With the deeper, more meaningful truth that Dolly Parton and the apostle John recognize—Christmas is about much more than magic.

In the story of the Last Supper, the disciples fail to notice the pitcher, bowl, and towel by the door, consumed by the tensions of the moment, much like how we often overlook the reason we celebrate amid the busyness of the Christmas season.

Despite the distractions of false teachings, only Jesus, the true Shepherd, can offer real peace and salvation, and as I consider my legacy, I want to emphasize that while material things may fade, Jesus is the essential truth to hold onto.

Yes, there may still be enemies visible, and yes, we may still be dealing with lingering consequences of sin, but we must never forget that Jesus has already paid the price for our sins on the cross, and by His blood, we are forgiven!

The Bible assures us that God is good, and his goodness is evident in his constant love and care, offering refuge and strength in times of trouble, as seen in verses like Nahum 1:7.

Wishing you all a joyful Thanksgiving, filled with gratitude and love, knowing that God loves you deeply and is always with you.

While many things can bring momentary happiness, such as success or good health, true joy comes from walking in the truth of Christ and living in alignment with God's will.

Though we will continue to wait in this life, we don’t need to wait for abundant life—it has already begun, and God is always present, ready to hear from us and meet our needs.

God's commandments, rooted in love and valuing relationships, are meant to bring joy, not exhaustion, and when we love each other as Jesus loves us, we fulfill His purpose without feeling burdened.

True evidence of our relationship with God is not just in our words, but in our actions, specifically our ability to love all people—even those with whom we disagree politically—reflecting the love of Christ.

Just as Jesus called his first disciples and sent them out after his resurrection, he calls us today to be obedient in sharing the good news with others. He can and will do that through us in our businesses, our friendships, and in our communities. 

We cannot figure out and solve all that is broken in our lives, our situations, or in the world, but when we choose to seek God’s wisdom and trust that our reverence for his power, love, and plan is better than anything we can imagine, we will find ourselves on a firm foundation.

Like Elisha’s servant and the Apostle Paul, we often face situations where we feel overwhelmed, yet God is always at work behind the scenes, surrounding us with the help and protection we need.

The story of Elijah’s wilderness experience, where ravens brought him food, serves as a powerful reminder of God’s ability to meet our needs, no matter the situation.

As I opened the door to receive my surprise celebration, my soon-to-be three-year-old grandson was bent over in tears saying, “Oh no…the balloon!” At this point, I looked up as the helium-filled birthday balloon slipped from his hands and flew upward toward the clouds.

In hide-and-seek, my grandchildren's joy in being found and their eager pursuit of me offers a beautiful reminder of childlike faith and how we should approach the kingdom of God—full of trust and expectation.

The Bible emphasizes that we are to pass down God's greatness to future generations, not focusing on our own achievements but on His mighty acts.

Spiritual growth requires effort—like physical health—it involves developing qualities such as self-control, knowledge, and love, which enable us to live out our faith and effectively fulfill God’s purposes for our lives.

The Bible acknowledges our fear and provides comfort, with Psalm 56 offering David’s example of placing trust in God during moments of fear and anxiety.

Paul reflects on the painful departure of Demas, who chose the present world over his faith, highlighting the dangers of being swayed by worldly power and the temptation to abandon Christ.