Chemo therapy that requires a six-week period of sequestering, beginning just days before Thanksgiving. Going weeks without pay because of the government shutdown. Fighting an uphill battle against a pernicious cancer and dealing with debilitating pain from an inoperable tumor. A horrific car wreck involving two cars full of teenagers, two of whom lost their … Continue reading How Long, O Lord? Advent Lament
Category: Christmas
“I Am” the Treasure (Part 2)
I don’t often write multi-part blog posts, but when I tried to tackle all seven “I Am” Statements in John, it became apparent very quickly that I would never be able to cram them all into one article. If you haven’t had the chance to read the first part, you can find it here. I … Continue reading “I Am” the Treasure (Part 2)
“I Am” the Treasure (Part 1)
Behold. Believe. Abide. Three active verbs encapsulate the entire message of John’s Gospel. The Beloved Apostle tells his readers that he wrote for the express purpose of their belief: But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life … Continue reading “I Am” the Treasure (Part 1)
Treasure in the Dark
“And in despair I bowed my head;‘There is no peace on earth,’ I said.”1 Nineteen century poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow penned these words as part of his Christmas poem today known as “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” Longfellow had seen his share of tragedy as his wife died in his arms after receiving … Continue reading Treasure in the Dark
Exile: The Epilogue of Christmas
He supposed one never really got used to it, though it had happened to him before. Angels interrupting one’s dreams did not make for restful sleep, of this he was sure. It had taken him two years to recover from the first visit in which an angel had told him to wed Mary because she … Continue reading Exile: The Epilogue of Christmas
Your Deliverer Is Standin’ By
Joseph took his wife and her childAnd they went to AfricaTo escape the rage of a deadly KingThere along the banks of the NileJesus listened to the songThat the captive children used to singThey were singin' My deliverer is comin', my deliverer is standin' byMy deliverer is comin', my deliverer is standin' by1 Songwriter Rich … Continue reading Your Deliverer Is Standin’ By
The Baby Who Turned the World Upside-Down
April 29, 2019. Tell me you remember that day. I will never forget it as long as I live. It’s tattooed on my memory. After all, it was the day the world turned upside-down. Or, to be more specific, it was the day my world turned upside-down: the day I gave birth to my first … Continue reading The Baby Who Turned the World Upside-Down
Every Spiritual Blessing
Perhaps more than at any other time of year, in December we consider gifts. You’ve already spent time racking your brain for what to get that difficult person to shop for, and you probably can’t wait to see the look on the face of that person for whom you found the perfect gift. Of course, … Continue reading Every Spiritual Blessing
The 400-Year Famine
Canaan. The Promised Land. The land flowing with milk and honey. For any agrarian society, having fertile and fruitful land means wealth and security. A threat to the land is a threat to a nation’s livelihood. Therefore, land was a fitting reward for God’s obedient people, and the removal from the land a fitting punishment … Continue reading The 400-Year Famine
Looking for Joy? Abide.
With Christmas now in full view, car radios, iPods, and grocery stores will be reminding us of silent nights, peace on earth, and joy to the world. But is it possible that joy seems a little more distant this year? A little more like a pipedream than a reality? Perhaps for you, the doldrums that … Continue reading Looking for Joy? Abide.
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