Martin Luther is most famous for beginning the Protestant Reformation when he posted his 95 Theses on the church doors in Wittenburg, Germany in 1517. While he did help start an entirely new branch of Christianity, Martin Luther was also great lover of the Christmas season.

One German legend claims that Martin Luther was responsible for introducing the use of Christmas trees in the home, in Germany. According to the legend, on his way home one evening, Martin Luther was so overcome by the be...

The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made bishop of Myra while s...

I realize we should be talking about Jesus’ birth, but I just read the end of Matthew and made a discovery.  Jesus was killed, and the Jews posted guards at His tomb because they were afraid His disciples would come and take His body and claim that Jesus was alive, like He said He would be.  These guards were on duty Sunday morning, the earthquake happened as an Angel appeared and rolled away the stone in front of Jesus’ tomb.  They saw it happen, and then they fainted (who would blame th...

Therefore, brethren, standfast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. 2 Thessalonians 2:15

One ominous sign in the social structure that surrounds us is the false attitude toward anything that can be called "ordinary." There has grown up all around us an idea that the "commonplace" is old-fashioned and strictly for the birds!

This existing mania for glamour and contempt for the ordinary are signs and portents in American society. Even religion...

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

—1 John 3:18

The blight of the Pharisee's heart in olden times was doctrine without love. With the teachings of the Pharisees Christ had little quarrel, but with the pharisaic spirit He carried on unceasing warfare to the end.

It was religion that put Christ on the cross, religion without the indwelling Spirit....An unblessed soul filled with the letter of truth may actually be worse off than a...

No matter what you think about the results of the election, I would remind you of two things:

First:  As Christians, we are obligated to pray for the government and our representatives (1Tim 2:1-4).  A friend of mine once told me; “I cannot pray for the current administration because I do not agree with them.”  I told them that when I disagree with those who are charged as our representatives, I pray even harder.  The thing is God has never given us the choice to pray or not.  We are ins...

While I was reading Acts this week, I was impressed with how Paul handled the trials he had.  These were not trials as in difficult times, they were real trails, before a judge, with witnesses, etc.  At one-point Paul exercises his right as a Roman Citizen, to be tried in front of Cesar himself.  Before he could be sent to Rome, Paul has one more day in a local court – this time before King Agrippa.  Paul recognizes that the king is familiar with the Jewish culture and customs and begins to...

I Will Rejoice!

Though the fig tree does not bud

and there is no fruit on the vines,

though the olive crop fails

and the fields produce no food,

though there are no sheep in the pen

and no cattle in the stalls,

yet I will triumph in the Lord;

I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!—Habakkuk 3:17–18

At times it seems that everything around you is collapsing. Endeavors you invested in may fail. People to whom you minister may disappoint you. The business or career you worked hard to build may cr...

A very dear friend of ours does not have long to live.  Pat and her husband Dennis have been friends since we went on staff at Hayward Church in ‘96.  Pat has a brain tumor, and nothing has been effective in treating it. 

It is times like this that I remind myself of something I learned a long time ago:  We really do not understand death.  Aside from my belief that death is not natural (not the way it was supposed to be), it is universal, but not natural.  Someone at Bev’s older brother...