Articles for tag: Becky Ahlberg

December 25, 2018

Christian Standard

Meditating on Joy

(Today we republish a Christmas Day meditation that was part of a monthlong series of meditations by Becky Ahlberg we ran back in December 2015. We hope you enjoy it. Merry Christmas!)   By Becky Ahlberg December 25 It’s Christmas Day—a day defined by giving. But oh how quickly (for many) it has become the season of “getting.” Today as you open gifts and celebrate with your family traditions and one another, here are a few Scriptures to remind you of who gave first, and how very much: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and

March 31, 2017

Christian Standard

In Remembrance of Me

By Becky Ahlberg Do you remember your first Communion? The first time you held the bread and cup and accepted the invitation to this table offered by the Lord himself upon your baptism and commitment to him? How old were you? Where were you? Who else was there? For some of us, that moment was decades ago; for some others, it might be this very day. For all of us, it is a call to remembrance. We”re called to remember our commitment. We”re called to remember our community here in this place and to remember Christians around the world. And

March 24, 2017

Christian Standard

Amazing Love!

By Becky Ahlberg One of the universal truths we consider when we gather around the Communion table each week is to remember the amazing love of God. “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sin” (1 John 4:10). God incarnate showed his love in his willingness to bear the shame, endure the cross, and be the bridge that brings us back into relationship with him. All these things are illustrations of his indescribable love. One of the first Scriptures most of us memorized is

March 17, 2017

Christian Standard

The Joy of Suffering

By Becky Ahlberg Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart (Hebrews 12:1-3). We live in

March 10, 2017

Christian Standard

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

By Becky Ahlberg He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:3-5, King James Version). This famous passage of Scripture is filled with imagery to

January 22, 2017

Christian Standard

A Comprehensive Review

By Becky Ahlberg “When I survey the wondrous cross, on which the Prince of glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.” Isaac Watts penned those words in 1707. He was a masterful preacher and poet and was known for writing hymns as part of his sermons. This particular hymn has lasted more than 300 years precisely because it captures the ethos of the cross for each of us personally. Watts was known to have three “rules” for writing: make it personal, make it sensuous (as in appealing to the senses), and

December 2, 2016

Christian Standard

To Women, By Women: MY SAFE HARBOR

By Jennifer Johnson Families gather in kitchens: for cereal and coffee and a last check of homework before school, for dinner together in the evening, for a snack and a conversation before bed. The kitchen is the center of every home, so when Becky Ahlberg created My Safe Harbor, she knew its building had to include one. My Safe Harbor, a nonprofit organization originally launched by Anaheim (California) First Christian Church, offers a variety of programs to support, educate, and empower the women of Anaheim. Although the church is only miles from the tourism and wealth of Disneyland, its neighborhood

June 19, 2016

Christian Standard

Love Is the Universal Language

By Becky Ahlberg The problem with discussions about race relations is that we too often start with the differences and not the things we have in common. It”s easy to make hasty generalizations and base our thinking on stereotypes or other people”s experiences. Depending on where you live, you may not encounter many people who are different from you, and it can be difficult to make a fair and objective assessment of them. Let me give you an example. In Anaheim, California, where I live, we have one of the most diverse populations in the country. More than 50 different

January 1, 2016

Christian Standard

Meditating on Love: January 1

By Becky Ahlberg Friday, January 1, 2016 Read Hebrews 1:1-3.  This passage brings the story of the incarnation full circle. We have come through another year to remember Jesus” birth with calls to hope, peace, joy, and love. I hope your Christmas celebration was meaningful. And now as you head into the new year, clean up the leftovers, return gifts, and put away the decorations, never forget that his coming, though a gift to you, was a sacrifice for him. I pray that the depth of that sacrifice moves you beyond the quaint story of a manger and hay. Never

December 31, 2015

Christian Standard

Meditating on Love: December 31

By Becky Ahlberg Thursday, December 31 Read Romans 8:28-39.  It”s New Year”s Eve, a time for reflection. Another year has passed by and a new one dawns tomorrow. In this passage from Romans are some important promises to contemplate as you look back at this past year and forward to the new one: “In all things God works for the good of those who love him” (v. 28). Can you look back and see God”s hand in the days of 2015? What do you see? What are you still looking to find? “If God is for us, who can be against

December 30, 2015

Christian Standard

Meditating on Love: December 30

By Becky Ahlberg Wednesday, December 30 Read 1 Corinthians 13 through the lens of Christmas. Verses 1-3 can sum up much of our problem with the whole Christmas season: it is filled with busyness and observances that are often void of “the real meaning of Christmas.” Why? Because they “do not have love.” How many gifts did you give out of obligation? How many parties did you attend because it wouldn”t look good to miss them? I hope you were able to do plenty of things that were filled with love. That is what keeps the season overflowing with love

