THE BLOG
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Destressing Christmas
I’m guessing that I don’t really need to establish the fact that Christmas season brings an elevated level of stress to all of us. With all the family and friend gatherings, decorations, shopping, budgets, gift-giving, schedules, and perhaps difficult family dynamics, there’s enough stress to go around for everyone. In fact, I just read that 89% of U.S. adults experience stress during the holidays, and 41% say their stress levels are higher than other times of the year (American Psychological Association Survey).
Moses Confronted Pharoah (Exodus 5:1-12:42)
Family Worship - Moses Confronted Pharoah (Exodus 5:1-12:42)
Incarnation Paradoxes
The following article, Augustine’s Christmas Sermons, was written December 11, 2023 by John Stonestreet and Glenn Sunshine from the Breakpoint Ministry of the Colson Center. It highlights some of the many paradoxes of the incarnation that early church father Augustine proclaimed:
From the earliest days of the Church, Christian theologians have marveled at the paradoxes found in the incarnation. Among the earliest expressions of this marveling comes from St. Augustine, the most influential theologian in Western Christianity.
Family Worship - God Called Moses (Exodus 1:6-2:10; 3:1-4:20)
Family Worship - God Called Moses (Exodus 1:6-2:10; 3:1-4:20)
Be Grateful, Not an Ingrate!
At thanksgiving, we expect everyone to be thankful, but be aware there is always something in the moment that can squeeze that gratitude right out of your life.
You can either act like an ingrate or remember to be grateful. Which will it be for you?
The following two acrostics spell out some of the differences between being an ingrate or being grateful. How are God’s myriad of blessings showing up in your life?
You can spell an “ingrate” this way:
The Suffering of Job (Job 1-2, 40-42)
Family Worship - The Suffering of Job (Job 1-2, 40-42)
The Cure for Loneliness
Do you know anyone suffering from loneliness? Statistically, nearly 75 percent of all Americans report moderate-to-high levels of loneliness. The U.S. Surgeon General has stated we have an “epidemic of loneliness” and it is as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes day. This loneliness is not only leading to poor health conditions, but also costing employers an estimated $154 billion annually in absences and $6.7 billion annually in excess Medicare spending. All this sounds prolific and problematic, but there is hope.
Joseph Taken From Egypt (Genesis 37, 39-46, 50:15-21)
Family Worship - Joseph Taken From Egypt (Genesis 37, 39-46, 50:15-21)
Pot Disaster
It is sad for me as a pastor to hear how some in the church go to the mat regarding their own beliefs and conscience convictions about issues of liberty in their life (e.g., practices that Scripture does not directly prohibit such as drinking alcohol, political views, education of children, music choices, insurance, use of TV, marijuana, etc.). What is sad and even tragic to me is to see how certain liberty convictions are justified and appear to be held stronger than the essential and clearly stated doctrines of the faith.