Pregnant with the Promises of God Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the […]
Keeping Watch “In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.” Luke 2: 8 In our day and time, there are not many shepherds living in the fields, nor are their many cowboys riding the range. The closest we have to such livelihoods are the military stationed in […]
Advent: Get Set A Message on Luke 2:1-7 For Jacksonville First United Methodist Church Dec. 15, 2019 By Doug Wintermute dwinterm@yahoo.com Luke 2:1-7 (NRSV) In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of […]
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. Psalm 23:1 (Light the first Advent candle.) Hope began the journey this Advent season. Hope continues to fuel our faith as we wait for the coming Messiah. (Light the second Advent candle.) [Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash] Light grows with the lighting of the second candle just like […]
Christmas: 1964 I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 Christmas is a time for rejoicing in the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.” But for some people Christmas is a time for sadness. I remember it well, the day I […]
The Reason to Rejoice Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4 Growing up I can remember making those Advent chains in Sunday School. Each day would have Bible verses from the time right before Jesus was born. I remember being so excited to get to that last chain link […]
Expect the Unexpected However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” – the things God has prepared for those who love him… 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV) January of 2019, I knew that God was doing some amazing things in my life. […]
Longing for a New Beginning “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them. And they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring […]
Remembering the Greatest Gift And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. Luke 2:8 Just as the shepherds watched over their flock our Mother prepared our home beautifully, and on Christmas Eve tucked us in our beds. Thinking of Santa was wonderful but, having been taught, I knew […]
Looking toward Home Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, and […]
