I will send my messenger ahead to open the way. Someone is shouting in the desert, “Get the road ready for the Lord; make a straight path for him to travel!” Mark 1:1-8 Questions for Life Groups Read Mark 1:1-8. What images come to mind as you read this text? In what...
Our companion book for our new worship series is Nancy Naigle’s book, Christmas in Evergreen: Letters to Santa. Also a Hallmark movie, her book tells the story of how Lisa Palmer finally receives a gift she asked for at age seven in a letter to Santa. The author’s...
How is it going with your preparations for Christmas? Do you decorate your house inside and out? Do you have a tree up and decorated? Have you finished your Christmas shopping? Have you started? Preparations come with anticipation. The point of preparations is that...
There will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy! Isaiah 35:2 Questions for Life Groups Read Isaiah 35:1-10. What images come to mind as you read this text? In what ways does this prophecy remind you of the Christmas Holidays? Read this week’s articles titled...
Can you believe it’s December already? Retailers started stocking their shelves with decorations a couple of months earlier. People everywhere are recalling and replaying Christmas traditions from Black Friday shopping to adorning their homes with lights and a variety...
One of my favorite activities to do the week of Thanksgiving is to watch movies with a Christmas theme. Hallmark produces most of the movies I choose. There are more choices than time to watch them all, but the commonality between them reminds me of the similarities...
The Word I speak will not fail to do what I plan. My Word will do everything I send it to do. Isiah 55:1-13 Questions for Life Groups Read Isiah 55:1-13. What are your thoughts after reading this text? What do you hear God saying to you as you read and reflect on...
Do you always say what you mean? The answer for the vast majority of us is no. Even the most literal person is apt to offer a partial truth to flatter someone or to shorten a conversation. We say things we don’t mean. We don’t say things we mean. And too often we’re...
Because of all the trouble this widow is giving me, I will see to it that she gets her rights. Luke 18:1-8 Questions for Life Groups Read Luke 18:1-8. Does this parable leave you with questions? In what ways is this a “feel good” story? How does this parable leave you...
In this week's reading from Woman of Words, Matthew and Mary argue about him gathering stories during her time in Bethlehem for her grandson's birth. When Mary returned and Matthew proudly shared his accomplishments, Mary dismissed him. She would find someone else to...