Christmas is a singing season. Long before the presents are wrapped or the candles are lit, the air fills with melody. We hum in grocery stores. We sing in our cars. We gather in churches and living rooms and lift our voices together. Christmas and carols are inseparable.

Prayer is an invitation to bring your emotions, ambitions, and opinions to the Lord. In the kaleidoscope of human life—all its complexities and confusion—we have a God who makes a way for all of it. In the same way that God meets all of our needs through Scripture; we can bring all of our needs to God through prayer.

Every October, Christians ask the same question: How should I view Halloween? Some have concluded that it is a night of darkness and demonic influence. Others see it as innocent fun and neighborhood engagement. Let us, then, think carefully about all things, including this contested holiday.

As far as I see it, there are three aspects of a Christian. Knowledge, obedience, and affection. And as we are maturing in our walk with Christ, each of those should be growing. We should be deepening our knowledge of Christ, our obedience to Christ, and our affections for Christ. These are not three steps to reach maturity, they are three stages in a cycle of maturity.