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Blog entries for the category Christmas
Is This Really Christmas Eve?
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Saturday, December 24, 2011
Today is December 24. This is Christmas Eve, the day before Christmas. But is this really the day before Jesus was born in Bethlehem? Each year the question comes up and each year the answer is the same: We can’t be sure. The Bible does not clearly answer this question. Evidently the first Christians didn’t make a point of celebrating t...
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Christmas With Knox and Eli
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Friday, December 23, 2011
Here we are with Knox and Eli in their matching pajamas. It only took about ten tries to get this shot. Knox is 16 months old, Eli is 5 months old....
Baked Oatmeal
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Friday, December 23, 2011
Marlene made this for breakfast this morning. It’s an ideal Christmas treat for the whole family. Tasty, filling, and very healthy.Mix these dry ingredients in a bowl:3 cups oats2 teaspoons baking powder2 teaspoons cinnamon1 cup brown sugar1 teaspoon saltAdd these to the dry ingredients:2 slightly beaten eggs1 cup milk2 teaspoons vanilla2 cup...
“I Resign”
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Wednesday, December 14, 2011
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).I have always been intrigued by a phrase in this famous Christmas verse-"and the government will be on his shoulders.” It means ...
Christmas Sausage Balls
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Monday, December 12, 2011
In preparation for tonight’s KBM home meeting in Tupelo, Marlene made one of my favorite Christmas treats, Christmas sausage balls. This is the sort of appetizer that works well for almost any occasion. Marlene started making these early in our marriage, and as the boys came along, sausage balls became part of our Christmas family traditio...
Unfixable
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Saturday, December 10, 2011
Last Sunday the pastor made a passing comment that has stayed with me. While preaching about Jesus bearing the weight of the world on his shoulders (“the government will be on his shoulders,” Isaiah 9:6), he remarked that Christmas is the season for fixing thing. “I’m a fixer,” he said. He went to say that some pe...
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Christmas IQ Quiz
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Tuesday, December 6, 2011
How well do you know the Christmas story?Most of us know the general outline because we’ve heard or sung it or watched it being enacted in the Christmas programs that most churches offer during December. We know about the shepherds, the angels, the “Wise Men,” the star, the innkeeper, the long journey of Mary and Joseph, t...
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Marlene’s Oreo Tuxedos
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Monday, December 5, 2011
A few days ago Marlene finished baking 43 dozen cookies for the KBM China home meetings tomorrow night and next Monday night here in Tupelo. One of her newest creations (to me, at least) was the “Oreo Tuxedo,” a delectable item that is so simple that even I could make it. Here’s the recipe:Oreo cookies.Cream cheese.Crush the c...
46 Christmas Sermons
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Saturday, December 3, 2011
Feel free to use this material any way you like, including in sermon preparation or for a Sunday School class or a small group. Or use these sermons simply for your own blessing as we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord. Everything I Needed to Know, I Learned at Christmas This series explores the idea that every major Christian doctrine can ...
Steve Tanner’s 25 Days of Christmas Music
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Thursday, December 1, 2011
For eleven years my good friend Steve Tanner has been sponsoring the 25 Days of Christmas Music. Starting on December 1, he gives away a free Christmas song each day, ending on December 25. This year’s theme is “Navidaddy,” which means that each song references babies or children in the title. You’ll have to read the rest ...
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Marlene’s Christmas Sausage Balls
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Friday, December 24, 2010
This morning Marlene has been busy preparing various Christmas treats, including one of my favorites, Christmas sausage balls. This is the sort of appetizer that works well for almost any occasion. Marlene started making these early in our marriage, and as the boys came along, sausage balls became part of our Christmas family tradition.Here’s...
Radio This Week
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Monday, December 13, 2010
I’ll be on the radio three times this week. All three programs focus on the Christmas story. I hope you can tune in as we remember the amazing events surrounding the birth of Christ. Tuesday on “Exploring the Word” (9-10 AM Central Time): “The Angels and Christmas.” To listen online, go to this link and click on &ldquo…
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Christmas IQ Quiz
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Thursday, December 9, 2010
How well do you know the Christmas story?Most of us know the general outline because we’ve heard or sung it or watched it being enacted in the Christmas programs that most churches offer during December. We know about the shepherds, the angels, the “Wise Men,” the star, the innkeeper, the long journey of Mary and Joseph, the b...
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He’s on His Way
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Sunday, December 5, 2010
He’s on His Way.That’s the title of an ad campaign by some British Christians to get the message of Christmas out to millions of people.It’s creative, and to some people at least, controversial because it pictures Jesus in Mary’s womb. Some people think this is a subtle pro-life message, which of course it is. But that&rsquo...
