The Power of Simple Words
Raucous laughter marked the guests in my father’s hospital room: Two old truck drivers, one former country/western singer, one craftsman, two women from neighboring farms, and me.
“…and then he got up and busted the bottle over my head,” the craftsman said, finishing his story about a bar fight.
The room bursts into laughter at this now-humorous memory. Dad, struggling for breath as his laughing fought with his cancer for the air in his lungs, puffs out a reminder to everybody that “Randy is a preacher” so they need to watch what they say. Everything got quiet for about two seconds;…
God’s gift of salvation is available to all!
No matter where you’ve been or what you’ve done, God’s gift of salvation is available to all! And that’s good news! Today on Discover the Word, we begin a week featuring some classic Christmas programs with past Discover the Word hosts; Haddon Robinson, Alice Mathews, and Mart DeHaan. Revisit this special Christmas mini-series based on […]
On Time
Sometimes I joke that I’m going to write a book titled On Time. Those who know me smile because they know I am often late. I rationalize that my lateness is due to optimism, not to lack of trying. I optimistically cling to the faulty belief that “this time” I will be able to get more done in less time than ever before. But I can’t, and I don’t, so I end up having to apologize yet again for my failure to show up on time.
In contrast, God is always on time. We may think He’s late, but He’s not. Throughout Scripture…
Joy for All
On the final day of a Christian publishing conference in Singapore, 280 participants from 50 countries gathered in the outdoor plaza of a hotel for a group photo. From the second-floor balcony, the photographer took many shots from different angles before finally saying, “We’re through.” A voice from the crowd shouted with relief, “Well, joy to the world!” Immediately, someone replied by singing, “The Lord is come.” Others began to join in. Soon the entire group was singing the familiar carol in beautiful harmony. It was a moving display of unity and joy that I will never forget.
In Luke’s…
Christmas in Captivity
Rev. Martin Niemoller, a prominent German pastor, spent nearly eight years in Nazi concentration camps because he openly opposed Hitler. On Christmas Eve 1944, Niemoller spoke these words of hope to his fellow prisoners in Dachau: “My dear friends, on this Christmas . . . let us seek, in the Babe of Bethlehem, the One who came to us in order to bear with us everything that weighs heavily upon us. . . . God Himself has built a bridge from Himself to us! A dawn from on high has visited us!”
At Christmas we embrace the good news that…
God’s heart revealed in the life and death of His son
Can you remember your favorite teacher or your favorite way of being taught? Maybe you’re a visual learner requiring word pictures to help you grasp a concept. Today on Discover the Word, we will talk about Jesus, the Master Teacher who Himself was a Word Picture. It’s an inspiring discussion that reveals the heart of […]
What Can I Give Him?
One year, those responsible for decorating their church for Christmas decided to use the theme of “Christmas lists.” Instead of decorating with the usual shiny gold and silver ornaments, they gave each person a red or green tag. On one side they were to write down the gift they would like from Jesus, and on the other they were to list the gift they would give to the One whose birth they were celebrating.
If you were to do this, what gift would you ask for and what would you offer? The Bible gives us lots of ideas. God promises to…
God’s grace is fully expressed in the person of Jesus
For thousands of years, the Jewish people revered “the Law.” It wasn’t just a set of rules and regulations, but God speaking to His people the story of His love and protection. And today on Discover the Word, we discuss how God’s grace was evident in the Old Testament, but fully expressed in the Person of Jesus […]
A Christmas to Remember
The true meaning of Christmas was revealed to me years ago. That Christmas found me as a newly single mother of a beautiful blonde-haired, blue-eyed daughter of three. Trying to juggle rent, utilities, groceries, bills, and a child was putting a serious strain on finances. Many times I would skip meals so my child would have a full meal to eat.
Every parent wishes to give their child the best that they can. So it is no wonder that my heart was breaking when I had no choice but to pull her onto my lap and tell my little girl that there was no Santa. I explain to her while holding back my tears that I was Santa and I could not afford to put any presents under the tree for her or feed her a real Christmas dinner.
