I recently had the opportunity to see a wonderful Christmas drama called “Journey to the Manger” at Ocean View Baptist Church. It was a full-on musical production filled with great songs, a terrific story and solid performances by the cast and choir. It also contained an important message for any Christmas, but especially this year’s holiday season: It’s not about the gifts.

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In April 2006, a man attempted to jump from the top of the Empire State Building. At the last minute, security guards physically restrained him and New York City police charged him with first-degree reckless endangerment. A judge later dismissed the charges, noting that the man had taken steps to ensure the safety of others

On Yom Kippur, the most solemn day of the Jewish calendar, a big fish story is read in synagogues. As worshipers fast, confess their sins, and reflect on the words of Moses and Isaiah, they listen once again to the account of a catch and release that is so amazing no one would believe it if it wasn’t in the Bible.

Is it possible that followers of Christ have overstated the case for fulfilled prophecy?

The revival I long for by Anne Graham Lotz ________________________________________ Could part of the answer lie, not in the pew, but in the pulpit? Could the answer lie with the leaders of God’s people who have not made the 18 inch drop from their heads to their hearts? Anne Graham Lotz, author of I Saw the Lord: A Wake-Up Call for Your Heart ________________________________________ I long for… … the wind of his Spirit to breathe calmness into the chaos of my life. … the fullness of his wisdom to order the thoughts in my mind. … the sufficiency of his strength to undergird the weakness of my body. … the abundance of his blessing to saturate the poverty of my spirit. … the joy of his will to give rich pleasure to my journey. … the refuge of his arms to shield me from my fears. … the gentleness of his touch to reawaken the feelings of my heart. … the compassion of his heart to enfold me and hold me close. I long to see Jesus … again.

I sure hope attendance at your church was better'n my church. Mercy, pastorin' ain't always easy, now is it? We had us a bunch of sick folk, and them added to all the shut-ins made for a whole lot uh pew cushion to look at from the pulpit.

It is my only day off.” “There are too many hypocrites.” “It is my favorite team’s game day.” “Church is boring.” “I have no interest.” “All they talk about is money.” “They make me feel guilty.” “I’ve had bad experiences.”

For 50 years, cartoonist Charles Schultz gave us pictures of ourselves wrapped in a smile. One of the last strips I clipped from our Sunday paper showed Snoopy the dog sitting on top of his doghouse with a typewriter, writing about his life. He titled his

Question: Does forgiving someone mean you have to just let them keep hurting you?