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Steve Tanner’s 25 Days of Christmas Music
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Wednesday, December 1, 2010
For ten years my good friend Steve Tanner has been sponsoring the 25 Days of Christmas Music. Starting on December 1, he gives away a free Christmas song each day, ending on December 25. This year’s theme is “Culinary Christmas,” which means that each song references food or drink in the lyrics. I don’t know exactly how he d...
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Shop at Amazon.com and Help KBM
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Monday, November 22, 2010
Are you doing any online shopping this year? The answer is probably yes since the day after Thanksgiving is “Black Friday” and next Monday will be “Cyber Monday” when millions of people will shop for special deals online. Many people would rather “point and click” than brave the crowds at the local mall. It&rsq...
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Hallelujah Chorus at Macy’s
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Monday, November 8, 2010
Few pieces of music stir the soul like Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus.” On October 30, 2010 the Opera Company of Philadelphia and over 650 area musicians met at Macy’s Center City Department Store in Philadelphia for a “Random Act of Culture.” Without any prior announcement, they performed the “Hallelujah Chor...
Christmas 2009
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Friday, December 25, 2009
It’s been a fine Christmas, extra-fine really, because the whole family gathered in Tupelo for our first Christmas together since 2003. Back then we lived in Oak Park and none of the boys were married. Now we have Josh and Leah and Mark and Vanessa so Marlene is super-happy to have some girls in the family.Last night we attended the Christmas…
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Keep Praying for China
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Friday, December 25, 2009
Yesterday I ran across an article called Atmosphere of Fear at Christmas in North China. Here’s how the article begins:Christians in north China are facing a Christmas of fear after 10 local religious leaders were jailed in recent weeks and their new church shut down amid a crackdown on unauthorised worship.Five of the church leaders were giv...
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A Christmas Benediction
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Thursday, December 24, 2009
A friend sent along this beautiful Christmas benediction. I like it because it catches so many different strands of the Christmas story:"May you be filled with the wonder of Mary, the obedience of Joseph, the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the determination of the magi, and the peace of the Christ child. Almighty God, Fath...
Welcome to Our World
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Here’s a video montage based on Michael W. Smith’s version of “Welcome to Our World.” Love this song because it captures the wonder of the Son of God entering our world and becoming one of us. ...
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Jesus Era House Discovered in Nazareth
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Monday, December 21, 2009
Did you ever wonder who sort of home Jesus grew up in?Take a good look at that picture because it’s the best answer we have. Today Israeli archeologists reported on the discovery of the first-ever “Jesus era” home found in Nazareth. “The building that we found is small and modest and it is most likely typical of the dwe...
“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” by Amy Grant
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Saturday, December 19, 2009
When I heard this version of Amy Grant singing “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” I found myself wanting to sing along. And it helps that this particular Christmas carol is chock full of excellent theology. Charles Wesley penned the original lyrics. The famed evangelist George Whitefield altered the first two lines to the version we sing t...
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“Journey to Bethlehem” Now Online
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Friday, December 18, 2009
Yesterday I spent an hour with Nancy Turner on WMBI-FM in Chicago doing a broadcast called Journey to Bethlehem. At Nancy’s request I painted some word pictures of familiar Bible stories. These short presentations are interspersed with music tied to the theme of the hour. We all felt the Holy Spirit helping us as we retold the Christmas story…
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“Journey to Bethlehem” Thursday 10-11 AM
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Wednesday, December 16, 2009
On Thursday morning from 10-11 AM CDT I’ll be doing an in-studio interview with Nancy Turner on WMBI-FM (90.1 FM) in Chicago. Nancy is the host of the program “This is the Day.” In October she served as Mistress of Ceremonies for our KBM Friendship Banquet.Since this is the Christmas season, we’ll take a “journey to Be...
Christmas IQ Quiz
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Sunday, December 13, 2009
How well do you know the Christmas story?Most of us know the general outline because we’ve heard or sung it or watched it being enacted in the Christmas programs that most churches offer during December. We know about the shepherds, the angels, the “Wise Men,” the star, the innkeeper, the long journey of Mary and Joseph, the baby ...
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An “Amazing” Display of Christmas Lights
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Tuesday, December 8, 2009
In my time I’ve seen some beautiful displays of Christmas lights, but I’ve never seen anything like this. Richard Holdman combined 45,000 lights with 176 channels of computer control to coordinate a techno version of “Amazing Grace” with the lights. The result is astonishing....