God truly blessed me with a daughter that is my earth-bound angel. In the beautiful innocence of a child, she told me, “It’s ok Mom. You can just wrap up some of my stuffed animals from my room and put them under the tree. I’ll forget what is under there by Christmas.” I was amazed and humbled by her response to our situation. So I told her to get into my jewelry box and cosmetics and wrap up some of my things for a present for me.
Christmas day came. I managed to purchase cornbread mix and macaroni and cheese in a box for $.25 per box each. After we ate our dinner of macaroni and cheese, and cornbread, we sang “Happy Birthday Jesus”, we spent the evening trying to outdo each other with every present we opened with “It is just what I wanted!” and expressions of surprise. The laughter grew throughout the processes until our sides hurt.
Later that night after she had gone to sleep and I could reflect on the Christmas we shared, I cried for not being able to give her what I thought she deserved and spoiling the “Santa” fairytale, but then it dawned on me what a great present God had given me and I cried for joy.
How often do you find the true meaning of Christmas? The pure and innocent spirit of a child reminded me that it isn’t about the presents, but the sharing the love that Christ has for us that is Christmas.
The following year was not much better financially. Preparing for another barren Christmas, my daughter and I went to the Christmas service at church to worship the one who’s birthday we celebrate. When we arrived home from church and walked to the front door of our mobile home, I noticed a bag of trash on our front doorstep. Irritated that someone could be cruel on the holidays, I went to throw the bag to the side. But as I reached for the bag, a label caught my eye. The label read my daughter’s name. We looked at each other curious. I helped her open the bag. Inside was a new dress, an easy bake oven, and several color books and games.
If you have ever wondered if the donations you give make a difference, let me assure you they do. Although I know Jesus is the reason for the season, those toys and clothes relieve the stress of a mother that cannot provide and joy to a child that had come to expect nothing.
You were Jesus to someone in need.
Fifteen years passed since that time. We have been blessed and have much more than we could ever have expected. We both remember it as one of the best Christmas’ we ever had. I pray you have Christmas to remember.
Jamie Nicolelli
It’s 2016 Hottest Christmas Gift: A Toy Egg
Six months ago, I would have scoffed at the idea that the most wanted toy for the Christmas season was a toy egg.
Gift of Grace
We can easily get consumed by the activities and extravagance of Christmas. We can also be burdened by the sadness of our situation and emotions. No matter the circumstances, you can lean into Jesus—the best gift we could ever receive—and He will calm your spirit.
The Best Gift Ever
At a winter retreat in northern New England, one of the men asked the question, “What was your favorite Christmas gift ever?”
One athletic man seemed eager to answer. “That’s easy,” he said, glancing at his friend next to him. “A few years back, I finished college thinking I was a sure bet to play professional football. When it didn’t happen, I was angry. Bitterness ate at me, and I shared that bitterness with anyone who tried to help me.”
“On the second Christmas—and second season without football—I went to a Christmas play at this guy’s church,” he said, gesturing toward his friend. “Not because I wanted Jesus, but just…
God Himself becomes the face of grace in human form
Abstract concepts can be hard to grasp until someone makes it real to us. Like the story of Abraham Lincoln walking miles to return a few pennies to a customer he had shortchanged. It’s a memorable story that embodies the concept of honesty! Today on Discover the Word, we will bring the abstract concept of […]
A Personal Story
A baby just hours old was left in a manger in a Christmas nativity outside a New York church. A young, desperate mother had wrapped him warmly and placed him where he would be discovered. If we are tempted to judge her, we can instead be thankful this baby will now have a chance in life.
This gets personal for me. As an adopted child myself, I have no idea about the circumstances surrounding my birth. But I have never felt abandoned. Of this much I am certain: I have two moms who wanted me to have a chance in life.…
