By now, most of you have put up your Christmas tree and decorated it with lights, ornaments, garland, and tinsel. In our household, Sheri does almost all of the work in setting up our tree and decorating it. All I do is pull the tree out of the box and hand it to her. After that, I watch from the comfort of our couch, sometimes pausing to point out where a particular ornament should go, followed by dirty looks from my spouse.

However, once the tree is fully lit and decorated, I love to gaze at the lights and ornaments, and reflect on the memories of Christmases past. Every ornament tells a story of days gone by when we were a child or a young adult or a first-time parent. It also reminds us of those who helped to shape our faith journey, but are no longer with us.

Christmas can be both joyful and melancholic, but the promise of new life in Christ should bring us considerable happiness. Christmas is also a time to look around and check on others who may not be enjoying the spirit of the season in the same way we do. Perhaps you know someone who is struggling with health problems, or the loss of a loved one, or the prospect of loneliness during the holiday season.

This provides us with an opportunity to lift up the downcast and downtrodden, and bring them happiness by inviting them to dinner, or calling them on the phone, or stopping by for a visit. Such gestures will not only brighten their spirits, but they will also bring you unbridled satisfaction and enjoyment. May your Christmas be merry and bright!

As winter grips our area and cold weather sends shivers down our spines, we tend to shift our thoughts to what we might do for the next four months. We don’t really hibernate like many of our four-footed friends, but we do like to spend time inside near the fire or under a blanket — or both — this time of year.

One of my favorite activities is to feed the birds during the winter season. I am so fascinated by how they live their lives and gather their food when conditions are less than favorable. I am particularly intrigued by cardinals, whom ornithologist’s tell us stay loyal to one mate their entire life.

In a spiritual context, a cardinal is often interpreted as a symbol of hope, faith, and God’s presence. The vibrant red color is associated with vitality, life, and the blood of Jesus, while the bird’s year-round presence represents God’s constant and faithful constancy. The cardinal can also symbolize messages of encouragement or reminders of God’s care and love. So watch the cardinals this winter and allow them to lift your spirits.

Scripture tells us that there is a lot we can learn from the birds. For example, the Gospel of Matthew (6:26) invites us to “look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” 

Indeed, in all seasons and in all types of weather, God will never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Let us rejoice in this promise and share it with others all year long.

Thanksgiving: A Day to Savor Our Blessings

Freshly sliced turkey, thick rich gravy, savory seasoned stuffing, delicious mashed potatoes, sweet creamy coleslaw, tasty green bean casserole, and how about a generous slice of pumpkin pie topped with whipped cream to cap off your Thanksgiving feast!


Do I have your attention yet?


It’s that day — that very special day, when we gather to celebrate our many blessings and break bread with family and friends.


Thanksgiving is the one day of the year when we allow ourselves to overindulge, figuring that we can work off the extra calories the following week…or maybe the following year. It is also a day to reflect on God’s presence in our lives and the many gifts He has bestowed upon us.


Let’s be sure to use this day to show our gratitude by the way we reach out and lift up others as God has lifted us up. Take a few minutes to call someone who may be spending the holiday alone. Think about visiting someone in the hospital or an assisted-living facility. These are the most meaningful ways to show our appreciation and spread the love of Christ to others.


Okay, time to get back to the table before all the food disappears, but before you go, take a moment to offer a prayer of praise and thanksgiving for God’s many blessings, and prepare for the sacred season to come.

A Reminder Once Again to Focus on the World to Come

Like most of you, I did my civic duty and cast my ballot on Election Day last week at Church of the Nazarene on Oak Hill Road in Wooster. While there, I was struck by the majestic beauty of the building, and to be quite honest, I was a little envious. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love our church. It is both charming and exquisite, but everything at the Nazarene Church seemed pristine and almost perfect.

