By Jim Mettenbrink
One of the fortunes of the New Year is the resolve to be and do better – lose weight, (especially after holiday feasting), paint the house, more discipline in chores and work, better work and the list goes on ad infinitum. We call them “New” Years resolutions. Often the same ones are repeated year after year, but like a firecracker dud, soon fizzles and are forgotten. Unfortunately, these resolutions are all focused on the temporal, the here and now.
By Tom Wacaster
It happened almost 2,000 years ago; but the residual effect is still with us today. Every time we partake of the Lord’s Supper we are reminded of that moment in history when the sins of mankind were laid upon the back of our Savior and the Son of God bled and suffered on Calvary that you and I might live. But for some reason men have a desire to celebrate the birth of Christ rather than His death. We decorate our houses with glittering lights, wrap our presents in pretty paper, and sing holiday songs for approximately 28 days, and then go on our merry way wishing each other a Happy New Year until the next “black Friday” when the latest gadgets and electronic marvels hit the shelves of Best Buy and Walmart. While the birth of Jesus is most certainly a significant historical event, it was not God’s wish that we celebrate the birth of Jesus once a year, but that we remember His death once a week. Every time we break the bread and drink the cup we are reminded of Calvary! The late Johnny Ramsey so eloquently captured the idea:
By Dan Williams
Harding University
This is the time of year when people are focused on the birth of Christ, and it is easy to understand why. It is an appealing story, what with the angelic announcements, the baby in a manger, shepherds leaving their flocks in the field to hurry to Bethlehem to ooh and aah over Mary’s little lamb, and wise men arriving bearing gifts. I am always thankful that people have this annual opportunity to consider the Incarnation, for in the birth of Christ we truly see heaven touching earth. I would, however, add three caveats.
By Fenter Northern
MUCH OF THIS SHATTERED, DISCONTENTED, BELLIGERENT WORLD IS ABOUT TO CELEBRATE A DAY IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST.
One may wonder, because from observation it seems still to be the other side of the birth of Jesus. If they could get on the right side of the birth of Christ it would solve all their troubles. They world is still back before Jesus birth, stumbling in the dark because they love it more than they do the real meaning of Christmas. The world loves the holiday, but not the meaning of it.
By Fenter Northern
IN MY STUDIES AND CONTEMPLATION OF HISTORY, I KNOW EVENTS SWING FROM THE LEFT TO THE RIGHT AND BACK AGAIN IN THE SOCIETY OF MEN. I wonder today, perhaps because I am in the midst of this modern era and do not have the advantage of hindsight for our day, —I wonder if the pendulum has not swung too far—or at least farther than ever before in our society away from serous thoughts about a conscience existence after we leave this place.
By Fenter Northern
We Christians can allow ourselves to become pessimistic with all the doleful headlines and dally media behaving so irresponsibly. Partyism has relinquished all restraints and gloom and doom seem everywhere.
However, the Christian must keep in mind two facts; while we must admit disappointment is most everywhere, things are no-where near what they were before God graced history with the fact of Jesus who came when they were nailing people to the cross if they were viewed as religious or political threats. Second, for Christians, Jesus meets all the negativism around us.
By Fenter Northern
“So then, brothers, stand firm, and cling to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter.” ~ 2 Thess. 2:15
The blustery winds of cultural change are blowing havoc around the world. Our nation is no exception. Sadly, the Christian religion is caught in the vortex of global humanism which always prospers most in nations experiencing a period of prosperity as our great nation has since WWII.
By David Phillips
God’s Word tell us of the many parallels between our lives on earth and Israel’s journey to the promised land. Hebrews 4:1 reminds us to be careful, lest we come short of it. These 5 elements can be identified in both their journey, as well as ours:
By Jim Mettenbrink
Thanksgiving Day! Recently stated was folks who live at the poverty level in the USA have more living space than the European middle class. A few years ago, the comparison revealed the standard of living for American people living at the poverty level is better than 80% of the rest of the world. We live in the lap of luxury and yet so many are dissatisfied and unhappy. Pop quiz! – “Are you humbly grateful or grumbly hateful?”
By Kathy Pollard
Social media is pretty great. Apparently, a lot of people think so since literally billions of people use it. I love staying connected with long-distance friends and family, seeing what God is doing the world over, and laughing out loud over a hilarious meme. It’s wonderful being able to post a prayer request or read an encouraging status. But social media can also be misused. Wasting time, ranting, sowing discord, getting involved in an ungodly relationship, or promoting self are a few examples of being a poor influence through our activities on social media.