Melissa Hasamear

[Shane Pruitt @shane_pruitt78]

How to approach Easter with your unbelieving family & friends:

-Pray for their openness.
-Pray for your kindness.
-Remember that God loves them
even more than you do.
-Be confident in your faith, but
don't argue about it.
-Invite them to church.
-Point to the risen Jesus.

[C. S. Lewis @CSLewisDaily]

“The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God.” - C.S. Lewis

[Focus on the Family @FocusFamily]

In the midst of a chaotic world, let us remember to tend to those who are poor in spirit, those who are mourning. Let us turn to the Father, and allow Him to shape our hearts to be meek, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers. When we are persecuted, insulted, and falsely accused, let us rejoice and praise our Maker. This is a time to walk like Christ, and walk with Him.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
~ Matthew 5:3-12

[C. S. Lewis @CSLewisDaily]

“God, who foresaw your tribulation, has specially armed you to go through it, not without pain but without stain.” - C.S. Lewis

[Focus on the Family @FocusFamily]

If, as parents, we focus our thoughts on our children and their choices, we will trap ourselves in fear and despair. But if we redirect those thoughts to faith in God, to His character and His power, we will be buoyed by hope.

Our children’s salvation never depended on us; the glorious news that gives us hope is that our prodigals’ return doesn’t depend on us either. God has many ways and many workers to bring His children home to himself. It is our right and privilege to pray with hope and expectation while simultaneously allowing God to choose His preferred method to win our kids back — or win them for the first time.

You’ll never be alone in this battle. You’re partnering with the God of the universe who is more than capable of making up for what you lack and rebuilding what has been torn down.

[Brad Weinstein @WeinsteinEdu]

So true. 🧡

[Shane Pruitt @shane_pruitt78]

7 Things Added To The Christmas Story That Aren’t Actually in the Bible:

Christmas truly is the most wonderful time of the year, because it calls our attention to one of the most beautiful teachings of Scripture — the Incarnation of Christ.

However, 7 things have been added to the greatest story ever told that are not in the Bible.

1. Jesus Was Born On December 25th:

The answer is that we really don’t know when His actual birthday was. The Bible doesn’t tell us an exact date. However, two things are certain – He was born of a virgin, and the Son of God is eternal. The Incarnation is Him wrapping on human flesh.

2. Mary Rode into Bethlehem on a Donkey:

An extremely pregnant Mary riding into town on a donkey is definitely a common myth most Christians believe is in the Bible. Now, she very well could have made the 65-mile trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem on a donkey. Nevertheless, nowhere in the Bible does it say, she rode a donkey.

3. There Were 3 Wisemen:

One of the most popular Christmas carols, "We Three Kings," shows the commonality of this particular myth. People commonly think there were three in number, because the Bible details the fact that they brought three gifts – gold, frankincense and myrrh. But, this doesn’t mean there were three magi; there could just as easily have been four, eight, or ten.

4. A Star Hovered Over the Manger:

The magi were given a star that first led them to Jerusalem (Matthew 2:1 – 2), then on to Bethlehem (v. 9 -10) where they found the child. In jealousy, King Herod gave a command for all babies in the region younger than 2-years-old to be killed (v. 16). This suggests that Jesus had been in Bethlehem for some time at this point, so neither the wise men nor the star were hovering over the manger the night Jesus was born.

5. Jesus Was Born in a Stable:

The Scriptures actually say, “And she gave birth… and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn (Luke 2:7).” It’s easy to assume that Jesus was born in a barn or stable, because of the manger mention. A manger is a feeding trough for animals. However, these feeding troughs were also commonly used inside homes, because families would sleep upstairs while small animals were kept downstairs on cold nights.

6. Jesus Was Born In 0 A.D.:

“B.C.” stands for “before Christ”, and “A.D.” stands for a Latin phrase anno domini; which means “in the year of the Lord.” However, according to Matthew 2:1, Jesus was born during the days of Herod the king. Most historians place Herod’s death at 4 B. C. With Herod ordering all boys 2-years old and younger in the area to be killed before his on own death. It seems as though a more proper estimate of Jesus birth would have sometime between 4 B. C. and 6 B. C.

7. Saying Merry X-mas Is “Taking Christ Out Of Christmas”:

Over the last decade or so, many Christians have felt like there is a “War on Christmas”. Some believers see the phrase, “Merry Xmas,” as an attempt to remove Christ from Christmas. Although, some people may be deliberate in their attempts, the statement by itself is not offensive. The first letter in the Greek word for “Christ” is chi. In the Roman alphabet, chi is represented by the symbol – X. Therefore, Xians don’t have to be flustered by hearing or seeing, “Merry Xmas!”

The Beautiful Truth About Christmas:

Thankfully, because of the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus; everyday can be Christmas. To the believer, Christmas shouldn’t be a one-day celebration, but rather, a lifestyle of celebrating the truth that Jesus is Immanuel – God with us.

[Today in History @TodayinHistory]

Today in 1945, George Orwell published a devastating critique of Communism.

Animal Farm reveals why every communist revolution follows the same tragic pattern: liberation to corruption to oppression.

Here are 10 truths from Animal Farm Orwell warned us never to forget 🧵👇🏼

[Bee’s Little Ranch @BeesLittleRanch]

It is your responsibility to train and teach these souls. They are your priority. They are your legacy.

[Timothy Keller (1950-2023) @timkellernyc]

It is not enough to believe the Gospel with your head. It must become operational in your heart.

[J.R.R. Tolkien @JRRTolkien]

The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater.
—- J.R.R. Tolkien

[Eric Sheninger @E_Sheninger]

New post: How to Give Feedback That Actually Works https://t.co/3Crj5fxP4A #edchat #edutwitter #teachertwitter #educhat #ukedchat #edadmin #suptchat #edleadership

[Melissa Hasamear @LissaCombs]

@Globalstats11 Nimbus

[Billy Graham @BillyGraham]

“A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society.” #BillyGraham #FathersDay

[TeacherGoals @teachergoals]

So true! 🧡
🌐 https://t.co/3qw2SY2yXy

[Tanya @tanyaelisabethh]

It used to be that marriage was the starting point.
Two people came together with almost nothing but each other, and they built everything side by side: careers, homes, families, dreams.
The process of building wasn’t just practical, it was bonding. It forged loyalty. It required sacrifice. It taught interdependence.

Today, we’re told to have it all before we marry.
A stable career. A house. A padded savings account. An identity rooted in independence.
By the time two people finally come together, they’ve spent years learning how to do life alone, how to protect themselves, prioritize themselves, rely only on themselves.
And now we wonder why it’s so hard to build a life with someone.

Marriage is no longer a beginning. It’s an accessory to an already-built life.
But two self-contained, self-sufficient lives do not easily merge.
There is no “ours”, now there is only “yours” and “mine.”

Individualism didn’t just redefine marriage.
Individualism is its death.

[Tim Tebow @TimTebow]

He is Risen!

Today we celebrate the greatest comeback in history—when Jesus walked out of the tomb, and conquered death once and for all. Because He took our place and paid the price for our sin, we no longer need to fear death. He made a way for us to live forever with Him. All He asks is that we follow Him.

The Price is Paid. He is Risen. We are Free.

[Melissa Hasamear @LissaCombs]

@rustyrockets He Is Rise Indeed! Alleluia!