LaKendra Tookes talks about the impact of the creativty of VanGogh even against extreme odds, addictions, and challenges. Van Gogh Immersive Experience is Downtown Cincinnati starting this week.

The post VanGogh Immersive returns to Cinci appeared first on 93.7 The Light.

Ron Smith of Neighborhood Bridges talks about how to start a neighborhood organization in your community to meet needs and share hope.

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John Quincy Adams wrote often to his mother, Abigail Adams, even as an adult. And what stands out isn’t anything dramatic. It’s the tone.

Respect. Thoughtfulness. A kind of steady connection that didn’t seem to fade with time.

In one letter, he writes:

“My conduct through life has been much influenced by your instructions and example.”

That’s not something you write casually. It’s the kind of thing you say after time has passed – after you have made your own decisions and lived with the results. After you’ve had enough time and distance to see what actually shaped you.

What Stands Out

He doesn’t write like someone who has moved on from needing or loving his mother. He sounds like someone who still values her. You see it in the way he addresses her:

“My ever honored and revered Mamma . . .”

There is respect there. And affection. A steadiness that doesn’t fade, even as he gets older.

In the same letter as above, he reflects on the kind of life he wants to live:

“My conduct through life has been much influenced by your instructions and example and I hope I shall always act so as to do justice to your instructions. I feel more and more the importance of those principles which you early instilled into me.”

He isn’t writing this as a child trying to please his mother. He’s writing as a grown man who had already stepped into his own responsibilities, and he’s telling her that what she taught him still matters – and that he’s thinking about it, even as an adult.

That’s what stands out.

As adults, it’s easy for that relationship to shift into something more distant – less conversation, less asking, less sharing. Not necessarily on purpose. Just slowly.

But his letters don’t feel like that. They feel like someone who still sees his mother as someone worth listening to, worth honoring – not out of obligation but because he genuinely values her.

Bringing It Closer to Home

Most of us aren’t writing long letters anymore. Life is faster, and communication is usually shorter.

But the larger question remains.

Do we still talk to our mothers like that?

Do we still treat them as people worth listening to carefully?

Do we speak to them with patience?

Not out of duty – but real conversation.

Do we ask what they think?

Do we take the time to listen?

Do we tell them what’s actually going on?

As adults, our relationship with our mothers often changes in quiet ways. It’s easy to let meaningful conversations with your mother get replaced by quick updates. Staying connected to your mother as an adult doesn’t usually happen automatically as life gets busy.

As adults, learning how to communicate well with your parents – and especially your mother – takes more intention than it used to. Relationships naturally change over time, but they can also be strengthened in small, consistent ways.

A Small Shift

It doesn’t have to be complicated.

A phone call that isn’t rushed.

A question you actually wait for the answer to.

Taking a few minutes to listen instead of moving on.

Those small choices often shape the relationship with your mother over time more than we realize. And over time, they may matter more than we think. Because what you see in Adam’s letter isn’t just respect – it’s a relationship that didn’t fade as life moved on.

And that doesn’t happen by accident.

The post A Letter From a Son to His Mother – What It Shows About Our Mothers appeared first on 93.7 The Light.

Dr Bob Paul, VP of Focus on the Family Marriage Institute, says our marriage differences can be our biggest marriage strengths.

The post Marriage Differences Are Strengths appeared first on 93.7 The Light.

Jill Kingston shares the life-saving mission of Brigid’s Path

The post Brigid’s Path serves Dayton appeared first on 93.7 The Light.

Springfield City Youth Mission is connecting young people with mentors. Mentors are needed to provide guidance, support, and meaningful relationships for kids in Springfield. Learn more at crushtheodds.org

The post Springfield Youth Mission Help Kids Thrive appeared first on 93.7 The Light.

Dr. Kelly Fishman talks about pet health and the importance of understanding subtle signs animals show when they are in pain. She offers practical insights for pet owners and highlights the role of care, responsibility, and stewardship. Learn more at strutanimal.com

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Matt Light, former New England Patriot and founder of the Light Foundation, talks about his mission to help young people grow in character, leadership and life skills. Learn more at MattLight72.com

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Mary Magdalene had just come with astonishing news: The stone had been rolled away, and the body of Jesus was gone.

The Race to the Empty Tomb

Peter and John immediately set out to see for themselves.

John, who wrote the account in his Gospel, includes an interesting detail:

So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first.

(John 20:4)

It is such a small note that it almost feels humorous. John makes sure the reader knows he got there first.

For centuries readers have smiled at that line. Even in the middle of the most important morning in history, a little bit of friendly rivalry seems to appear between the two men.

