The clock’s hands tremble at midnight, as if they too feel the weight of time’s turning. One breath, one heartbeat— and the old year exhales its final sigh.
We stand at the threshold, feet on the worn floorboards of yesterday, eyes fixed on the bright doorway of tomorrow. The air hums with possibility— like unopened letters, like seeds sleeping beneath winter soil.
The New Year is not just a date, but a soft invitation: to forgive what hurt, to carry forward what healed, to dream without apology.
In its first quiet hours, the world feels tender, as though it knows we are fragile too. We promise ourselves new beginnings, but perhaps the truest promise is to keep showing up— even when the days are ordinary, even when the light is slow to return.
So here’s to the year ahead: to the laughter that will surprise us, to the tears that will teach us, to the moments we will not see coming— and to the courage to meet them all.
May we step into this year not as who we were, but as who we are becoming.
(The above poem was written via AI.)
I have stated before that I am always hopeful for a new year. It’s like having the slate wiped clean and a fresh start to see if you can get this one right. Of course, it usually isn’t too long before I need forgiveness. I’m glad I never go into a new year alone. I know God is always with me. So, with Him, I can face whatever the new year holds for me. If you haven’t accepted Jesus Christ into your heart or asked for forgiveness for your sins, I hope you will. Then, you too can have peace as you enter a new year. “Happy New Year!”
The holidays are magical — twinkling lights, cozy cocoa, and… plotting your stealth mission to the returns counter. Because let’s face it, not every gift is a keeper.
1. The “Ohhh… Wow!” Face When you unwrap something that looks like it escaped from a yard sale in 1987, channel your inner Oscar-winning actor. Smile big, nod slowly, and say, “This is… so… unexpected!” Translation: Where’s the receipt?
2. The Receipt Hunt Gift receipts are mythical creatures. Without one, you’re stuck with store credit — which is how you end up owning a lifetime supply of “Cinnamon Moose” candles.
3. Re-Gift or Release Some gifts are too bizarre to keep but too guilt-inducing to toss. Solution? The Re-Gift Stash — a secret vault where questionable presents wait for their next unsuspecting victim.
4. Return Counter Survival Skills Post-Christmas returns are basically the Hunger Games with shopping carts. You’ll need speed, agility, and the ability to answer “Why are you returning this?” without blurting, “Because it’s ugly.”
5. The Gift’s True Destiny Returning isn’t ungrateful — it’s matchmaking. Somewhere out there, someone wants that neon sweater with the 3D reindeer nose. And bless their festive little heart.
The best gifts never get returned. They are the ones where the giver knows the person well. Knows what they like and knows what they have need of. The best gifts are held close to the heart.
That is why God gave us His only Son, Jesus. He knows us and knew our greatest need was a savior, not a financial wizard or an educator, or anything else, but someone who could pay the price for our sins. (John 3:16)
When one accepts God’s gift, opens it, if you will, and tries it on, there is no doubt that after feeling the release of bondage, will not want to return it. God’s gift also comes with an instruction book, called the Bible, and I strongly recommend reading it from cover to cover. (It would be interesting if IKEA came out with its own version of the Bible. It would have no words but pictures only.) Don’t be like a typical man and put God’s word in a drawer and think that you can have a relationship with God without reading it. Technically, you can, but if you want to enjoy your gift to the fullest extent, then you will want to read it.
“Thank you, God, for the greatest gift ever, and Happy belated Birthday, Jesus! Love you,”
When I was a child, as Christmas approached, I would get increasingly excited. I knew we celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ, but the gifts I received were usually awesome! When I became a father, my excitement grew even more. Not for me, though, but for my children. Why? Because I knew what was coming. I couldn’t wait to see the pure joy on their little faces as they unwrapped their gifts.
The world is facing some tough times. Honestly, without God, I don’t see how people are making it. Where do they find their hope? And where do they place their trust? Is there anything to look forward to? Anything to get excited about?
