Christine's Blog (2,677)

I memorized the following verses from the Living Bible when I was 11 years old:  “From James, a servant of God to Jewish Christians scattered abroad, Greetings! Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow and don't try to…

Before we move on to Paul’s letter, Colossians, and a new format for Morning Briefings, I would like to invite you to refresh yourself with where we have been, since we began our journey together, almost four years ago, now?  My beginning briefings emanated from the book of James, a brilliant, masterful letter written to Jewish Christians.  It is filled with wisdom that has…

Back in September, we began studying Paul’s letter to the Philippians, though now ‘it is finished’ . . . we have come to the end.  What a letter it has been!  I feel like I learned more about Paul’s softer side, as he expressed his love for his Philippian brothers and sisters repeatedly and in several different ways.  Everything Paul lived for…

Nobody mourned its impending death . . . no one talked about how much it would be missed.  No billboards or television commercials warned of the void it would leave . . . yet, just like that, it has almost vanished as a viable connection of hearts, of happenings and goings-on, as exchange of cordialities, and recording of historical events—it is the irreplaceable hand-written letter.…

Mind the Storehouse of your Mind.  Philippians 4.8

Paul was just published in the ladies’ magazine, Good Housekeeping, did you see it?  In a section about prayers to refresh your life, Paul made the cut with Philippians…

And once again I find myself wishing I could time travel . . . wishing I could go back to that night . . . that holy night when the shepherds found their way to the stable, found their way to Jesus.  As I arrange the pieces of my Nativity, this is what I see:  Mary and her babe ~ Joseph, trying to catch a much-needed nap ~ a few animals ~ and off to one side sits a group of…

You know the scene. . . the shepherds are outside watching their sheep, when suddenly an angel appears to them, surrounding them with the light of God's glory--no doubt, the sky just lit up--if any are dozing, they aren't any longer--they are scared! Like all the other times when angels appeared to deliver a message--it was frightening, and so, the first words uttered by the angels are, "Do not…

The Birth of Jesus

  A…

Daniel Szakalski was red-headed, skinny, freckle-faced and a bit of a rapscallion in class.  Personally, I thought he was adorable, but I could tell by the way his mom cozied up to me on the first day of school, I just might have my hands full, having her fourth grade son in my class.  It was many years ago now, but the reason I recall him so keenly, is because I remember when he found his…

Philippians 4.

Before we embark fully on this last beloved chapter of Paul’s letter to the Philippians, looking at individual verses and groups of verses, please read it in full today.  Before you read, please ask God to…

I love this time of year.  I have been listening to Christmas music for weeks now, since right after Halloween I guess!  I have my early morning coffee with the Lord next to our very large Christmas tree, and for a little while, all seems well with the world . . .…

“Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.”  Paul’s love for the Philippians just screams off the page, doesn’t it?  I can relate to Paul’s feelings for those to whom he ministered . . . oh boy, can I!  You see, ->when God calls an individual to serve, he places within his or her heart a…

Samson had hair, you have ______.  [Take Four from my conference at the B-Tab]

I forgot to tell you one thing about crazy Diana or formerly…

Stop talking about it, just do it—pray.  [Take three after ‘What do…

It is almost Thanksgiving Day, so I’ve been thinking … we know it is a time to stop and say “thank you”—but, why should we give thanks? Why do we make a special day out of the year, and close more retail shops than any other day of the year, for the purpose of giving thanks? Because a long time ago, we Americans were thankful people.



Pilgrims first came together on American soil in 1621 to thank God for helping them bring in a…

We are entering the season of “Immanuel” – “God with us”.  We have been talking about being more keenly aware of God’s presence in our lives, understanding his promise to us, his children, that he will never leave us or forsake us.  God will never leave us alone.  But, what about in our pain?  What about in times of suffering … where is God…