After leaving the church, I had to remind myself that God doesn’t care where we worship or even what we look like when we do. He sees past the façade and focuses on the substance of who we are. Historic cathedrals and modern-day shrines are beautiful, but what really matters is not where we pray or even how we worship. What really matters is that we engage God in a sincere, devout, reflective, and genuine manner.

Colossians 3:1-4 states it very well: “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

We can engage with Jesus anywhere at any time — and the more often, the better! One day we will reunite with Him in a place of glory and majesty beyond words and more elegant than the most stunning church here on earth.

Who’s Your Superhero?

I have a good friend, about my age, who has a massive collection of plastic superheroes. Superman, Spiderman, Batman, Ironman, Captain America, and a variety of others. His office is filled with action figures in all shapes and sizes.

Whenever I visit him at work, I marvel at the scope of his collection, even though I have never really been into that type of hobby. Now, on the eve of Halloween, it’s quite likely that we will encounter at least a few superheroes in costume at our door tomorrow night.

But the real question might be, “Who is our superhero in life?” Who is it that saved us from disaster, rescued us from the darkness, or simply picked us up when we were down? Perhaps it was a parent, a sibling, or a friend. Beyond that, however, we know that there is only one true superhero.

Jesus became a sacrificial lamb for us, so that we could be saved from eternal damnation and instead receive the promise of the glory of His Father’s Kingdom. So even though we don’t think much about our faith on Halloween, maybe we should.

Philippians 2:6-8 reminds us that “He emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men…humbling himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

Jesus is, in fact, the consummate superhero. No one else comes close. So on this Halloween, when Trick-or-Treaters come and go, perhaps we should take a brief moment to think about, reflect on, and give thanks for our ultimate superhero.

Learning from Nature and Scripture How to Live Together

Nature seems to have a communication system all its own. Plant species find a way to co-exist and even cooperate with one another. This came to my attention earlier this week when I was driving home from the church on Mechanicsburg Road. I looked up and noticed a canopy of trees covering the roadway, casting a pleasant shade from the sun. As I looked more closely, I realized that two of the trees — each on opposite sides of the asphalt below — had come together and met in the middle, intertwining their branches to form a bridge-like structure for squirrels to cross and avoid the dangerous traffic.

All of this caused me to wonder why we, as humans, can’t, or won’t, do the same thing. After all, aren’t we more intelligent than the trees and the small animals who live there? And when we come together like that, we have an opportunity to build harmony and eliminate conflict by providing a pathway of safe passage for all.

Psalm 133:1 says, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers (and, of course, sisters) dwell in unity.” Matthew 5:9 says, “How blessed are those who make peace; they shall be called Children of God.”

I think we can learn a lesson from nature and from Scripture, as well as Pop Culture, like the 1965 ballad by The Youngbloods, which offers this refrain of wisdom: “C’mon people now, smile on your brother (and sister), everybody get together and love one another right now!”

Revel and Give Thanks for the Beauty of God’s Creation

The wonders of nature and the hand of the God who created it, never cease to amaze me. After an interminably long dry spell, our Father has brought forth nourishing rain to
our region, turning much of our parched landscape green again. Soon, the leaves on the trees will paint a breathtaking portrait of bright red, orange, and gold. After that, the
leaves will fall, and the trees will become barren. Snow and ice will blanket our community and take us into a long cold winter, but eventually spring will return, trees will blossom, and life will be restored once again.

During the upcoming month of October, I invite you to take a few moments to spend
some time in the great outdoors. Take a hike through nature and observe the beauty of
God’s earth. Then imagine how much more brilliant His Heavenly Kingdom will be.

Psalm 96 (11-12) encourages us to celebrate and give thanks for the wonders of nature
with this passage: “Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound,
and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of
the forest sing for joy. Let all creation rejoice before the Lord.”

Too often we take our habitat for granted, but clearly God has provided for all of our
needs. Let us pause and give thanks for the splendor of nature, and let us become
more responsible stewards so as to preserve the beauty for future generations until the
Lord returns in glory.

