Contributed by Don Jones on Dec 19, 2006
One other Christmas my sister did something rather strange. Thankfully we didn’t have ham or sharp knives anymore. We had all finished opening presents, everybody had loaded them in their cars and we were all visiting in the living room with coffee or punch.
The Fryrear family got up to leave,
...read more
Denomination:
Baptist
Contributed by Steve Smith on Dec 23, 2006
based on 6 ratings
| 4,051 views
Let me close with an excerpt from Sharon Jaynes’ book, “Celebrating a Christ-centered Christmas”:
An African boy listened carefully as his teacher explained why Christians give presents to each other on Christmas day. "The gift is an expression of our joy over the birth of Jesus and our friendship
...read more
Scripture:
Denomination:
Baptist
Contributed by Timothy Darling on Jun 28, 2006
I am struck by an idea of G. K. Chesterton. We are unworthy to receive any gift at all from God, and we are unaware of our unworthiness until we realize that we are unworthy of even the gift of a dandelion. This weed we would like to remove from our yard grows naturally and completely
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
Mennonite
Contributed by Ed Sasnett on Jul 8, 2010
A pastor told of a woman in his church that had the spiritual gift of service and mercy. Over and over she was used in situations that brought great honor to the Lord. There was a woman in the community with eight children. The terrible news came to this mother that her husband had been killed
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
Baptist
Contributed by Richard Francis on May 26, 2009
A.W.Tozer also said “Today we need prophetic preachers; not preachers of prophecy merely, but preachers with a gift of prophecy. The word of wisdom is missing. We need the gift of discernment again in our pulpits. It is not ability to predict that we need, but the anointed eye, the power of
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
Evangelical/Non-Denominational
Contributed by Steve Malone on Sep 9, 2004
based on 10 ratings
| 2,273 views
Bill Hybels writes the following in his book, ‘Courageous Leadership,’
Ten years ago I sat in a little restaurant during my summer study break and wrote these words; The local church is the hope of the world and it’s future rests primarily in the hands of its leaders.
For the first time, I
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
Christian/Church Of Christ
Contributed by Donnie Martin on Jan 19, 2009
Taken with the Giver
When I used to call home after being gone for seven weeks, my two youngest children would say, "Daddy, what are you going to bring me?" My two older children would say, "Daddy, when are you coming home?" Then when I would get home, these two young ones would give me a peck on
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
Baptist
Contributed by Sean Smuts on Jan 15, 2003
based on 11 ratings
| 2,795 views
He Chose the Nails by Max Lucado (Dust Jacket)
Much has been said about the gift of the cross itself, but what of the other gifts? What of the nails, the crown of thorns? What about the garment taken? What about the garments given? Have you taken the time to open these gifts?
He didn’t have
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
Mennonite
All guys know what this means. We have all been in the position of wanting to please a woman of whom we were unworthy. We may want to buy her a gift.
So we draw on our vast experience and the advice of other people to know what kind of gift is best:
• It should not say the wrong thing
• It should
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
Mennonite
Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Dec 21, 2012
Gabriel Hurles was enjoying his sixth birthday party. He was so focused on eating his birthday cake, that he hardly noticed the giant package in the corner of the room. When another child pointed out the large gift, Gabriel ran over and began to tear off the wrapping. It wasn’t a bicycle or any of
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
Christian/Church Of Christ
Contributed by Bruce Ball on Jul 7, 2009
Let’s say that I am at home, sitting in my favorite chair and Diana comes in and puts her hands out. In her hands, is a beautiful watch that she says she has purchased for me.
Now, what would happen if I yelled at her in anger and said for her to get it away from me and to never do such a thing
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
*other
Contributed by Michael Walther on Jul 11, 2011
based on 2 ratings
| 2,233 views
PENNIES FROM HEAVEN
Many of the farms in the state of Nebraska are right on the edge of the fertile plains that receive enough rainfall to produce abundant crops. Some years the yields can be a little lower simply because they are not blessed with as much rain as other farmers. Being so dependent
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
Lutheran
Contributed by Melvin Newland on May 25, 2005
based on 3 ratings
| 3,858 views
ILL. There is an old story of a young boy who saw the 3 wise men coming to worship the baby Jesus. He watched in wide-eyed wonder as they presented their gifts of gold, frankincense & myrrh.
Oh, how much he wanted to worship the baby, too. But he had nothing to give, no gift worthy of the
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
Christian/Church Of Christ
Contributed by Terry Cavanaugh on Dec 18, 2004
I really don’t like Christmas Shopping. But this week I discovered I am not alone. As of December 17, forty-six percent of shoppers had not finished their Christmas Shopping. While the majority of Americans say Christmas is their favorite holiday, only 20% like Christmas Shopping. This next
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
Methodist
Consider "The Christmas Pledge" in Jo Robinson and Jean Staehali’s book Unplug the Christmas Machine. They write, "Believing in the true spirit of Christmas I commit myself to:
• Remember those who truly need my gifts
• Express my love in more direct ways than gifts
• Examine my holiday activities
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
Presbyterian/Reformed