Celtic Woman – “O Come, All Ye Faithful”
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Saturday, December 5, 2009
This video features Celtic Woman singing “O Come, All Ye Faithful.” I found myself deeply moved as I watched these amazingly gifted women singing a greatly beloved Christmas carol. If you need something to wash over your soul and point you to higher things, watch this video. It builds and builds to a grand climax of worship and praise....
Shop Amazon.com and Help KBM
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Are you doing any online shopping this year? The answer is probably yes since yesterday was “Cyber Monday” and sales were even better than on “Black Friday,” the day after Thanksgiving. It seems that more and more of us would rather “point and click” than brave the crowds at the local mall. It’s definitely ...
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Steve Tanner’s 25 Days of Christmas Music
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Tuesday, December 1, 2009
For the last eight years my good friend Steve Tanner has given us a wonderful gift called the 25 Days of Christmas Music. And now he is doing it again.Here’s how it works. Starting today and going through December 25, Steve will release a Christmas song in mp3 format free for downloading. No strings attached. It’s all free. You can down...
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Angel Tree
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Last night I joined a group of men to deliver gifts to five homes in Tupelo as part of the Angel Tree program sponsored by Prison Fellowship. Right now there are an estimated 1.5 million children in America who have a parent in prison. Through Angel Tree, those children receive Christmas gifts purchased and delivered by members of local congregatio...
Christmas Eve Links
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Here are a handful of links that make for good reading on Christmas Eve.Last Sunday Brian Bill preached an usual Christmas message called Destiny. This sermon has a special message for those who happen to be away from home on Christmas Eve.Mona Charen explains the significance of Hanukkah, a celebration that has much to teach us about faith and cou...
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Singing the Begats
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Wednesday, December 24, 2008
I ran across this video of a bluegrass version of the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1. Besides being very appropriate for Christmas Eve, it also shows that even the most unlikely parts of the Bible can be put to music. It’s only a little over two minutes long and well worth your time.…
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Christmas IQ QUIZ
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Last Sunday David Langerfeld, Associate Pastor of Harrisburg Baptist Church in Tupelo, gave a Christmas IQ Test to his Sunday School class. I should warn you that this is a tough quiz. When I took it, I missed several questions. Try taking it first without checking the Bible to see how well you know the real Christmas story. Click here to read the …
Answers to Christmas IQ Quiz
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Monday, December 22, 2008
Here are the answers to David Langerfeld’s Christmas IQ Quiz. I have added my comments to a few answers. 1. A. He worked and lived in Nazareth, but he was returning to Bethlehem - “his own city” (See Luke 2:3). 2. E. The innkeeper didn’t “say” anything (See Luke 2:7). The Bible doesn’t even mention an &ldqu…
Tim Keller on Christmas
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Thursday, December 18, 2008
I ran across this quote from Tim Keller in Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus, a compilation of Christmas writings by various authors. Christmas is the end of thinking you are better than someone else, because Christmas is telling you that you could never get to heaven on your own. God had to come to you. It is telling you that people who are sav…
Christmas in Two Words
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Friday, December 12, 2008
How would you capture the essence of Christmas in just two words?Two words.Nothing more.Nothing less.I started thinking about this morning and found it a helpful exercise—like trying to write a headline for the Bethlehem Daily Journal. And remember, headlines should be pithy, factual, memorable. Here are a few to get you started.Light Shines....
Sixteen More Christmas Sermons
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Saturday, December 6, 2008
Here are four Christmas sermon series. Feel free to use this material in any way that may be helpful to you, including sermon preparation or in Bible studies, or simply for your own blessing as we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord.Everything I Needed to Know, I Learned at Christmas This series explores the idea that every major Chris...
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Twenty-Six Christmas Sermons
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Friday, December 5, 2008
Here are twenty-six Christmas sermons you are welcome to use in any way that might be helpful to you as you prepare your heart for the celebration of our Lord’s birth.
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Steve Tanner’s 25 Days of Christmas Music
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Monday, December 1, 2008
My good friend Steve Tanner reminded me that once again he is sponsoring 25 Days of Christmas Music leading up to Christmas Day. Here is his explanation:Starting December 1 through December 25, I’ll be posting new music each day that you can download, no strings attached. It’s all FREE, FREE, FREE! Songs will be in MP3 format — so...
Four Thanksgiving Pictures
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Saturday, November 29, 2008
Like most American families, our Thanksgiving started on Thursday and continued through today. Thursday turned out to be only the third or fourth day our whole family has been together this year. Nick came over from Birmingham for the day, and we were joined by my brother Alan and my older brother Andy and his wife Betty. Nick had to go back to Bir...
