Genesis makes two crucial declarations:

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
God saw every thing he had made, and behold it was very good.

It is clear to me that we are only here because of God, and this truth is found in the two verses selected. Since I view God as the Creator of everything, including time, it doesn’t matter to me whether the “day” of creation is understood as a literal 24 hours or as an age, era, period, or epoch. We know God’s ways are different from our ways, so I’m choosing not to focus on that debate.

What matters is that our existence is intentional, purposeful, and brought forth by a Creator who calls His work “very good.” Again, we are only here because of God.

The word “holidays“ comes from two Old English words meaning “holy“ and “days“ that were secularized over time.

So, if someone says, “Happy Holidays,“ a proper response should be, “And Happy Holy Days to you too, and have a very Merry Christmas!”

Putting “Old English“ aside, in today’s Modern English, to which all of us are accustomed, “Happy Holidays“ is, in my opinion, a woke way to avoid mentioning “Christmas.“ That being said, in these modern days, consider me old-fashioned.
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MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF YOU!

Christians believe that those who trust in Jesus are welcomed into God’s presence when they die, a place of peace, love, and rest. Others understand death as a kind of sleep until God raises us again. At the center of the Christian message is the belief that God is loving and that He holds our lives even beyond death.

Some Christians also believe that those who refuse God experience separation from Him, the absence of His love, mercy, and presence, or that they remain in a holding place until the final judgment.

For believers, I personally lean on the promise that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

“I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far.” Philippians 1:23 NIV. Paul is speaking very honestly in this verse. When he says he is “torn between the two,” he means he feels pulled in two different directions, both of which matter to him. One is continuing to live so he can keep helping and encouraging the people he loves. The other is departing this life so he can be with Christ, which he says is better by far.

When it comes to someone we have lost, we cannot know their heart with absolute certainty. Only God can. But we can look at what we saw in their life, their words, and their faith, and draw reasonable and hopeful conclusions, while remembering that we are not the final judge.

I decided to try something different this week. Instead of writing about a particular verse, I want to put it in everyday terms, that is, how it relates to us.

I believe Psalm 31:24 means we gain inner strength by trusting God based on His timing, not ours. It takes courage to do this, but we know we can trust God to be there for us. Strength and courage aren’t things we have to find within ourselves alone. They come when we place our trust in God’s timing and promise. Life’s challenges may feel heavy, but God’s presence is steady. When we choose patience and hope, we discover that He is already carrying us through.

The key words or concepts are strength, courage, and patience, along with hope and God’s promise. The words may not resonate with some in a practical way at first. But let’s say you’re facing the stresses of work or family, or you have health issues, or someone you love does.

In those moments, this verse is like a pep talk: “Hang in there. Don’t lose heart. Stay strong and keep your courage up, because God’s got your back and will give you the strength to keep going.”

On a more personal level, it’s as if God is saying directly to you: “Don’t be afraid, stay with Me, I’ve got this.”