And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:10-11, ESV). In anticipation of Christmas, I’m sharing thoughts from a series of devotionals that Detrich […]
Bonhoeffer on Saturday ~ Christmas Thoughts Read More »
Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body (Proverbs 16:24, NLT). Have you ever felt encouraged after a conversation, or have you felt worse? After talking with someone and then hearing their recap of your conversation, have you asked yourself, “Were we even in the same conversation?” One
Connecting and Disconnecting Conversations Read More »
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times (Micah 5:2, NIV). Micah prophecies that Bethlehem would be the birthplace of Jesus 700 years before Mary became pregnant. Some doubting
O Little Town of Bethlehem! Read More »
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day (2 Peter 3:8, NIV). Have you ever thought a job would take hours, only to find it took 10 minutes? Or the exasperating opposite of thinking that a
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it (Matthew 13:45-46, ESV). The most expensive commodity in the world is not gold, silver, or dollars. It’s so valuable that the world’s billionaires can’t purchase more
The Old Guy Theory of Time Management Read More »
She gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn (Luke 2:7, ESV). And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). There are
The Reason for Two Christmas Stories Read More »
Usually, I write “Psalms on Saturday,” focusing on an individual psalm. It’s taken a little over three years, but I now have only five psalms I haven’t written about. I’m postponing “Psalms on Saturday” till the beginning of 2026. Instead, I’m writing on Detrich Bonhoeffer’s Christmas thoughts, and then after Christmas, spending two Saturdays on
Bonhoeffer on Saturday ~ Christmas Thoughts Read More »
Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone (Colossians 4:5-6, NLT). We are entrusted by Jesus to make the good news about Him known to others. The most difficult “sharing Jesus” moments
Sharing Jesus with Relatives Read More »
To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled (Titus 1:15, ESV). Biblical ideas constantly receive negative reviews on social media. The Bible talks about purity, but the world laughs at purity. The Bible teaches that without purity, our thinking becomes
A Needed Purity Revolution Read More »
Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever (1 Timothy 4:7-8, MSG). Christianity is a relationship with God. As such, spiritual fitness differs from physical fitness. I will describe the differences in a
Spiritual Fitness Check-Up Read More »