I have heard, firsthand, stories of individuals who do know God, smiling in the moments before they cross over into heaven. Some even see Jesus coming to welcome them home and to give them a personal escort. I heard of one such story last week. The daughter of the woman who passed said in the final moment her mother started smiling, and the siblings all said in agreement, “Mom, go on home. We will be okay.” And she did. I heard my uncle cried out, “I see him! I see him!” And then he closed his eyes, smiled, and went with Jesus. They got excited because they knew what was coming.
I have read the Bible and have heard countless sermons and teachings about what lies in store for the one who has accepted Jesus Christ. Who has asked for their sins to be forgiven and go on to walk with God. Heaven sounds pretty awesome! Especially when compared to the only other alternative, hell. Yes, times are difficult, but I put my trust and faith in the Lord, God Almighty. He has never let me down before, and I don’t think He will in the future. Personally, I’m not afraid to die. I know in my heart I am ready to stand before God and give an account for how I have lived my life. And honestly, I sometimes get excited about death because I know what is coming!
It’s the Christmas season. I hope there are gifts under your Christmas tree. I hope you have excitement in your heart, not just for the gifts, but for gathering with family and friends. But I hope more that you, too, know and have accepted Jesus into your life, and that is the true source of your excitement. If you have, then you, too, can get excited, foryou have the hope of what is coming!
1Therefore, since we are justified (acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God) through faith, let us [grasp the fact that we] have [the peace of reconciliation to hold and to enjoy] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).2 Through Him also we have [our] access (entrance, introduction) by faith into this grace (state of God’s favor) in which we [firmly and safely] stand. And let us rejoice and exult in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the glory of God. Rom. 5:1-2 (AMPC)
I know I had it at the age of four. Logic and problem-solving skills, that is. One day, my older sister and I went Christmas shopping with my mother. At Promenade Mall, we saw at least four Santa Clauses. Of course, none of them looked the same, or like the typical image we think of, and one was even a different race than me. This didn’t sit well.
Then there were all the other problems with Santa. We didn’t have a fireplace in our home, and even if we did, wouldn’t it be too hot for him to come down? And how he allegedly traveled the whole world in one night. I didn’t think so. Not to mention the issue of carrying all those toys. It just didn’t make sense to me. One such movie addressed these issues, but it wasn’t around when I was four.
On the way home, the mystery of Santa Claus became clear. I was excited, so I blurted it out. My sister started crying and screaming, “No! No! It’s not true!” My mother almost wrecked the car trying to reach back and slap my legs out of anger. Then she yelled at me to shut my mouth and not say another word. It was a different time between parents and kids back then, so of course, I obeyed. The rest of the ride home was, can you say, “Awkward?”
After we got home, and my mother put things away, she entered my room. I knew she was still angry with me. She said, “You think you are so smart! If you want to ruin Christmas for yourself, then fine, but don’t you dare ruin it for any other child, including your sister!” (Notice I didn’t say what I figured out here, still keeping my promise to my mother some sixty years later!) I think she then went and told my sister I was wrong, and my sister continued to believe a few more years after that.
To this day, things still have to make sense to me before I can accept them. Having logic and problem-solving skills has served me well all these years. I thank God for those gifts. But one area of my life where I can’t always figure things out is with my faith. One thing hard to understand is how God’s love for us has no bounds. It never runs out, as if each person is allocated a certain amount. And then he gave us his only Son, knowing he would die a horrible, excruciating death on the cross that provides forgiveness for our sins. That blows my mind, and having a son, I’m not sure I could have done the same.
Of course, Jesus’ birth is the whole reason we have Christmas. Talk about divine moments, when the Holy Spirit moved upon Mary and she became pregnant with the Son of God. Wow! She must have felt so special, even though she didn’t understand it all, yet she believed. I’m sure she had more questions than answers. I know, at times, I do.
