The Three Gifts of Christmas: Gifts of the Wise Men
The Wise Men approached the Christ Child and worshipped him first and foremost. More than anything the Lord wants us to spend time with him. We can worship him in so many ways whether through…
Behind the Christmas Song: A Christmas Carol
A Christmas Carol was written and composed by Charles Ives in 1897. The song appeared in his collection 114 songs which was published in 1922. He self-published these never before seen songs. By the early…
Names of God: HaShem
HaShem is used for the name of the Lord, as a replacement to speaking his given name. The Jews did not want to blaspheme the name of the Lord or show irreverence. “The son of…
Writing Gratitude’s
Earlier this year, I decided to try something new and write at least three gratitude’s a day. Many days I had even more. As a melancholy personality, I realized how much this lifted my spirits,…
Eyewitness to Christmas: Who Were the Wise Men
In the past years, we have studied the eyewitness to Christmas from the viewpoint of the Virgin Mary, Elizabeth and Zacharias, Joseph, and the angels. This year, we are going to journey with the Wise…
Thanksgiving Hymn Story: Bountiful Harvest
This is a beautiful Thanksgiving hymn, which has often been forgotten and overlooked. The hymn is often known as “We Praise Thee O Lord For The Bountiful Harvest“. The hymn was written by famed hymnists,…
Names of God: Yahweh- Qanna
Yahweh- Qanna means the Lord is jealous. The word derives from the Hebrew kanna. The Lord tells us he is a jealous and envious God. “Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve…
Women Followed Jesus: Martha and Mary
Martha and Mary were sisters and their brother was Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the grave. While the other women we have visited are seen traveling with Jesus and his disciples and ministering to them,…
Being Silent
In Bible Study, we have been discussing forms of worship. We discussed many various forms such as laughter, tears, music and the spoken word. However, no matter how much I prayed and asked the Lord…
Behind the Hymn: Bless Be the Ties that Bind
Blest Be the Tie that Binds was written by John Fawcett. John Fawcett was born on January 6, 1740 in Yorkshire, England. By the age of twelve, he was an orphan and “bound out” to…
Names of God: Yahweh-Tsidkenu
Yahweh-Tsidkenu means the Lord our righteousness. “Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The LORD Our Righteous Savior.” {Jeremiah 33:16} “In his days Judah shall be saved,…
Book Review: Sweet On You
After following her sister’s journey’s to love and unraveling family mysteries, it is finally chocolate shop owner, Britt Bradford’s turn. Sweet on You is the story of Britt Bradford and her best friend and best…
Women Followed Jesus: Salome, wife of Zebedee
Salome, the wife of Zebedee, should not be confused with Salome the daughter of Herodias, who asked for John the Baptist head. The name Salome is a form of the word Shalom which means peace.…
As Iron Sharpens Iron
Recently, a friend of mine passed away. I’ve missed her deeply and thought of all the things she has taught me such as how to laugh and grow old gracefully. However, our relationship was not…
Patriotic Song Story: Stars and Stripes Forever
“The Stars and Stripes Forever” is a patriotic American march written and composed by John Philip Sousa, widely considered to be his magnum opus. By a 1987 act of the U.S. Congress, it is the…
Names of God: Yahweh-Tsabbaoth
Yahweh-Tsabbaoth means the Lord of hosts. The second stanza from Martin Luther’s hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” says, “Did we in our own strength confide, Our striving would be losing, Were not the…
Book Review: The Number of Love
A war, a loss, intrigue and numerous twists and turns. The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White contains all this and more. Both Margot and Drake are well rounded characters you can’t help but…
Women Followed Jesus: Mary, the wife of Clopas
Mary was a popular name during Biblical times and remains a popular name today. Hence, to defferentate the various Mary’s there are relationships mentioned. This is true for Mary, Mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Mary…
Devoted to One Another in Love
At the end of this week’s hymn story, I have Decided to Follow Jesus, I mentioned the Jerry Jenkin’s book and movie, Though No Go with Me. This was a book which resonated with me,…
Hymn Story: I Have Decided to Follow Jesus
This is an interesting hymn story, my brother asked me to write. I can’t believe it took me so long to discover this hymn story. I Have Decided to Follow Jesus originated in Assam, India.…