Immanuel and Islamabad
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Monday, December 24, 2007
I just read an inspiring meditation on Isaiah 9:7 called Immanuel and Islamabad. If you are feeling discouraged this Christmas season, read this meditation and rejoice that the Babe of Bethlehem is the one true King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And of his kingdom there will be no end.
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A Christmas Benediction
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Monday, December 24, 2007
Here’s a wonderful Christmas benediction that John Armstrong shared a year ago. He heard it in church and then mentioned it on his weblog.May you be filled with the wonder of Mary, the obedience of Joseph, the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the determination of the magi, and the peace of the Christ ...
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Mr. Sam
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Sunday, December 23, 2007
This morning at church one of the pastors made a presentation to an elderly gentleman known affectionately to the entire congregation as “Mr. Sam.” The pastor began by noting the price of gas in 1952 (17 cents/gallon) and the price of a new home ($17,000) and the cost of a stamp (3 cents). He went on to say that Mr. Sam mad ...
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The Bible in 50 Words
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Saturday, December 22, 2007
It’s amazing how simple some things really are. Take the Bible, for instance. At first glance, it’s an intimidating book filled with strange names, places we’ve never heard of, books we can’t pronounce, and verses we don’t understand. Even people who have read the Bible for years still have tro ...
News, Notes, and Random Thoughts
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Friday, December 21, 2007
6:31 PM I just found a recipe for Chile Chocolate Almond Cookies. Seems like a strange taste combination. If anyone tries this recipe, let me know how it goes.5:47 PM Earlier today we received this encouraging email from someone in Hawaii: “I found your website after I Googled for writings about Proverbs 21:31. Your October ...
Singing the “Begats” of Matthew 1
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Wednesday, December 19, 2007
I ran across this video of a bluegrass version of the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1. Besides being very appropriate for the week before Christmas, it also shows that even the most unlikely parts of the Bible can be put to music. It’s only a little over 2 minutes long, and well worth a listen. (HT to Sam Shaw.)
Alternate Endings to the Christmas Story
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Keith Drury imagines some alternate endings to the Christmas story. Here is his list:1. A mom says no. What if Mary, had responded to the angel with, “No way—not with me you won’t!”2. A man gets a divorce. What if Joseph had done what everyone else did—dump this girl who was pregnant-but-not-by-him?3. A d ...
Where We’ll Be in 2008
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Tuesday, December 18, 2007
I just posted our 2008 travel schedule as we have it so far. Other events will be added later. Next year we will be making a number of first-time visits, including to Bolivia, Czech Republic, Peru, and to Prince Edward Island, Canada. In February we will be in China visiting Josh and Leah. The trip to Peru is particularly e ...
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We Won!
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Several weeks ago I told you all about Steve Tanner’s 25 Days of Christmas Music. I didn’t mention that Steve was running a contest to see which website would refer the most traffic to his website. I’m happy to say that we won. Check out this website for the final results. You will note that the Crosswalk ...
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My New Biking Jersey
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Monday, December 17, 2007
Several months ago I received a nice note from my good friend Brian Choate. He and his wife Melodi relocated from Chicago to Las Vegas. Brian does a lot of street evangelism on the Strip, talking to anyone who will listen. When he learned that I like to ride my bike, he offered to send me a biking jersey from the Internatio ...
Good News for “Poor Performers” and “Splendid Sinners”
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Saturday, December 15, 2007
This afternoon I read a bit from Faithfulness and Holiness by J. I. Packer. The book consists of Packer’s short biography of J. C. Ryle, the noted British Anglican leader of the 19th century, and a reprint of Ryle’s justly-famous book called, simply, “Holiness.” I happened across this quote from Ryle’s cha ...
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Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year 2007
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Saturday, December 15, 2007
The folks at Merriam-Webster have announced the the 2007 word of the year, based on the votes of thousands of readers. The winning word is . . . w00t!That’s right. There actually is a word called w00t. Note the double zeros, which makes it seem like something out of science fiction, which isn’t far off the mark ...
Robert Shaw Conducts the Hallelujah Chorus
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Monday, December 10, 2007
Here’s a video of Robert Shaw conducting the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Chorus in a stirring version of the Hallelujah Chorus:
WBCL Radio Interview This Morning
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Monday, December 10, 2007
This morning I am being interviewed on WBCL radio in Fort Wayne, Indiana for a full hour, from 9-10 AM Eastern Time (8-9 AM Central Time). To listen live, go to the link above and then click on “Listen Now” on the left-hand side of the page.
