Prayer is the window that God has placed in the walls of our world. Leave it shut and the world is a cold, dark house. But throw back the curtains and see His light. Open the window and hear His voice. Open the window of prayer and invoke the presence of God in your world.

Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life.

In order to find Jesus, every one of us needs direction. God gives it. The story of the wise men shows us how. The star sign was enough to lead the magi to Jerusalem. But it took Scripture to lead them to Jesus.

Were it not for the shepherds, there would have been no reception. And were it not for a group of stargazers, there would have been no gifts.

I think I could do better in my approach to application. I think I could do better in preaching practical sermons.

Look at the Bethlehem birth. A king ordered a census. Joseph was forced to travel. Mary, as round as a ladybug, bounced on a donkey's back. The hotel was full. The hour was late. The event was one big hassle. Yet, out of the hassle, hope was born. It still is.

Kind of the bottom line for me, I don't think people come to the church where I preach to hear my view on politics.