Good News to Counter Corruption, Injustice, and Deceit
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. -Psalm 89:14 Have you been side-lined, passed-over, lied about, or betrayed? If ever there was a piece of good news to counter corruption, injustice, and deceit, this easily overlooked passage is it. What on the surface may look like a little Bible-speak (nice words to include in a public prayer) is, in reality, the underpinning of our confidence that justice is still possible on the earth.
Holy Week – Day 6: Good Friday – What’s Good About It?
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. -Isaiah 53:5–6 Our human minds can’t even begin to grasp the enormity of the price Jesus paid for us on the cross. If we did,
The Last Four Days of Holy Week Meditation
If someone asked you to associate one word each for the four days from Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday, what would those four words be? For me, they would be love, suffering, grief, and joy. Maundy Thursday: Love A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. –John 13:34 Jesus’ new commandment is intended for the disciples’ welfare and for them to enjoy lives of meaning and purpose. In his ministry, he gives us a model of love
Invincible Joy: Oliver Asher on Finding Joy on The Walk Podcast
Oliver Asher presents us with one of the most amazing, gripping life stories we have had on our show. His struggles gave him plenty of reasons to be hopeless about life, yet he has written a book about the miraculous power Jesus Christ gives to rise above the worst of circumstances. Hear more about Oliver Asher's faith journey and his joy-fueled mission. You can find his book, Invincible Joy: Chasing God’s Dreams For Your Life, on Amazon, or read more at oliverasher.com. To hear
From the Pastor: Dreaming God-Ordained Dreams
As we begin our 2024 faith journey together, I want to talk briefly about the power of dreams—big, exciting, God-ordained dreams. So take a minute to think about what your dreams are: A way of helping others? Making a difference in our community? A better job? Peace and prosperity for your family? More money? A new ministry? Now ask yourself—how does the way you see God affect the way you perceive your dreams? The first point to get straight is in our