For instance, the way God does things and his timing. I would certainly like to have him help me figure out his timing. But as I have read his word, the Bible, I have come across scriptures that do help me, especially when things don’t make sense. Like, Isaiah 58:8-9:
“I don’t think the way you think. The way you work isn’t the way I work.” God’s Decree. “For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think.” (MSG)
The greatest gift one can receive in life is God’s Son, Jesus. Yes, it can be difficult to accept, but that is where God gave us another gift. “A measure of faith.” (Romans 12:3) One doesn’t have to try to problem-solve their relationship with God. And it doesn’t even have to be logical or make sense first before we accept him. All we have to do is believe. Our faith is something we should blurt out to everyone.
God is real. Heaven and hell are real. For that matter, so is the devil. Satan doesn’t want you to believe in God. He tries so hard to keep doubt in your mind. He is the one who proposes questions in your mind that can hinder you from believing and then accepting God into your life. So, knowing what is real, start there. And if you struggle a little, it’s okay. Ask God to help you believe and then grow in your relationship with God. I assure you, it’s the best gift you will ever unwrap in your life.
“Because it’s Sunday.” “I was raised to.” “It makes my mother happy.” “To show off my latest outfit and Louis Vuitton purse.” “I think God takes attendance.” “So, I can talk to someone who accepts me. Otherwise, I’m lonely.” “To try to enlarge my client list.” “To show my spiritual knowledge.”
The truth is, people attend church for various reasons. And while there, their motives may take advantage of others. Sadly, some individuals will go to church to prey upon the weak, the poor, or the young.
Jesus had a few things to say about why we should attend church and what motivates us to do so. We see in Mark chapter 11 that Jesus went into the temple.
He entered Jerusalem, then entered the Temple. He looked around, taking it all in. But by now it was late, so he went back to Bethany with the Twelve. (Vs. 11) MSG
They arrived at Jerusalem. Immediately on entering the Temple, Jesus started throwing out everyone who had set up shop there, buying and selling. He kicked over the tables of the bankers and the stalls of the pigeon merchants. He didn’t let anyone even carry a basket through the Temple. And then he taught them, quoting this text:
My house was designated a house of prayer for the nations; You’ve turned it into a hangout for thieves.
The high priests and religion scholars heard what was going on and plotted how they might get rid of him. They panicked, for the entire crowd was carried away by his teaching. (Vs. 15-18) MSG
Then, in chapter 12, Jesus continued teaching:
He continued teaching. “Watch out for the religion scholars. They love to walk around in academic gowns, preening in the radiance of public flattery, basking in prominent positions, sitting at the head table at every church function. And all the time they are exploiting the weak and helpless. The longer their prayers, the worse they get. But they’ll pay for it in the end.” (Vs. 28-40) MSG
I must admit I struggled with that last part, “But they’ll pay for it in the end.” Some versions of the Bible say, “they will receive greater damnation.” I spent some time researching the meaning of Mark 12:40. I came upon a very profound explanation via “Copilot”:
In Mark 12:40, Jesus refers to the greater punishment as a severe condemnation for the scribes who exploit widows’ houses and make long prayers for pretense. This punishment is a reflection of the severity of their actions, which were not only hypocritical but also harmful to the vulnerable. The term “greater damnation” suggests that God holds us accountable for our actions, especially when we misuse our power and influence over others.
To fully grasp the weight of Mark 12:40, we must consider the context in which Jesus spoke, which was during a series of confrontations with religious leaders. Just before this, Jesus had been teaching in the Temple, addressing issues of authority and challenging the hypocrisy he saw among those who thought they were righteous. The backdrop of these confrontations was the Temple itself, a place meant for worship, reverence, and connection with God. Yet, the behaviors displayed by the scribes indicated a deep disconnect from the Temple’s true purpose, which is to serve and care for the community.
Then, from Reverend Michael Johnson:
We can guard against spiritual pride by staying humble and recognizing that all our abilities and accomplishments come from God. We should not boast about our spiritual practices or look down on others who may not be as advanced in their faith journey. It is important to remember that true spiritual growth comes through humility and a servant heart, rather than through seeking recognition or praise from others.
To guard against hypocrisy, we must ensure that our actions align with our beliefs and teachings. We should strive to live out our faith in an authentic and genuine way, rather than putting on a facade for others to see. This involves seeking integrity in all areas of our lives and being honest with ourselves about our motivations and intentions. We can guard against the pitfalls of hypocrisy by constantly examining our hearts and striving for consistency between our words and actions.
