Community
We were at a friend’s house on Christmas Day, and I was soaking in the scene. There was a table full of food, Christmas décor, discussions and laughter between friends and family, and a brightly burning fire in a beautiful and ornate fireplace set in a cabin in the snow. Except… we were in San…
Did you know that in Mexico many Christians put on Shepherds’ plays to retell the Christmas story and a favorite Christmas food is tamales? Did you know that in Egypt many Christians celebrate Christmas Eve on January 6 with a 10 pm church service after fasting for Advent? Did you know that some Syrian Christians…
Dearly Beloved, Do you know the origin of this quote? “Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings.” This famous quote is from the movie, It’s A Wonderful Life. It’s catchy, but is it true? How many of the following statements are true: Angels are human beings who have died All Angels have…
Dearly Beloved, “Go figure!” Do you know the origin of the phrase? Guess what? It is not known, but it likely stems from colloquial American English in the 20th century. It is thought to have originated as a shortened, casual form of saying, “Go and figure that out,” meaning, “Try to make sense of that…
In 1847, a French parish priest asked a local poet to write a Christmas carol, which quickly spread throughout France. The hauntingly beautiful “Cantique De Noel” was an instant hit. Fast forward several decades to America when John Sullivan Dwight discovered the carol. A fiery abolitionist, Dwight fell in love with the song, especially the…
In 1904 James Barrie wrote a story about a boy who never grew up and an ordinary girl named Wendy in a place called Neverland, along with a group of children named “The Lost Boys.” In Barrie’s original works, the Lost Boys leave Neverland and grow up, while in the Disney films they are merely…
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9. It is a message from God to His people of courage and assurance during times of change and uncertainty. In 2017, Valorie and I…
Dear Servants, Tuesday, November 5, is not just another day in our lives. We go to the polls tomorrow to exercise the privilege and responsibility as Jesus’ followers to be salt and light in our fallen world. Voting is a way to be engaged in shaping policies and electing leaders that impact society and align…
Hey Family, So many good works to share about! (Before I forget, please don’t forget that Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday.) You’ve heard about our new Clothing Closet in partnership with CityTeam in the Neighborhood. The Mingles are helping out! They worked together last week to hang up clothes and put them on the…
Dear Friends, Jesus said “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” What was Jesus doing? He was using a vivid metaphor to make…