I get it. You’re way past New Year’s resolutions. That hype went out of style when cassette tapes were the top option in cars and, in the day, trucks were trucks in that they didn’t have posh back row seating or such fancy things as electronic windows and door locks….
Read MoreI write this first column on Christmas night because by the time this goes to print some of you have kicked your farm-grown Christmas tree to the curb, or, without a proper parting, will unceremoniously leave the green beauty in the woods where it came from as soon as all…
Read More“And Joseph named him Jesus.” — Matthew 1:25b According to babycenter.com, the top baby boy names in 2017 are Jackson, Liam, Noah and Aiden. Nothing there should surprise you, but did you know Jesus was a common name when the Son of God was born? It’s true. A lot of…
Read MoreHe has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. —Luke 1:53 Two Christmas cards arrived by mail today. One had the word J O Y across its front in glossy red letters. The other was a montage of photos of a toddler. In…
Read More“So the baby will be born holy…”— Luke 1:35b If we consider all babies are born holy, what difference would we see in the world? If all babies are born holy, what love would grow in places where there is no love at all? When called to love our neighbor…
Read MoreWhen the baby was eight days old, they all came for the circumcision ceremony. They wanted to name him Zechariah, after this father. But Elizabeth said, “No! His name is John!”—Luke 1:59 Elizabeth and Zechariah have the tremendous task of naming their newborn son. Culture tells them to name the…
Read MoreWorship the LORD with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. —Psalm 100:2 Worshipping the LORD with gladness is easy when you are glad. Singing joyful songs is not tough when all is going your way. But we both know this: you are not always glad, and things do not…
Read MoreFor I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. —Isaiah 43:19 Maybe watching whales splashing in the ocean isn’t your thing (though why you wouldn’t…
Read MoreI still talk to my dad. It’s been 18 years. I know that I am not alone, though it’s not something many of us share on or around death dates. But it’s there. He’s there. Listening. Watching. Supporting. Attentive. Close. Proud. Yesterday was the anniversary date. It was also the…
Read More“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip.” —Matthew 25:14a One amazing soul in a recent Bible study laid down some heavy theology when she said, “We can experience heaven on earth.” This sweetheart is not delusional. She watches…
Read MoreCopyright William Hagenbuch. All rights reserved.