Hugh Martin wrote “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” for Judy Garland to sing in the 1944 film Meet Me in St Louis. It wasn’t a happy time. The fate of the world hung in the balance: World War II raged in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. Millions were dying in Nazi death camps.
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. Attributed to George Santayana At the end of World War II, Supreme Allied Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower was stunned by the discovery of death camps. No one was prepared for piles of dead bodies or survivors looking like living skeletons. Such inhumanity seemed
At the end of last month, NBBCers took turns manning a booth at the Comal County Fair, giving a “Religious Survey” to people and – when the opportunity presented itself, telling them about God’s love for them, and the good news of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. Thousands walk by each year without
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil, Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness, Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! The Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 5.20) The Apostle Paul prophetically wrote that “in the last days perilous times will come” (2 Tim. 3.1). He goes on to
A few weeks ago a congregation of more than 300 gathered for a church service in Germany – with a twist. The service was AI-generated; the sermon was written by ChatGPT, and delivered by a virtual avatar. Of course, a computer can’t do anything on its own: 29 year-old theologian Jonas Simmerlein from the University
God gives his gifts where He finds the vessel empty enough to receive them. C.S. Lewis And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12.9a Self-sufficiency is a dangerous thing, because it is a deceptive thing. We have made idols out of independence,
Years ago I was driving through a rural area when I came upon a country church. I don’t recall the name of the church, but it sounded good – perhaps something like “Grace Bible Church.” As a pastor of a church in a town less than an hour away, I wondered if this church and
On every hand the foe we find, drawn up in dread array; Let tents of ease be left behind, and onward to the fray! Salvation’s helmet on each head, with truth all girt about, The earth shall tremble ’neath our tread, and echo with our shout. Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory! Oh,
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And clever in their own sight! Isaiah 5.20-21 The children’s story entitled The Emperor’s New Clothes is a humorous
Vitamins are a wonder of God’s creation – organic compounds which are essential for our normal physical growth and nutrition. Most people can get the vitamins they need by maintaining a healthy diet. B vitamins (there are eight of them) are particularly important; they help our bodies get or make energy from the food we