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Everything I Needed to Know, I Learned at Christmas
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Friday, December 7, 2007
Here is a four-part sermon series called “Everything I Needed to Know, I Learned at Christmas.” It is based on the idea that every major Christian doctrine can be found in the story of our Lord’s birth. Please feel free to use this material in any way that might be helpful as you prepare to preach and teach this week ...
Songs of Christmas
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Friday, December 7, 2007
Here is a four-part sermon series called “The Songs of Christmas.” Feel free to use this material in any way that may be helpful to you, including sermon preparation or in Bible studies, or simply for your own blessing as we prepare our hearts for the birth of our Lord.The Cradle and the Cross: Simeon’s So ...
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Christ B.C.
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Friday, December 7, 2007
This four-part series explores the Old Testament prophecies concerning Jesus Christ. Feel free to use this material in any way that may be helpful to you as we prepare for the celebration of our Lord’s birth.Born of a VirginA Prophet Like MosesLamb of GodSeed of the Woman
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Why Did the Wise Men Smell Like Smoke?
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Friday, December 7, 2007
Overheard in Sunday School last week . . ."Why did the Wise Men smell like smoke? Because the Bible says they came from afar."The class convulsed in laughter although I didn’t get it at first. It helps if you hear someone say it with a deep Southern accent.
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Twenty-Five Christmas Sermons
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Here are twenty-five Christmas sermons. You are welcome to use this material in any way that might be helpful to you as you prepare your heart for the celebration of our Lord’s birth. When Was Jesus Born? Overcoming LonelinessDoes Jesus Know My Name?Out of EgyptThe King Has Come!Dear Sarah: A Letter About Forgiveness ...
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Does Jesus Know My Name?
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Wednesday, December 5, 2007
We have just posted a new sermon called Does Jesus Know My Name? Here’s an excerpt:This is the ultimate answer to the answer to the question, “Does Jesus know my name?” In John 10:14 Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.” The last time I saw my father before he died, he was in the Inte ...
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Should She Work Full Time While Her Husband Builds the Church?
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Tuesday, December 4, 2007
The email arrived from somewhere on the other side of the world. It came from a person I do not know and described a most unusual situation, asking for my advice. Here are the particulars. A few years ago, this couple felt called of God to start a new church to reach immigrants in a city in Asia. Both husband and wife worke ...
Christmas IQ Quiz
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Sunday, December 2, 2007
This morning in Sunday School David Langerfeld gave us a Christmas IQ quiz. Later I found this online version. It’s virtually identical to the quiz we took today with one or two slight changes. There are several very tricky questions, and one or two that we can’t be totally sure about. Try taking it first withou ...
Steve Tanner’s 25 Days of Christmas Music
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Saturday, December 1, 2007
Check out Steve Tanner’s 25 Days of Christmas Music. Each day from now until December 25, Steve will feature a new Christmas song that you can download. Here is part of his explanation:Starting December 1 through December 25, I’ll be posting a new song each day that you can download, no strings attached. It&rsqu ...
A Saturday-Night Reminder for Preachers
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Saturday, December 1, 2007
It happened not long ago that I had a Sunday where I was not preaching somewhere. And it also happened that I had had a hard week. To be more specific, I was grouchy and out of sorts most of the week. I knew in my soul that I didn’t feel things were quite right so I prayed that I might hear a word from the Lord on Sun ...
A Christmas Benediction
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Monday, December 25, 2006
John Armstrong shares this benediction he heard at a Christmas Eve service:May you be filled with the wonder of Mary, the obedience of Joseph, the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the determination of the magi, and the peace of the Christ child. Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit bless you now and f ...
Merry Christmas!
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Monday, December 25, 2006
At the moment things are peaceful in my corner of the world. I am sitting at one end of a large wooden dinner table and Marlene, Linda and Martha (Linda’s mother) are working on a jigsaw puzzle I picked up in Lancaster, PA, in Amish country, during our visit to Lancaster Bible College in October. Each year I give Mar ...
Nothing Unusual Ever Happens Around Here
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Monday, December 25, 2006
Bethlehem, December 25, 2000 Years Ago—It’s been a quiet day in our little town. Local police reported no suspicious activity in the last 24 hours.The Greater Hebron Chamber of Commerce said yesterday that they project a 50% increase in tourism next year as a result of the decree by Caesar Augustus. Since Bethlehem i ...