John was probably younger, and he outran Peter.

But when he reached the tomb, he stopped. He stooped down and looked inside, seeing the linen burial cloths lying there, yet he did not go in.

Moments later Peter arrived.

And Peter did what Peter often did.

He charged straight inside.

John records it simply:

Simon Peter arrived just after him. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there.

(John 20:6)

It is a scene that perfectly reflects the personalities we see throughout the Gospels. Peter was bold and impulsive. He was often the first to speak, the first to act, and sometimes the first to make a mistake. When he arrived at the tomb, hesitation did not seem to occur to him.

John, by contrast, appears more observant and reflective. He noticed details. He paused.

So the morning unfolds exactly as we might expect.

John runs faster. Peter walks straight in.

Yet the differences between the two disciples were about more than personality.

They also seem to have come from somewhat different social circles.

John appears to have had connections that Peter did not. Earlier in the Gospel accounts, when Jesus was arrested and taken to the high priest’s house, John was known there and was able to enter the courtyard. Peter could not even get inside until John spoke to the servant girl at the door and brought him in (John 18:15-16).

They were different men – different temperaments, different backgrounds, perhaps even different social standing.

Yet on that morning, both of them stood in the same place.

The empty tomb of Jesus.

After Peter entered, John finally stepped inside as well.

Then he writes something simple and remarkable:

Then the other disciple . . . also went in. And he saw and believed.

(John 20:8)

That line is striking. John does not describe thunder or lightning. There is no dramatic speech. There are only the linen cloths lying where the body had been. Yet somehow in that moment, the truth began to dawn.

The tomb was empty.

And both of these very different men were beginning to believe.

The Easter resurrection story includes many dramatic moments, but it also includes small human ones like this.

Two friends running. A little rivalry along the way. Different personalities, different backgrounds.

Yet both of them standing together at the same empty tomb, slowly realizing that everything had changed.

These and the other witnesses to the first Easter were ordinary men and women with their own strengths, weaknesses, and differences.

But when they encountered the risen Christ, those differences did not matter at all compared to the truth they had come to see.

The tomb was empty.

And that truth is big enough for everyone to believe.

The post Why John Stopped at the Empty Tomb appeared first on 93.7 The Light.

Walk into many churches on Easter morning and you will likely see them immediately – rows of Easter lilies with their tall stems, glossy leaves, and white trumpet-shaped blossoms arranged on the stage or near the pulpit.

Easter lilies have become such a familiar part of Easter Sunday that many people assume the tradition goes back to the early church and never ask: Why are Easter lilies used at Easter?

I remember thinking it had something to do with the “lily of the valley” mentioned in Scripture, but in reality, the story of why Easter lilies are used at Easter is a mix of symbolism, church tradition, and even a fascinating chapter of American farming history.

The Meaning of Easter Lilies in Christianity

The Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum) has long been associated with themes that fit beautifully with the message of Easter.

Its pure white petals have traditionally symbolized purity, hope, and new life. The flower’s trumpet shape almost seems to announce good news – an image that fits well with the joy of resurrection morning.

Even the way the plant grows carries a meaningful picture. A lily grows from a bulb buried in the ground. For months nothing is visible above the soil. Then a stem suddenly pushes upward and bursts into bloom.

It’s a powerful reminder of the Easter story.

From the tomb came life.

Christ was buried, yet on the third day He rose again.

As Jesus said, I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die (John 11:25).

It was because of this symbolism that churches began using lilies as Easter altar flowers.

How Easter Lilies Became an Easter Tradition

Interestingly, the Easter lily is not native to the United States. It originally comes from islands in southern Japan.

In the late 1800s. plant collectors introduced the lily to Europe and North America, where it became a favorite with gardeners. By the early twentieth century, growers had learned how to carefully control temperature and light so the plants would bloom right around Easter Sunday.

Florists began selling them as “Easter lilies,” and churches embraced them as a natural picture of the resurrection. And within a few decades, the flower had become one of the most recognizable Easter decorations.

The Unexpected Oregon Story behind Easter Lilies

One of the most fascinating parts of the Easter lily story involves the American West Coast.

Before World War II, nearly all Easter lily bulbs used in the United States were imported from Japan. But when the war started, that supply suddenly disappeared.

American growers had to find another source.

Farmers along the southern Oregon coast and northern California coast began experimenting with growing the bulbs. The cool coastal climate – often foggy and mild – turned out to be perfect for lily production.

Soon hundreds of farmers were growing them. At one point more than 1,000 growers in the Brookings, Oregon area were producing Easter lily bulbs. Competition became so intense that locals jokingly called the boom the “Easter Lily War.”