Application
Think about the scribes from Mark 12:40—condemned for their hypocrisy. Like overloaded employees forgetting honesty, or parents failing to lead by example, they missed the mark. As followers of Christ, let’s be genuine in our service to God and others. Your every action, your every intention, should mirror Jesus’ values of love, compassion, and integrity. Will you step up and live your faith authentically with me?
I’ve mentioned it before, but getting old is hard, and life can be, too. Not being a morning person doesn’t help either. Like the great philosopher once said, “I would like mornings better if they started later!” – Garfield. Then, there are my pet peeves. So, the other day, while driving April to work, the perfect storm happened. All three issues came together.
I hadn’t gotten a good night’s sleep, and when the alarm went off at 4:20 AM, I wasn’t done yet. So, morning came way too early, and I was feeling grumpy. On the way to the car, I saw two lists on the kitchen counter. While driving, April didn’t say a word about them, so I had to ask. Lack of communication is one of my top pet peeves. See where this is going?
I got mad. Really mad! I didn’t understand why I had to ask what the lists were for, and when April’s reply made it seem as if I should have been able to figure it all out. Well, that was like throwing gasoline on a campfire. (Kids, never throw gas on any open flame. Let your father look like an idiot.)
Yep, words came out that should have never been spoken. My behavior and my words were awful. April certainly didn’t deserve that kind of reaction, no matter what. Especially at the beginning of her day. “Hi, I’m Mark, and I’m a Meany.” The crowd responded, “Hi, Mark.”
On the drive back home, I felt horrible. I didn’t want those words to be with April all day. So, before I went back to bed, I texted her an apology and owned up to being a “Meany.” I apologized to God, too, and asked for forgiveness.
Later in the day, while shopping, I bought April some flowers. Pretty ones in her favorite colors. I called them “Meany Flowers.” I know they didn’t make up for my poor, ungodly behavior, but they might help heal the emotional wound I created in her. April can forgive easily, and of course, God is faithful to forgive us of our sins. (1 John 1:9)
Do we, or I, act out more easily knowing that God will forgive us? I think I do at times. I know it’s wrong. It’s as if I trample on His grace and mercy and take it too lightly. Perhaps I am saying to Jesus, “Hey, buddy, thanks for that suffering on the cross stuff, but after all, I deserved it.” The truth is, I don’t deserve his forgiveness, but God so loved the world.
God forgives those who ask for it because He doesn’t want to see anyone die in a sinful state and go to hell. Of course, because He gives us free will, where we spend eternity is up to us.
So, April forgave me, and yes, God forgave me. God knows our hearts, and He knew I was ashamed of what I did and said. I try to be aware of my weaknesses and ask God for help quickly when I start to feel my temper rising. And besides, flowers are expensive!
It was the trial of the century. A man was being prosecuted and persecuted for violating the Sabbath law by healing on the Sabbath, threatening to destroy the Jewish Temple, practicing sorcery and exorcising people by the power of demons, blasphemy, specifically claiming to be the Son of God, and claiming to be the Messiah.
The trial was taking place at the same time as the Passover holiday, so Jerusalem was at capacity and buzzing. By that time, most had heard of Jesus. They had probably heard his teachings and perhaps even witnessed some of the miracles he performed. They were no doubt moved by his message of love and acceptance. Who knows? Some may have even been fed by him as part of the 5000 men who ate the fish and loaves of bread until they were full.
So, when Jesus was arrested by the rulers of the day, they got scared. A week earlier, they were praising his name, but now they denied they knew him or, at the very least, kept their belief to themselves.
“Those who scream the most and the loudest are usually the ones on the wrong side of Truth!“
Well, as you may know, Jesus was found guilty and sentenced to be crucified on a cross immediately. The rulers of the day, the ones most threatened by the message He shared and lived, wanted him gone, dead, and buried.
