Cover story: Church: Some Assembly Required. By John Halford. Why do I feel I should make the effort to drive to my relatively distant congregation instead of just ambling to the church across the road?

Editorial: If necessary, use words, by John Halford. The government official had a serious falling out with a young man whom he had mentored for many years and loved like a son.

Regrets? I've Had Quite a Few, by Karl Moore.
     Companion article: Top 10 list of possible
     CEO regrets, for CEOs still "in the saddle"
     All the retiring CEOs said they had no regrets.

Black History Month, interview with Curtis May.
     Companion article: Letter From a Birmingham
     Jail: A Call for Reconciliation. What is the value of Black History month for people who aren't black?

Letters to the editor

I've Been Reading: The Art of Possibility, by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander; reviewed by Nan Kuhlman

Thinking out loud: Puzzle and Premises, by Barbara Dahlgren. Grandma would try to squeeze a piece into the wrong spot and sometimes hit it with her fist to make it fit.

Tammy's turn: Like a weaned child, by Tammy Tkach. Suddenly I knew what the Psalmist meant.

For the love of God: a pastor's notebook: Praying for my enemies, by Rick Shallenberger. Why did I feel compelled to pray for the man who had caused so much pain?

When Life Sucks, by J. Michael Feazell. One of our greatest plagues is that of anxiety, that old fiend that manifests itself in fear, worry, frustration, dread, and the like.

Underlining life, by Geoffrey Miller. The underscored text led me to places I didn't want to go, to things I didn't want to think about.

PD & Me, by Sue Berger. PD has a problem. No matter where she hides the toy, she can tell where it is.

Vacation or Mission? Do short-term mission trips do anyone any good? By Janet Morrison. Often, the greatest benefit is for the people who go.

The day I fired myself, by Nan Kuhlman. I confessed Jesus as Lord and Ruler, but I acted as if I was the one responsible for everyone.

Bible Study: Everyone must die!: a study of Mark 8:27-37, by Michael Morrison.  Companion article: The Greeks had a word for it: Christos

copyright 2010

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Cover story: Christmas: What Jesus' Incarnation Shows Us About Being Human. By Rick Shallenberger
companion articles: A Fresh Look at "Nothing," and
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, by Steve Schantz

Editorial: Goodwill to all men?, by John Halford.

The Bond of Love, by Eric Wilding. As we get older, we want to know how God relates to us, but also how the Persons of the Trinity relate to each other. The apostle Paul calls the Holy Spirit "the bond of peace."

Dr. Proverb, by Jeff Broadnax. What do you call a physician who created a musical genre called HealthHop, designed to teach medical information to young people?

Letters to the editor

I've Been Reading: Grace Walk: What You've Always Wanted in the Christian Life, by Steve McVey; reviewed by Barbara Dahlgren

In Other Words: Dze kotoku medea Kratsi o, by Kalengule Kaoma. If you are going to Kratchi, you should make the trip worthwhile.

Thinking out loud: Small Things, by Barbara Dahlgren. The new temple  seemed small and pitiful compared to the old one. But it was still important.

"He Oughta' Be Shot!" by Sheila Graham. "It's terrible when someone calling himself a man of God acts that way."

Hindsight: Faith Reframing Tragedy, by Kerry Gubb. God can still hear the beauty in her singing, even if others cannot. Isn't that who it's really for?

The Nightingales of Bangladesh, by Roger Lippross. The nightingale bird shares its beautiful song unconditionally, wanting nothing in return except that you enjoy its music.

Remember to Breathe, by Joyce Catherwood. Our daughter asked us if we realized that we were giving our granddaughter tacit approval for a tattoo. Uh, no... That had gone completely over our heads.

Blessed Are the Includers, by Brent Meranda. My son gripped my neck with a death hug and would not let go.

A High School Reunion Story, by Greg Williams. After 30 years, it just doesn't matter who has the biggest house or the fastest car. We are aware of more important things.

Rain to Rainbows, by Tammy Tkach. Have you ever known someone who couldn't stand to see others blessed?

Bible Study: "The time has come for my departure": a study of 2 Timothy 4, by Michael Morrison.  Companion article: The Greeks had a word for it: Kairos.

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