December 25, 2025
Americans in Germany Embrace a British Christmas Tradition
Randy and Katy Smelser describe the pleasure of Advent fellowship in Germany with a church of Anglican tradition.
Articles for tag: Joy
May 5, 2025
Finding Joy When Life Isn’t Enjoyable
Joy is more than light-hearted levity based on happy circumstances. It’s not a fleeting feeling; it’s a fruit of the Spirit—a by-product of God’s presence in your life.
December 19, 2023
The Wish Book
Over the next several days, Christian leaders will be sharing favorite Christmas memories with readers. Today we hear from retired Christian educator Dan Schantz about "The Holy Grail of Christmas" his mother would bring home during the last week of August. . . .
December 14, 2023
Overwhelmed by Christmas, Again!
"The coming of Christ is breathtakingly good news for all who feel overwhelmed with any need," Alan Ahlgrim wrote in 2014. "Jesus didn't merely identify with us; he came to assume the crushing, overwhelming burden of our sin. . . ."
October 31, 2022
Point Defeats KCU 43-40 on Last-Second Field Goal
Point University defeated Kentucky Christian University Saturday afternoon on a last-second field goal set up by a string of completions by a freshman quarterback getting his first collegiate start.
November 1, 2021
Joy Is Just One Choice Away
A Christian Psychologist’s Perspective on Happiness
November 1, 2021
The Secret to Finding Joy
By Mark E. Moore “The Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness,” said Benjamin Franklin, before adding, “you have to catch it yourself.” Happiness is temporary; joy is permanent. At least that’s what I have been told. But I no longer believe that to be true. Happiness comes from external things; joy comes from what’s inside. At least that’s what I have been told. But I no longer believe that to be true. I suppose we can use happiness and joy to mean whatever we want them to mean. After all, that’s the way language works.
November 1, 2021
Hard Truths for Modern Times
By Megan Rawlings Our world is in chaos. It seems as if major bad news breaks every day! As this chaos occurs, society seems increasingly to be motivated by materialism and comfort. When the church was young, the people of Galatia turned away from God, and this did not escape Paul’s attention. In fact, he penned one of his harshest letters to the Christians there. While reading that letter, I realized Paul’s reprimand is applicable to us in modern times. I’ll borrow from his Epistle to the Galatians to state some hard truths surrounding our current status. I am astonished
January 31, 2021
‘7 Reasons to Back Church Planters’
In Orchard Group's 2020-2021 Report, president/CEO Brent Storms shared these “7 Reasons to Back Church Planters” . . .
January 11, 2021
Jan 17 | For Mine Is the Kingdom?
Often I find myself trying to run my own little kingdom—the “kingdom of Dave.” I know that sounds ridiculous, but it won’t sound any better if you substitute your own name in the phrase.
December 21, 2020
God’s Ways
By Stuart Powell Have you ever thought you were the last to hear about something important? Why is that? Do you lack influence or political connections? Is your opinion not valued because of your lowly social status? Do you live in the wrong neighborhood? If the emptiness of your life is exposed by these questions, you are in good company. 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
December 17, 2019
The Baby in the Manger
By Stuart Powell Note: Use this meditation as part of a Christmas Nativity scene. Before the meditation, hide in the manger a large piece of bread (pita bread works well) and a sealed glass container half filled with grape juice or purple water. (Make sure neither item is visible to the audience.) Most Christians are familiar with the traditional scene of the first Christmas: Mary, Joseph, shepherds, angels, and all sorts of animals. The centerpiece of the scene, surrounded by all the popular characters, is a feeding trough holding God’s bundle of joy, baby Jesus. As we take in the
December 2, 2018
Joy to the Church Leaders
How to Break Out of Seasonal Stress to Experience the Joy of Jesus This Christmas Compiled by Justin Horey Joy is more than the subject of a classic Christmas carol. Joy is an integral part of the Christmas story. It was “good news of great joy” that the angels announced to the shepherds outside Bethlehem on the night of Jesus’ birth. Ironically, the trappings and traditions of the modern Christmas season can threaten to steal our joy at a time when we should be celebrating Christ’s birth. This is even true—perhaps especially true—for those in full-time ministry. From staff parties
October 16, 2018
My Heart Pounds within Me
By Vince Antonucci When our kids were younger my wife and I took them to a big waterpark. Our son was 5 and our daughter was almost 3, so we spent the day in the kiddie pools. Each pool had slides and all kinds of fun stuff. We played in one for a while, then walked about 100 yards to a second kiddie pool where we let the kids splash around. We then walked another 100 yards to the next one, where my kids repeatedly slid down one big slide. My wife walked over to the other side of the
April 29, 2018
SPOTLIGHT: Christ’s Church of the Valley, Phoenix, Arizona
The consistency of challenging their congregation to be bold in furthering the kingdom over the years paid off throughout 2017. By Natalee Jones Change isn’t easy but it’s necessary for growth. That’s what Don Wilson kept in mind as he was deciding to retire as senior pastor of Christ’s Church of the Valley (CCV) in Phoenix, Arizona, a church he helped launch. Wilson and his wife were meeting with three other couples in the Wilsons’ living room just over 35 years ago when they felt God calling them to start a church in the Phoenix area. CCV’s first service
July 7, 2017
Kidnapped by the Taliban
By Ron Davis Many Americans were introduced to one of the stories of the Afghanistan war when they saw the 2014 CBS interview of Dr. Dilip Joseph regarding his experience and the book he had just written with James Lund, Kidnapped by the Taliban (Thomas Nelson Publishers). Dr. Joseph was the medical director for Morning Star Development, active in Afghanistan, serving locals with medical care and training. Returning from a mission of mercy, Dr. Joseph and his party were captured by the Taliban and held for several days. Their captors kept them moving constantly, and they were in moment-by-moment fear
March 28, 2017
Not Happy? Don”t Worry
By Mark A. Taylor Just when you think the world is beyond hope, here comes the United Nations trying to bring a smile. Did you know that Monday last week, March 20, was International Day of Happiness? Did you know it was the fourth such day, having been “adopted by consensus of all 193 member states of the United Nations” on June 28, 2012? Did you miss your local International Day of Happiness celebration? If so, I”m right there with you. Maybe Americans don”t make much of celebrating happiness, because, according the U.N.”s World Happiness Report 2017, the United States
March 8, 2017
The Crack in Everything
By Jim Tune In his song “Anthem,” Leonard Cohen writes that everything has a crack. He then adds, “That”s how the light gets in.” Could Philip Yancey have been listening to Cohen as he reflected on the amazing nature of grace? Yancey writes: “Imperfection is the prerequisite for grace. Light only gets in through the cracks.” It”s not easy to acknowledge one”s imperfections. Wherever the line is drawn between right and wrong, between gentle or cruel, between clean or dirty, all too often I find myself crossing over to the wrong side of the line, despite all my efforts to
December 24, 2015
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
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,
