Christmas Grief
Two years ago I wrote this post, thinking about a cousin of mine. This year I repost this story and prayer, thinking of others in our church who have lost loved ones this year. This Advent and Christmas season, let us pray for those who grieve. Sorrow and mourning willContinue Reading
Addictions
When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. (Matthew 8:16 NIV) There are times in life when you feel powerless to change a situation, and all you can do is offer support to thoseContinue Reading
Redeeming Silence
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. (Psalm 27:14 NIV) God speaks in various ways to different people at different times. When we enter the Advent season it is as if we are going back to the time between the Old and New Testaments of our Bible. ForContinue Reading
Notre-Dame
You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.(Psalm 30:11-12 NIV) The Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral reopened this week after more than five years of repair and restoration following the devastating fireContinue Reading
“Christmas Tapestry”
I say to God my Rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?” (Psalm 42:9 NIV) What do you do when God calls you to a new place and you don’t understand why? What did Noah do when God’s said to him, “I am goingContinue Reading
“Silver Packages”
Today and tomorrow, I’ll be sharing posts about children’s Christmas picture books. With my children now adults and teens, you may be wondering why I would focus on these stories for younger children. They are both “Tear Jerkers” for me because the beauty of the story touches my heart, andContinue Reading
Clotheslines and Christmas
I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. (Psalm 77:11 NIV) Last summer while I was hanging clean clothes out on the clothesline to dry in the sunshine and breeze, I was thinking about how my mom and grandmothers used to do this task at theirContinue Reading
Out of sight, out of mind
Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again?Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time?Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion? (Psalm 77:7-9 NIV) Yesterday, a friend who moved to Florida several years ago messaged me with a local question. Today,Continue Reading
Spirit-led Advent
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35 NIV) Happy New Year! If you recognize and celebrate the liturgical Christian year, you know that the first Sunday of Advent (yesterday)Continue Reading
First Sunday of Advent
“A voice of one calling: In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord.” (Isaiah 40:3 NIV) “With the season of Advent upon us (December 1-24, 2024), we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ first coming as a baby in Bethlehem. The term advent comes from the Latin adventus, meaning coming or arrival, and marks theContinue Reading