Because of Grace we Press On
For everyone on your third cup of coffee already….I hope you are in your happy place – not in the middle of a chaotic, “Where did I put my keys” kind of day. Where do those days lead? Right. Straight to a headache. Right now. . . Take a deep breath. Exhale.Right now. . . Focus on something that calms your mind.Right now. . . Turn your thoughts where your soul is happy. Here is a bit of joy and encouragement for your day. Do not let the enemy of …
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 the abuse and sadness in the world, but I’m thankful for all the kindness of many individuals who come together and passionately combat all that is abuse in support of the victims. I’m not thankful …
How many times have we been over the story of Joseph and how he found out that Mary was pregnant and he had to accept it, support her, and agree to be the Earthly father of Jesus? But how often do we consider the day after? Here is Joseph, sitting in a pile of hay beside his very young bride Mary who has just been through an unattended birth of a baby and he still has to go pay his taxes. I’m pretty sure he wasn’t thinking how lucky he …
One of the most well known parts of the Christmas story is in our reading for today. It takes place at the moment in time when Gabriel had the conversation with Mary. We’ve heard the story so many times the impact of what really happened is diminished. Put yourself in Mary’s place for a few minutes. She is outside gathering sticks for the fire, or helping with the evening meal. Maybe she’s inside wondering if she’ll get to sleep that night. Mary is thinking about what it will mean to …
When you were growing up do you remember the fun of staying overnight with your best friend? Or maybe a group of you got together and had an all out slumber party. Pity the moms the next day when the most of the house looked like the dressing rooms at Macy’s after Black Friday. If you’re a guy you won’t admit to having a ‘sleep over’ but most of you have to confess that you spent many nights around a campfire talking to dudes then sleeping on the floor of a …
What I love most about the Advent scripture today is that it talks about reconciliation, peace, and waiting on the Lord. But it also reminds us to recognize the power of God to do the impossible. We have to believe He who has all power to do great things, uses people who have unremarkable lives, but unshakable faith. The Bible says God doesn’t call the qualified who have everything figured out and mastered; God qualifies the called who have a teachable spirit and solid belief in His sovereignty. …
I was talking with a friend yesterday who has children the ages of my youngest grandchildren as we talked I realized how blessed my life has been because of children. First my own, now grandchildren. As I write this, I look around and the evidence of children surrounds me. The pile of family pictures I’m choosing from to create a collage for the Annual Anderson News You’ll Never Use newsletter, a calendar open to December messy with planned family events – a movie, concert, kids program, Christmas Eve. The family room …
We are a blanket family. I’m literally mesmerized by stores where walls breathe thick towels, floors are spongy with throw rugs, and blankets spill off shelves. Blankets, though, entice me and even though my family laughs at me over it, they are all blanket people too. Walk into my house, it doesn’t have to be winter; it doesn’t even have to be a cold spring, or cool fall. In any season we cocoon in plush, wraparound blankets, the ultimate comfort zone. My whole family might not be quite as enamored …
What’s your product? Maybe it’s because I have been a writer by some vague definition for so many years, or maybe it’s because I’m a self-diagnosed information junkie, but no matter the reason – my email inbox is flooded with opportunities. There’s a steady stream of opportunities for me to purchase a product that will bring me instant success or purchase services that promise success if I follow a particular program paid for in advance. There is nothing wrong with selling for success and the more intimately someone identifies with …
I’ve been thinking about inner peace lately and decided to repost this. It’s been 3 years since I wrote it – – – still true. I think my thoughts started when reading Job 22. Here’s the Message translation of an exerpt from Job 22:21 & 22 “Give in to God, come to terms with him and everything will turn out just fine. Let him tell you what to do; take his words to heart. Come back to God Almighty and he’ll rebuild your life.” As soon as the news hit the world …