Today the industry is smaller, but most Easter lily bulbs used in the United States still come from a narrow coastal region around Brookings, Oregon, and Smith River, California. Every spring millions of lilies grown from those bulbs are shipped across the country just in time for Easter.

One of the Hardest Flowers to Grow

Another surprising fact about Easter lilies is how much work goes into producing them.

Growing a single Easter lily bulb takes three to four years in the field before it is ready for commercial use. During that time farmers must carefully protect the plants from disease and harvest the bulbs at exactly the right moment.

After harvest, the bulbs are sent to greenhouse growers who control temperature and light so they bloom for Easter.

Because the date of Easter changes every year, growers must adjust their schedules constantly. If the lilies bloom too early or too late, they lose much of their value.

More Than Decoration

Easter lilies are more than a beautiful spring flower. From a bulb buried in the earth comes a flower bursting with life – a fitting picture of the resurrection Christians celebrate each Easter.

And every Easter morning, the same message is proclaimed again:

He is not here; for He is risen (Matthew 28:6).

The post Why Are Easter Lilies Everywhere at Easter? appeared first on 93.7 The Light.

I highly recommend you take a moment to pull out a map or pull one up on your phone and look at it. Look at both a map of the United States and a global map that identifies the Tradewinds and wind patterns. These winds switch from season to season and depending on where you live will impact your weather.

Definitions

Lion — unsettled, harsh, cold, windy wintery

Lamb — more stable, calmer, gentler, warmer

Polar Jet Stream — northern arctic colder air pushing south

Subtropical Jet Stream — southern tropic warmer moist air pushing north

Patterns

The fluctuation between the movement of the jet streams vying for dominance determines whether the month of March comes in like a Lion or a Lamb. During the winter months the Polar Jet Stream typically can push into the southern portions of the United States. As spring unfolds, the Subtropical Jet Stream begins to push north. The push and pull between both of these streams create unstable weather.

The Farmers’ Almanac (FA) was first published in the 1790s to inform people and assist in predicting weather for agricultural planning. The FA provided estimated frost dates and planting windows, along with historical weather records. Based upon repeated FA observations of “stormy early Marches and milder late Marches,” an easy memorable slogan emerged, “In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb.”

March and Tornado Season

March is only the beginning of the tornado season. Tornado peak activity is May and June. The tornado season is transient to various parts of the United States depending on the dip and rise of the Jet Streams mentioned earlier. March tornadoes often occur in late afternoon or evening, are fast moving, and frequently occur in lines of storms that span the conflicting fronts.

Tornado season often begins in the southern plains and deep south and expands northward as the Polar Jet Stream recedes north and the upward drift of the Subtropical Jet Stream. Tornado season is characterized by strong frontal systems, deep low-pressure systems, powerful wind events, and severe thunderstorms.

Average Tornado Activity in Ohio

Ohio averages 20 tornadoes a year. Prior to 2007 tornadoes were measured by an F-Scale (Fujita). Since 2007, there has been a modification and the scale is now known as the EF-Scale (Enhanced Fujita). Most Ohio tornadoes are weak to moderate (EF0-EF1). There are some strong tornadoes (EF2-EF3), while violent tornadoes (EF4-EF5) are rare, but devastatingly historic. Western and Central Ohio typically have a higher tornado frequency west of the I-71 corridor. The flatter terrain and proximity to advancing warm fronts creates this incubator for tornado development.

Top 5 Historical Tornadoes in Ohio

1. 1974 Xenia Tornado — Xenia & Surrounding Areas

April 3, 1974

F5

34 people died (including 2 Ohio Air National Guardsmen who died in a fire during disaster assistance), 1,150 were injured, and the tornado produced widespread destruction.

This tornado was part of the infamous 1974 Super Outbreak.

2. 1924 Lorain and Sandusky Tornado — Northern Ohio

June 28, 1924

F4

85 people died and this tornado is the deadliest single tornado in Ohio history.

3. 1985 Niles and Wheatland Tornado — Northeastern Ohio & Western Pennsylvania

May 31, 1985

F5

18 people died with 310 people injured.

4. 2019 Dayton Tornado — Dayton Area

May 27, 2019

EF4

Over 160 people were injured as well as massive home and infrastructure damage.

5. 2010 Millbury Tornado — Northwest Ohio

June 5, 2010

EF4

7 people died with heavy damage in Wood County.

5 Ways to Prepare

Ohio storms move fast and you may have only minutes to respond once a warning is issued. Many tornadoes in Ohio occur in late afternoon and evening, and therefore it is important to have alerts that can wake you if you are sleeping.

