Christmas - a time of peace and joy. And the time when we think of King Herod murdering the baby boys in Bethlehem. And due to President Biden's choices this past week, we think of the death penalty. Not very Christmasy, but very important.

You Shall Not Covet. What does this mean? How do we apply this in our own lives, and how does this commandment inform our culture?

Lots has happened in the Middle East since we last talked about that region. What's going on as of December 12, 2024 in Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and beyond? What are the three things that we need to keep in prayer moving forward?

This Christmas Classic is beloved by many. Today we'll hear from Pastor Michael Eckelkamp about how he not only loves it, but how it changed his life. Were it not for God using this movie to speak to his heart, he would not be a pastor today! So let's grow in our own callings to love others as Jesus has loved us...

The 5th Commandment, regarding the deliberate immoral taking of another human life, is vital for society to function well. God imposes the most severe penalty for violating this commandment. We'll see that much of the hurt and anger in our culture is due to the way we have legalized the violation of this commandment. And we'll hear about how Christians have taken heed of this commandment over the centuries to care for those who are suffering.

Paul spent a few days in Ephesus on his 2nd missionary journey, but then spent 3 years there on his 3rd journey. "All of Asia" heard the word of Jesus during that time! Fantastic ruins are uncovered, and yet to be uncovered, in Ephesus!

This week we give thanks to God for many things, not the least of which is our nation. Can we give thanks not just in general, but for something specific which God used to bequeath to us the nation that we have?

Let's travel with St. Paul to Corinth for the Isthmian Games and see how God blessed his ministry there for 18 months. A few of St. Paul's letters were written from here, as it was one of the 5 most important cities of the ancient world.

We have very little record of the time Paul spent in Berea, but high praise for those who lived there and who were 'more noble than the Thessalonians". However the traveler to Berea comes face to face with evil in all its fullness - let's take a look ...

Paul traveled the Via Ignatia into Thessalonica and had some success in sharing the gospel of Jesus until jealousy set in and he had to run for his life.