GPSSierra CombsIf you know me well, you certainly know that I do not like to drive. I also do not like being the navigator. Prior to iPhones and GPS, putting me in this position was absolutely useless, if not detrimental. Even with the technology, I am more than likely going to get distracted and forget to tell you where to turn. I have always wanted to go on “The Amazing Race” but my terrible sen...  Read More

The Directions of OthersFerdinand Sanders“Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.’ And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the de...  Read More

Difficult DirectionsPhilip PiaseckiChristmastime is one of the best times of the year. There is nothing like all the family gatherings, parties with friends, and celebrations with the church during that season. I always thought Christmas was special, but it became even more special once I had kids. The look and joy on their faces opening up presents on Christmas morning are unlike anything else. H...  Read More

GPS AngelJeannie YatesHave you ever had difficulty communicating directions? Or maybe, you have been the one on the receiving end of some poor directions, especially in the early days of GPS devices! All too many times, I remember hearing a kind British voice say, “Turn around when possible; you are going the wrong way!”I often think of angels as messengers that bring good news, but in Matthew cha...  Read More

Angels: The Servants of GodWilliam KinneyI have often wondered what it would be like to get a message from an angel; would it be in a dream, in direct conversation, or perhaps in the form of signs? How would I react if an angel approached me? Would I know it was an angel from God?As I have pondered these questions, I thought about the birth of Jesus Christ and how the angels of the Lord directed a...  Read More

Socks and Underwear Again?Joanna MontgomeryChristmas is a wonderful time of giving and receiving gifts. Have you ever received a gift you needed, but really did not want? When I was a child, every Christmas I knew what I would be getting from my grandma, socks and underwear. Ugh! Each year I thought, “Maybe this year she will get me a doll or a board game!” However, every year, I would unwrap a gi...  Read More

Worship and GiftsMitchell HolmesThe news of Jesus’ birth caused emotions all across the land. For some, the birth of this child meant hope. For others, it meant fear and political unrest. Both are represented in today’s passage of Scripture. Please read Matthew 2:1-12.King Herod, upon hearing about the birth of Jesus, King of the Jews, was troubled. Herod was paranoid and desperate to keep his sea...  Read More

True WorshipJosh Thayer“When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.” Matthew 2:10-...  Read More

Daniel's Influence?John Stone“And after they came into the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary; and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11 (NASB)When we read the story of the birth of Christ and the part played by the wise men, or magi as they are sometimes called, it can be easy to ov...  Read More

Our Response to God IncarnatePatrick BicknellHave you ever been star-struck before? There was one time in my life when I was particularly star-struck meeting a famous person. I was in the 9th grade traveling with my friend’s family to Florida for a cruise vacation that we were going on. Our plane landed at the airport around two in the morning and, as you would expect, I was exhausted. As we were ...  Read More

Giving God Our TimeCaleb Garrison“And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11Christmas can be one of the busiest times of the year. We have countless Christmas parties, mile-long lists of gifts we need to shop for, school performances th...  Read More

Love LanguagesDr. Randy T. Johnson“When they [the wise men] saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:10-11In 1988, Gary Smalley and John Trent published The Language of Love. Since ...  Read More