This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Won't let Satan blow it out.
I'm gonna let it shine. . .

Let it shine til Jesus comes.
I'm gonna let it shine. . .

Hide it under a bushel - NO!
I'm gonna let it shine . . . let it shine, let it shine.read more »

I often find Christmas time exhausting. Present buying, decorating, baking, and readying the house for guests stress my already full schedule. However, years ago, my parents taught me the holidays don't have to be hectic but rather times of simple joy.

When my brother, Jim, and I were young teens, our house often didn't get decorated because of our family's involvement in church activities. Mom and Dad prepared a huge dinner for the homeless. Jim and I helped serve. Seeing the smiles made me thankful that I'd had a chance to help others in such a meaningful way. read more »

It’s the last week of 2009. 51 weeks, 361 days, 8,664 hours, 519,840 minutes, and 31,190,400 seconds have elapsed. How did you spend your time this year?

If you could rewind back to the beginning of this year, what things might you have done differently? What things would you do again? What things do you regret doing?

Perhaps you started a new hobby, tried a different career, changed the format of your monthly magazine (we did at VIG!), finished college, got married, or retired. . .

Maybe you led someone to Christ, worked at a homeless shelter, or served the needy at a food pantry. . .read more »

I had the opportunity to spend time with a man as he was dying this year. He had Parkinson’s for 14 years so his family had time to prepare for his death. He knew the Lord. While it was painful to see him go, it’s a comfort to know he’s no longer in pain. He’s in the arms of Jesus right now, waiting for you and me. read more »

The entire auditorium is covered in darkness. Hushed silence fills the air. A soft glow glimmers on one side of the room. Slowly it begins to grow as one by one, each person in the congregation lights their candle. The soft glow gradually transforms into a brilliant circle of light around the room. Now the entire congregation can see each other’s smiling faces.

Every year I look forward to our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. I enjoy it so much because it represents Jesus Christ as the light of the world.read more »

Christmas songs have changed. If I asked the average non-churched member of society their favorite holiday song and they might say, “Jingle Bells”, or “My Favorite Things” rather than the traditional favorites of “Joy to the World” or “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear.” When I’m at the mall or at a restaurant, I hardly hear one song that even mentions the reason for the season. This time of year has become a big celebration with decorations, presents, and music without ever mentioning the guest of honor. read more »

Christmas is here, but whatever happened to “Silent Night”? Everyone is in a frantic rush to go a-shopping. With stockings to be hung, carols to be sung, and baking to be done, there’s not much time left for quietude. I submit to you that we ought to quit rushing and start hushing. It is in the stillness of this season Christ speaks.read more »

Sometimes barren trees make me sad. But then I remember spring and the buds that will soon form on the trees, and it makes me smile. Yes, it’s winter. The stretch after Christmas is the hardest for me to take. But knowing that spring is coming makes me smile. Buds, birds, butterflies. Flowers, rain showers and green grass.

What a picture of the sadness the disciples felt when Christ was buried…and the heights of joy they experienced when they saw Him risen. It’s Friday but Sunday’s coming. The cross didn’t have the last word. The tomb is empty and death is conquered. We are victors in Christ, for his victory is ours! Winter is not the final word – eternal spring is on the way. read more »