The Power of Influence
Alden and Hazel Flanders Bennett Flanders I grew up loving the University of Georgia. In 7th and 8th grade, I wore some sort of Georgia shirt at least three days a week to school. I dreamed that Vince Dooley, the Bulldogs' legendary coach, would discover me. After I led the team to a National Championship and brought home a couple of Heismans, I'd be the biggest hero to ever put on that red jersey and the helmet with the beautiful black G . I did meet Coach Dooley once, but i
Dec 26, 20254 min read
Waiting: Christmas Day
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being gre
Dec 25, 20253 min read
Waiting: Day 25
Christmas Eve 2025 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a Son. And he called His name Jesus. Matthew 1:22-25, English Standard Version My focus the last 24 days has been on these four
Dec 24, 20252 min read
Waiting: Day 24
Tuesday December 23, 2025 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a Son. And he called His name Jesus. Matthew 1:24,25, English Standard Version Well, there you go. Joseph wakes up and does what he’s commanded to do. Matthew is just so matter of fact about it, as if instant obedience is the most natural and obvious thing in the world. Reading this 2000 years after Joseph
Dec 23, 20252 min read
Waiting: Day 23
Monday December 22, 2025 But as he (Joseph) considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20,21, English Standard Version Faced with a monumental decision, Joseph opts to . . . sleep on it . Yep. He
Dec 22, 20252 min read
Waiting: Day 22
Sunday December 21, 2025 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things . . . Matthew 1:19-20a, English Standard Version Meanwhile, back in Nazareth, the focus of the story shifts from Mary to her intended husband, Joseph. We move from the book of Luke to Matthew’s Gospel which put the emphasis on the story from Joseph’s perspective. Joseph knows a few things at this point.
Dec 21, 20252 min read
Waiting: Day 21
Saturday December 20, 2025 And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered. Luke 1:62,63, English Standard Version Zechariah ain’t no dummy. He’s not disobeying Gabriel's orders, and he doesn’t leave his wife hanging out to dry. He grabs a pencil and lays down the law-the kid will be named John , and that settles it. But Luke tells us that “they all wondere
Dec 20, 20252 min read
