Enter a search term below. If searching by episode number be sure to include the comma, for example 4,707
The Christmas story teaches much about recognizing true greatness. Who would think to look in a manger, among animals and straw, for the newborn King? The humble shepherds would find Him there. The wise men would follow His star and come to worship Him. But who of Jesus’ own household would herald His birth? After […]
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of […]
Near the end of each year comes a wonderful feeling that is almost universal. It’s a feeling that fills the air like the sound of a beautifully sung hymn. It brings people together in joyful celebration. We call it the Christmas spirit. Much has been said over the years about the true spirit of Christmas—what […]
In trying times there’s no more reassuring feeling than to know that God is in control and that His love for us is real. God’s love can provide the hope and encouragement we need to face our challenges and move forward with our lives. God’s love for us is not diminished by the evil actions […]
Thanksgiving is a coupling of two universal principles: thanks and giving. When the two work together, lives are changed for the better. The Apostle Paul said: “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God.”1 Giving thanks is an expression of a heart full of gratitude, a heart full of love. The Lord, […]
We often speak of a young person’s life as “full of promise”—marriage and children, friendships, productive work, contributions to church and community—a rich harvest. When a young life ends on the battlefield, the harvest is cut tragically short. But a moment’s reflection reveals a bigger picture. Those who fall in the cause of justice, secure […]
It’s not uncommon to find people trying to avoid unpleasant responsibilities. But heroes of everyday life don’t evade responsibilities. They keep striving in small, seemingly unimportant actions. Simple responsibilities are the hardest, most important work we do. There are a few extraordinary moments along the way. But most of life is not spent on emotionally […]
For many, the most difficult commandment of God is that we love our enemies. Hating our enemies comes naturally to us. When we’ve been hurt or when our families have been attacked, it’s easy to respond with hatred and fear—often expressed in a desire for retribution and revenge. But the words of Jesus are clear: […]
It’s easy to be thankful for spring sunshine, the laughter of children, fields of colorful flowers, and rain. However, we often fail to think past the obvious. We get caught up in busy lives, feel overwhelmed by negative events, and forget how much there is in life to be grateful for. If someone gave us […]
Most people would agree that our greatest happiness is found in the home. It’s there we learn the vital lessons of love and friendship that carry us through life. But even though we know this, we don’t always remember to show our appreciation for family members. The longer we forget, the more an atmosphere of […]
Who among us has not been lost? Whether as a school child with tear-stained cheeks; a teenager who thought he knew the way; or a weary traveler, fumbling to make sense of a map—we’ve all been lost. And, it’s hoped, we’ve all been found. The joy of being found, or of finding oneself, is transcendent—especially […]
No nation, no village, no individual is exempt from adversity. Each one of us experiences sore trials from time to time, and we are united in that suffering. But we can have more in common than our tears. When put to the test, we can refuse to be broken. Despite the calamities that come into […]
When we contemplate the beauty of this world God has chosen to share with us, our thoughts are drawn to the miracle of creation. When we look at a majestic mountain, a spectacular vista, or a magnificent sunset, we think of God, our Creator. We’re reminded that God is the Master of all artists, and […]
Tragedy has knocked at our nation’s Golden Door. The dust fell so thick, and so heavy, we felt it all around us, even though we’re hundreds of miles away. With you and with others all across our land, we grieve—and we pray. Lady Liberty may be surrounded by ashes, but she still stands. And her […]
Does God speak to His children? Most of us would answer, “Yes.” But some might say, “Not to me personally, of course.” We understand that the Almighty talks to those who influence the fate of nations: Abraham, the father of all Israel; Moses, deliverer of the Hebrew slaves; Paul, an Apostle of the early Christian […]
Dark nights are the ones that teach us the most about prayer. Those are the times when other resources are exhausted, and we fall to our knees in humility, hoping God will hear us. In times of crisis or despair, prayer is like the strap we grasp in a rushing train or subway, lending us […]
On a hot, humid, sunny day, a small group of neighbors gathered with shovels and rakes and gardening tools at a local park. The park had been too long neglected and was badly overrun with weeds and fallen leaves. The neighbors had set a day to clean it up. But as they surveyed the work […]
We’ve heard it said that “no man is an island.” Yet sometimes we don’t think about what’s implied in the statement. We really do need each other. After a terrible automobile accident, a woman received three pints of blood. During the weeks of recovery, she was filled with gratitude for the strangers who had saved […]
The Lord’s invitation to us is a promise of peace. He said: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”1 Certainly, much about life can be troublesome. So many of us are […]
We live in an ocean of words, swirling about us from computer screens, book pages, television programs, and whisperings of those we love. Language is everywhere. Sometimes it may seem we’re being bombarded by messages, overwhelmed by information. From this barrage of words, we seek for those that matter most. An encouraging word from a […]
There’s an indescribable feeling that settles in on us at the end of the day when we notice the setting sun. A painted sky with radiant strokes of red, purple, pink, and orange can be breathtaking. All the artistic efforts in the world could never match the grandeur of a single sunset. How marvelous to […]
Among the precious gifts that patriots and pioneers offer us is the opportunity to carry their dreams to future generations. Gratitude for the freedom and happiness we enjoy is best expressed by adding our own contributions to this glorious inheritance. Our grateful remembrance of the past should prompt us to try to create an ever […]
Every child is born into this world with the need to feel wanted and loved. The great humanitarian, Mother Teresa, discovered that there’s one disease for which there is no medical cure. It’s that of being an unwanted child. She said, “Except there are willing hands to serve and there’s a loving heart to love, […]
The Ten Commandments undergird both the Jewish and the Christian faiths. This great code of law sets forth nine actions that God’s people are admonished to do, or to refrain from doing. One commandment, however, deals not with an action, but with an emotion. What emotion could be so dangerous that we are specifically warned […]
One of the disappointing facts of life is that things keep breaking. Furniture, dishes, and computers all break. Bones, health, and hearts can break. Laws and promises, contracts and treaties can be broken. If the blessing of freedom is taken for granted, it could wind up being broken. Freedom’s been bought with a price from […]
If there were a heavenly city in which each street was named for a divine characteristic, one of the main thoroughfares would be named “graciousness.” Realizing she was boarding the same crowded flight as a high-ranking official, a young woman respectfully tried to let the man board the plane ahead of her. The official, her […]
Among the many dictionary listings under the word father, we find one meaning that captures the essence of fatherhood in a simple statement: “A father is someone who exercises protecting care.” Sometime it’s tempting for a man to think of exercising “protecting care” in terms of the material things he can provide. When asked what […]
From our earliest years, the expression “thank you” is among the first and most important we learn. In every language and across every culture, giving thanks is a central part of human interaction. Whether with a formal note or a passing handshake, words of gratitude have a special power. They lighten burdens, convey respect, and […]
Nearly 300 years ago, an English trumpeter invented the tuning fork—a remarkable device that, when struck, can produce a perfect tone and help musicians find standard pitch. But a curious thing happens when another tuning fork is held in an opposite corner of the room. The second fork responds to the vibrations of the first […]
Most of the time we manage to get through each day without asking anyone for help. We want to be independent, and so it’s hard to admit sometimes that there are circumstances when it’s necessary to rely on others. But some things are just better done in pairs, as the words of the scripture remind […]