We are half-way there! Today is the sixth day of Christmas, the one with the six geese a laying. Our culture has been selling Christmas so long this season that it already feels like it should be over. In fact, most of the stores I’ve been in have already shifted their merchandise and sales to Valentines Day. It is easy to feel like there has […]
I’ve always enjoyed Christmas lights, especially on the tree. My father allowed me to help with setting up the tree and putting on the lights and it was a big day when I was allowed to be responsible for the lights all by myself. Sometimes, late at night, I would go downstairs and light the tree. I would lay on the sofa and just take […]
What we give our attention to during the day, often makes its way into our nights. Many of us likely remember a few scary dreams that came after watching a frightening movie, or waking up with a song we listened to playing in our heads. It is not uncommon for things we studied to surface in our minds as we try to sleep, and many […]
The story of the first Christmas is filled with images to remember and celebrate. The drama around Elizabeth’s pregnancy and the birth of her son John, the annunciation of the coming King to Mary and then to Joseph, the stable in Bethlehem, and the host of angels declaring good news to shepherds, these are some of the images the season brings to mind. One important […]
There is something about good art and the wonder of the artist’s eye that opens our eyes to the beauty that is around us. When we look through this creative vision, we see the grand wonders of creation, but we are also drawn to the smaller pieces that make up the whole. Even each color and brushstroke are pieces of beauty hidden within the bigger […]
My devotional reading for today was based upon Jesus’ words about the harvest. He told his followers that, “the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray the lord of the harvest that he may send laborers into the harvest.” Reflecting on those words, I penned this prayer: The blessing of abundance is upon us,But who will be there to gather it in?God, send […]
Have you ever stumbled upon a quote, a scripture, a hymn or prayer that suddenly exploded with significance to you? It is amazing how amid all of the words and images of each day, something of deep meaning can break through. It is one thing to find those treasures while on retreat or in a time of intense reflection. It is something even more amazing […]
My adult Sunday School class recently asked me if we could find a study of how the early church fathers read and understood the Bible. I must say that as a pastor, a request like this really warms your heart. I spent some time looking for possible studies to use, but in the end, chose to write the study myself. I started working on the […]
Do you wish that you could have God’s perspective on your life and your circumstances? Do you want to know God’s heart and thoughts about you and your life? Some of us might jump at the chance, while others might be hesitant because they believe that God’s view of them would be painful to hear. The truth, however, is that God is deeply in love […]