As the holiday season unfolds, we find ourselves moving from Thanksgiving toward Christmas and the New Year. While this is a time of celebration for many, it can also be a time of emotional challenge.
Studies show that nearly 64% of people report experiencing the “holiday blues,” with feelings of loneliness, sadness, or stress often intensifying during this season. This is when the support of a church family becomes especially meaningful.
Who Needs Our Care?
Those Who Have Lost Loved Ones: The holidays can be especially difficult for those grieving the loss of family members or friends. Memories of past celebrations may bring both comfort and sorrow. Let’s remember widowers, widows, parents who have lost children, siblings, grandparents, and anyone mourning a loved one. According to the American Hospice Foundation, grief can resurface strongly during the holidays, making support and compassion from others vital.
Those Without Close Families: Whether separated by distance, circumstance, or service, many individuals will not be with family this season. The U.S. Census Bureau notes that over 27% of adults in the United States live alone, and many more are separated from loved ones. For these individuals, the holidays can feel isolating. Let’s reach out to those who may be spending the season apart from family, offering invitations, encouragement, and friendship.
Others Facing Difficulties: There are many more who may struggle during the holidays—those facing illness, financial hardship, or other personal challenges. Each of us likely knows someone in need of extra kindness and support this time of year.
As we celebrate, let’s remember the words of Jesus: “…all people will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35) Let’s be intentional in showing love, compassion, and community—making sure no one feels forgotten during this season.
Just some thoughts,
The Apostle Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 13:5 are both challenging and compassionate: “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.” This isn’t a call to doubt, but an invitation to honest self-reflection. It is a call for a spiritual checkup to ensure we’re walking with Christ, not just talking about Him.
Life gets busy. Routines settle in. It’s easy to assume we’re on the right path simply because we’re present at worship, reading our Bibles, or praying before meals. But faithfulness isn’t about routine; it’s about relationship. Staying in the faith means continually growing closer to Jesus, letting His word shape our thoughts, choices, and hearts.
Remember, self-evaluation is not about guilt or fear—it’s about growth. Taking time to reflect helps us realign our lives with Christ’s example and rekindle our passion for God.
Here are four questions to help you honestly assess your walk with Jesus this week:
#1 – Am I spending intentional time with God each day? Is my Bible reading and prayer more than a habit—am I truly seeking to know God, or just going through the motions?
#2 – Do my actions reflect Christ’s love? How do I treat others at home, work, and during my day. Am I showing patience, kindness, and forgiveness, even when it’s hard?
#3 – Where is my hope anchored? When life is uncertain, do I turn to God first, or do I rely on my own strength or the world’s solutions?
#4 – Am I growing, or just coasting? Have I become complacent, or am I actively seeking ways to serve, learn, and deepen my faith?
Take a moment this week to consider these questions. Be honest with yourself and with God—He already knows your heart and longs to help you grow. If you find areas that need attention, don’t be discouraged. God’s grace is bigger than our shortcomings, and every day is a new opportunity to walk faithfully with Him.
Let’s encourage one another to keep examining our hearts, supporting each other as we strive to stay firmly rooted in the faith.
Just some thoughts,
Chris
Don’t read this. I just needed to write today. Nothing more’ Nothing less.
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Let’s be real—social media is a powerful tool. It can connect us, inform us, and even inspire us. But it can just as quickly become a platform for mockery, foolishness, and even cruelty—especially when tragedy strikes or when emotions run high.
Sometimes, the best thing we can do is pause, reflect, and honestly ask ourselves: “Is what I’m about to post bringing hope and light into the world, or am I adding to the noise and negativity?”
#1 – Not Every Thought Needs a Platform
We’ve all seen it: posts that make light of tragedy, comments that turn heartbreak into a punchline, or rants that lack any real thought or compassion. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment and hit “post” before thinking about the impact of our words. But just because you can say something, doesn’t mean you should.
There’s real wisdom in holding back. Sometimes, the most mature thing you can do is delete that draft—or better yet, never write it at all. The world doesn’t need more mockery or foolish statements; it needs hope, encouragement, and truth. It needs Jesus.
#2 – Don’t Make a Mockery Out of Tragedy
When tragedy strikes, people are hurting. They don’t need sarcasm, insensitive jokes, or hot takes. They need comfort. They need reminders that there’s still good in the world.
Making a mockery out of a travesty or tragedy only adds to the pain and confusion. As followers of Christ, we’re called to be different. We’re called to be a light in the darkness, not another source of darkness.
#3 – Let’s Bring Hope and Light
Imagine the impact if, instead of foolish statements, our feeds were filled with encouragement, hope, and reminders that God is still in control. We have an incredible opportunity to point people to Jesus, to offer peace in chaos, and to show compassion when it’s needed most.
#4 – Wisdom from Proverbs
The book of Proverbs is packed with wisdom about how we use our words—especially when it comes to dealing with foolishness:
“Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.” (Proverbs 26:4, ESV)
“Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.” (Proverbs 17:28, ESV)
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” (Proverbs 18:21, ESV)
“A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.” (Proverbs 18:2, ESV)
These verses aren’t just ancient wisdom—they’re a blueprint for how we can use our social platforms today. Let’s choose to be wise.
Let’s choose to be different.
