Years ago, I received word that my Christmas Eve service was a little too gritty. Those weren’t Mindy’s exact words (and I’m using Mindy as her name here), but this thoughtful, faithful person made her point clearly: she wanted a blissful, beautiful Christmas complete with carols and candlelight. She…
Read MoreAnd since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. — Hebrews 10:21-22 I begin writing this prep twenty-three minutes after Thanksgiving officially ended for the year 2023. A close and…
Read MoreIt is what we do. It may even be what we do best. We lean on each other. As we walk right into Thanksgiving and what some seek as a razzle dazzle Christmas that follows, we realize some of our relationships are good and some of our relationships are,…
Read MoreDear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. — Galatians 6:1 This one verse, if stood alone,…
Read MoreThis four-part column series began last week when I shared that listening is a way to help others feel thankful. This week I suggest that learning is the second way to help others feel thankful at this time of year. When it comes to learning, Ben Franklin once said,…
Read MoreKeep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you. — Philippians 4:9 Paul doesn’t just speak of God. The founder of the church in Philippi speaks of the God—our…
Read MoreYou’ll have opportunities to learn how to be thankful during this month that centers around Thanksgiving. How to help others be thankful at this time of the year may be something else entirely, and this is what I present in this four-part series. Each week in November, I’ll speak…
Read MoreSuddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his…
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Copyright William Hagenbuch. All rights reserved.