Martin Luther King Jr. said, “hatred and bitterness can never cure the disease of fear.” Recrimination and revenge continue the unending cycle of hatred and violence while love and forgiveness leads to community and forgiveness.

Jesus talked about how hospitality and kindness we give in his name can be a life changing event for others. Join us as we find out about who looks back on a lifetimes of accomplishment and values the gift of a five-cent ice cream cone more than any other award or achievement.

The Good Shepherd knows the sheep of his flock BY NAME. According to Isaiah, God has engraved (tattooed?) our names on the palms of his hands.

Just as a small pebble thrown into a pond created energy that ripples in ever larger circles, when we stand up for others and serve them in the name of Jesus, we can send forth tiny ripples of hope.

Jesus brings a thrill of hope to this weary world – his presence is more meaningful that any/all physical Christmas presents. Believe Him and Receive Him!

The true significance of the birth of Jesus can be lost or discarded in the business that surrounded its true heart and core – peripheral controversies, false claims and unreasonable expectations that turn celebration and joy into misery and alienation.

Jesus was and is, as is the gospel, a tender plant – a root out of dry ground.

According to “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” Santa bases his gifts on an entirely different perspective than Jesus does when he comes to town.

It’s almost as hard removing a false image from one’s mind as it is to avoid judging “the hell” out of others on the basis of their external appearance.

What are the most important priorities in your life?

Marvel with us about the truth of the advice Billy’s grandmother gave him – “When the game is over, it all goes back in the box.”

We are GIVEN not just any victory, but THE victory “through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57). Our victory is GIVEN by the grace of God, who graciously allows us to be part of his plan, but we are not THE plan – Jesus is THE plan.

The Parable of the Good Samaritan yields remarkable insights into the giving way of life lived in us by our Lord and Savior.

Our spiritual transformation, regeneration and new life into a living hope is “through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…” (1 Peter 1:3).

Christ-less religion is status quo, expected, regularly scheduled programming – whereas the gospel of Jesus Christ is “breaking news” – incredible, wonderful and amazing news of Jesus who is “the way and the truth and the life.”

Is our 21st century infatuation with information making our world a better place? Do our addictions to information retrieval systems and our desire for electronic connectivity endanger wisdom?

It’s possible for prayer to become an overwhelming monologue so that we are so busy talking we can’t hear or perceive God’s answers.

The problem with repentance is that no one ever believes themselves to be wrong so they have nothing to repent of or about.

While many foresee God making his will known through dramatic “acts of God” he often works in ways we would not expect. He came to Elijah in a whisper, rather than in the powerful wind, earthquake or fire.

If you don’t fall down and worship before the golden calf you will be asked to leave the sacred place of religion. When push comes to shove, religious authorities often ex-communicate and un-invite those who follow Jesus Christ.

Bruce Springsteen sings “Everybody’s got a hungry heart.” There are two places for us to dine, seeking spiritual nourishment – The Grace Café and The Karma Café.

Christ followers are never alone – their faith is centered in Jesus alone and Jesus is always with them and in them.

We can either place our primary trust in earthly treasures or in heavenly treasures, and the process of accumulating and receiving those treasures couldn’t be more different.

Contentment is not gained or achieved, even through the rigors and rituals of religion.   Contentment is a gift of God.

If you don’t know where you are going, in all probability you will wind up somewhere else – where are YOU going and HOW will you arrive at your destination?