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“And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7 Wow … Christmas time seems to come quicker and quicker each year! The hustle, the bustle, the gifts, the parties, food,  family gatherings. All of this seems to happen in a blur. It’s too easy to forget what we are actually celebrating. You may be familiar with the biblical account of the birth of Jesus from Luke chapter 2. The expectant mother Mary, and Joseph, are traveling due to a census when it comes time for Mary to deliver. Verse 7 tells us that Jesus was born and laid in a manger, and  there was no room for them in the inn. Ironically, there was no room for the Savior of humanity?!  I’ve read this many times over the years, and it's caused me to pause and reflect on my own path. Do I have room for Jesus? Or...

Are we excited about our home in Heaven? A family I know was moving to a new home, and they expressed how excited their boys were. The boys were telling their school friends about it, and what they were planning to do, and all the fun they would have, to the point that their friends wanted to see it too! God has promised a home in Heaven through Jesus. Are we excited to tell others? Are we ready to show them the way? Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 Do our life’s goals, actions, responses, love, and kindness stir their interest so they also want to learn more about Jesus and our heavenly home? “Always be prepared to answer everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” I Peter 3:15 - Ernie Zimmerman, ...

I was looking ahead into 2024 at this time last year, knowing what the upcoming year had in store for my family. We were anticipating the opening and closing of life’s chapters along with the normal daily grind. Chapters such as a graduation from college, one from high school, and another preparation for college, including athletics. We also faced hosting out-of-country family members for 6 weeks, which included graduation parties and remaining school activities and sports. Yet another chapter was my wife and I celebrating a silver wedding anniversary in the month of October. Add in other family, church, and work dynamics, and it all can be a melting pot for emotional and physical fallout. I have only scratched the surface. After the deluge of life's many chapters, I’m reminded; that Jesus gives true rest.

In Matthew 11:28-29 He says, “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden...

September 19...

It was a late summer evening when a young lady’s car came to a sputtering stop in what seemed to be the middle of nowhere. Confused, she looked at the fuel gauge and saw it was clearly on “E.” Frustrated and unsure of what to do, she began to dial a close friend to pick her up. But before she could hit call, she was startled by a pounding on the window. It was a rough looking man who was pounding, and now yelling at her. She couldn’t understand what he was saying, so she panicked and dialed 911. The man then smashed through the window, grabbed the young lady and yanked her out of the car just before a train smashed it and pushed it down the tracks! Many times in life it can feel like God doesn’t have our best interest in mind. We can begin to doubt God’s goodness when the trials of life are weighing us down. But just like the lady on the railroad tracks, we can be completely unaware of  the...