The Honor and Integrity of the Mighty Tree

In the middle of a new housing development at the corner of Mechanicsburg and Silver
Roads, stands one very large and sprawling tree. The planners obviously had the
foresight to preserve this magnificent tree, not only for its beauty, but also for the
benefits it provides.

As you may remember from your 10 th grade biology class, trees take in carbon dioxide
and release life-giving oxygen in a miraculous and divine process known as
photosynthesis. Trees also provide shade from the sun and beautify the landscape.
Unfortunately, they are not afforded the care and respect they deserve. Construction
managers pay little attention to the value of these mighty trees as they are bulldozed
indiscriminately in what we call “progress.” These bold and beautiful trees are
defenseless against the desires of humankind in much the same way Jesus allowed
himself to be sacrificed by His accusers. He could have easily risen up and destroyed
all of them, but he willingly honored His Father’s master plan, so that once again, we
would benefit.

Ironically, a tree would be an unwitting partner in this plan, serving as the raw material
for the cross on which Jesus would be sacrificed, but in an unexpected way. The tree
would perhaps offer its biggest benefit in helping to carry out God’s plan for salvation.
Today, when I think of a large, strong, flourishing tree, I think of our God who provides
shelter from the wind and refuge from the storm. The next time you pass one of those
stately trees, think of the provider and sustainer in our life — the incredibly strong,
rooted, and immovable force, who was willing to give up His life for us.

God’s Call to Willing Service, Not Forced Labor

Meeting with one’s boss can be a nerve-wracking, angst-ridden experience, especially
when it comes time for our annual review. Fortunately, I serve a very kind, caring, and
compassionate District Superintendent, who believes in building up rather than tearing
down. She and I had a very cordial conversation earlier this week, and when it was
over, I was uplifted and further inspired to serve God by serving each of you.

This experience caused me to reflect on what it might be like when we stand before the
Lord for our “lifelong review” at the conclusion of our journey here on earth. Although
Scripture tells us that we will have to give an account of our lives, I believe that we
serve an extraordinarily kind, compassionate, and loving God, who will shower us with
His abundant grace and infinite mercy. After all, He sent His only Son as a sacrifice to
atone for our sins.

I think we sometimes overlook the incomparable power of Christ’s healing blood, which
washes away our sins and cleanses our soul. His sacrifice on the cross paved the way
for our salvation and provided the only means of access to God’s Heavenly Kingdom.
Let us offer thanks and praise for this amazing gift, which gives us hope, comfort, and
peace.

As we head into this Labor Day weekend, it is wise to remember that we are not called
into hard labor but rather willing service to the God of all creation, who loves us, forgives
us, and redeems us from this world to the world to come.

Honoring God’s Call to Patience, Understanding, and Temperance

Well, the Browns won their first preseason game behind the heroics of a flashy
young quarterback by the name of Shedeur Sanders, and the hype has quickly reached
a fever pitch. Some are calling for his number to be retired; others are saying that he
should be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The excitement is certainly understandable, given the Browns’s lack of success
since returning to Cleveland more than a quarter century ago. However, is the reaction
to the rookie’s performance a bit over the top?

There’s no harm in overreacting in a positive way. The Lord wants us to celebrate
our joys in life. But, when we overreact in a negative way, there are likely to be harmful
consequences, the likes of which we see on the news every day, from road rage to
domestic violence to mass shootings.

Scripture advises us to temper our emotions, most notably in the well-known
passage from the Book of James (1:19), which offers this advice: “Let every person be
quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” Ephesians 4:2 supports that notion with this
passage: “With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bear with one another in
love.”

Such wisdom can keep us balanced, stable, and grounded. So cheer all you
want for Shedeur, but try not to overreact when he throws his first interception. Likewise,
as followers of Christ, let us not overreact in a negative way to anything. Instead, let us
be kind, loving, and patient, not only on Sunday, but also on every other day of the
week.