1. Know Your Safe Place Before the Warning

• Basement (best option)
• If no basement: small interior room on the lowest level
• Stay away from windows
• Avoid mobile homes during warning

2. Have Multiple Ways to Receive Warnings

• A NOAA weather radio
• Emergency alerts enabled on your smartphone
• Local TV or radio broadcasts
• Weather apps with push notifications

3. Prepare a Tornado Emergency Kit

• Flashlight (with extra batteries)
• Phone charger or battery pack
• First aid kit
• Bottled water
• Sturdy shoes (debris injuries are common)
• Medications and important documents

4. Be Aware of Ohio’s Seasonal Pattern

• Warm humid air masses
• Strong winds forecasted
• Enhanced or moderate risk warnings

5. Strengthen Home & Family Preparedness

• Secure loose outdoor items
• Review insurance coverage (home and auto)
• Practice a family tornado drill
• Make sure children understand where to go
• Plan for pets

We need to be aware of the weather threats, make preparations, but NOT be in FEAR! Place God’s word in your heart. God wants us to have knowledge and be aware of our surroundings because without that Hosea 4:6a states, ”My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.” The Bible speaks against us having fear in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

Let’s pray: “Dear God, help us be aware of the upcoming threats while simultaneously believing you have provided knowledge to increase our safety. But, most of all, we pray for your continued protection that covers us as we depend upon Psalm 91 and Psalm 23. You are our Great Shepherd and our Hiding Place. AMEN!”

The post Tornado Season Starts In March In Ohio: What To Know appeared first on 93.7 The Light.

This is a lot of cash spent in the process of exchanging the notion of love. So often the actual sentiment of love during the month of February is either philia (deep friendship), storge (family), ludus (playful), or eros (passionate/romantic).

The ultimate love is agape (selfless, spiritual, God love). As Christians we strive to duplicate, but fall far short. Because of our dwarfed mortal capacity of understanding, we do not truly grasp the depth of God’s love.

Hopefully this acrostic narrative poem will shed a glimpse into God’s AGAPE LOVE.

L

Loyal (Covenant Keeping)

Before we knew how to choose Him, He chose us.

Through wandering hearts, broken promises, and seasons of forgetting,

God remained — faithful when we were faithless,

Steadfast when the road bent away from Him.

His love does not flicker with our obedience;

It stands, sealed by covenant, written not in ink but in blood and mercy.

Scripture:

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

(Lamentations 3:22-23)

If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful because he cannot be untrue to himself.

(2 Timothy 2:13)

O

Omnipotent and Omnipresent

There is no depth where His love cannot reach,

No height where His voice cannot call us home.

He speaks galaxies into being,

Yet whispers comfort to the weary soul.

His power holds the universe together, and His presence sits beside us in the waiting,

Proving that love this vast is never distant.

Scripture:

Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

(Psalm 139:7-10)

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

(Matthew 19:26)

V

Victorious

Agape love does not retreat in the face of darkness — it advances.

On a cross meant for shame, love won.

Sin was silenced, death was defeated, and hope stepped out of a borrowed tomb.

This love conquers fear, breaks chains, and declares that nothing —

Nothing has the final word but God.

Scripture:

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

(Romans 8:37)

Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

(1 Corinthians 15:57)

E

Eternal

Before time began, His love existed.

When time fades, His love will remain.

It does not age, weaken, or expire.

It waits for prodigals, holds generations, and stretches beyond the grave.

This is a love with no ending — only invitation.

Scripture:

I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.

(Jeremiah 31:3)

Love never fails.

(1 Corinthians 13:8a)

The post God is L.O.V.E appeared first on 93.7 The Light.

We live in a time of constant commentary. Opinions are everywhere – on the news, on social media, in podcasts, group chats, and even at the coffee shop or grocery store. We are encouraged to have a take on everything and to share it quickly. Silence is often mistaken for indifference, and restraint can look like weakness.

It’s no surprise that many people feel mentally tired. The exhaustion doesn’t come from thinking deeply but from being pulled into reaction again and again. In a world overflowing with opinions, what many of us long for is wisdom.

The Difference between Opinions and Wisdom

Opinions are easy to form. Wisdom is not. Opinions tend to be fast, emotional, and responsive to the moment. Wisdom, by contrast, is slow. It requires listening, reflection, humility, and time. Scripture often draws this distinction. The book of Proverbs reminds us that the one who has knowledge restrains his words (Proverbs 17:27), not because words are unimportant but because discernment matters.

