Holidays
-
What Can We Learn From Memorial Day?
When we lived in the U.S. Midwest, Memorial Day weekend always seemed like the beginning of summer. For our family, it always included planting (or replanting) annual flowers. Flower bulbs and seeds are somewhat homely by themselves, but they hold hidden life and beauty within their uninteresting exterior. They actually have two realities: One flourishes
-
Honoring Our Defenders on Memorial Day
Today, Memorial Day, the U.S. pauses to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in our defense. Breaking news, Spirit-filled stories. Subscribe to Charisma on YouTube now! Warfare is one of mankind’s oldest activities . Beginning with Nimrod in Babylon, rulers have used armed forces to subjugate their enemies and often, their own people. The
-
Will the Real St. Patrick Please Stand Up?
The river that flows through Chicago, Illinois, is about to become green once again. The annual celebration of St. Patrick’s Day brings flowing toasts of green beer throughout America and strange rituals like this one. The Irish descendants of Chicago might go a little too far in their celebration of Irish heritage, but it still
-
All the Presidents’ Men: How America’s Greatest Leaders Can Inspire and Inform the Next Generation
On the third Monday of February, America pauses to reflect on the great presidents who have led our country since its inception. Originally established in 1885 in recognition of George Washington, Presidents Day now provides a moment for the nation to look back in celebration of our most cherished leaders and forward in the development
-
Billy Graham: A Star, a Song and a Savior
Christmas is a special time. It is a family celebration. Other holidays are different. Good Friday and Easter are usually celebrated in church. National days are honored with speeches, parades and the ceremonies of government. But Christmas is glorified in the home because it is the celebration of a birthday. Yet there is irony in
-
Christmas: Celebrate the Reason!
In our neighborhood, there is a home where, among the festive lights and exterior decorations of this season, there is a banner that merely says “JESUS. Celebrate the Reason!” Happily, other homes have some exterior decorations that show the nativity scene or other obvious biblical reminders of the events of the first Christmas—the coming of
-
Morning Rundown: 7 Awesome Christmas Miracles We Should Celebrate
Here’s a quick rundown of the top stories on mycharisma.com: 7 Awesome Christmas Miracles We Should Celebrate Dec. 25 is just a blip on the screen for some people. But for me it takes at least a month to celebrate the birth of Jesus. This is why Christmas is referred to as a “season.” The
-
Doing Christmas Like Jesus: Show Up With Humility
Humility is such a rare quality in our current culture. We are encouraged to rise in power, be the first and achieve the most success. And there is a part of our human soul that screams to be important. The problem is that God values humility. This is seen so clearly in the Christmas story.
-
Your Favorite Ways to Draw Closer to God During Thanksgiving Weekend
This month we are entering a season which, in the United States, has been devoted to gratitude and thanksgiving for over 400 years. While the Thanksgiving holiday has had a long and varied history within the United States, the practice of devoting sacrificial offerings, prayers, songs and psalms, and even entire days to thanksgiving within
-
10 Ways to Practice Gratitude With Your family This Thanksgiving
This month we are entering a season which, in the United States, has been devoted to gratitude and thanksgiving for 400 years! While the Thanksgiving holiday has had a long and varied history within the United States, the practice of devoting sacrificial offerings, prayers, songs and psalms and even entire days to thanksgiving within the
-
Thanksgiving Is Not a Holiday Tradition, but a Heart That Sees God in Everything
Thanksgiving is not a spiritual exercise. It’s not just a commandment to be obeyed or a duty and obligation. It is not a worldly holiday tradition or religious activity, but it is the outflow of a heart that is filled with God’s goodness and has learned to see God in every circumstance of life. Although
-
Priority Thanksgiving Prayers Most Christians Have Never Prayed
What is the greatest gift you’ve ever received? Is there one blessing above all others that has ignited your heart with undying gratitude? Is there any work of God’s grace toward you that fills your daily prayers with appreciation and praise? Christians know from Scripture, there’s only one answer to all three questions: our Lord
-
Christmas Canceled in Bethlehem?
In an unprecedented move, Bethlehem’s annual Christmas display has been canceled by Palestinian authorities “in honor of Hamas martyrs” amidst the ongoing conflict with Israel. The Bethlehem Municipality officially announced plans to forego the traditional Christmas tree and festive decorations in Manger Square, a site adorned with Christmas cheer since the inception of modern celebrations
-
Morning Rundown: Is God Sending a Message of Hope to America?
Here’s a quick rundown of the top stories posted on charismamag.com: Is God Sending a Message of Hope to America? Although I am a believer, not a skeptic, I’m a thinking believer. I’m not impressed with the “discovery” of the face of Jesus in a piece of wood. Or the map of America appearing in
-
Is God Sending a Message of Hope to America?
Although I am a believer, not a skeptic, I’m a thinking believer. I’m not impressed with the “discovery” of the face of Jesus in a piece of wood. Or the map of America appearing in a bowl of melting ice cream. My Ph.D. is in ancient Semitic texts and languages, and I look for hard
