Posts tagged “Joy”
Great joy for all people
Are you ever shocked by the shepherds in the Christmas history? When you see those staff-grasping men around the manger, do you gasp? When…
The source of Christmas joy
If you had to describe Christmas with an emoji, what would it be—the red angry face, the blue tearful face, or the yellow smiling…
Christmas is a time to think
Have you ever heard of Sakichi Toyoda? He was the father of the man who became famous for his car company. Sakichi himself was…
Christmas is a time to smile
I have a pet peeve with most nativity sets. Some pastors are bothered by the wise men around the manger, since they technically didn’t…
The waiting game
What are your pre-Christmas memories from your childhood? I remember coming in from afternoon recess at school, getting settled in my desk, and my…
Top ten reasons to go to church
Why do you want to go to church? As a parish pastor, every year I would have a “Help the Pastor Write His Sermon”…
Practicing gratitude
If your social media feed looks anything like mine in November, thankfulness and gratitude are making a comeback. In a buildup to Thanksgiving, friends…
Worship is proclaiming
Have you ever been dating someone who wants to keep your relationship on the down low? Who doesn’t want to go anywhere publicly with…
Life’s a song
My three-year-old granddaughter, Addison, has the lead role in her own musicals. Her life is filled with songs. She’s in a very happy head…
I don’t have to tell you to tell someone about Jesus
It scared children. It panicked parents. Other than the atomic bomb, it was the number-one fear of the time. Every summer, this stealer of…
Reckless love
Musician Cory Asbury struggled to understand what God was like. But things changed when Cory had a son. Whenever he held his baby, he…
Wash me
The back window of our van often sports a scrawled, “Wash Me!” My neighbor’s car, however, always shines. Even before sunrise, he kneels by…