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Imagine this scenario: you get a letter from an attorney representing someone. You cannot afford to hire a lawyer. What do you do? According to Jessica Steinberg, associate professor of clinical law at George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C., 70–98% of state cases dealing with areas of civil law such as family law, domestic violence, landlord–tenant and small claims issues involve at least one unrepresented litigant. Money is often an issue. According to the National Legal Aid and Defender Association, 80% of criminal defendants cannot afford to hire a lawyer. ...

A Christmas Conundrum

For those of us in the Messianic walk, Christmas is an especially trying time. We recognize the origins of this practice along with all the decorations and trappings of the season to be of pagan derivation. In Deuteronomy 12:31 God tells His people to be careful to not follow the customs of the nations because everything they do for their gods is disgusting. In the book of Jeremiah, chapter 10, The Almighty admonishes us to “not learn the practices of the nations” and states through the prophet that the religion of the people is worthless. “Woodcutters cut down trees from the ...

After Christmas, it’s back to the real world

Luke 2:21-40 There’s always a letdown after Christmas, isn’t there? Christmas demands so much of us and then suddenly, it’s back to the real world. There are bills to pay and extra pounds to work off. I like how one unknown author describes this letdown in a poem: Twas the month after Christmas and all through the house Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse. The cookies I’d nibbled, the eggnog I’d taste. All the holiday parties had gone to my waist. When I got on the scales there arose such a number! When I walked to the store (less a walk than a ...

God’s love at Christmas

John 3:16-17 A couple of years ago on America’s Funniest Home Videos, a young boy was shown on Christmas morning. He came down to see a large present beside the tree and ran over to tear it open to see what was inside. The paper went flying and suddenly he broke into a dance and jumped around the room saying, “Wow. Just what I wanted I really love it. Wow.” After a while, he went over to look at it again and said with a puzzled look on his face, “What is it?” On that first Christmas, the angels announced the birth of a new child. The heavens were opened and all the company ...

Don’t judge — not all regular church attendees are serving the Lord

Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together – Acts 20:7 Why should we never judge someone by their attendance and dedication to the local church? Not everyone that attends church on a regular basis is serving the Lord. Some people have selfish motives behind their devotion; it can be power, authority, control, or their public appearance. The devil seems to be in church every Sunday trying to cause division or hinder someone who is seeking after God. II Corinthians 11:13-14 says, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into ...

Chicken noodle soup warms Bev’s Kitchen

By Bev Kauffman Hello from the kitchen! Christmas is over and the new year is fast approaching. Do you celebrate New Year’s Eve? I celebrate by going to bed at the same time as the year before. If you do celebrate, do it safely or call me for a ride home. This is also the cold and flu season, so I thought I’d make some good old fashioned chicken noodle soup. It’s good for what ails you. When I was growing up, we had chicken noodle soup often since we raised our own chickens. My mom would cook a couple chickens, debone them, then save the broth. We often had sweet corn or ...