Three days later, two men were walking down the road to Emmaus, no doubt discussing the recent events that had taken place concerning Jesus. Perhaps they were trying to see where the other stood on the issues, when out of nowhere, a man they didn’t recognize appeared. It was Jesus. “What are you discussing?” Asked Jesus. “Man! Where have you been the last three days? Stoned? Under a rock?” They were amazed he allegedly didn’t know what was going on. Jesus no doubt wanted to see if they recognized him, and they eventually did.
Would you recognize Jesus if he came alongside you? If you believe in him and who He is, then He is right there next to you. Are you paying attention to what is going on in America right now? At the time of this writing, earlier in the week, we witnessed a man killed for simply, lovingly expressing his opinion. I’m sure he had been threatened or even warned to be quiet, but God had no doubt asked him to be his spokesperson. What happened to “Freedom of Speech?”
As we go forward, we may see more and more persecution in America and around the world against those who stand up and speak Truth. Unfortunately, just like in Jesus’ day, people don’t want to hear the truth. They want to ignore their conscience and live however they want to; that pleases them.
If God asked you to stand up and be noticed for speaking about Him, would you do it? My main character in my novel, “Kill the Preacher Man,” had his life threatened and his family’s if he didn’t stop preaching and being used by God to heal people. He had to face that difficult decision.
I have no idea what the end times will look like exactly, but we need to pay attention, stay in prayer, and have no fear. Like the apostle Paul famously said, “To live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Phi. 1:21)
If you would like to read about the interaction of Jesus and the two on the road, turn to Luke 24:13-35. I liked the version by J.B. Phillips.
In preparation for writing this post, I soon realized that it was going to be difficult. The subject matter is serious and very opinionated. I’m not a trained professional at all, but my observations and lots of thinking, trying to understand, have formed my beliefs.
We have had a lot of mass shootings in America in recent years. At the time of this writing, there was another one last week. It’s sad and tragic, and even more so when the victims are children. Our country has put in place stronger gun control laws, yet shootings still exist, so gun control isn’t the answer. Then there’s the anthem, “Guns don’t kill people, but people kill people.”
So, one must look at the people, the individuals who commit these travesties. We have to ask, “What is going on inside of them that would cause them to ‘act out’ in such a way?” Some are beginning to look more and more at mental illnesses as a leading cause, and they are most likely onto something.
If we had a way to count them, we would probably learn that millions of people suffer from some form or level of mental illness. Many, most likely, use medication to control it. But what about the ones who can’t get the prescriptions or counseling they need? Or worse, what if they have never been diagnosed?
Here is my opinion: Not to overly simplify the problem, I believe, in some sort of way, these individuals are “empty.” In other words, they are not flowing with life. This may lead them to feel they are alone, there is nothing worth living for, or why keep fighting? Some may have issues of feeling abandoned, that no one sees them, or cares. They probably struggle to make sense out of life. They find themselves living with darkness all around them and without peace.
As for why they attack children at a school or people at a church, this may be where they identify their life went dark. Or perhaps this is where they feel individuals stopped caring about them.
If these hurting, empty, living in darkness, individuals could meet Jesus. Hear about his love and care for them, and then feel it. Then, they might just accept him, and their lives could take on a whole new meaning. Doing so could be their turning point. They would, perhaps for the first time, experience the peace they seek, the meaning and fulfillment they need, and start walking with the Light of the world. All confusion about who they are could become clear.
Most likely, these hurting individuals walk amongst us. If we see them, we should be bold to confront them. Share Jesus and his love with them, and then follow up or stay in touch with them. It may take a lot of work to combat the lies of the devil they have been listening to for some time, perhaps, years. But with God’s help and guidance, we can do it. We can rescue these people, and Jesus can deliver them out of darkness and into the light. A significant challenge, but we must try. You never know, but your efforts could save their life and the lives of countless others.
“Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” Mat. 5:15b-16 (MSG)
“I tried everything. Parties, women, buying expensive jewelry… Nothing helped. There was no peace. Just emptiness inside. When I found Christ, I found what I had been missing all those years.” – Deion Sanders
Moses, Abraham, Joshua, David, Elijah, and many more. They could all be counted as “Heroes of the Faith.” But today, I would have to add another name to that list. A true woman of God, Margie McQueen. I sat and cried, and laughed a little, as we celebrated her life today. A life lived so well that she had to have heard Jesus say, “Well done, Margie, and welcome home.”
How do I know she heard those words? There is no doubt that Margie loved God and people. Many spoke loving words about how she had touched their lives and the lives of their families. She was a prayer warrior to say the least. She was a prophetess as God would show her things while in prayer, sometimes well before they came to pass. Many times, in a church service, she would be used of God to exhort, comfort, and encourage the flock. She definitely had and operated in the spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit, which are still operating in our days if we will only listen and be willing to be used of God. (1 Corinthians Chapters 12 & 14)
As others shared their favorite “Margie” moments, I couldn’t help but remember my own. When I was thirteen, the Carbondale Assembly of God church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, hired me to mow the lawn. Margie was the pastor’s wife at the time. The property sat on ten acres and had a lot of grass, and Oklahoma summers can get extremely hot.
The pastor’s parsonage’s kitchen window faced the big front lawn of the church. I would be mowing and sweating. Margie would see me, and at times, would bring out the best chocolate shakes I have ever had, and probably ever will! They were so delicious and refreshing and full of love. In full confession, after the first shake, whether I knew if she was home or not, or watching me or not, when I was close to that kitchen window, I wiped my brow and acted as if I couldn’t make it in the heat unless I had a chocolate shake. Sometimes it worked, but not every time.
Thank you again, Margie, for the chocolate shakes, but more importantly for the love. And for showing all of us who were watching how to be a servant of the living God. Your daughter, Jeanie, said you liked to sparkle. Perhaps tonight, if I am outside, I will look up and smile as you do in heaven.
If God assigns me to mow grass in heaven, I’m going to ask to mow your lawn, Margie, and look for you smiling in your kitchen window. I know I thanked you for the shakes back then, but I don’t recall saying this when you were among us. “I love you, too, Margie.”
People come to God in different ways. I had a coworker who was seeking God. He traveled to the Grand Canyon and declared, “There must be a God!” Sitting on the rim, he accepted God’s gift of salvation, had his sins forgiven, and began his walk with God. Others may be moved by a situation or circumstance that takes place in life.
Saul, from the Bible, was highly educated. He had heard Jesus’ claims and teachings, as it was always a popular topic of discussion. Why? Because Jesus promoted living a life of love. This went against the culture of the day, and to this day! Saul was there when Stephen was martyred. He heard Stephen’s speech and saw his face as it glowed there at the end of his life, and it messed with him severely! Saul was goaded. (Acts 6:8 – 7:60)
Saul eventually accepted Jesus Christ. During his conversion:
And Saul said, Who are You, Lord? And He said, I am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting. It is dangerous and it will turn out badly for you to keep kicking against the goad [to offer vain and perilous resistance]. Acts 9:5 (AMPC)
Goad means – provoke or annoy (someone) so as to stimulate an action or reaction.
More recently, Jimmy Kimmel got teary-eyed when he talked about Erika Kirk forgiving the man who killed her husband. Jimmy, too, is highly educated. He lives a very different life from the one Charlie did, and Erika Kirk still does. I believe Jimmy Kimmel is starting to feel some goads. Erika’s willingness to forgive is messing with his mind. He doesn’t understand how she can do that because it’s the way of love.
Acts of selfless love penetrate one’s mind and spirit.
I guarantee you, there are a lot of individuals walking all around us who are struggling with the message and lifestyle of Jesus Christ and of those who follow him. The Holy Spirit is drawing them quietly to God. That is one of his duties. He convicts men of their sins and shows them they need forgiveness in order to have real life.
If you are related to an individual going through this, or you work with, or live near, pray for them. Pray they will stop fighting against the goads and surrender their will to God’s. Their future and where they spend eternity depend on it. If it is you, then do the right thing and live.
brady, mark a. 