The controversy involving a life-size Jesus sculpture in downtown Scottsdale has prompted city officials to consider softening the ordinance that outlaws all structures in public places.

For the first time I can remember, it is mid-February and our Christmas tree is still up and full of ornaments. Stockings are hanging over the fireplace, and baby Jesus is in the manger scene, which rests quietly on a table. Everything looks exactly as it did two months ago as we prepared to celebrate Jesus’ birth. It took so much time to decorate everything and the twinkling lights are so pretty that it seemed a shame to take it all down after only a few weeks.

For the first time I can remember, it is mid-February and our Christmas tree is still up and full of ornaments. Stockings are hanging over the fireplace, and baby Jesus is in the manger scene, which rests quietly on a table. Everything looks exactly as it did two months ago as we prepared to celebrate Jesus’ birth. It took so much time to decorate everything and the twinkling lights are so pretty that it seemed a shame to take it all down after only a few weeks.

For the first time I can remember, it is mid-February and our Christmas tree is still up and full of ornaments. Stockings are hanging over the fireplace, and baby Jesus is in the manger scene, which rests quietly on a table. Everything looks exactly as it did two months ago as we prepared to celebrate Jesus’ birth. It took so much time to decorate everything and the twinkling lights are so pretty that it seemed a shame to take it all down after only a few weeks.

While reading the New Living Translation of Acts 2: 43-47, I had to stop and wonder how conservative “Born-again” Christians, especially those who strongly advocate slashing the social safety net to make up for cutting taxes for wealthy billionaires would respond to this text?

The future of humanity and her relationship with God and His Church does not rely on scientific discovery or the hope to spread wealth. Our future relies on something that is very ancient becoming something very magnificent within a given amount of time from God. I am of course speaking of the Gospel itself! But I am not speaking of the Gospel as many in our culture today have understood it.

As you face the dawn of a new year, remember that you don’t have to be anxious about world conditions or the problems you face! The beginning of every year provides an opportunity to think about our past: What mistakes have we made? What do we wish we’d done differently? 

Of course only law enforcement and military should be allowed the possession of assault rifles. And, of course, alcohol should never be served to drivers. Never. And, illegal drugs should be kept away from everyone. Period. Anything that kills should be hidden from the mentally ill, the angry, the bullies, the too-young-to-know-any-better.

I would like to reply to the U.S. Air Force Colonel who said science has all the answers and there is “no God.”  I know that you are a very intelligent man; you could not be an Air Force Colonel and not be smart. But before you destine everyone to hell, I would like to express the opinion of a person that would like everyone to believe God.  Please notice I did not say believe in God. Satan believes in God and trembles. The God you would like everyone not to believe in said, “Let there be light,” and everything was made.  And, believe it or not, there wasn’t a scientist around to give Him advice.  Science can only theorize what they find.

He's a Queen Creek garbage collector by day, and Jesus by night. And Robert Allen, who portrays Christ in what's dubbed the largest annual outdoor Easter pageant in the world, takes both jobs quite seriously.

They come from all parts of the Valley — 475 men, women, teens and children — and spend countless hours in practice and performances during the month leading up to Easter. The goal: presenting to the community the story of the life and mission of Jesus Christ in music, drama and dance.

It is perplexing to know that Mitt Romney is still out there doing enormous damage to his party. He surfaced in a video interview last week and proved again why he is not the president. At one time he took the losing teapublican approach to immigration. Next, he claimed the party has to do a better job of attracting minorities. He didn’t get it when he was running. He doesn’t get it now. With any luck, neither he nor his GOP train wreck will get it ever.

Actor Jim Caviezel may forever be typecast as Jesus Christ.

One day, the field of colorful Christmas lights was ablaze on the Mesa Arizona Temple grounds. The next day, Jan. 2, two 50,000-pound cranes were moving in to construct a massive stage for the annual Easter pageant.

Melissa Veselovsky believes Christ put her life back together when she was received into the Roman Catholic Church 10 years ago.

"First: I’ve always preferred the Tribune, but I can’t find it: At Basha’s box: the very few copies run out within the hour, and Phase One no longer carry it at all. Very frustrating! Are you trying to cut corners?

Joseph Smith, a Vermont farm boy who translated gold plates he found on a New York hilltop into the Book of Mormon, then birthed a worldwide church, was born 200 years ago Friday.

Joseph Smith, a Vermont farm boy who translated gold plates he found on a New York hilltop into the Book of Mormon, then birthed a worldwide church, was born 200 years ago Friday.

An indictment accuses a Tempe church member of stealing millions from fellow parishioners and the church building fund. James Buchanan attended Tempe's Christ Life Church for more than a decade, investigators and fellow parishioners said.

To frame the current local discussion over how much of Christmas’ religious aspects should flow into everything from individual holiday greetings to what activities government should fund, it would be easy to say the debate is not over the divinity of Jesus of Nazareth, how large a role Santa Claus has come to play and how much it all means to the fourth-quarter economy.

Once a Jew and now a Roman Catholic, Roy Schoeman says his spiritual journey follows much the same transition as Christianity’s development from the seeds of Judaism.

Pastor Richard Wilson: Let’s commit ourselves to God's will and way in 2010.

Five Mesa siblings plan to marry today in what’s become known as the “The Mega Wedding.”

The sound of balloons popping boomed through the vast gymnasium every minute or two, overpowering for a split second the peals of laughter and the halting enunciation of biblical terms.