When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in a manger. Luke 2:15-16 Years ago when I was in Pennsylvania the Philadelphia Eagles made the playoffs. (Hang with me now, all of you Redskins fans, I know you can’t relate…
In many ways, the Christmas story shouts out loud the presence of God. From two miraculous pregnancies (John the Baptist and Jesus) to angelic choirs; from Divine visitations to the mysterious Magi with royal gifts, God’s power is on open display. And yet, even in the Advent, there is a certain restraint. After all, Jesus was born through a peasant woman in Bethlehem, he didn’t walk down a giant heavenly staircase in Rome. And while there was a generous smattering of…
Matthew 24:12 [At the end of the age]… the love of many will grow cold. On Monday my son Josh and I sat together in the woods of Northern Pennsylvania hunting about a 1/2 mile south of the New York state border. It was early morning, dark and cold well before the sun was up. Wind gusts were driving a fine powdered snow in our faces. The sleety flakes were rushing down out of the sky and bouncing off our…
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world… and everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth… to Bethlehem because he belonged to the house and line of David. Luke 2:1-4 Making a 90 mile trip on the back of a donkey in the middle of winter during the last few days of pregnancy wouldn’t be on my top ten list…
The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Psalm 24:1 According to the U.S. National Debt Clock, the outstanding debt of the United States of America is $11,961,148,562,917.80. It increases by 3.6 billion dollars every day. The current indebtedness for every man, woman and child who lives in the USA based on this projection is $38,944.63. Such is the legacy of spending money you don’t have. God doesn’t have that problem. He owns it…
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb… Revelation 22:1 The Amazon River is an amazing river. It is over 4,000 long (the distance from New York to Rome) and 1/5 of all of the fresh water in the world flows within its banks. The total water flow of the Amazon is greater than the next eight largest rivers combined. Fish thrive in…
These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. Hebrews 11:39-40 God fulfills his promises in surprising and unexpected ways. He told Abraham to leave his homeland and travel to a land that he would one day occupy as his inheritance. But Abraham wandered that land his whole life and the only portion he ever…
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. A man’s pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor. Proverbs 11:2 & 29:23 It’s time to come clean. On July1, 2009 at 9:22 AM, I, Steven Robert Benedict received my first speeding ticket after 25 years 332 days of infraction free driving. 40 in a 25, on Lomond Drive, nailed by one of Prince William County’s finest- Officer Heath Oyler as I was late for an appointment….
People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. Luke 13:29 Friday night at our house is a much anticipated event. On Fridays, Steve has the day off, and the kids don’t have homework or school the next day. Even I let go of household chores long enough to enjoy what has become know in our home as “Family Night.” All the mountains of wash…
James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. “Hey Dad, how far can you kick this ball?” my son Josh’s voice called across the gym. It was late after Sunday services a few weeks back, the cafe was empty, a few people stood around chatting and Josh…