Today is considered by many to be the most depressing day of the year – the day after Christmas. It’s time to put up the tree, box up the decorations, and set up the living room, to look like it did before Thanksgiving. In other words, the thrill of sparkling lights, time with cousins and…
There are no lights upon your tree, The gift you want is to be free. You’ve sat alone throughout the night, When from the darkness shines a light. There’s Still Hope this Christmas Season, And from that hope there comes the reason You can make it day to day, No matter what your past may…
In 1943, Bing Crosby became the first to record I’ll Be Home for Christmas. What you probably didn’t know is that the song was written about a soldier in World War II, who was hoping to come home to be with his family for Christmas. With that in mind, James Kimball Cannon wrote this verse.…
The words of Oswald Chambers ring true this Christmas Season: “Your body is the Bethlehem of God’s Son.” Paul said it like this: “Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:19). The next time you are tempted to use your body for selfish indulgences, remember who else lives there. God isn’t…
Linus, of Peanuts fame, had it right when he said, “Life is like a ten-speed bike. Most of us have gears we never use.” I have a ten-speed bike. I like to ride the neighborhood for a little exercise. But after using the bike for a couple of years, I’m thinking about going back to…
What is the key to success, in recovery or in life? For answers, let’s turn to the ancient Athenian playwriter Sophocles, who was the most accomplished writer and thinker of the fifth century, B.C. Seven of Sophocles’ tragedies have survived to this day, and he is widely considered one of the greatest minds of all…
An interesting study was done with two groups of people. One group was told to memorize seven numbers in succession, walk down a long hall, then recite those numbers to someone on the other end of the hallway. The second group was told to memorize just two numbers, and then recite those numbers to someone…
You are probably familiar with the H.A.L.T. acronym. We tend to act out when we are hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. I have added two more triggers, which I see all the time: boredom and stress. We get into trouble when we are bored/ or stressed. You can remember that by the abbreviations – B.S.…
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established” (Proverbs 16:3). This says two things. First, we must have plans. Second, when we commit our work to God, those plans will be blessed. Let’s start with your plan. I have a simple question for you. What is your plan to stay sober…
Following the resurrection, Jesus showed up at a crowded room of disciples who still did not believe. They were fearful for their very lives, without purpose, direction, or hope. Jesus spoke just four simple words. “Peace be with you” (John 20:19). I’m sure there are several other sets of four-word statements the disciples would have…