Not everything requires a response. One of the subtle pressures of our time is that we must weigh in on every issue, express every thought, and react publicly to every event. But biblical wisdom does not equate constant speaking with faithfulness. In fact, James warns us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry (James 1:19). That kind of restraint feels countercultural in an age of instant opinions.

Why Wisdom Grows Best in Listening

Wisdom grows best in listening. Wise people ask questions before making declarations. They seek understanding before judgment. They are willing to say, “I don’t know enough yet” or “This really isn’t my concern.” Choosing to listen carefully is one of the wisest things you can do.

Another difference between opinions and wisdom is volume. Opinions tend to be loud. Wisdom is often quiet. It doesn’t demand attention. Scripture describes wisdom as something we are to seek diligently, like treasure, not something we display for applause. Wisdom often shows itself not in arguments won, but in lives lived in patience, kindness, and self-control.

What Jesus Teaches Us about Discernment

Discernment in everyday life doesn’t mean disengaging from the world or caring less. It means caring more wisely. Jesus Himself modeled this. He did not respond to every accusation, answer every challenge, or explain Himself to every critic. Sometimes He spoke directly. Other times He withdrew. Wisdom includes knowing when to speak and when to remain silent.

Wisdom Shows Up in How We Live

Wisdom also reveals itself in how we live, not just in what we say. It shows up in giving others the benefit of the doubt, in kind responses, and in choosing peace over provocation. In a time when opinions are plentiful and outrage is rewarded, choosing wisdom may look unimpressive, but it is deeply profound.

We do not need fewer thoughts, but we do need to not give in to the demand to react. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). True wisdom does not come from our opinions but from humility before God.

When we slow down, listen more than we speak, and resist the pressure to weigh in on everything, wisdom can grow – often in ways that shape us far more deeply than our opinions ever could.

The post Why We Need Fewer Opinions and More Wisdom appeared first on 93.7 The Light.

I remember it like it was yesterday. The snow began to fall overnight, so by the time I was up, it had gotten a good head start. Dad wanted me to shovel the front porch and the sidewalk out to the road in front of our house. Seems easy enough, right? But this was the blizzard of ’78! Our front walk wasn’t very long but by the time I got to the end of it, I had to turn around and shovel my way back to the house. It seemed like a waste of time to even bother until the snowing and blowing quit.

Fast forward nearly 50 years. I never thought I would live to see that much snow fall in one storm again, at least not in Ohio. So, in my great wisdom I decided, when the snow began to fall, that I would wait to shovel until it stopped. 24 hours later my driveway was covered with between 12 – 18 inches of snow and the temperature had fallen into the single digits. Though the wind wasn’t near as bad, we did break the snowfall record from the blizzard of ’78.

Being snowed in and knowing I needed to go to work the next day, I was waiting for a young man to show up with a shovel wanting to earn extra cash by shoveling my drive. It never happened. Then I waited till it warmed up to 10 degrees and I went outside to brave the elements. I thought I would never finish and wondered if my fingers and toes would fall off from the cold.

I guess my dad had a good idea when he said I shouldn’t wait till the snow piled up. I should shovel often to stay ahead of the accumulation.

There’s another thing we shouldn’t let pile up, and that’s unconfessed sin. Our Heavenly Father has something to say about that in His Word. Look up Psalm 32 and read David’s testimony of what happened to him when he tried to hide his sin. It stole his joy, his fellowship with God; even his health deteriorated because of it.

1 John 1:7 says: If we are living in the light as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other; and the blood of Jesus, His Son cleanses us from all sin. Cleanses us implies a continuous action. When David let his sin pile up and go unconfessed, his body wasted away. When I let my snow pile up and later, tried to shovel, my back wasted away. The same will happen to all of us if we don’t keep short accounts with God and keep our sin from piling up!

The post Don’t Let It Pile Up appeared first on 93.7 The Light.

Do we ignore the signs God placed in the Bible and chalk them up to a different time and excuse ourselves from the reality that God is the original architect of waiting longer and lingering? “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done” (Genesis 2:2-3 NIV). God didn’t rest because He was tired, He rested to demonstrate a pattern of living that included fellowship with Him outside of work.

Waiting longer and lingering in God’s presence creates an atmosphere of PEACE. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. God has been calling His loved ones into a place of lingering longer since day seven of creation, and reiterates that call in Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” God’s very existence should entice us to draw nearer to Him and experience His overwhelming omnipresence.

