Thanksgiving for 2010 is history and Christmas is upon us. This holy holiday can become one of the most hectic times of the year. As we head into the season let’s pause to look at one of the characters from the first Christmas who modeled serenity in less than peaceful circumstances: Mary, the mother of Jesus.

As we read Mary’s story (Luke 1:26-2:52) we often find her pondering in her heart the extraordinary events surrounding Jesus’ birth and life. Her response is one of wonder — not worry. After Gabriel’s amazing declaration that she will give birth to God’s Son, Mary responds,“I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” Mary uses the Greek word “doulos” for “servant” in Luke 1:38. “Doulos” means “bondslave” or “a slave who is devoted to the interests of his master to the extent that he disregards his own interests.”1 It was a permanent and willing relationship based on the desire of the servant.

What questions, objections, or concerns do you imagine Mary, a morally pure, devout virgin, engaged to be married, having? The stigma of illegitimacy followed Jesus throughout His life (John 8:41). In our morally lax society, it may be difficult to appreciate the sting of such a label in Mary’s culture. (Read More)

Gratitude makes us rich. Sometimes we don’t appreciate the incredible gifts we enjoy daily until we face the possibility of losing them. A woman tending her dying husband remarked, “What we would give for one ordinary day together.”

This week our nation celebrates Thanksgiving. For the one who knows Christ, everyday should be filled with thanksgiving, yet in the busyness of life, it is easy to take our blessings for granted, or focus on what we appear to lack, or on perceived problems, and miss appreciating the true riches that are ours.

What blessings make your list this year? Here are a few things that came to my mind. (Read More)

And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

Pain, confusion and loss can rob our peace of mind and cause us painful worry.  Such was the case for Steve Saint. Steve’s father Nate was martyred by the Wadani Indians in Ecuador when Steve was only five.  At 35, while visiting a remote part of Africa, Steve began to fret when he could not find a ride out of this dangerous area. Steve wished that he could talk with his dad who would certainly know what to do. Such thoughts caused an old wound to resurface, Did my father have to die? Had his death been a capricious act? It had not helped to learn that the men who killed his father had been angry for reasons unrelated to the band of American missionaries.  What if they had flown in a day later?

Feeling threatened in this hostile environment, Steve prayed, “God, I’m in trouble here. Please keep me safe and show me a way to get back. Please reveal Yourself and Your love to me the way you did to my father.” (Read More)

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV

Faith pleases God. Anything that hurts our faith is dangerous and needs to be eliminated. When Israel took Jericho, they utterly destroyed everyone and everything except a young harlot and her household. Sounds severe, but God knew that this wicked Amorite city would pollute Israel’s faith and cause her to sin (Deuteronomy 20:17-18).

What is your Jericho? What needs to be rooted out and utterly destroyed because of its negative influence on your walk with Jesus? When I asked myself this question, living by sight came to mind. Sometimes the visible facts seem to contradict God’s promises. When I trust my five senses more than what God has said, I am living by sight. (Read More)

Larry and I got married at 4:00 PM on a blustery fall afternoon in Savannah, Georgia. We pledged our love to each other – made beautiful promises spoken from the heart – at 6:00 PM we left the church and had our first disagreement – married just two hours. What happened?

I have learned that we can attend seminars on:
How to be a better communicator
How to be a better friend, spouse or person
How to be a good parent

But our techniques and lists can’t provide the desire, motivation, love or power to be a better person. We may be able to hold in our anger while in the presence of our boss but we are still seething inside. (Read More)