And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7 (KJV) Christmas was a big holiday when I was growing up, but there is one tradition in particular that stands out to me. Every year before our Christmas dinner,
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Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 1 John 4:7-8 (NLT) It happened at elementary summer camp, and it happened fast. In fact, I was smitten with just
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Sitting in the airport terminal I couldn’t help but overhear the cell phone conversation of the man sitting directly behind me. Apparently returning from a business trip this jerk was clearly proud of his accomplishments. He was loud and caustic as he spoke about the stupidity of his boss who, I’m sure, had no idea how he was being taken
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In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:14 (NIV) Spring is right around the corner, and with it comes an event I like to call The Freeing of the Roly Polys. It goes like this: My kids and their neighborhood friends scrounge in the dirt around the yard looking for Roly Polys and other bugs and creatures.
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I remember as a child watching the Hancock Tower in Chicago as it was being constructed. Even though we lived sixteen miles west of the city you could still get a good view of the structure from certain vantage points around my neighborhood. It was the thrill of young boys to brag about seeing from their yard or from a
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You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being…. Philippians 2:5-7 (NLT) Recently a well-known Christian entertainer came to our
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So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her. Genesis 29:20 (NIV) I used to work for a man who was a gunner in the Air Force during World War II. One time he told me a horrific story about watching a friend’s plane get
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On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:11 (NIV) My mom was big on hostess gifts. When I was a kid and I would go to a friend’s house, my mother
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Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:10 (NIV) Many churches today are known for the great outreach ministries they take part in. Whether it’s feeding the homeless, running soccer camps for neighborhood kids, or going overseas, these activities are vital to the health
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Looking this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. Exodus 2:12 (NIV) Moses was used by God to bring the Israelites out of Egypt and to the Promised Land. However, like a lot of other great leaders in Scripture, Moses had a terrible personality flaw: his temper. And unfortunately, it
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