It is interesting to find that individuals showcased in the Bible that waited and lingered longer had an extra portion of peace, power, and purpose. Joshua in the book of Exodus is one of those individuals. Joshua was the loyal attendant, military commander, and designated successor of Moses. This great responsibility was because in Exodus 33:11 we see the character and practice of Joshua. “The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.” Joshua went on to lead the Israelites across the Jordan River, into the Promised Land and conquer the “giants” and secure what God had promised. Warring victory can only come from lingering longer in God’s presence before we tackle the struggles that face us.

Hannah in 1 Samuel 1 lingered longer in the temple, crying and despairing for a child that humanly was impossible because of her infertility. “In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the LORD, weeping bitterly. As she kept on praying to the LORD, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk” (1 Samuel 1:10, 12-13 NIV). Hannah’s extended time lingering longer in the presence of the LORD miraculously opened her womb and she became pregnant and gave birth to Samuel. Samuel’s purpose was showcased in the books of 1 and 2 Samuel. He was a mighty man of God for his time that was birthed from his mother’s prayers.

In the New Testament (Luke 10:38-42), the sisters Mary and Martha (the sisters of Lazarus) represent the modern pattern of busyness. Jesus had come to spend time with the family and Martha was busy with the food and house preparations to make sure everything was wonderful for her guests. Jesus was talking to the guests. Mary was sitting at His feet, waiting and lingering longer at the tremendous words spilling out to the emotionally and spiritually hungry individuals in His presence. Martha was appalled that Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet and not helping her in the kitchen. Martha even confronts Jesus and asks Him to make Mary come and help her. Jesus’ reply, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed – or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” More than our physical busyness, God desires our sitting at His (Jesus’) feet lingering longer.

Finally, Jesus also demonstrated as God did on that seventh day of creation, the need to linger longer and enjoy the fellowship God intended outside of work. This fellowship refreshed, rejuvenated, and empowered Jesus to complete His earthly ministry all the way to the cross. It is recorded at least nine times in the Bible that Jesus retreated from the crowds to be alone with God.

Since God and Jesus both found it important to pull away from the busyness of work to enjoy fellowship of God’s presence to refresh, rejuvenate, and empower the realignment with the peace, power, and purpose of God, shouldn’t we also do the same? Let’s not count lingering longer in God’s presence as wasted time. It is essential time to our physical, mental, and spiritual health. It is time that builds our “Full Armor of God” to withstand the attacks of the enemy (Ephesians 16:10-18). God has provided, through His and Jesus’ examples, that lingering longer in His presence is vital to our successful navigation of the modern day stressors.

The post Wait Longer and Linger appeared first on 93.7 The Light.

It feels like I spend a lot of time behind the wheel of a car. My family is pretty spread out now so it seems like I’m driving all the time. I don’t mind it for the most part but there is one thing that’s unnerving. If I’m on the interstate and passing a car or truck that is having trouble staying in their own lane. Sometimes the problem is the wind and sometimes just inattention but it tends to stress me out. I have, however, learned a valuable lesson during these times, don’t look at the other vehicle while passing! It’s tempting because if they drift into my lane I need to get out of their way. But I’ve experienced this strange phenomenon, if I focus on them we suddenly get closer, not because they are drifting but because I am. If I look straight ahead I can stay in my lane and safely get past the other car.

I’ve found there is a spiritual application in my own life. If I want to shed an annoying habit or a besetting sin, my typical response is to focus on that behavior asking the Lord to help me get past it. But the more I focus on it, the more I drift toward what I’m trying to avoid. If I don’t look away and fix my eyes on Jesus, I’m headed for a collision!

In Proverbs 4, King Solomon is instructing his children how to avoid getting sidetracked by evil and in verse 25 he says: Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Then in Hebrews 12: 1-2 we read: let us slip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.

If you or I want to put a bad habit or besetting sin in our rearview mirror, we must stop focusing on that behavior and fix our eyes straight ahead on Jesus. He will give us the victory!

The post Putting Our Sin in the Rearview Mirror appeared first on 93.7 The Light.

Many of us tell ourselves we will open our homes again when things are calmer. When the house is cleaner. When the schedule feels lighter. When we have the energy to cook a proper meal. But real Christian community was never meant to depend on ideal conditions. In fact, the quieter and darker months after the holidays may be the most important time to practice it.

Hospitality does not require a spotless home or a three-course meal. It does not demand matching dishes, carefully planned menus, or “Christmas” energy. Scripture calls us to show hospitality without grumbling (1 Peter 4:9) – not without mess. Biblical hospitality is not about impressing others; it is about creating a space where someone else feels welcomed and loved.

