Sitting in the pre-dawn stillness of Christmas morning is both peaceful and relaxing. It gives time to pause and reflect on the true reason and meaning of Christmas. Time to ponder and savor the truths that shine brightest at Christmas.

Jesus came to earth as a helpless baby so that we might intimately know and receive a Savior. Divinity joined humanity. Creator became like His creation. 

Christmas has become such a festive holiday. Lights, parties, cheery decorations, and upbeat music are all part of the American Christmas tradition. It is a season to be merry, a time to rejoice, and a month where good well, gift giving, and happiness seems to abound.
 
But what if you’re not feeling the Christmas spirit this year? What if your season is tinged by darkness? What if your celebration is overshadowed by grief or loss? What if you feel alone this season and the merriment and happiness of this time can’t seem to touch your soul?

​Happy Easter Sunday!  Christ is risen; He is risen indeed! This is cause for great rejoicing among the saints.  The grave is empty.  Death has been defeated.  Jesus Christ has won

For over two millennia, Christians around the world and from all walks of life have taken time to remember and reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice on this day—Good Friday.  While Resurrection Sunday celebrates the ultimate victory and new life with the empty tomb and vacant cross, Good Friday comes first.  This day can only be called good because through it our redemption was bought; however, for those present on that day it was far from good. 

​Welcome to a new year!  Christmas has passed and 2020 is behind us.  Now, as we step forward into the future and possibilities of 2021, let us ground ourselves in God’s Word.  As life slows back down after the excitement of the holidays, may we not forget to re-immerse ourselves in the truth of God’s Word.  Therefore, as we start this new month and new year, I will be starting a new Bible study.

​Our world has changed dramatically over the ages, but one thing remains the same:  after every sunset comes a glorious new sunrise.  After a period of darkness, light shines anew.  This is a constant truth both in the physical world and the spiritual one. Out of the stillness of that first Easter morning came the cry of victory as the ground shook and the stone was moved to reveal an empty tomb.  

​Since COVID-19 has disrupted our normal schedule and routine, my family and I have been joining the online gatherings of two different churches.  One of them is Southeast Christian with Pastor Kyle Idleman.  His name might sound familiar to you because he wrote the bestseller, Not A Fan.  Now he’s the senior pastor of one of the largest churches in America. 
 
Kyle Idleman has been preaching a series called “Reverse the Curse,” which delves into what happened during Adam and Eve’s sin in Genesis 3, the subsequent fall out and consequences that we’re still dealing with today, and the glorious revelation that Jesus is the great curse reverser.  Jesus reverses the curse of sin and gives us new life in Him.  He takes what was broken and makes it whole.  He brings beauty from ashes and breathes new life to what was once dead.