Among the songs of Christmas that ring with the theme of peace, one grew out of a period of history that was anything but peaceful.     One of my favorite songs is a truly American Christmas carol, written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.  Tragedy struck the Longfellow family...

For unto us a child is born....   There is something special about having a baby in the house at Christmastime. Maybe it's because Grandma & Grandpa have an excuse to buy toys and be kids again themselves. Maybe it's the promise of hope for the future that comes with a new life. Not...

A few nights ago I had a nightmare. My five-year-old daughter fell into deep water. I treaded on the surface of the water, while my daughter sank further and further out of my reach. Frozen by a sense of powerlessness, I panicked. Each second she spent under water was one second closer to her...

Listen to His Voice

Posted by Emily Bedwell on Dec 09, 2012

This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. (Deut. 3:19-20) iPhones...

What are Angels?  The word Angel comes from the Greek meaning messenger.  Angels are messengers of God, bringing comfort and joy to those of us who believe in Christ.  Gabriel delivered a very special message… What must Gabriel have thought when God commanded him to visit...

The Christmas Sneeze

Posted by Claudia Mitchell on Dec 07, 2012

Did you know things expelled during a sneeze have been clocked at 100 miles an hour? I sneezed while Christmas shopping in an elbow to elbow crowded store and three people I had never met said "God bless you". I wonder if they had any idea of the power behind their words or the speed behind my...

Have you ever gotten so angry that you said or did something you regret? So angry that you destroyed something important like a relationship or a future? Messed up something that you just can’t fix? It happens to all of us because we all make mistakes. Sometimes, in books or films, you can...

During this season of the year one of the most joyful sounds is the music of Christmas carols and many of them have their own unique story to tell.    There was a time when Christmas carols were silent – the Puritan English Parliament abolished carols in the year 1627...

Christmas Devotions

Posted by Emily Bedwell on Dec 04, 2012

From now until the end of December, join members of the staff and Sherwood Oaks family as they give you thoughts and devotions about this Christmas season.

Black Friday Blurry eyed and cold Masses stand in artificial light Breathing frigid dark air in and out   She checks her watch. 10 more minutes No one speaks.   She sifts her weight from her right foot to her left. A man grips a cart handle tightly He looks at an ad...