Why Messy Hospitality Matters after the Holidays

If you wait until your house is immaculately clean and your energy is high, you will never open your door this winter. So I want to challenge you to embrace messy hospitality. This is inviting people into your real life – unfolded laundry, mismatched socks, and all. We don’t need a perfectly decorated house to provide spiritual warmth. Letting a friend see a messy living room lets her feel less alone in hers.

Winter hospitality looks different, and that’s okay. It might mean simple soup and bread. It might mean inviting someone over for coffee at the kitchen table with mismatched mugs and honest conversation. Messy hospitality says, You don’t need to be impressed – you just need to be here. The busyness of Christmas fades, but the need for connection does not.

Community after Christmas often happens in smaller, quieter ways. A simple invitation can remind someone that they are seen and remembered in a season that is often isolating.

If you are wondering what messy hospitality might look like in practice, start small. Invite someone over for soup on a weeknight. Open a package of crackers and slice cheese. Host dessert instead of dinner. An afternoon coffee and a couple cookies.

Invite someone to join you for leftovers after church or to join you for a walk. And keep your invitations simple: “Our house is a little chaotic, but we’d love to see you.”

Make it clear that they are free to come as they are – really. Sweatpants and slippers are welcome. Sitting on the couch under a blanket with a cup of tea provides more welcome and warmth than the finest dinnerware and most elaborate menu ever could.

And this needs to be easier on you too. Set a timer for fifteen minutes and clean what you can. Whatever isn’t clean when the timer goes off stays messy. You don’t need to apologize for what you didn’t do. Hospitality flourishes when hosts are at ease.

Don’t wait until your house is flawless or you feel “ready” for guests. Invite one person over this Tuesday precisely because you’re tired. Hospitality isn’t a one-way street. Your burdens and isolation will be lightened in community as well.

The post Community after Christmas: Messy Hospitality in 2026 appeared first on 93.7 The Light.

I researched the following three categories: Spiritual Health, Emotional Health, and Physical Health as possible changes people attempt to make in a new year. I was looking for statistics of the number of people who begin a New Year’s resolution as compared to those who successfully complete those same goals. I was surprised by what I found.

Physical Health resolutions range from 48%-79% of respondents identifying this as their choice depending on the survey cited. I was surprised that Spiritual Health isn’t a category. The closest possible option was looking at Emotional and Mental Health combined or as separate categories. Emotional and Mental Health aren’t easy to categorize because of the personal variables that feed into assessing baseline levels. A 2024 Forbes Health/OnePoll indicated 36% of respondents cited they resolved for improved mental health.

The question is, “How many of those choosing to make a pledge successfully complete that resolution?” Again, depending on the source of the survey you can find different statistics. A 2020-2021 survey stated that at a 1-year follow up 55% of respondents considered themselves successful. However, it also found that people who chose starting a positive habit versus stopping a bad habit saw almost a 60% success rate. A different survey found that after two years only 19% still considered their original resolution successful.

What were the two biggest take-aways I discovered that improve the success rate of accomplishing the resolutions?

1. Make small easy to accomplish goals.

Personal paced, small changes over time will make a long-term impact into your life.

2. Frame your resolution as a positive, ”I will” versus a negative, “I’ll give up or stop.”

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).

Specific Small Step Positive Actions to Add to Your 2026

Spiritual Health

● Faith vs Fear framing of your life events. This can only be accomplished by saturating your surroundings with scripture. You can be very creative to achieve this by varying your intake into reading your Bible, listening to an audio Bible, and/or watching scripture videos.

● Think on these things, as Philippians 4:8 exhorts: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praise worthy – think about such things” (NIV).

Emotional Health

● Learn the full Serenity Prayer. Ask God to help keep you focused on what you can do, and knowing that He will make all things right.

● Stay in your own lane. Many times we take on someone else’s burdens that really are not ours to bear.

● Guard your heart (Proverbs 4:23 TLB), “Above all else, guard your affections [heart]. For they influence everything else in your life.”

● Protect against information overload. Overload can be both struggles as well as joyous. Each of us has a maximum capacity of information we can contain within

our “mind banks” before we begin to have difficulty sorting and sifting through the cacophony of noise.

Physical Health

● Rest without guilt. Rest may include stepping away from electronic devices and hearing the sounds of nature.

● Resting could include a nap or a walk.

● Manage sugar, caffeine, and carbohydrate intakes. Each of these metabolize quickly and create a physical and mental spike, but ultimately a mental and physical drop in energy….after the high.

What do you see that you can choose to do in 2026 that can improve your life? Pick one area that has been shared and pick one easy and simple act that you can articulate a positive “I can” statement to accomplish your goal. Write your I can statement on a small card (post-it) and place it where you will see it every day. Let a trusted friend know your resolution. This friend becomes an accountability partner, not a nag. Commit your resolution in prayer to God and expect that He will give you the desires of your heart that are pleasing to Him.

