Traditionally on this day, many families gather together and read the story of Jesus's birth. Some may even partake in the Lord's Supper as a way of reminding themselves that with the gift of Christ's life came an astonishing possibility - a possibility of life everlasting.
One of the most subtly beautiful moments in the Bible happens a few chapters before the telling of Christ's birth. It is the story of Mary going to visit Elizabeth. The story reads:
In...
The streets are abuzz with the frantic excitement of the anticipation about who will give what gift after having eaten what meal. The reality of the business somehow escapes our rational thought and we simply blend in as one of the other millions who are focused on making it be the perfect day. The amount of effort that goes into this focus should be something that we take a step back from and examine. One of the ways in which we do examine this time of year is to remind...
Wendell Berry, poet, essayist, and novelist renowned wrote about the strength of a Sabbath. While the majority oft his time of year is spent trying to hustle and bustle around to figure out the perfect table scape and gift for that special someone, what would it mean for us to stop and truly embrace what it means to celebrate as we sabbath - DO rest?
We cannot stop decades of tradition - turkey, dressing, and sweet potatoes have to be made and gifts will be bought. But rather...
The bible character Paul was not a man who simply sat around and waited for things to happen. He actively sought out how to follow Christ more clearly and that active pursuit is exactly what brought about transformation in his life. We must do the same thing to bring about any new difference in our marriages. We must be active. As you read through the following scripture, pay attention to the action verbs - what we are being told to do:
Put to death, therefore,...
Election day. There is something largely powerful and intimidating about this day in the history of our great nation. All too often people's political opinions are shaped by the popular voice, personal opinions, and familial obligations. But what would happen if we began thinking about politics as an issue centered arena rather than a person centered arena. Fuller Theological Seminary publishes a campus article journal called the Semi. Last week's edition included articles...
Think back to the first few days of your dating relationship with your now spouse. It was more than likely incredibly difficult to tell one another good night. As the night continued to progress, you and your significant other anxiously awaited that last moment as you shut the door, got in the car, or departed one another. Often times this departure was precluded by a ritual - hugs, kisses, connection of one kind or another. Then you left. You did it. You each...
Imagine the first years of your marriage. Some of you may in fact still be living those first few years and the imagination may not have to stray too far back. In those first few years, several things happen. Of those several things there is the learning of oneself. Few relationships in life teach an individual more about him/herself as the relationship of marriage. We often learn how well we do or do not share things. We learn how much together time we truly do...
Consider this - what would happen if we all put down our phones, looked at our spouses during an entire meal, and had an actual conversation with the love of our life as they are sitting in front of us? Our world has told us that we are only as memorable as our last Tweet, Post, Instagram, Blog, Status update, Hoot, or any other form of social media attempt at feigning connection. This. Is. Sad. What is even more sad, is the amount of conversation going on about how sad it is...
The concept of being unknown can occasionally be overstated. This day in American history marks one of the most unknown days in most peoples' recollection. The know where they were and exactly what they were feeling as they watched the second plane crash into the tower, but they have no idea why it was happening - it was unknown.
On this day we say thank you. Thank you to those who have fought to make our nation a nation that we feel safe in knowing that we...
Oprah. Dr. Phil. Anderson Cooper. The View. Obama. Dobson. Smalley. Pastors. Books. Magazines. Movies. Celebrities.
All of the above mentioned people, things, and mediums have something to say about marriage. From believing in the self to have the power to change the other all the way to believing in marriage as an equal opportunity for both homosexuals and heterosexuals, there are impending view dictating how we think, act,...