Answers

God has given everyone gifts with which to serve Him

I know I'm supposed to serve God, but I don't have lots of money to give away or any special talents or things like that. I guess people like me aren't much use to God, although I'd like to be.

Don’t live in fear, but seek to follow Christ every day

Are we living in the last days? I can't help but wonder about this when I look at all the bad things that are happening in the world.

Cruel people let their sinful nature control them

A few weeks ago, a fast-talking salesman got my elderly mother-in-law to sign an expensive contract for something she doesn't need and can't afford, and certainly will never use. Why are some people so cruel, taking advantage of someone like this?

Entertainment can profoundly influence children’s moral views

Over the holidays, we had a very hard time renting family-friendly videos that we felt comfortable having our children watch. Even some with a family rating had too much violence or bad language. Are we being too protective?

Urge grandmother to take full advantage of activities at her nursing home

My grandmother is in a nursing home, and every time we visit her she begs us to come more often. I know she's probably lonely, but she lives two hours away and it's just not possible for us to get down there very much. What else can we do for her?

Encourage complaining aunt to see the abundance in her life

My aunt claims to be a Christian, and I'm sure she is, but she's always complaining and never seems happy about anything. In fact, her family jokes that the only thing that makes her happy is complaining. Why is she like this? Aren't Christians supposed to be joyful?

Our past sins are forgiven and forgotten in heaven

When we're in heaven, will we remember all the things we did on earth? I'm not sure I'd like that, because I know I've not always been kind or treated people the way I should have, and I'd just as soon not run into some of them after I die.

Teach your children an 'attitude of gratitude'

You'll probably laugh at this, but one of my biggest problems after Christmas is getting our children to write thank you notes. Our oldest says he doesn't see any reason for it because the Bible doesn't say anything about thank you notes. I've told him to do it anyway, but can you settle this for us?

Reaching out to others can ease loneliness at Christmas.

I lost my husband to cancer two years ago, and holidays are especially hard for me now. I can't help but remember all the good times we had at Christmas and at other times, and now I'm all alone. How can I cope with this?

The wise men who came to worship Christ found a great treasure, and so can we

Who were the so-called "wise men" who came to worship Jesus when He was born? The Bible doesn't seem to say much about them.

Make your gifts count for something this Christmas

Every year, Christmas just makes me feel guilty, because in spite of my best intentions I always end up spending too much money on gifts for people, often for things they don't even need. It's too late to do anything about it now, but why do I do this?

Accept God's Christmas gift of salvation

Yesterday, my 9-year-old son asked me why we celebrate Christmas, and I didn't know what to tell him, except that it marked Jesus' birthday. What more could I have said?