December 29, 2015

Christian Standard

Meditating on Love: December 29

By Becky Ahlberg Tuesday, December 29 Read Ephesians 3:14-19.  We pray for other people all the time. How many times have you sat in your office or in a home or at a hospital bedside and prayed for someone to know the deep love of Christ? Praying for someone is an act of love and creates a bond of friendship, even kinship, as we make our requests known to the Lord. We pray, believing God hears our prayers and that prayer will offer hope and comfort to those we care about. But today, read this Scripture as a prayer for

December 28, 2015

Christian Standard

Meditating on Love: December 28

By Becky Ahlberg Monday, December 28 Perhaps the greatest Christmas text is also one of the most familiar to Christians: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:16, 17). God so loved . . . so “agaped“ the world, he put his privilege, his position, and his power aside and gave. He did what was best for us, not

December 27, 2015

Christian Standard

Meditating on Love: December 27

By Becky Ahlberg For many, especially church leaders, the Christmas season is more chaos than celebration. Besides the extra programs and parties, family responsibilities and expectations also expand. These short meditations (which started December 6 and will continue with a new, early morning post each day through January 1) are designed with leaders in mind. Take a few minutes each day to ponder these thoughts designed to help you find the wonder of the incarnation in the midst of your responsibilities. Advent is simply a time to prepare for the celebration of Christ”s birth. In liturgical settings, Advent begins four

December 26, 2015

Christian Standard

Meditating on Joy: December 26

By Becky Ahlberg Saturday, December 26 Read 1 Peter 1:3-9. We ended our thoughts yesterday with the first verse of today”s Scripture. The phrase “inexpressible and glorious joy” (v. 8) is the one that always jumps out at me. It”s the day after Christmas and these may not be your first thoughts! However, Christmas can bless us every year by allowing us to embrace anew the incarnation and the sheer joy of belonging to God””and it”s all because of his willingness to move first. Emily E. S. Elliott captures it in her carol, “Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne”: Thou didst

December 25, 2015

Christian Standard

Meditating on Joy: December 25

By Becky Ahlberg Friday, December 25 It”s Christmas Day””a day defined by giving. But oh how quickly (for many) it has become the season of “getting.” Today as you open gifts and celebrate with your family traditions and one another, here are a few Scriptures to remind you of who gave first, and how very much: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave

December 24, 2015

Christian Standard

Meditating on Joy: December 24

By Becky Ahlberg Thursday, December 24 Having grandchildren is a particular joy. I am constantly amazed at their humor, insight, and ability to live with joyous abandon. They make me laugh and watch in wonder as they encounter their world. “Christmas is for children” is a common phrase this time of year. Decorations, extra “goodies” to eat, and, of course, gifts are some of their favorite things. We love to see them squeal with delight. But is that what brings them joy? The older I get the more I realize that children are elated with just about anything if they

December 23, 2015

Christian Standard

Meditating on Joy: December 23

By Becky Ahlberg Wednesday, December 23 Read Hebrews 12:1-3.  “For the joy set before him he endured . . .” (v. 2). Is there a more graphic reminder of the purpose with which Jesus came among us? The long view was essential to his ability to endure his humanity experience. It is true for all of us. Planning, sacrifice, blood, sweat, and tears are a part of every worthwhile endeavor. Why? For the joy set before us. Examples: pregnancy, labor and delivery, raising kids, training for a race, getting your education, building a career, making disciples, caring for elderly parents,

December 22, 2015

Christian Standard

Meditating on Joy: December 22

By Becky Ahlberg Tuesday, December 22 “We consider Christmas as the encounter, the great encounter, the historical encounter, the decisive encounter, between God and mankind. He who has faith knows this truly; let him rejoice.”””Pope Paul VI The incarnation is a moment in history, but it also is a moment (or moments) for each one of us when “God with us” becomes a personal encounter. Recognizing that encounter changes things. There”s a palpable “before and after” that may not be definable, but it is discernable. It may come over time or in a deep “aha!” moment, but its effects are

December 21, 2015

Christian Standard

Meditating on Joy: December 21

By Becky Ahlberg Monday, December 21 The opening line of “Joy to the World” is sometimes sung incorrectly as, “The Lord has come.” That is not the way Isaac Watts wrote it. He wrote, “The Lord is come.” Watts was not describing a past event (the birth of Jesus), but rather looking forward to a future event (the return of Jesus). This hymn text was written as a paraphrase of Psalm 98, one of several psalms considered messianic. Watts understood it to be about the reign of the Messiah. And that”s precisely what the song is about. It speaks of

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