“H” is for Hope Hope, next to love, is perhaps the most powerful force in man’s history. Hope helped carry the Jewish people throughout the Old Testament. Hope has kept the flame of freedom alive for peoples across the globe. Hope today challenges many to reflect on the potential of ending global inequality, which manifests…

“T” is for Trust Trust is defined as our confident hope for that which is yet to occur. Yet many contend trust is fading in our complex, hurried world of often short term relationships. Today, I ask you to consider that trust might indeed be the most under-appreciated pillar of global society. Does anyone truly…

“R” is for Right I think we forget that to be “right” is often to be morally justified. In my life, the decisions I’ve made which were morally justified were the most important. As a manager in training for a national buffet chain restaurant, I had been taught from day one, “customers cannot take home…

“A” is for Anytime I keep searching for when “anytime” will arrive. What I have learned is that resolving my anytime challenge requires a commitment on my part. That is the thought for the day. Do you ever find yourself justifying putting things off with the contention, I can do that anytime? During these last…

“E” is for Everyone Everyone. Well that, my friends, is a major challenge. Is it practical to attempt to show the Christmas spirit of giving and kindness to everyone? In today’s troubled times, is it even safe to encourage people to practice the great commandment to love thy neighbor as thyself? I really can’t defend…

“N” is for No You might find considering the power of “no” an odd thought to help carry us through the Christmas season. But at times, “no” can be the key to the greatest gifts of all as it opens up a world of even greater possibilities. Four times my heart has been laid bare…

“O” is for Omnipotent Okay, omnipotent isn’t a word many of us use in common speech. But we are discussing how to battle through the trials and tribulations leading up to Christmas day, right? I will not attempt to wax poetic, or worse, prove my lack of theological education relating to God’s power to accomplish…

“E” is for Elation Elation is defined as great happiness and exhilaration. But to me, elation’s synonyms: euphoria, ecstasy, exultation and bliss are all equally appropriate words to describe the Christmas feelings of children. The years have now passed quickly. Gone are the days when my children’s growing anticipation generated increasing euphoria in the house….

“C” is for Compassion Compassion is, at least in my opinion, a Christian challenge we all fail to at times to observe during the trials and tribulations which confront us during the final days before Christmas. Let us be honest. Has anyone else found themselves not happy being stuck in Christmas season traffic? Perhaps once…