Jonathan’s Perspective

How do you get ready for Christmas? Put up a tree, lights, and buy presents? We exhaust ourselves running to stores, parties, and special events. In trying to do so much we can fail to ‘make ready’ in the most important ways. In the Gospel of Luke, Gabriel appeared to Zechariah the temple and told him that he would have a son,

“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about.” Mt 1:18

 This seems like a straightforward intro to Jesus’ biography. We’ve heard it many times and, like so many other verses, it loses the power of its impact. Names have always been very important. My boys are named for family members and a Christian leader: Wesley Christopher, Nathanael Paul, and Abigail Angeline. Names honor the

What would it take for you to know someone loves you? We really only know that by the sacrifices they make for us; sacrifices of time, resources, convenience, and walking with us through difficulties.

I was blessed with a wonderfully encouraging and supportive dad. I always knew my dad loved me, however; there was a time that showed me the extent of his love. I was entering my sophomore year at Wheaton College.

It all started a long, long time ago in a land far, far away. God did not first come on the scene when Mary gave birth to Jesus. The whole arc of salvation began in Genesis with Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve were made in the image of God to have a full, flourishing relationship with Him. Of course, they thought they were missing out when the

The Psalmist captures the spirit of trust and gratitude. ‘The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand & satisfy the desires of every living thing.’(Ps.145:15-16) This is a beautiful vision of all living creatures looking to God for sustenance. I picture baby birds in a nest cheeping and opening their

Many heroes of the faith didn’t start out that way. Take Jacob. He was named ‘he grasps’ because he came out of the womb clutching his brother’s heel. Jacob always wanted more. He connived to get his brother to give him the birthright of the first born. He impersonated his brother and deceived his father, Isaac, into giving him the blessing of the firstborn. The deceiver had to flee for his life,

I love All Saints Day – reading Hebrews 11 about the faithful who did great things for God and endured great things for God. It creates an opportunity to reflect on all the wonderful people who helped me become who I am as a person, as a Christian. I think of the big saints who changed world history – Abraham, Moses, Peter, John,

When Elijah was about to be taken into heaven on a chariot of fire, he asked his apprentice, Elisha, what he could do for him before he departed. What would you have asked of the prophet? His blessing? A letter of recommendation? Elisha wasted no time in boldly requesting, “

Gordan McDonald says that there are two different types of people, two different dispositions: Driven and Called. Those who are driven see the world through the lens of ownership. They own their positions. They own their position, they own their money, they own the people around them.