Advent: True Perfection

Advent: True Perfection

Karen Sims
Christmas, Jesus, Relationship with God

Dad had a particular order for decorating our Christmas tree. First, secure the tree in its stand and wrap it with strands of multicolored, large-bulbed lights all pointing up. Then he and Mom draped aluminum foil garland in perfect arcs that alternated between high and low points from top to bottom at each level. Once the garland was placed, my brothers and I were allowed to add some ornaments, if they were evenly spaced and hung from branches—not the garland or lights. We worked in solemn silence. Mom and Dad gently secured antique, fragile glass ornaments around the top branches. The final step was to grab lots of foil tinsel and place it over the garland, so each piece was straight and untangled. After Christmas, we tediously removed the tinsel strands and packed them back in their designated boxes for use the following year.

Advent: Who Is Jesus?

Advent: Who Is Jesus?

Karen Sims
Jesus, Christmas, Faith/Trust

After our family tree was decorated sixties-style and the felt tree skirt lay around the stand, our nativity set and stable were unwrapped and placed on the handcrafted stereo cabinet. Joseph, Mary, an angel, a couple of shepherds, animals, and three kingly-type men with gifts gathered around baby Jesus in a manger. This replica of an ancient historic scene was merely a part of our Christmas holiday decorations. But who were these people? I wondered through the years. Who was Jesus? Why do we celebrate His birth? Traditional carols gave me a clue, but not much else

Jesus in the Waiting – Through the Seasons

Jesus in the Waiting – Through the Seasons

Mitzie Avera

I was driving along a country road, thinking about what a year it has been. All the challenges, heartaches and pain started to surface in my soul. To redirect my thoughts, I turned up the praise music on the radio and found myself singing along. I noticed the pretty red, gold, and yellow leaves covering the trees. God’s creation in a beautiful array of colors.

Jesus in the Waiting—When You are the Runway Grocery Cart

Jesus in the Waiting—When You are the Runway Grocery Cart

Mitzie Avera
Forgiveness

It happened so fast. I was putting my groceries in my car and the parking spot had a slight incline. As I was rearranging the bags, I turned to retrieve the bags to see the cart rolling away down the parking lot. “Stop!” I screamed at the cart!”. It kept on its journey with my walking cane inside the cart. I had no fast way to catch it. Finally, the cart hit a pole only to bounce into a car.

Jesus In the Waiting – I Am a Child of God

Jesus In the Waiting – I Am a Child of God

Mitzie Avera
Hope

I stood at the window of the drivers’ license bureau, feeling confident I had all the information I needed. When my number was called, I was ready. I could finally check renewing my drivers’ license off my to do list. The lady behind the counter barely looking at me said, “License and birth certificate, please.”

Always in a Hurry

Always in a Hurry

Chris Adams
Anxiety, Peace, Rest

Scottish missionary Mary Slessor said, "Christ was never in a hurry. There was no rushing forward, no anticipating, no fretting over what might be. Each day’s duties were done as each day brought them, and the rest was left with God."

Morning Joy

Morning Joy

Claudia Jackson
Joy

Ohhhh, the first breath of the cool morning air, the sun is just beginning to pink the eastern sky and my pesky front yard mockingbird is barely aware I am in his territory. I love this God time! I want to twirl around with out-stretched arms in praise to my awesome Creator God.

Truth and Honesty

Truth and Honesty

Jill Hardin
Truth

I felt the crack in our friendship the moment the lie left her lips. Years of joys and shared life-events seems to shift in my heart with that untruth. For days, I teetered between anger and despair. The Lord detests lying lips (Proverbs 12:22), I preached to myself, justifying my estrangement . As the convicting of his Holy Spirit resurrected memoires of past untruths from my own lips, God's quiet voice told me to forgive with love and grace.

Joy in Fear

Joy in Fear

Stacy Graves
Faith/Trust, God's Word, Spiritual Growth

Lord, I don’t want to die yet. If I must go through cancer, give me joy and strength.

I wrote those words just a few days before a dear friend sent me today’s verse.

She knew I needed joy and peace. I waited for a biopsy — scheduled on my son’s eighteenth birthday. Of course, my mind swirled with fear and what-ifs.

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