Brown skinned, keen eyed, with a legendary tendency to flare up with righteous indignation, yet shyly compassionate and generous to the poor and needy, particularly children and youth. Born into money, yet orphaned at a young age, he gave up all his wealth for a life of service to Jesus Christ. His nose was broken, likely while imprisoned during one of the worst persecutions of Christians in history – a man willing to suffer and die for his faith.

Not exactly the picture of a jolly old elf...

God’s word still says to “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thess. 5:18, NIV)

So how do we do that?