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Christmas Eve Shout Out
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Sunday, December 24, 2006
It’s Christmas Eve in Gulf Shores and I can’t tell you where people are, but I can tell you where they aren’t. They aren’t anywhere near Gulf Shores. A teeming resort in the summer, the whole area is virtually deserted at the moment. Yesterday when I went shopping late in the afternoon, the mall was ...
Christmas on the Redneck Riviera
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Saturday, December 23, 2006
I am writing this note from a condo a few yards from the beach in Gulf Shores, AL. This particular area, a region that starts here and goes east into Florida—to Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach, Destin and then on to Panama City, is affectionately known at the Redneck Riviera. The beaches here are sparkling white, and outside ...
What God Wants for Christmas
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Saturday, December 23, 2006
I received this note from Brent Finchum, a missionary serving with Word of Life in Birmingham, AL: Just wanted to tell you that I preached from an outline you prepared this last Sunday. It was called What God Wants for Christmas from Micah 6:6-8. Thank you for putting these tools on the KBM website. It was a great starting ...
Out of Egypt
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Friday, December 22, 2006
I have just posted the online version of this week’s sermon:Out of EgyptI included a link to some online paintings of the flight to Egypt that I forgot to include when I sent out the email sermon yesterday.
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My Highest Honor—Person of the Year
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Thursday, December 21, 2006
I don’t know if you heard, but I was just named Person of the Year by Time Magazine. No kidding. You would think that in a year filled with international tension that they would have chosen someone like President Bush or the president of Iran or that crazy guy who runs North Korea. Or you might think they would have g ...
After Jesus
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Tonight CNN presented a two-hour special called After Jesus: The First Christians. The program traces the beginnings of the Christian religion from its days as a sect within Judaism to its recognition as a favored religion by Emperor Constantine in AD 313. It attempts to grapple with a question that is both historical and t ...
Jay Bakker’s Strange Religion
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Until last week I had never paid any attention to Jay Bakker, the son of Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye Messner. Then someone sent me a link to a CNN article called What the Hell Happened to Christianity? It turns out that Jay is the pastor/founder of a church called the Revolution, with branches in Atlanta, New York and Charlot ...
The Star of Bethlehem
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Saturday, December 16, 2006
William Gearing provides a helpful explanation of the mysterious Star of Bethlehem:The Star of Bethlehem appears not to be able to be explained by science! Not if we are to hold true to the specific characteristics attributed to this star as defined in the Bible. God, in his providence, called forth the chosen Magi to worsh ...
Knowing What Matters Most
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Friday, December 15, 2006
All year long Christianity Today has been publishing a series of articles exploring how Christians can be a counterculture for the common good. Andy Crouch concludes the series with a penetrating article at the importance of knowing what’s important. In these days of enormous cultural confusion when we as Christians l ...
KBM and the Internet
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Last month I wrote about how the Internet is changing ministry. This week I received two emails that illustrate the point:1) From Malaysia Dr Pritchard, I wish to request for your permission to print 2 of your articles for our church bulletin. 1) The Agape Factor (16/11/2006) 2) How To Be A Godly Rebel (8/12/2006) My church ...
Christ B.C.
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Wednesday, December 13, 2006
This four-part series explores the Old Testament prophecies concerning Jesus Christ. Feel free to use this material in any way that may be helpful to you as we prepare for the celebration of our Lord’s birth.Born of a Virgin A Prophet Like Moses Lamb of God Seed of the Woman
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Songs of Christmas
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Here is a four-part sermon series called “The Songs of Christmas.” Feel free to use this material in any way that may be helpful to you, including sermon preparation or in Bible studies, or simply for your own blessing as we prepare our hearts for the birth of our Lord.The Cradle and the Cross: Simeon’s Song Jesus the ...
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Christmas Personalities
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Here is a four-part sermon series on some of the noteworthy people in the Christmas story. You are welcome to use this material in any way you like, including preparing sermons and Bible stories, or simply for your own personal blessing as we prepare to welcome Christ to our world.We Three Kings Herod: The Man Who Tried to ...
Everything I Needed to Know, I learned at Christmas
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Here is a four-part sermon series called Everything I Needed to Know, I Learned at Christmas. It is based on the idea that every major Christian doctrine can be found in the story of our Lord’s birth. Please feel free to use this material in any way that might be helpful as you prepare to preach and teach this week or ...
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Christmas Sermons
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Here are seventeen Christmas sermons. You are welcome to use this material in any way that might be helpful to you as you prepare your heart for the celebration of our Lord’s birth. Why the Virgin Birth Matters A Question For Jesus Eighth-Day Savior From Jacob to Jesus When Was Jesus Born? The ABCs of Christmas I&rsqu ...
