Israel and the Ends of the Earth, By Michelle Van Loon www.michellevanloon.com www.ThePerennialGen.com Ever since Donald Trump announced the U.S. would relocate its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, people have been asking me for my thoughts on the decision. I am a Messianic Jew, and serve as the U.S. Administrator for a discipleship and education ministry based in Jerusalem. I do English-language editing for a weekly round-up of stories of interest to believers gleaned from the Hebrew-language press, which... Read more

Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born [this day] of a pure virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. Isa 9:2-7 The people who walked in darkness have seen... Read more

First we light the candle for HOPE because Jesus is our hope. Second, we light the candle for PEACE because Jesus is our hope and peace. Third, we light the candle for JOY because Jesus brings joy. Fourth, we light the candle for LOVE because Jesus is love. Finally we light the center candle. This is the CHRIST candle. Jesus is born. Jesus has come. Jesus is our salvation. Let us pray: Great God of love and light, we thank... Read more

Sermon delivered on Christmas Eve 2017 at St. Augustine’s Anglican Church, Westerville, OH. If you prefer to listen to the audio podcast of tonight’s sermon, usually somewhat different from the text below, click here. Lectionary texts: Isaiah 9.2-7; Canticle (from Isaiah 11); Titus 2.11-14; Luke 2.1-20. In the name of God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Merry Christmas, St. Augustine’s! Tonight we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, God’s promised Messiah. As St. Luke tells us, at Jesus’ birth the... Read more

Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen. BCP Read more

Merry Christmas from Jon Lester: CHICAGO — Cubs pitcher Jon Lester surprised families at the House of the Good Shepherd with a holiday dinner and gifts on Tuesday night. Lester could not be there in person but wanted to treat the families, a Cubs spokeswoman said. The House of Good Shepherd, which serves women and children affected by domestic violence by offering a safe place, posted on its Facebook account: “We love you Jon Lester! Go Cubbies Go!” The meal included chicken... Read more

AP News: PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Worker shortages in Maine have forced the state Department of Transportation to hire private contractors to plow roads. The Portland Press Herald reports the state Department of Transportation has awarded a contract to the Ohio-based company First Vehicle Services. The contractors will work in southern Maine. MDOT has struggled to keep highway workers in recent years. The department currently has 50 open positions. Dale Doughty, MDOT’s Director of Maintenance and Operation, says some workers might be... Read more

From AP News PARIS (AP) — French police say a homeless man found a huge amount of cash last week at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport and was able to leave the complex with 300,000 euros ($354,000). Two police officers, who are not allowed to speak publicly on the case, said Thursday that video surveillance showed the man looking in the trash and leaning against a nearby door. Airport police union official Jean-Yann William Airport told France Info television that... Read more

By Mike Glenn   Rodney Dangerfield, the great comedian of the last generation, was famous for his line, “I don’t get no respect.” He would then describe a variety of humiliations and brutal dismissals from his wife, his children, servers in restaurants, and everyone else he has met during his day. He would then follow each insult with his trademark response, “I tell ya’, I don’t get any respect”. When it comes to Christmas and respect, Joseph would know how... Read more