Christian Devotionals and Scripture Applied to Everyday Life

This is the time of year when many Americans decide that they are going to get fit. We have just come through a time of celebration that included excess eating along with limited exercise, and most of us are feeling the effects. “Today is the day” has become a famous motto around our house, and healthy meals are on the menu to jumpstart our goal of becoming strong.

The older I get the more I realize how much people need each other. This is true in all sorts of ways and particularly when it comes to growing spiritually. God has created us to live in relationship with Him and others and it is crucial for our health and well-being. Many celebrations have occurred in the past week. Friends and families gathered together to celebrate the advent of the New Year. Our family’s activities were a bit laid back but nevertheless enjoyable and fun. After eating delicious calzones prepared by Luke and Brianna we settled in for a night of Rocky.

It’s that time of year again; it's the time when everyone comes to the bend in the road that leaves the past behind and moves them forward into the future. It is a common practice to look back one last time to consider all that has transpired and plan for what can be accomplished in the future. In so doing many make a list of New Year resolutions. As I have thought about the days ahead, I have decided that 2017 will be the year of death.

Seasons come and seasons go! For the past month or so we have all geared up for the big day – Christmas produces such excitement and expectation. Now the day has come and gone and many are feeling a letdown. Adrenaline and frantic busyness to get everything just right has taken its toll and exhaustion hits full force. This feeling of sadness at the end of something special will happen all throughout life, but I have found a way to carry the joy of the season with me.

There are only a few more days until Christmas. As the celebration creeps closer and closer some of us are still running around seeking to find the perfect gift for those we love. We scour the lists of ideas that have been given to us and make our choices about which present would best express our thoughts and make our loved ones happy. Hopefully we will choose that perfect something!

Christmas is a time for giving and receiving, and who doesn’t know this better than children? For weeks now youngsters have been dreaming about the packages they will find under the tree Christmas morning, and the hopes and expectations build as the day approaches. I remember as a teenager my younger siblings tiptoeing into my room to wake me up early. Together we would sneak into the living room to peek under the tree. We would curl up and watch the lights twinkle and we would dream while waiting for the day to begin. That was one of my favorite parts of the special day, and it’s probably why you children could always get me up Christmas morning before Dad.