The Elf Is Watching…
January 26, 2025 by Gina Stinson
Filed under Daily Devotions, Family
By Gina Stinson
Every year about this time a small little stuffed creature arrives at our home—Elf. Elf is a friendly little guy who is responsible for reporting back to Santa about the behavior of my kids. He’s Santa’s helper.
It’s convenient. Elf shows up and my parental instructions are more readily obeyed and my kids actually move more quickly and with a little more excitement when routine chores are accomplished. It’s hilarious. I giggle to myself as I watch.
Eagerness to please, quick response times, and such remarkable devotion to a stuffed animal that only comes around three months of the year is cute…and understandable for little children. Adults would be ridiculous to act that way. But in a world where materialism, money, and employment are valued above character, morals, and values, we might need to take a second look into the Elf’s mirror. Who are we trying to please?
You Really DO Have Self-Control!
January 25, 2025 by Cami Checketts
Filed under Health and Fitness
By Cami Checketts
I often talk myself into making health-related mistakes. It’s easier to convince myself that I don’t have any self-control rather than make my taste buds suffer. For example, I say that I can’t stop myself from eating that bowl of ice cream. I can’t stop myself from baking another batch of cookies and eating snitches of dough. I can’t stop myself at a party because everything looks so amazing. It’s always nice to say I can’t help it or blame someone else. It’s easy to say it’s not my fault–it’s my innate lack of self-control. Or if all else fails, I can blame it on my mother’s sweet-tooth gene.
I am here to tell you that this is a load of garbage!
From this day forward, I am going to look at things in a different way: Because of Jesus, I’ve got more self-control than I know what to do with! He tells me in John 15 that if I abide in him, he’ll produce spiritual fruit in me. And when I look at the list of spiritual fruit found in Galatians 5, I discover that self-control is right there! That means that if I stay close to Jesus and rely on him, he will produce all of the self-control I need.
A Season Of Love
January 24, 2025 by Susan Dollyhigh
Filed under Faith, Faith Articles
By Susan Dollyhigh
On the third week of Advent, I arrived at the homeless shelter planning to light the third purple candle that symbolizes love. Planning to talk about God’s love for all His children, even His children who feel they don’t deserve to be loved. Planning to assure the residents that they are lovable – that they are loved by their Father’s children and by their Father.
Climbing the stairs leading to the kitchen, I heard little hands clapping and little cherubic voices chanting, “Yeah, Miss Susie’s here! Yeah, Miss Susie’s here!” Arriving at the kitchen door, the two little cherubs sat at the table, eyes glistening and mouths smiling.
A Boy!
January 23, 2025 by Cynthia Ruchti
Filed under Daily Devotions, Humorous
By Cynthia Ruchti
What did Joseph do while Mary was in labor with their son Jesus? Did he pace outside the stable? Did he read magazines, boil water, argue with the innkeeper for a better room?
Did Joseph sit around a campfire with other travelers and let their wives attend to Mary?
Did he spend the night in prayer, alone with his God, or at his wife’s side?
Christmas is NOT in the SNOWGLOBE
January 22, 2025 by Stanley Leffew
Filed under Christian Life, Family Focus
By Stanley Leffew
Snowglobes have intrigued the hearts of men and women as far back as I can remember. And why wouldn’t they? Not only are they creative, they all seem to take on their own life and lavishness. Just one little shake and you can’t help but be hooked.
But I wouldn’t bring you over here just to hear a story about a snowglobe would I?
Great reasoning!
So what is this about?
