Christmas hasn’t always been full of lights, joy, laughter, yard decorations, gifts, and Christmas carols. It is easy to forget that 2,000 years ago, Jesus was born during a time that the Israelites were being oppressed politically. The religious elite were oppressing the people spiritually. It was a dark, uncertain time when hope was fading. … Continue reading Silence and Darkness
When the alarm goes off in the morning to when our head hits the pillow, our lives can look like a marathon race, running from one thing to the next, stopping only long enough to eat. But eating may even be in the car going to our next activity or grabbing something to go as we walk out the door. We move from one thing to the next in break neck speed. “One day it will slow down.” We tell ourselves. But will it?
It was a great day for everyone as we finished building a house for a single mom and her family. We gave the family the keys to their new home. Tears were shed, hugs were given, and a prayer was offered. This family would now have a better place to stay and raise a family … Continue reading Aid is good, but is it the best we can do?
It is in this vein of divisiveness, dehumanizing, and name-calling that is causing us to lose our witness to something greater, something eternal, something more beautiful than any political candidate has to offer, a life lived with Jesus. Nothing can top this!!
Have you ever felt that you didn't deserve God's love. Or maybe you have been told that because we are broken, sinful people, we don't deserve God's love or to even belong in heaven with Him. I used to think this way...until I asked a question..."Where in the Bible does God say, "You don't deserve my love?"
I have had the privilege to coach high school track and field for the last four years as well as compete during my college days. Countless hours have been spent on a Saturday watching different events and athletes compete and it has been a joy to watch. Track is one of the purest sports there … Continue reading Track and the Kingdom of God
Freshman year of high school my best friend and I tried out for the JV basketball team. It was three days of intense basketball drills, conditioning, and playing ball. There were limited spots available for the JV team. We worked hard, we pushed through sore muscles, and we gave everything we had. Then cut day … Continue reading Doubting Heaven
This was a response to a question I asked the students to answer: “If God is real, and you could ask him any question, and you knew he had to answer you, what would you ask him?” Honestly, it’s a great question and I wonder the same. A few thoughts about this question: Students are … Continue reading “If you are a god of love, why do your followers hate so much?”
The Ballad of the Judas TreeBy Ruth Etchells In Hell there grew a Judas Tree Where Judas hanged and died Because he could not bear to see His master crucified Our Lord descended into Hell And found his Judas there Forever hanging on the tree Grown from his own despair So Jesus cut his Judas … Continue reading The Ballad of the Judas Tree – A poem
Tears were streaming down our cheeks. Cries of anguish and helplessness could be heard. We had received a message from a good friend of ours that stated, “My husband has been killed!” It was a night we will never forget. Our family began praying and praying and praying!! Through tears, pain in our hearts. we … Continue reading What if faith is not a commodity we have?
Phil Steiner 