Advent Week 4 Theme: Peace – Today, wise men and women still seek Jesus

From the day we decorate our Christmas tree, until they day we put the ornaments away, our tree is illuminated. The lights add an unmistakable calm to the room. I have to be transparent here. My husband told me he didn’t feel like taking the tree down last year so I jokingly told him to … Read more

Advent Week 4 Theme: Peace – It's Christmas Day! Merry Christmas everyone

We have only a few days left of the Advent readings for this year. We all have traditions that we treasure: places we go, events we can’t miss, loved ones we visit, favorite things we bake.  I’ve enjoyed reading these scriptures the past four weeks and hope you’ve found joy in reading the historical Christmas … Read more

When God says the timing is right . . . and then it happens

We’ve been through two weeks of advent readings now.  I hope you’ve enjoyed the tour so far. One thing that’s caught my attention over the last 14 days is the travel back and forth between the Old Testament and the New Testament and making connections between what was promised and what was fulfilled. Did any … Read more

Advent Theme: Hope – When it's dark, there's something about the light.

There’s something about light. Imagine a world where there was nothing but darkness all the time. Imagine weeks of cloudy, dreary days. Imagine days when we spend more hours in the dark than we do in the light. Some of us drive to work in the dark and on the way home – yep! It’s … Read more

Advent Theme: Hope – what the world needs now

Here’s something you might not know. According to Fisher Ames (1800) “Politics is the science of good sense, applied to public affairs”. Nice try, but probably not accurate even in the 1800s. Hello, reality! Politics has existed for thousands of years.  Having a conundrum of platforms and views to consider is nothing new, nor is … Read more

enJOY the gift of today

This post isn’t Advent related, but after the crushing news of another shooting in California, I decided to take another path today. All I could do was pray for the victims and loved ones left behind. Let us never become so accustomed to these tragedies that we are desensitized to the consequences. How was your … Read more

In search of the ultimate gift: Advent Week 1 – December 3

What’s your morning routine? I sort of have one, I guess. There’s comfort in routine, like firing up the Keurig and enjoying my own fresh brewed dark roast coffee. It’s the best! Join me and read today’s advent story. As we were driving to Nebraska last week, we passed a semi load of Christmas trees. We … Read more

FAITH: First week of Advent

December 2, 2015 Advent theme: Faith The Advent scripture for today is Isaiah 40:1-5. These words were written to God’s people about the time they were going to be released from oppression and captivity that had lasted for many years.  In these verses, there is promise of hope and freedom. Through his words, Isaiah is … Read more

De-stressing

An article, by Hallie Levine Sklar, in the March 2013 Issue of Health Magazine discusses strategies to “Pump Up Your Immune System”.  All good advice with tips on diet, exercise, and vitamins with the all American favorite strategy at the end, Cut Back On Stress. She quotes Bruce Rabin, MD, medical director of the University … Read more

Doubt

When I was a little kid, I hated to hear my mom say “I doubt it”. That always meant I wasn’t going to get something I wanted.  As I contemplated the passing week, I realized, I’m still not a fan of that word. Doubt leaves some gaping holes in my armor. Misunderstandings that make me doubt my value … Read more

Refining Grace