But the righteous will live by his faith. Habakkuk 2:4b

In evaluating where I am and where I want to go in the new year, I realized that both my physical and my spiritual muscles have become a little soft. Soft may be desirable in pillows and toilet paper, but not in body tone or faith.

Studying my Bible feeds my faith, but I need to exercise that faith to stay strong and continue growing. Knowing the perils of fragile faith and the benefits of firm faith motivates us to exercise our faith muscles. Use the lists below to evaluate the condition of your faith. (Read More)

If you were pregnant with the King’s child, what provisions might you expect the King to supply for His only Son’s birth?

When Larry and I began our family, we were living in Orange County, California, the most expensive housing market in the US at the time. It was during the years of sky high inflation and we were paying 18% interest on our home mortgage. We were house poor! I remember the temptation to feel sorry for myself because I couldn’t afford to buy my new baby the cute things I adored.

The Christmas story jarred me from my self pity. Mary didn’t even have a clean room in which to deliver her baby. She wrapped her baby in strips of cloth. The king wanted to kill her baby. Suddenly my situation didn’t look so bad. (Read More)

On Christmas Eve during world War 1 in 1914, on the battlefields of Flanders in western France, an unusual event occurred. German troops who were entrenched across from their British foes began to light candles and sing Christmas carols. The British troops joined their enemies in singing carols which led to a spontaneous gathering of German and British soldiers in the middle of the battlefield celebrating Christmas together. As carols were sung, gifts such as hats, buttons, and tobacco were exchanged and a Christmas truce was honored through New Year’s Day. (Read More)

The angel who delivered the remarkable news that Mary was to become pregnant with God’s Son disappeared as quickly as he had arrived leaving her alone. Who could she tell? Surely, no one would believe her. How could she tell Joseph? She needed time to process what had happened. She would visit her cousin Elizabeth. Surely Elizabeth, who also carried a miracle baby, would understand.

When Mary arrived and greeted her cousin, Elizabeth felt her baby leap within her. The Holy Spirit filled Elizabeth and she proclaimed, “Blessed among women are you, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:42-43 NASB)

Mary’s hope rose; she didn’t even have to tell her! What a relief, someone understood. Perhaps God would tell Joseph just as he had Elizabeth. (Read More)