Christmas is…

When  is Christmas? Oh, I know it’s on December 25th. I know it’s soon, but when is it Christmas for you?  I read an article awhile back that started out something like this. “There’s an old saying that it’s more blessed to give than to receive. I disagree with that … and then the author goes on … Read more

Here’s why ONE is not the loneliest number

When I was in high school the musical group Three Dog Night sang from every juke box in the country convincing us that, “One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do.” If you know the lyrics, you will remember that life doesn’t get any better with two because something bad divides them. Who listens … Read more

Sometimes it's hard to be thankful . . .

I’m not thankful. There it is. Not thankful. I’m not thankful that in the beginning when God created Earth that he let sin and depravity in. But I am thankful that God gave up his only Son Jesus to die on the cross and be the remedy for sin. John 3:16 I’m not thankful for … Read more

For $1 you can see the world

We are not so different, you and I. We had been mall prowling for a while. To use the term ‘shopping’ would be misleading since at this point the only places we’d managed to hand over some cash was at Starbucks, Auntie Anne’s Pretzels and the food court where there were entrées  from every nation: … Read more

Wake up! You need this relationship.

How do you wake up in the morning? OK. OK. I get that. You wake up breathing. That’s good. Keep doing that. But really how do you wake up? To an alarm? To music? To someone shaking you back to consciousness? Does a song ever wake you up? This morning I heard someone singing, “I … Read more

I believe you, God. Please help me trust you.

Do you ever wake up with someone on your mind and your thought comes with a vivid picture? What do you do with that? There’s a story in Luke, and it’s probably retold in other gospels, where the disciples and Jesus were out in a boat when a raging storm could have pummeled them to … Read more

Sunday … a day off – or is it?

I’m going to shock you. Sometimes I don’t like Sunday. There! I said it! The 6 days before Sunday and the 6 days following Sunday are so busy, I want Sunday to be not busy, not scheduled, not just one more must-do-or-else.  I thought Sunday was to be a day of rest. I don’t want … Read more

Advent Week 4Theme: Peace – Can you imagine holding a baby who came to be light in a dark world?

This scripture today is the conclusion of Advent readings. I don’t know how many of these scripture readings you’ve followed along with, if you’ve enjoyed them or learned anything new. I know everyone says time flies and that’s what happened here. It’s been 4 full weeks of daily advent readings – what to do? Here’s … Read more

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

Refining Grace