#5 – A Call to Pause, Reflect, and Shine
So, before you post, pause. Ask yourself if your words will bring hope, light, and encouragement. If not, maybe it’s time to hit delete—or better yet, open your Bible, pray, and ask Jesus to guide your words and actions.
Let’s be people who lift others up, who speak truth with love, and who bring light into even the darkest spaces online.
The world is watching—let’s show them Jesus.
Just some thoughts,
Chris
If you spend any time in today’s Christian landscape, you’ll notice a trend: ministries growing into brands, leaders becoming influencers, and churches building extensive platforms. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with growth or influence, it’s worth asking—when does a ministry become an empire, and is that always a blessing?
When Growth Becomes the Goal
Jesus never discouraged growth. In fact, He sent His disciples out to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). But He also warned about the dangers of misplaced priorities. When the mission shifts from introducing people to Jesus to expanding our own reach, we risk missing the mark.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…” — Matthew 6:19-20
A ministry empire can start with the best intentions—reaching more people, providing more resources, serving more communities. But if we’re not careful, it can become about protecting the brand, increasing numbers, and building something for ourselves rather than for Christ.
The Subtle Shift
It’s a subtle shift, but a dangerous one. The early church grew rapidly, but their focus was always on Jesus. In Acts, we see believers sharing everything, supporting one another, and pointing people to the risen Lord—not to their own achievements. Dietrich Bonhoeffer put it simply: “The church is not a building, but a people.”
When ministry becomes more about the institution than the individuals, we lose sight of the heart of the gospel.
Blessing or Burden?
Growth can be a blessing when it means more people are being introduced to Jesus, more needs are being met, and more communities are being transformed. But it becomes a burden when it creates pressure to perform, maintain appearances, or serve the growth itself rather than the people. If ministers begin to feel more like CEOs than shepherds, or if congregations become more focused on programs than on people, it’s time for a heart check.
Guarding the Mission
So how do we keep growth from becoming a burden? By constantly coming back to the mission—introducing people to Jesus. Every platform, every resource, every program should serve that end. If it doesn’t, it’s time to reevaluate.
Ask yourself:
- Is this about making Jesus known, or making our ministry known?
- Are we celebrating changed lives, or just growing numbers?
- Are we building disciples, or building an empire?
Action Steps
- Evaluate: Take an honest look at your ministry’s priorities. What gets the most attention and resources?
- Refocus: Recommit to the mission of introducing people to Jesus. Let every program and platform serve that goal.
- Simplify: Don’t be afraid to let go of things that don’t fit the mission—even if they’re successful by worldly standards.
Final Thought
A ministry empire can be a blessing when it’s built on the right foundation. But if we lose sight of Jesus, it quickly becomes a burden. Let’s build ministries that point people to Him, not to ourselves.
Just some thoughts,
The True Heart of Ministry
If you could strip away every program, every platform, and every plan, what would be left at the very core of ministry?
For Jesus, and for the early church, the answer was simple: people introducing people to Him. The heart of ministry was never about building an empire, but about building relationships that lead others to Christ.
The Power of a Simple Introduction
The Gospel of John gives us a beautiful glimpse into this kind of ministry. In John 1:40–42, Andrew, after spending just a short time with Jesus, immediately went to find his brother Simon (Peter) and brought him to Jesus. No fanfare, no marketing plan, no empire—just one person introducing another to the Savior.
“He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’… He brought him to Jesus.” (John 1:41–42, ESV)
Notice how personal this moment is. Andrew’s first instinct, after meeting Jesus, was to share Him with someone he loved. There’s no mention of Andrew seeking a title, a following, or a ministry brand. His focus was simply on connecting Peter with the One who could change his life.
Ministry Is About Jesus, Not Us
John the Baptist, a powerful figure in his own right, summed up the heart of ministry with remarkable humility:
“He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30)
John’s ministry was never about gathering crowds for himself. He was content to point people to Jesus, even when it meant stepping out of the spotlight. That’s a lesson for every minister and every Christian—our mission is to make Jesus known, not to make a name for ourselves.
The Temptation of Empire-Building
In today’s world, it’s easy to get caught up in numbers, platforms, and influence. There’s nothing wrong with growth or using tools that help us reach more people. But when the focus shifts from introducing people to Jesus to building our own “ministry empire,” we risk losing the heart of what ministry is all about.
Jesus Himself warned about storing up treasures on earth (Matthew 6:19–21). The true treasure is a life changed by the gospel, not the size of a following or the reach of a brand.
Every Christian’s Calling
Introducing people to Jesus isn’t just the job of ministers or pastors. It’s the calling of every believer. Sometimes, the most powerful ministry happens in quiet, everyday moments—over coffee, in a text message, or through a simple act of kindness.
As Dietrich Bonhoeffer once wrote, “The church is not a building, but a people.”
It’s not about the structures we build, but the lives we touch.
Action Steps
- Reflect: Who first introduced you to Jesus? How did that change your life?
- Pray: Ask God to show you someone in your life who needs an introduction to Jesus.
- Act: Reach out this week—share a story, invite someone to read Scripture with you, or simply listen to their struggles.
Final Thought
The true heart of ministry is introducing people to Jesus. It’s not about building an empire, but about making Christ known, one relationship at a time. As you go about your week, remember: the greatest impact you can make may be in the simplest introduction.
Just my thoughts,
