An idea - that’s how it all began.
Pregnant Pause
Pregnancy. I remember those days! Heartburn, trouble sleeping. But also excitement and hopeful expectancy.
The One Thing
My daughter pulled a tangled mass of necklaces from her jewelry box. The intertwined chains resisted her attempts to untangle them. Not to be defeated, my daughter retrieved some wire cutters and began snipping some of the chains.
New Beginnings
A new year has begun! Excitement is in the air! New Year’s Eve parties are celebrated. Fireworks are ignited. New Year’s resolutions are made. Diet and exercise regimens are started. Strategies to read the Bible through in a year are planned. Something about a new year inspires us to attempt new adventures.
Christmas and Changes
Changes. The Christmas story revolves around changes.
Light into Darkness
It was an ordinary night. The shepherds were attending their sheep and watching for intruders by the light of the moon. They had grown accustomed to the darkness, accustomed to watching for shadows that might present danger.
Never Alone
A few years ago, we had a most unusual Christmas day lunch. It was the “in-law Christmas,” and so, our girls and their families were coming the day after Christmas. I had been busy preparing food for the week and just didn’t have the energy to prepare another meal for Christmas day. Therefore, we went to eat at one of the few restaurants open.
Set Free!
My friend told me the story about her early Christmas present. Her mother bought a new car for her and her husband. At first I was struck by the generosity of this mother, but the rest of the story intrigued me more.
What a Savior!
Christmas is about _________. Would you say Christmas is about presents, lights, families gathering…? Many words could fill that blank, but only one word fits that blank best—Jesus! Christmas is about Jesus!
Just Too Busy
Another Christmas season is upon us. Many of you may find you are already “stressed out” from deciding what gifts to purchase, what food to cook, finishing your decorating, etc. Wouldn’t you like to get off the holiday merry-go-round and just share a meal with family and friends? Perhaps we have allowed the gift giving to get out of hand.
The Gift of Encouragement
Holidays can be sad days for many, especially those who are lonely. Holidays can also be depressing for many reasons. We busy ourselves with so many activities that we become tired, confused, and feel as though we are walking through a maze.
Handling Grief During the Holidays
Are you facing this holiday season with a sense of dread? This may be your first Christmas since losing a loved one you. This will be our eleventh Christmas without our younger daughter who died at age 32. It is difficult, but I can assure you that God is a God of comfort. Even though you are feeling now that you won’t be able to make it, God will pull you through this difficult time.
The Reality of Christmas
You probably are in the midst of your Christmas shopping now. I find shopping stressful, do you?The crowds, the decisions, and the costs are overwhelming. Why have we allowed commercialism to take over this special celebration?
Nothing is Impossible with God
Sitting on my dressing table is a small stone plaque that reads, “Nothing is impossible with God.” I look at this plaque several times a day. It serves as a constant reminder to me that I serve a powerful God.
TGF Friday
Crowded as we were in the car on the way to the airport last spring break, the conversation turned to the upcoming Good Friday service. Grandson number three asked, “What’s Good Friday?” As we explained that it was the day Jesus died on the cross, his puzzled response was, “So, what’s good about that?” At this, the other three of us in the back seat exclaimed in unison: “It was good for us!”
Thrilling Thursday
As he took Jesus in his arms that day in the temple and praised God, Simeon must have experienced the greatest thrill of his life. Described as “righteous and devout”, he had been promised by the Holy Spirit he would not die until he saw the Christ. I can imagine he visibly trembled with excitement, electrified by the Spirit’s gripping revelation. You would too, to hold Jesus in your arms and know He was the Son of God.
Wonder-filled Wednesday
Whew, time for bed. What a Christmas day it had been. Up at 6—grandma, it’s time to see if Santa’s been here—followed by the Christmas story, stockings, breakfast, gifts, lunch, more presents, play, dinner, more play, exhaustion. It’s time to lay down those sleepy heads.
Tasty Tuesday
The traditional Christmas baking reached a new frenzy this year at my house. Special requests were rife, from “more of those chewy cereal bars please mom”, to “how about extra shortbread”, to “please, a few of the meringues without chocolate chips”, to “are you certain you’ll have enough of the chocolate-dipped peanut butter balls?”
Take it in ladies. The sounds and smells and sights of Christmas are everywhere, tickling my senses. I confess to loving it all. Yes, ’tis the season to be jolly, or happy, or merry—as you wish to express it. For sure the traditional greeting, Merry Christmas, embodies the spirit of celebration for those who love Jesus. Let’s get in the mood with a Merry Christmas Monday.
Are We There Yet?
My mother and sister were artisans when it came to counted cross-stitch. Carefully and meticulously, they added stitch by tiny stitch until the blank canvas was transformed into a stunning masterpiece.