Monthly Archives: December 2025

The Telescoping Reality of Christmas

An hour or two ago, I left the hospital after reading the Christmas story to a man and his wife and praying with them. The man has been in the hospital for 18 days. Each time that it looks like he will be able to leave, something happens to extend his stay. Yesterday or the day before, he developed a pulmonary embolism Continue reading

Posted in Advent, Bible, Christianity, Christmas, Encouragement, Faith, Spiritual life, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bedlam to Bethlehem

I started by speaking of “thin places,” where heaven and earth meet, but the barrier between heaven and earth is not permeable in a place; it is permeable in a person: Jesus. It is in a manger that heaven and earth meet and kiss. And it is at a cross that the gate of heaven opens. Continue reading

Posted in Advent, Bible, Christianity, Christmas, Faith, Peace with God, Sermons, Spiritual life, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

You Better Find Somebody to Love (4th Sunday of Advent)

You may say, “But I do know God. He takes care of me. He provides for my needs.” But because he cares for you does not mean that you know him in any way more meaningful than the golden retriever knows the owner who feeds him. Continue reading

Posted in Advent, Bible, Christianity, Christmas, Faith, Sermons, Spiritual life, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Christmas Day Invasion

But there has never been an infiltration so complete as the one performed in “Operation Bethlehem.” For this was an infiltration of our race, our biological make-up even, by one whose secret entrance into our world came through the Virgin’s womb. Continue reading

Posted in Advent, Bible, Christianity, Christmas, Faith, Peace with God, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Weird Coincidence

I feel badly for T and B. Their lives are a mess, and their future seems bleak. They are living in squalor and are determined to continue living that way. Continue reading

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Faith, Peace with God, Theology | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Joy: It’s Not Optional

And he will say: “Child, I know all, and we will talk about those things. But first, you must tell me why you were not more joyful. Do you have any explanation for that? Because, if you had just been more joyful, the grudge, the divorce, the cheating never would have happened.” Continue reading

Posted in Advent, Bible, Christianity, Christmas, Encouragement, Faith, Sermons, Spiritual life, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Coming Invasion

When humans stopped acknowledging God’s ownership of the planet, they became squatters. When they refused to submit to his rule, they became rebels. At some point … God will take back what is rightfully his. Continue reading

Posted in Advent, Bible, Christianity, Christmas, Peace with God, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Peace: What It Is, How to Experience It

Ms. Fader said, “If you’re a human being … and you’re not anxious, there’s something wrong with you.” Or just maybe, there is something right with you. Maybe what’s right, or what’s coming right, are your relationships. Continue reading

Posted in Advent, Bible, Christianity, Encouragement, Faith, Prayer, Sermons, Spiritual life, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

You Have a Tell (We All Do)

…the words we generate over a lifetime are like “fingerprints.” Even small words – what he calls “stealth words,” like pronouns (I, you, we, they) and prepositions (to, for, over) – “broadcast the kind of people we are.” Continue reading

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Faith, Lifestyle, relationships, Spiritual life, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment