The family across the street from us has a great, classic-style nativity scene in their front yard. It’s got three wise men with gifts, a Mary and Joseph, a shepherd
Read moreExpectations
Christmas Eve is probably one of the most anticipated days of the year in the United States. Kids have been out of school for a week or two, homes are
Read moreGod with us
God with us. This time of year that phrase seems to roll off the tongue when we sing Christmas carols or hymns that speak of Christ’s coming to earth as
Read moreThe Love of the Father
In 1906, two chubby twins – a boy and a girl – were born to a prominent middle-class family in Breslau, Germany. It was a big family with eight kids,
Read moreClinging to Joy
In 1870, Horatio Spafford was a successful Chicago lawyer, with a 4- year old son and four older daughters. Life was good, happy, full of promise. I imagine Christmas at
Read moreThe Comforter Has Come
Since this is “the most wonderful time of the year, I want to tell you about the least wonderful time of the year. For a sports guy like me, the
Read moreDesperately Seeking
On the night after Thanksgiving 2008, a crowd of more than 2,000 people gathered in the parking lot of a suburban New York Wal-Mart. They were waiting for the store
Read moreOvercoming the Darkness
When I was in college, I was maybe not the most focused student. There was far too much fun stuff to do, and in most (non-math-related) classes, I could more
Read moreThe Hopes and Fears of All the Years
One of my all-time favorite movies (and books) is The Princess Bride. I’ll pause while those of you who haven’t seen it consider revoking my Man Card, but just remember:
Read moreMirror Mirror on the Wall…
One of the simplest ways to entertain a kid is a funhouse mirror. You know what I mean: the mirrors that change the way you look. There’s the wavy one
Read moreResponding Well When God Puts the Squeeze on You
I once heard a profound – and memorable – analogy from a youth worker: “People are like zits. When pressure is applied, you discover just how much nastiness is hiding
Read moreWhen Feeling Small is a Good Thing
My wife and I have very different definitions of “camping.” Growing up in New Mexico, camping meant backpacking into the mountains and living for several days in a tent off
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