Cutting edge for pastors and ministry leaders.
By: Frank Tunstall, D. Min. Christina Rossetti authored a poem in 1872 that only appeared after her death. About thirty years later the poem was set to music and titled “A Christmas Carol.” Today, we know it as “In the Bleak Midwinter.” Rossetti was a devoted follower of Christ Jesus who for many years volunteered […]
By: Frank Tunstall, D.Min. The celebration of Christmas began to grow in popularity in the early nineteen hundreds in America. As it did so it adopted such secular symbols as Santa Claus, Christmas trees, and Rudolph the red nosed reindeer. The story of Baby Jesus over the years since has slowly faded in the public […]
By: Frank Tunstall, D. Min. Full many a gem of purest ray serene, The dark unfathomed caves of oceans bear. Full many a flower is born to blush unseen, And waste its sweetness on the desert air. Thomas Gray, an English poet, published this poem in 1751 to recognize common people who do noble and […]
By: Frank Tunstall, D. Min. When Jesus was eight days old, His parents made the five-mile walk from Bethlehem and took Him to the temple for dedication and circumcision (Luke 2:21-24; Leviticus 12:8; Exodus 13:1-2, 12). John (the Baptist) was about three months old when Baby Jesus was dedicated. A man named Simeon who was […]
By: Frank Tunstall, D. Min. Mary was already full of the Old Testament Scriptures when Gabriel visited her. Her parents must have started her memorizing from the time she could talk. Nazareth was on a trade route, and the arrival of a caravan was about the biggest event that took place in sleepy Nazareth. Some […]
By: Frank Tunstall, D. Min. The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So, the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35-36; John 1:29, 36). King David is the prophet who foretold the Heavenly Father has a Son (Psalm […]
Frank Tunstall, D.Min. “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35-36; John 1). King David is the prophet who foretold the Heavenly Father has a Son (Psalm 2:7). A thousand […]
By Frank Tunstall, D. Min. Lesson Two (For Lesson 1, click here) Mary had a short stay at home in Nazareth before she and Joseph had to go to Bethlehem to register and pay their taxes. This time it meant a ninety-mile trip. Bethlehem was about five miles south of Jerusalem. Mary’s delivery of her […]
By: Frank Tunstall, D. Min. Lesson 1 (For Lesson 2, click here) Elizabeth said to Mary, “Blessed is she who has believed what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished” (John 1:42). Mary the mother of Jesus lived with broad mood swings, experiences that lifted her to the highest peaks of joy, and some […]
By: Frank Tunstall, D. Min. “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35-36; John 1). King David is the prophet who foretold the Heavenly Father has a Son (Psalm 2:7). […]