The Christmas season arrives with a familiar flurry of activity. Our calendars fill with parties, our homes fill with decorations, and our minds fill with gift lists and travel plans. In the joyful chaos of celebrating, we exchange greetings, share meals, and create memories. It is a time of genuine excitement and warmth, meant to bring people together.

But in all our enthusiastic preparations and festivities, is it possible we are overlooking the very center of the holiday?

In this episode, we share a sobering story from the East Coast, which serves as a powerful reminder of this danger.

There is a cultural trend that seeks to remove Jesus from the holiday, pushing him to the sidelines.

Jesus is the reason for this season, and every other season. This is not merely a slogan for a coffee cup; it is the foundational truth.

Listen and be encouraged to "Keep Christ in Christmas".

Send us a text with your questions or comments.

Email us: alpha7ministries@outlook.com

Also, be sure to visit:
Alpha 7 Ministries for guidance, spiritual insight, and advice on Life & Living, Parenting & Family, Marriage & Relationships, Spiritual matters, and more.

Elder DeBorrah K. Ogans Amazon Author Page - Review and learn more about books she has written, including:

"Religion: How It Helps or Impairs Mental Stability".

"Proverbs Daily Devotional - Goldmine of Spiritual Wisdom"

"The Enchanting Legends of Shiloh Mansion"

"How Do I Love Thee - Food For Thought Before You Say I Do"

Elder Randall Ogans Sr. Youtube Channel . Smooth instrumental music that weaves the styles of gospel, soul, and jazz together with dazzling reinterpretations of classic hymns. Musi...

We all know the staggering difficulty of offering genuine forgiveness, especially when we've been deeply and personally wronged. But nestled within the New Testament is a short, often-overlooked letter that serves as a profound and surprising case study in what can be called "Redeeming Forgiveness"—the story of a slave owner, a runaway slave, and the radical request that would change their lives forever.

There are 2 lessons on forgiveness we want to highlight from the often overlooked book of Philemon.

First, Forgiveness Isn’t Erasing the Past—It’s Creating a New Future

Often times we hear people say that "you need to forgive and forget", when someone does you wrong. To that we say, "Not So". Forgiving doesn't mean forgetting, it means you don't hold the offence against someone, but don't forget what they've done. True forgiveness doesn't ignore the past but courageously creates a new future.

Second, A Sincere Apology Is Proven by a Changed Life

In our world of easy apologies, this story in Philemon draws a sharp line in the sand. It contrasts true repentance with the "unhealthy established pattern of doublemindedness" that plagues so many relationships, where apologies are offered but behavior never changes. True remorse is demonstrated through transformed action. Sincere repentance is validated not by words but by a transformed life.

Listen as we review this case study on God's Grace & Forgiveness.

Send us a text with your questions or comments.

Email us: alpha7ministries@outlook.com

Also, be sure to visit:
Alpha 7 Ministries for guidance, spiritual insight, and advice on Life & Living, Parenting & Family, Marriage & Relationships, Spiritual matters, and more.

Elder DeBorrah K. Ogans Amazon Author Page - Review and learn more about books she has written, including:

"Religion: How It Helps or Impairs Mental Stability".

"Proverbs Daily Devotional - Goldmine of Spiritual Wisdom"

"The Enchanting Legends of Shiloh Mansion"

"How Do I Love Thee - Food For Thought Before You Say I Do"

Elder Randall Ogans Sr. Youtube Channel . Smooth instrumental music that weaves the styles of gospel, soul, and jazz together with dazzling reinterpretations of classic hymns. Musi...

When we think of thanksgiving, our minds often drift to a fleeting feeling of appreciation or a beloved annual holiday. But what if this concept is far more dynamic? What if gratitude isn’t just a passive emotion but an active spiritual discipline, a powerful force for shaping our lives?

Psalm 100 reveals just that. It reframes thanksgiving not as a mere reaction to good fortune, but as a foundational practice for spiritual well-being. God’s Word is “alive and powerful… the necessary essential spiritual food and medicine for our mind, body, and soul,” and this psalm is a potent dose of that medicine.

Thanksgiving Is a Daily Lifestyle, not just a yearly event, recognizing that every single day is a “Gift from God.” Psalm 100 is not just a poem for a special occasion; it is an instruction manual for daily living. Inspired by King David’s writings, it gives a direct and simple command for how to approach each day.

Listen as we explore powerful truths hidden within this ancient song that can transform our understanding of gratitude from a momentary feeling into a life-altering strategy.

Send us a text with your questions or comments.

Email us: alpha7ministries@outlook.com

Also, be sure to visit:
Alpha 7 Ministries for guidance, spiritual insight, and advice on Life & Living, Parenting & Family, Marriage & Relationships, Spiritual matters, and more.

Elder DeBorrah K. Ogans Amazon Author Page - Review and learn more about books she has written, including:

"Religion: How It Helps or Impairs Mental Stability".

"Proverbs Daily Devotional - Goldmine of Spiritual Wisdom"

"The Enchanting Legends of Shiloh Mansion"

"How Do I Love Thee - Food For Thought Before You Say I Do"

Elder Randall Ogans Sr. Youtube Channel . Smooth instrumental music that weaves the styles of gospel, soul, and jazz together with dazzling reinterpretations of classic hymns. Musi...