Month: December 1996

How often have we thought of God as a punishing, angry God? We think of Jonathan Edwards' Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, and we cringe at such an awesome, holy, but wrathful God. But for God's chosen … Read more

Moses stood upon the lava rock strewn mountain in front of that camel's hair tent, Bedouin garbed, grey wispy hair rope bound in place arguing with God's presence in the whirling pillared cloud. Arguing on behalf of a confused hope … Read more

Some time ago I found myself being dragged into the world's mould. I began to notice how many of my colleagues had made it farther up the corporate ladder and found myself bemoaning the fact that I had only received … Read more

The Germans have a word that, in many ways in the antithesis, the opposite, of the biblical love spoken of in scripture today. The word is shadenfreude, which really can't be translated into English any better than agape can, but … Read more

Nothing, I think, hurts so much and so deeply, as to go to someone and offer love and have that offer spurned. Yet it is the tragedy of many of us to give our heart to someone only to have … Read more

There was a special on T.V. and during a certain scene, a man was asked: "What is the first gift of Christmas?" to which he responds, "I suppose it was a tie." The program went on to share how the … Read more

A long time ago, as a young university student, I used to plan and look forward to going "home" for Christmas. Stored somewhere in my memories is the sense of disappointment and sadness I felt the year that I made … Read more

What is Christmas to you? Is it tinsel, wrappings, and tape? Is it tawdry trinkets trimming a tree? Is it Santa Claus, elves, and mistletoe? Is it shopping hour upon hour in some overcrowded department store advertising dolls, computer games, … Read more

What is the Christmas Season to you? Is it wrapping generous gifts for Sue, for April, Agnes, and Hugh, one for the teacher, and bus driver, too? Giving a few to Grandpa and Grandma, Aunt Ethel, and Uncle Lou. Is … Read more

In that great hymn, My God, I thank Thee, the end of the second verse proclaims, That in the darkest spot of earth Some love is found. The light has shone in the darkness of the night and the darkness … Read more