Saint Harry
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Monday, December 11, 2006
Tonight I got a call from a man whose voice I did not recognize. The Caller ID said he was calling from somewhere in Ohio, but I didn’t recognize the number or the location. “Is this Saint Ray?” I hesitated for a moment and then said yes. “Do you know who this is?” Having no idea, I suggested that it was President Bus ...
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Preparation Day
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Sunday, December 10, 2006
I am writing this note during the second quarter of the Cowboys-Saints football game. My back is to the screen but I can hear Al Michaels and John Madden describe the action. Marlene is resting on the sofa with Dudley sleeping on her lap. Jake, Alan’s chocolate lab, is spending the night with us because we forgot the ...
Unexpected Fruit
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Saturday, December 2, 2006
Last night I encountered a bit of divine serendipity. After the opening session of the conference at Word of Life, a young man came up to me and thanked for a sermon I preached a few years ago on John 9, the story of Jesus and the man born blind. When he heard the sermon, he said to himself, “That’s my story.” In the ...
Christmas Survey in Stroudsburg, PA
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Saturday, December 2, 2006
Between now and December 25, Berean Bible Fellowship Church of Stroudsburg, PA will conduct a simple “Christmas Survey” as a means of engaging others in spiritual discussions. Pastor Davis Duggins says, During the Christmas season, many people are more open to spiritual issues. We want to respond to their openness by distri ...
Baby, It’s Cold Outside
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Friday, December 1, 2006
At the moment we are sitting in the Tupelo airport, getting ready to fly to Atlanta and then to Albany, NY. We’re on our way to a conference at Word of Life in Schroon Lake, high in the Adirondack Mountains. We’ll be there today through Wednesday, then it’s on to Chicago for some KBM home meetings. What gr ...
Steve Tanner’s 25 Days of Christmas Music
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Check out Steve Tanner’s 25 Days of Christmas Music. Here is his explanation: Starting December 1 through December 25, I’ll be posting a new song each day that you can download, no strings attached. It’s all FREE, FREE, FREE! Songs will be in MP3 format — so you can listen via any media player or your iPo ...
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Tuesday Links
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Mark has posted some new pictures from China. Josh has posted pictures of Thanksgiving at the cabin. Look for the November 28 entry.Andy McQuitty’s weekly note references something I wrote about the date of Jesus’ birth and draws some helpful application. Ryan Whitley writes a blog called Just One More.Check out ...
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Brimstone for the Broad-Minded
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Monday, November 27, 2006
Tim Keller explains how to preach hell in a tolerant age. If we are going to faithfully preach the gospel, we must preach about hell to people who don’t want to hear about it. The loss of the doctrine of hell and judgment and the holiness of God does irreparable damage to our deepest comforts—our understanding of God& ...
1 John Resources for January Bible Study
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Monday, November 27, 2006
This morning I am speaking at the Birmingham Baptist Pastors Conference. Each year the Southern Baptists set aside time for their January Bible Study, focusing on different books of the Bible. Last year it was Nehemiah; this year it is the letters of John, known in the English Bible as 1 John, 2 John and 3 John, generally r ...
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Thanksgiving Morning
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Thursday, November 23, 2006
I’m sitting at my desk looking out the window at the lake next to our cabin. The rising sun fills the tops of the trees, chasing away the darkness. The sky is clear-blue with not a cloud in sight. And there is no wind to speak of. A clear, calm, cool morning in northeast Mississippi. A little while ago I drove down t ...
China Clippings—November Edition
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Just in time for Thanksgiving Anthony Bollback has posted the November edition of China Clippings, focusing this month on the burgeoning Back to Jerusalem movement. Thousands of Chinese Christians have dedicated themselves to carrying the gospel outside China, through the Muslim countries to the west, all the way back to Je ...
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How to Apologize in Public
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Saturday, November 18, 2006
Marvin Olasky writes in the current issue of World magazine about apologizing in public (Click here to read comments on the World Magazine blog). Taking as his starting point that confession and repentance should accompany thanksgiving (a helpful fact to keep in mind five days before Thanksgiving), Olasky points out how har ...
A Voice From the Cutting Edge
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Friday, November 17, 2006
Yesterday I wrote about how the Internet is changing the way we do ministry. Derek Taylor wrote a thoughtful follow-up that deserves a wide reading. Here is the heart of what he wrote:I want to echo what you said on today’s post about technology. Yesterday at work we had a very interesting speaker who is on the cuttin ...
