Tue Dec 30-Sit Down, Slow Down, Phone Down
Total celebration – fullness of joy – abundance of joy. This is what it means to be in God’s presence. Do you remember the last time you experienced that level of joy?
Devotional
Devotional
Mon Dec 29-Christmas Is Over, Now What?
I’m writing this on December 26th. Christmas is over. After all of the preparations, baking, shopping, wrapping, decorating, parties, and eating, the day is now a memory. Now what do we do?
Devotional
Fri Dec 26-Born From God
But those who did welcome Jesus, those who believed in his name, he authorized to become God’s children—born not from blood nor from human desire or passion, but born from God.
Devotional
Thu Dec 25-Making Room for Everyone
Can you see it in your mind’s eye? Can you imagine those lowly shepherds, watching over their flock in darkness one minute, the next minute, suddenly blinded by the light of God’s Kin-dom crashing in through time and space. Awe struck by God’s glory the shepherds fall to the ground
Devotional
Wed Dec 24-The Birth of Jesus
As I reflect once again on the birth of Jesus, according to the Gospel of Luke, I think about how the birth of a child (especially the first baby) is not so different today. I am not surprised that Mary seems to have given birth to her baby shortly after arriving in Bethlehem.
Devotional
Tue Dec 23-Longing for Truth
Oh, how we long for truth in these times. We ache for leaders who decide what is right and just—not by what polls well, not by what looks good on the surface, and certainly not by what benefits them personally. Where are such people to be found?
Devotional
Fri Dec 19-Iron Sharpens Irons
Proverbs 27:17, “Iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” tells us that positive close relationships help people grow.
Devotional
Thu Dec 18-Unexpected Joy
Slow down. Wisdom is not running from you; it is already in you. You already know all the
answers. Look around you; look inside you; look to God. Understanding comes from Him.
Devotional
Wed Dec 17-God Rules
In ancient times, sentries stood watch on the walls of a city, scanning the horizon for runners carrying news from far away. When a figure appeared in the distance, the lookouts would call out, and people would gather near the city gate, holding their breath, eager to hear what was happening in the wider world.
Devotional
Tue Dec 16-For Angels or People?
When we were growing up, we went to a couple of different churches. Two of them I remember vividly for messages of hell fire and brimstone – with preachers pounding on the pulpit and people being hounded to come forward at the altar call.
Devotional
Mon Dec 15-Welcome Each Other
Unfortunately, a source of stress for many during the holiday season is gathering with family members we do not see regularly. Family dynamics can be complicated.
Devotional
Fri Dec 12-Come Near to God
Life is really challenging right now. I find myself thinking, or saying things I usually wouldn’t think or say-at least out loud. Each day following Jesus seems to get tougher. At the end of the day I look over what I need to work on and I pray for forgiveness