The post What Are You Doing Different In 2026 appeared first on 93.7 The Light.

But, do we know that the story of Jesus’ birth was a long awaited fulfillment that actually dates back to Genesis? A story that has redemption written all over it for us today. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God that opened the door to sin and death. God already had a plan that Jesus, His only son, would come to earth as both human and divine to settle the score with satan, and make all things right again.

Genesis 3:13-15

V13

And the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

V14

So the LORD God said to the serpent: “Because you have done this, You are cursed more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly you shall go, And you shall eat dust All the days of your life.

V15

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.”

Verses 16-19 describe the curse of sin and death that entered into the world because of disobedience. Darkness fell upon the earth. Sorrow, sickness, and lawlessness entered into the most perfect Garden Paradise that God had created for His children. Outside of God’s perfect plan darkness still reigns. However, because of the promise of Jesus, Yeshua (Messiah, Savior) throughout the ages, God has provided a way of rescue for every person who believes and calls upon Him that they will be saved (John 3:16, Romans 10:9).

Humanity has lived in darkness since that time. Isaiah references the darkness of the peoples in multiple passages (5:20, 9:2, 59:1-15, 60:2). The darkness is not hopeless. Christmas is the story of HOPE!

Today, the world around us is swirling in darkness. Hope seems to be unavailable. What joy is there in a world full of sickness, drugs, addictions, human trafficking, lawlessness, and general hatred spread about.

This is exactly where Christmas Past intersects with Christmas Present. Christmas is God’s greatest LOVE GIFT ever given since Creation. God gave the gift of the cosmos to His children for their enjoyment and as a joint family relationship with Him.

When that relationship was broken and the beauty of creation was marred, God already had the rescue plan foreseen.

Jesus entered the earth as a baby in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Jesus lived on earth without submitting to the lures of satan, and therefore secured the righteousness to redeem the family (humanity) that had been abducted through deceit and lies. Jesus as in the Genesis prophecy bruised satan’s head, while His heel was bruised on the cross.

Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection brought Joy to the World. When we believe and confess Jesus as God Himself, who came to earth to regather His children, we take Christmas beyond a prophecy or historic event. We bring Christmas into OUR today. Christ within us shatters the darkness that so wants to choke the life out of us.

Often Christmas may seem the darkest because you feel the loneliest. Don’t let the lies of satan deceive you like he did Eve. Let the songs of Christmas, the Christmas scriptures, and the Christmas lights draw you into the reality of Christmas today…and every day.

The post The Christmas Story is NOT of OLD, but For TODAY! appeared first on 93.7 The Light.

Mel Blanc, perhaps the most well-known voice actor of all time, was the go-to guy for Warner Brothers. He created and performed Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Tweety Bird, Sylvester the Cat, Foghorn Leghorn, Yosemite Sam, Speedy Gonzales, and the list goes on and on.

Now they say that an actor has to become the person he or she is portraying in order to sell the part, but Mel Blanc took that to the next level. His son Noel described how completely his father disappeared into each character. His face and body would transform with each voice he performed.

This really came to light when Mel was in a terrible car wreck. It was January 24th 1961 and driving around Dead Man’s Curve on Sunset Boulevard, he was hit head on. Mel broke both legs; his pelvis was shattered and he suffered a triple skull fracture. Paramedics had to cut him out of the wreckage and by the time they got to him, he was unconscious. They rushed him to UCLA medical center where he slipped into a coma.

For two weeks his wife, his son and the nurses and doctors talked with him and called his name, they tried everything to reach him but there was no response. Finally, one of his Neurologists came into his room and said “Hey Bugs can you hear me?” Then came his most famous line, in Bugs Bunny’s voice Mel responded with “eh…what’s up doc?” Mel Blanc inhabited his characters so completely that when his own identity was unreachable in that coma, his character remained!

This is something I want to aspire to. Not to become like cartoon characters but to become like my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! How would I be different if my voice was like that of Christ, my expressions were like Christ, my actions and reactions and my responses were like Christ? What if I spent so much time with Jesus and knew Him so well that others would hear and see Him instead of me?

In First Corinthians 2:16, the Apostle Paul tells us that as believers, we can have the mind of Christ. Then, in Second Corinthians 5:17, he tells us that anyone who belongs to Christ, has become a new person. The old life has gone, a new life has begun.

Just imagine what God could do through you and me if we claimed those promises as our own and began to sound and look like Jesus to a hurting world!

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