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Wednesday, August 11, 2004
3:08 PM Josh has posted some pictures from China....
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Saturday, August 7, 2004
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Saturday, August 7, 2004
10:27 AM Today's entry in the Crosswalk weblog is called Mount Hermon Dallas Conference—Days 4 and 5. 9:55 AM Ran into some old friends as the Mount Hermon week drew to a close. On Wednesday night Ray and Janet Simons and their daughter Mary Therese came to see Damaris Carbaugh. They live in River Forest, and also hav...
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Sunday, August 1, 2004
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Sunday, August 1, 2004
4:01 PM I'm writing this update from the "docking station" in the lobby of the Administration Building at Mount Hermon Conference Center. Behind me I can hear families coming and going as they check-in for Dallas Week, which begins with supper tonight. This morning I preached on "You Can Stumble But You Won't Fall" ...
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Friday, July 30, 2004
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Friday, July 30, 2004
11:06 AM Later today 48 men from Calvary will travel to Indianapolis for the Promise Keepers conference. This year's theme is "Uprising: The Revolution of a Man's Soul."...
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Wednesday, July 28, 2004
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Wednesday, July 28, 2004
2:23 PM Today's entry in the Crosswalk weblog is called Why They Hate "Christers". 10:37 AM One of my Crosswalk weblog entries has been chosen for this week's Christian Carnival, a weekly selection of entries by Christian bloggers. A different Christian blogger hosts the carnival each week. The host chooses which articl...
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Saturday, July 24, 2004
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Saturday, July 24, 2004
8:18 PM Today's entry in the Crosswalk weblog is called Clearing Off My Desk. 6:00 PM We arrived home about 8 PM last night, totally exhausted. I preached 24 times in the last two weeks and together Marlene and I spent more time than ever ministering and praying with people at Maranatha and Word of Life. Before we went, we ...
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Saturday, June 19, 2004
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Saturday, June 19, 2004
The Civil War Tour-Day 5 Our group started the day in Richmond and ended it in Hagerstown, Maryland. I started in Richmond and ended the day back home in Oak Park. More about that later. 7:59 AM Everyone is one the bus except Phyllis Zelek. She arrives a few minutes late, explaining that she's been a bit "pokey" all her...
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Tuesday, June 8, 2004
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Tuesday, June 8, 2004
11:21 AM This is the best time of year for bike riding. As far as I'm concerned, the hotter, the better. Yesterday it was around 90 and I had a great time on my bike. 1404 miles YTD. 8:33 AM I need some help! Next week I'm leading a Civil War tour to the major battlefields of Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland. At this hou...
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Sunday, June 6, 2004
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Sunday, June 6, 2004
5:56 AM Yesterday's Bowlathon raised $9000 for Oak Park Christian Academy. First time I had bowled in about 10 years—and it showed. My high score was 102—and my other one wasn't. Marlene and I both had a blast. More people showed up than they expected. Afterwards I went to the Brown Cow Ice Cream Parlor and had ...
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Wednesday, June 2, 2004
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Wednesday, June 2, 2004
6:34 PM Check out the website for the Allied Force Worship Team. Very cool. Click on the names and up comes a picture and a personal bio. Among other things, I discovered that Katie Suriano's favorite candy is something called "Swedish Fish" and Robert Napolitano loves the song "Somewhere I Belong" by Linkin Park. L...
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Tuesday, June 1, 2004
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Tuesday, June 1, 2004
7:42 AM The Civil War tour begins a week from Monday. Thirty-eight people will join us for a tour of the major battlefields of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. Two weeks from today we'll visit Gettysburg. In a related story, the oldest Civil War widow died yesterday in Enterprise, Alabama. In 1927, when she was 21, she ...
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Thursday, May 13, 2004
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Thursday, May 13, 2004
7:20 PM The children of Oak Park Christian Academy will present their spring concert this Monday in the Calvary sanctuary at 7 PM. Nancy Kamm directs the program entitled "Under Construction." 7:17 PM Thursday shout-out to Wayne Kilpatrick, Ken Aycock, Eric Rubio, Gene Heidt, Virgil Reeve, Paul Smith, and to Tony Ciura....
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Saturday, April 8, 2004
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Saturday, May 8, 2004
9:30 PM I haven't forgotten about John Kerry and communion. I plan to write a couple of new installments next week. 9:29 PM Following up on the spirit of our Friday night adventure, I've found a new restaurant for Mother's Day. It just opened today. It's not easy to find a restaurant where you can get in and out quickly on ...
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