June 29, 2008
Growing Compassionate Kids
Jan Johnson encourages families to serve together, offering practical ways parents can help children grow in compassion, confidence, and Christlike care for people in need.
Articles for tag: Mary
December 16, 2007
Messy Christmas!
By Jeff Walling One of the delights of the Christmas season is receiving cards from friends across the country. My wife displays the prettiest ones and leaves the rest in a basket on our kitchen table so we can cruise the photos and say, “Oh! Look how BIG he”s gotten!” about our newest nephew or my largest brother-in-law. Many have the classic nativity scenes, with adoring shepherds, a smiling Mary, and a glowing baby Jesus. It is these that I used to love the most until I came across an uncomfortable truth: Those Christmas cards are completely unbiblical. And what”s
August 19, 2007
The Bread That Brings Life
A California church partnered with leaders in Nairobi’s Mathare Valley to support microenterprise as mission. One $8 loan helped Elizabeth start a chapati business, escape exploitation, and grow in faith and community.
May 6, 2007
Did We Lose Jesus” Tomb?
A critical look at Discovery Channel’s “The Lost Tomb of Jesus,” weighing the ossuary names, DNA claims, and missing alternatives—and explaining why the evidence doesn’t support the documentary’s sensational conclusion.
April 29, 2007
How to Talk to Your Children About the Virginia Tech Shootings
After the Virginia Tech massacre, parents asked what to tell their children. Dr. Mary Manz Simon shares 10 practical tips for honest conversations, reassurance, school-safety awareness, healthy routines, and prayer.
December 24, 2006
The Insignificant in Christmas
Mark Scott reflects on Luke’s Christmas narrative, showing how God fills ordinary places, people, and events with profound meaning. From Bethlehem’s fields to the shepherds’ surprise, Christmas announces good news for outsiders, too.
December 24, 2006
O Come Let Us Adore Him
By Jackina Stark “”Tis the season to be BUSY.” The way-too-much-to-do usually begins the day after Thanksgiving. Or is the Christmas holiday stressful for only me? Just making my gift lists can wear me out, despite the fact one son-in-law never wants anything but a gift certificate. And most years rushing from store to store to purchase these gifts is a misery, with or without gale winds whipping icy snow into my face. And then, of course, those gifts I”ve toted home and hidden eventually have to be found and wrapped. I”m thrilled, of course, that my husband Tony wraps
The Gospel of Judas
A newly translated Gospel of Judas manuscript has revived interest in Gnosticism. Henry E. Webb explains key Gnostic beliefs and why the early church rejected this text from the New Testament canon.
Overcoming Busyness
Busyness can rob Christians of joy and intimacy with Christ. Dave Butts points to Jesus’ “one thing” and shows how learning from Martha—and from Jesus—reorders priorities for peace, rest, and effective service.
December 25, 2005
Once Upon a Time in Bethlehem
In this imaginative Christmas retelling, Mary fears she has ruined God’s plan—until shepherds arrive with news of angels, glory, and a sign in Bethlehem. Regret gives way to wonder as joy breaks through the stable’s door.
December 18, 2005
The First Christmas Song
Mary’s Magnificat reveals a heart shaped by Scripture. Learn how studying, meditating, praying, and (eventually) memorizing God’s Word can weave biblical language into everyday rhythms and form our responses to life.
September 18, 2005
How Did Jesus Feel?
By James Girdwood God asks us to copy him””to be like him. He said, “Be perfect” (Matthew 5:48); “be holy” (1 Peter 1:15, 16); “love” (1 John 4:11; Hosea 3:1). The book of Hosea itemizes more than 40 ways God expresses his love for his spiritual wife, Israel. Jesus, too, asks us to follow his example. He specifically asks us to copy him in service and in love (John 13:12-17, 34). My Christian parents always taught me to copy Jesus. It seems so natural. The Bible says as much in 1 Corinthians 11:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:6 and 1 Peter 2:21.
