Author Archives: cchrisholland

About cchrisholland

...husband, dad, pastor, teacher, and chronic day-dreamer

When Doubt Creeps In

Posted on March 7, 2013 by cchrisholland

John the Baptist was rugged, bold and popular. Imagine what the hipsters at Jerusalem U. were posting about him on FaceScroll; with the camel hair clothes and “Brood of vipers!” preaching! OK, maybe it wasn’t EXACTLY like that, but John … Continue reading →

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Just in case you ever wonder if Jesus cares…

Posted on March 1, 2013 by cchrisholland

Jesus was busy. There’s no doubt about it, the gospels show Jesus’ ministry years to be very demanding. With daily ministering and traveling, there was little down time. If we’re not careful, we can let that mental image influence our view … Continue reading →

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“Aw man, I was just about to say Amen too!”

Posted on February 15, 2013 by cchrisholland

Growing up, the good old-fashioned “Amen!” was common place in our church and others.  You can imagine the scene…strong preaching and sturdy words of affirmation working together in harmony. I guess it’s more a part of me than I realize, … Continue reading →

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Are you settling for less than God’s best?

Posted on February 12, 2013 by cchrisholland

Occasionally, it’s good to be reminded of what God has shown us (as was the case with me recently).  This story comes from the 2004 archives. That year, I was struggling with direction in my life and the life of … Continue reading →

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Dealing with Political Correctness

Posted on February 1, 2013 by cchrisholland

Bullies are a fact of life. We’ve all encountered people who use intimidation as a method for getting what they want. An easy one-size-fits-all answer would be handy (like the good ole “5 across the lip”), but unfortunately it isn’t … Continue reading →

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How big is your God?

Posted on January 25, 2013 by cchrisholland

One of the earliest names for God in the Bible is God Most High (Genesis 14:18-20). It’s such an awesome description. No matter what we can see or imagine…He’s higher, bigger, and stronger. By the time of the first century, the … Continue reading →

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What does “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” mean anyway?

Posted on January 17, 2013 by cchrisholland

I’m a Patriot. There are many reasons why (like an appreciation of our founders and a family history of soldiers dating back to the Revolutionary War), but for brevity I’ll narrow it to one…purpose. It’s stated in the thoroughly-deliberated-over, intentional … Continue reading →

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Finding Hope in 2013

Posted on January 3, 2013 by cchrisholland

I must confess, I’m struggling to have a hopeful attitude toward 2013. When considering our nation’s cultural and political status, I’ve found myself wishing I could simply turn-on a positive outlook, but reality demands more than simple will-power. It requires … Continue reading →

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This Year, Will it be Linus or Lucy?

Posted on December 24, 2012 by cchrisholland

I’ve always appreciated the work of Charles M. Shultz…especially the Charlie Brown Christmas special. You remember the story; Charlie Brown was depressed from the commercialization of Christmas and Linus steps in at just the right moment to bring light to … Continue reading →

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It Happened on a Friday…

Posted on December 18, 2012 by cchrisholland

I love Fridays. They’re usually days filled with a sense of accomplishment and anticipation of good things ahead…but not so last week… On Friday, our nation was shocked by the news of a heinous act in Newtown, Ct. at Sandy Hook … Continue reading →

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Before Slicing the Turkey…

Posted on November 20, 2012 by cchrisholland

As we gather with family and friends for Thanksgiving, the first 4 verses of Psalm 105 is a great help in preparing our thoughts…  “Give thanks to the LORD. Call on His name; make known among the nations what He … Continue reading →

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The One Post-Election Thought I’m Moving Forward With

Posted on November 14, 2012 by cchrisholland

After 1,000 different post-election thoughts, here’s the one I’m moving forward with:  “I press toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind…” … Continue reading →

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Screaming at T-Ball Games

Posted on October 30, 2012 by cchrisholland

Ok, I admit it. I scream at T-Ball games. Thankfully it’s not at the officials, (uh, except that one time, sorry Blue), but it’s screaming nonetheless. You see, I helped coach our son’s T-Ball team during “fall ball” and it … Continue reading →

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The Sarcastic Post I Almost Wrote

Posted on October 23, 2012 by cchrisholland

There are days when my concerns manifest themselves in ways less than God’s best; such was the case recently. It was a sarcastic post I was writing called “How to be a Mediocre Christian”. At the time it seemed like … Continue reading →

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The Armor of God Prayer

Posted on October 15, 2012 by cchrisholland

Father, with the upcoming battles today being spiritual in nature, please help me to… Buckle          “14a…truth like a belt around [my] waist,” Strap on         “14b…righteousness like armor on [my] chest,” Lace up boots of           “15…readiness with the gospel of peace,” Firmly hold         “16…the shield … Continue reading →

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Navigating Life by the Moment

Posted on October 13, 2012 by cchrisholland

Concerning money, it’s been said if you watch the pennies; the dollars will take care of themselves. I believe it can also be said if we focus on the moments; the days will take care of themselves. I’ve realized I … Continue reading →

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Wondering about God’s Plan

Posted on October 1, 2012 by cchrisholland

Life often doesn’t make sense. People, circumstances, and timing can lead us to wonder what God is doing. In the early part of the 1st century, the Jewish people still talked of the Messiah’s coming, but generations had come and … Continue reading →

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When Prayer Seems Unanswered

Posted on September 18, 2012 by cchrisholland

Have you ever felt like your prayer was going unanswered? Maybe an on-going situation or need for God’s provision? I remember a particular time in my life when I really wondered what the silence meant. I struggled to reconcile the … Continue reading →

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Luke’s Model of Great Christian Writing

Posted on September 11, 2012 by cchrisholland

Imagine the answers in 40 A.D. if you’d gone around asking people their input on “Jesus of Nazareth”…kind of an ancient “Google search”. In addition to accurate testimony, there would have been wild stories, odd “explanations” and mythical tales. That … Continue reading →

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Beware of “Free Lunches”

Posted on September 4, 2012 by cchrisholland

One summer, some discarded peaches at the edge of our yard turned into a “free lunch” for some June Bugs. I noticed in another part of the yard, birds were watching. When the bugs began taking advantage of the feast, … Continue reading →

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