What Child is this? We sing the familiar song at Christmas, but who are we singing about? John 1:14 explains who this Child is to us. This is the scripture that I think so much of our Christian faith hangs on: "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us." - John 1:14 Jesus. The Word, who is the very being of God Himself, at one with the Father, the Instrument of creation, the beginning One, has taken on human flesh and He has tabernacled among us. He is the Temple of God's presence in our midst. He is the light of God's countenance shining on us. He is the light that has come into the world to expel the darkness. >>Watch on YouTube⁠ Dr. Mark Gignilliat is professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School, where he teaches courses in Old Testament and Hebrew, and also serves as theologian in residence at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Birmingham. Dr. Gignilliat is married to Naomi, and they have four children.

What kind of man or woman are you? Just after the 911 attack, I was in New York City. I've seen some real heroes to me from the New York City Fire Department. I remember their courage and selfless service to save lives - to give up their lives. I want you to open your hearts and really examine yourself. What kind of man or woman are you? Each one of us is called to lead in some fashion. Ask yourself these questions: Are you doing it? Have you stepped up to the plate? Are you doing your part? When we talk about leadership, there are some men who are going to help win the war. And there are some men who are just never gonna really do anything. What kind of man or woman are you? What kind of man am I? Jerry Leachman of ⁠Leachman Ministries⁠ is a favorite speaker at The Center's events. Along with being an associate Chaplain in The NFL for many years, Jerry has done ministry in Guatemala, Scotland, Russia, Europe and Africa as well as all over the U.S. He and his wife Holly have been on Young Life Staff and continue to be involved with Young Life here and also internationally.

What are two words that represent some of the most important issues in life? The two words are light and truth. Interestingly, in the Bible, Jesus Himself boldly claimed, "I am the Light" and "I am the Truth." In John 3:19-21, Jesus tells us, "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God." >>Watch on YouTube

What are the two paths of life? A path of obedience to God and its blessings, and A path of disobedience to God which brings curses. The path of obedience to God is marked by the fear of the Lord. Well what is the fear of the Lord? The fear of the Lord is that all-encompassing idea that the Bible brings together this sense of awe and reverence and worship and fear, so that every facet of your life is lived in the recognition that God is—that you've been made for God and you are moving toward God. It is to be in a place marked by worship. Today's message finishes Mark's study on Deuteronomy. "The Lord will establish you as His holy people, as He promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the Lord your God and walk in obedience to Him." - Deuteronomy 28:9 >>Watch on YouTube Dr. Mark Gignilliat is professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School, where he teaches courses in Old Testament and Hebrew, and also serves as theologian in residence at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Birmingham. Dr. Gignilliat is married to Naomi, and they have four children.

Is there anything out there that you would sell your house, your cars, your possessions - all that you had in order to get it? Today we discuss the second of two of Jesus' parables on the kingdom of heaven. In Paul David Tripp's book Redeeming Money, Tripp says that "the central message of these two parables is the incalculable value of the kingdom of God." So, what is the kingdom of God and how does it impact me? Tripp explains that "the kingdom of heaven is "God's gracious plan of redemption for us and the world that we live in. What is the treasure of great value and the pearl of great price? It is Christ Himself and His gift of forgiving, rescuing, transforming, and delivering grace. These two parables argue that there's nothing more valuable than God's gift of His Son of grace, and there's nothing more worth celebrating than the redemption that comes with that grace. The parables demonstrate if you properly value this Treasure, this Pearl, it will radically alter the choices you make and the actions you take in your everyday life."

What do you treasure most in your life? When Jesus speaks in the Bible, there are a number of times He will say, "The Kingdom of Heaven is like..." and then He usually follows it with a parable. For the next two weeks we're discussing two of my favorite parables - "The Parable of Hidden Treasure" and The Pearl of Great Value." In Paul David Tripp's book Redeeming Money, Tripp says that "the central message of these two parables is the incalculable value of the kingdom of God." So, what is the kingdom of God and how does it impact me? Tripp expains that "the kingdom of heaven is "God's gracious plan of redemption for us and the world that we live in. What is the treasure of great value and the pearl of great price? It is Christ Himself and His gift of forgiving, rescuing, transforming, and delivering grace. These two parables argue that there's nothing more valuable than God's gift of His Son of grace, and there's nothing more worth celebrating than the redemption that comes with that grace. The parables demonstrate if you properly value this Treasure, this Pearl, it will radically alter the choices you make and the actions you take in your everyday life."

Who is caring for the caregivers? Richard's guest is Phil Reddick leading our 3rd annual Caregiving Seminar, hosted by The Center's ministry FinishWell, along with co-hosts YBL and WBL Hear 3 perspectives on caregiving, coping with health issues, dementia, grieving, and how to prepare for your loved ones during this critical time. FinishWell is a ministry of The Center, and is led by Phil Reddick. Meet the panelists: Judy Shepura O'Brien - Attorney Dominick, Fletcher, Yielding, Wood, and Lloyd Beau Green - CEO/Franchisee of Right at Home Scott Hannah - Director of Quest Recreation Outreach >>Watch on YouTube More about Phil Reddick and FinishWell More about YBL More about WBL

What is God's message to us in these days? Our guest Dr. Mark Gignilliat continues teaching in our study of Deuteronomy. God's call to the Israelites in Deuteronomy 6:1-5 still applies to us: "These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. Hear, Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you. Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." ⁠⁠Watch on YouTube⁠⁠ Dr. Mark Gignilliat is professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School, where he teaches courses in Old Testament and Hebrew, and also serves as theologian in residence at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Birmingham. Dr. Gignilliat is married to Naomi, and they have four children.

Do you remember what happened on November 22nd 1963? John F. Kennedy was assassinated on that day. C.S. Lewis also died on that day. For the last two years of his life, C.S. Lewis suffered from very poor health. He knew that death was at hand, and yet anticipated it with cheerfulness and peace. At one point he said, “If we really believe what we say we believe—if we really think that home is elsewhere and this life is a ‘wandering to find home,’ why should we not look forward to the arrival?” Finally, a week before his death, Lewis shared these words with his brother Warren: “I have done all that I was sent into the world to do, and I am ready to go.” His brother re­marked that, “I have never seen death looked in the face so tranquilly.” I share this because this can be a reality in each of our lives if we prepare for it. We've been given a number of clues about heaven. A good place to start is to consider how we view Heaven versus how we view our Earthly life. >>Watch on YouTube

How do we know that heaven is real? I think some of you know that my brother passed away back in May. He had been sick a long time. Then I turned 70 back in December, so I'm getting on in years. Now I'm reading Randy Alcorn's book Heaven. So this is a topic that I think is important and as we get into today's study I think you'll see why. Be encouraged by what the book of Hebrews tells us: "So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of His purpose, He guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever..." - Hebrews 6:17-20 >>Watch on YouTube