Don’t Forget To Love
Good morning... "Many years ago I was a part of a church in which an upcoming vote would decide the church's future," writes Jan Johnson on page 153 in When the Soul Listens. "I asked God to show me the wiser choice, but no insight came. All I seemed to hear was 'Don't forget to love." "I replied, 'And?'" "I realized I wanted an answer I could explain eloquently so I could join one side [...]
Stay In Love Not In Charge
Good morning... As long as we are breathing, challenges arise. We hope for easy, smooth, uncomplicated. We get delays, mishaps, technical difficulties. We expect happy, simple, dreams in full bloom. We experience snags, disappointments, lost luggage moments. We pray for peace, healing, God's palpable presence. We feel loss, pain, "Where are You, God, now?" When life's unwanted happenings happen to us, how do we put into practice Richard Rohr's quote? "I would rather be 'in [...]
In The First Light
Good morning... As we ate our traditional egg-sausage-cheese casserole before opening gifts, my husband and I played for our sixteen and eighteen year olds our favorite Christmas song from 1998. Though some of the pictures are a bit hokey in this music video, God's-grand-plan put to music gives me tingles every time. Watch and be moved to a deeper understanding of God's redeeming plan lived through Jesus' eternal life. Jesus spoke to the people [...]
Jesus Lights Darkness
Good morning... I just experienced a surprise blessing. In the midst of my quiet time, God coaxed me to read the beginning of each of the four gospels (Matthew 1:18-25, Mark 1:1-11, Luke 2:1-7, John 1:1-18). Melting together all of these accounts, these words shimmer for me this Christmas morning. What is conceived is from the Holy Spirit. Give this child the name Jesus because he will save us from our sins. Call him [...]
Keep Small Matters Small
Good morning... "This is a small matter," instantly filled my mind as my half-full coffee mug just fell to the floor, staining our rug. God gave me immediate perspective as my heart, soul, and mind nipped mixed emotions in the bud, "This is a small matter." Larger matters are now free to receive my prayers. Our 20 year old daughter traveled 25 hours to be with our our 22 year old son in Australia, [...]
What IS God Doing?
Good morning... Every holiday season, the attention of her grandmother was focused on who WAS NOT at the dinner table. "Joe should be with us." "Tonight would be perfect if Katie was here." "Nothing is complete without Angela and the kids." My friend remembers thinking each year, "But, grandma, we ARE here and you are missing the good time we ARE having!" Every holiday season, we chose where we focus our attention. Will we [...]
Be Carried By God
Good morning... With her husband and kids away, our friend invited a cool group of women to a "Pop-Up Christmas Party." Yummy food. Water and wine. Great conversations. "It's been a very hard year," said one person I see periodically. Her husband, in his fifties, has faced life-threatening health scares. "It has been humbling to need people in a new way, but the amazing prayer support we have felt is carrying us through." "Humbled [...]
Stoop To Open God’s Best Gifts
Good morning... "I used to think that God's gifts were on shelves one above the other and that the taller we grew in Christian character, the more easily we should reach them," a friend from our peer supervision group read to us over the phone an F.B. Meyer quote. "I find now that God's gifts are on shelves one beneath the other and that it is not a question of growing taller, but of [...]
Great Gifts From Our Dad
Good morning... On the first Christmas morn, what was born? Our personal adoption into the family of God. "Think of it this way," explains Galatians 4:1-7 (NLT). "If a father dies and leaves an inheritance for his young children, those children are not much better off than slaves until they grow up, even though they actually own everything their father had. They have to obey their guardians until they reach whatever age their father [...]
When Hope Leads To Disappointment
Good morning... "I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths," begins the devotional my friend texted me in a screenshot on the day she received her difficult news. "I know how confused you sometimes feel - and how you long to find your way forward. You have tried many different things; you have been so hopeful at times. Yet your hope-filled paths have led to disappointment. I want [...]
Look At Your Hands
Good morning... "One hand full of rest and patience is better than two fists full of labor and chasing after the wind," warns Ecclesiastes 4:6 (AMP). As we speed toward Christmas, what a tangible choice our LORD sets before us. First I envision my left hand open, cupping rest and patience, while my right hand is free to accomplish every essential thing, peacefully. Then I envision "two fists full of labor." A fist is [...]
God’s Word Grows
Good morning... After our recent post, God's Crazy Love, a handful of you wrote affirmation. "Love this!!!" "Today's devotional was so beautiful." "Thank you for this message especially in this crazy time of year when it should be so quiet and calm. He is a good good Father." "Merry Christmas and thank you for making each morning brighter for me." "Powerful scripture and message today!" "Those verses have double meaning for me - nothing can [...]