Kay Warheit

Many of the old Christmas carols were written and sung over 200-plus years ago. According to online research, there seems to be a much older date for the carol and its message is the Gospel story taken from Luke 2 with a prayer similar to Zachariah’s in Luke 1.

Webster’s definition of “humble”: “is having or showing a modest or low estimate of one’s importance”. A humble man or woman is one who, through the Holy Spirit, realizes that they are a sinner, and no number of good deeds can erase our sins.

I did not understand the word “agape” until I did some research, reading, and soul-searching for this blog; but now I believe I have a better understanding. What do I understand a little better about agape love?

In the book of Job, Job mocked his aged “counselors” for being older but not wise. “Is not wisdom found among the aged? "Does not life bring understanding?” Job asked. He then told them: “True wisdom and real power belong to God; from him we learn how to live, and also what to live for.”

Growing up in the church I remember singing "Come Ye Thankful People, Come”. The words to this hymn are foreign to us in 2022, but it is a call to God’s people to gather, sing praise, and give thanks to God after a successful fall harvest.

Fears and loneliness can go hand-in-hand when we are bombarded with constant bad news. Our emotions can resemble one of those waving tube men at car lots, but we need to remember where God is in all the bad news we read. He is with us every step of the way.

Can you remember how you felt on the first day of school? No matter what grade you were in there could be fear, excitement, angst, or an anticipation of the possibilities. Groups leaders can feel similar types of emotions when a new study starts so here are few tips to help you out!

A favorite hymn from my childhood is I Love to Tell the Story by Katherine Hankey. That hymn is listed under the category of “Service and Zeal” on page 100 of my grandmother’s one-hundred-year-old, hymnal and it’s a reminder of how important it is to share the story of the Bible with others.

Why is there a question of Christianity being a religion of intolerance? Because the truth is that there is only one way to know and to have a relationship with God. We are called to reject any religion that is not about Jesus as the only way. We are not called to reject people but rather to serve even those who do not believe.