Author: John Willingham
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Our Words Matter
“Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up…” –Ephesians 4:29a It’s been cold. As I write these words, we have just concluded a week in Southeast Pennsylvania with multiple days of single-digit temperatures. We just had our first significant snowfall, too. While I enjoy the change Read more
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Time to Act
“Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them, for it is such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” –Matthew 19:14 One of the joys for me in retirement is having more time to read. It isn’t a new love. As a child, my mother often found me reading a Read more
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Seeing the Truth
“One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” –John 9:25 One of my favorite Biblical scenes recalls a day when Jesus restores sight to a man who has been blind from birth. The narrative fills the entire ninth chapter of John’s gospel. In it, the author describes the most hands-on Read more
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The Best Place to Start
“All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” –2 Timothy 3:16 Some of you will recall from a September post that my first full-time job after college was with the Bell System. I started at an office in Gastonia, North Carolina, but after Read more
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Glimpses of Grace
“I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you.” –Philippians 1:3-4 This post marks the completion of my blog’s first year. I began Ordinary Grace in January and at least once each week since have offered a true story that spoke Read more
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A Manger in the Living Room
“and laid him in a manger because there was no place for them in the inn.” –Luke 2:7b The chapter from which the verse above comes is a beloved part of Scripture. It is often dramatized in churches during December. Despite that broad familiarity, every Christmas pageant I have seen has included a character and Read more
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One Holy Moment
“And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth” –Luke 2:7a During my last year of seminary, I had the opportunity to be in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve. I was taking part in a two -week tour of Israel and Palestine and imagined that being in the spot of Read more
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Stressed
”He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.” –Luke 2:5 Once during the week before Christmas, I stopped by my local Post Office. I had a few packages to mail. Given the late date, I went inside fully expecting to wait for a while. My Read more
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An Imperfect Christmas
“In those days, a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.” –Luke 2:1-2 Those words open one of the most beloved passages in the Bible, Luke’s account of the events we will celebrate again over Read more
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In, Not For
“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” –1 Thessalonians 5:18 Later this week, the people of this country will stop to give thanks. The first such celebration occurred in 1621 when the Pilgrims and Wampanoag people marked a good harvest. The modern observance dates to Read more