Tag Archives: Christmas

Those dirty shepherds

On this Giving Tuesday, I think about so many friends who work in ministries for the hurting and the broken. I think of how God, through them, pursues the hearts of those who often feel unworthy. Unworthy, like those shepherds so long ago…. THE SHEPHERDS They were the ones not invited to the party. ButContinue reading “Those dirty shepherds”

Merry Christmas! What a Savior!

For unto us is born a Savior! (Luke 2:11) For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son to rescue us. (John 3:16) Jesus came as a humble servant, setting aside His glory to live among us. (Phil 2:7-9) He walked our dusty roads and felt our pain. He allowed Himself toContinue reading “Merry Christmas! What a Savior!”

It doesn’t have to end!

It’s Christmas Eve. I don’t want it to end. The twinkling lights, the hugs from family, the familiar carols, the smell of cookies baking in the oven, the flickering candles, the beautiful presents wrapped in bright expectation….. The moments of Christmas-time are some of my favorites I have ever lived. I expect they will alwaysContinue reading “It doesn’t have to end!”

Slow down. Soak up the JOY!

It’s feels like I took these two photos of my kids about a month apart! Time has flown and it’s Christmas Eve Eve again ….and I’m begging God to draw me near, to help me hear His voice above the busy, hectic, stressful times. I am shamelessly asking God to restore the joy of HimContinue reading “Slow down. Soak up the JOY!”

It doesn’t have to end…

The Christmas tree lights sparkle in the early morning dark. The candle flame dances. The smell of pine and cinnamon fill my home. I sit snuggled under a red Christmas blanket, piping hot coffee in my mug, my Bible in my lap. Sweet moments to savor. Christmas is almost here. Once again, it has comeContinue reading “It doesn’t have to end…”

My heart is heavy for those who hold tight to sin instead of Christ.

How many celebrate the birth of Christ, but still, hold tight to their sin instead of true hope? Oh friend, as I look at this world, as I read prophecy, and as I remember the words of our Savior, “ I am coming quickly ”(Rev 22:20),—I can’t help but have a heavy heart for thoseContinue reading “My heart is heavy for those who hold tight to sin instead of Christ.”

Have you ever doubted God is real? Near? Good?

Have you ever doubted God is real? And if He’s real, is He near? And if He’s near, is He good? Have you felt like a broken Christian as you questioned? Especially if you questioned this Christmas-time of year? I struggled about writing those sentences. I don’t want to cause anyone, who hasn’t questioned, toContinue reading “Have you ever doubted God is real? Near? Good?”

He stepped into our brokenness.

My Dad, who loved Christmas and being with family so very much, passed away just days after Christmas last year. As I sit looking at my home, decorated as it always is this time of year, with the word “JOY” literally all over the place, tears well up in my eyes. I miss my Dad.Continue reading “He stepped into our brokenness.”

Jesus is The Reason & not just for the Season!

Jesus is the reason. And not just for the season. Jesus is the reason. He is our guarantee. The Apostle Paul said, “For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. And it is God whoContinue reading “Jesus is The Reason & not just for the Season!”

Wise Men Still Seek Him

A wise pastor once explained to one of my children that salvation is one big decision to follow Jesus and then lots of daily decisions to keep following Him. To be a Christ-follower, means we no longer go our own way but follow Christ as Almighty God. We are to follow His way (as definedContinue reading “Wise Men Still Seek Him”

Peace of CHRISTmas

Peace It’s sounds like such a calm, relaxing, silent night, kind of word. But to better understand the peace of CHRISTmas, we need to think of peace as in terms of war …war and peace. The Bible says, we were God’s enemies. (Rom 5:10) Not just lost, or confused, or mistaken.We were hostile to God.Continue reading “Peace of CHRISTmas”

Christmas is profoundly more…

It seems no small thing that God picked those who felt most unworthy, the outcasts, those with dirty hands, to behold His coming to earth…. The shepherds. They were the ones not invited to the party. But they were invited to be eyewitnesses to the greatest moment of all. The ones who had dirty hands,Continue reading “Christmas is profoundly more…”

He’s Coming Again!

Do you know these prophetic words from the Isaiah were written 700 years before Jesus was born?? Isaiah 9:2The people walking in darknesshave seen a great light;on those living in the land of the shadow of deatha light has dawned.Isaiah 9:6-7For to us a child is born,to us a son is given,and the government willContinue reading “He’s Coming Again!”

Do you feel Him closest in the hardest of days?

I sit thinking of friend after friend.Story after story.Every one of them.Not one of them came another way. Those I know well, who love God so deeply, whose trust is rock-solid, who possess the sweetest peace and unshakable hope…they each have this in common—they came the way of suffering. I bet you know them too.Continue reading “Do you feel Him closest in the hardest of days?”

When you do not “feel” it…

It’s seems wrong to mention it now, at Christmas-time, but, surely, I’m not the only one who feels it sometimes. Well, I guess the better description would be “doesn’t feel it sometimes”. I have days I feel spiritually numb, and I believe the Lord has led me to share this during a time when weContinue reading “When you do not “feel” it…”

Are you telling others where HOPE is found? Even, and especially, now?

The Messiah sat surrounded by the Pharisees and teachers of the law. The crowd surrounded the place and pushed in. I wonder if the buttoned-up religious leaders had to dust off their shoulders as debris surely began to fall from the ceiling as the tiles in the ceiling were removed. Did Jesus chuckle to HimselfContinue reading “Are you telling others where HOPE is found? Even, and especially, now?”

Christmas is a time to celebrate an UNPREDICTABLE GOD!

So many, who so powerfully and effectively preach and teach the Word, actually have to live it while walking really hard roads. This seems inherently unfair. Couldn’t they be immune from problems and pain? Why do they get cancer, and rebellious kids, and unfaithful spouses? Why wouldn’t a Mighty God protect those who seek Him,Continue reading “Christmas is a time to celebrate an UNPREDICTABLE GOD!”

Hold on. God’s doing what He promised.

The things which are impossible with men are possible with God”. (Luke 18:27) Lately, I see so much that seems impossible, and wrong. How dark the world seems right now. Just turn on the news and you’ll know what I mean. (Or, maybe don’t 😳) But how dark, how impossible, it surely seemed over twoContinue reading “Hold on. God’s doing what He promised.”

When you really need to remember again…

In the middle of the night, I confess, I have sometimes laid awake with worry. Should I have done things differently? Did I make the right decisions? Did I say the right things? In the dark of night, I feel myself tempted to believe it’s all up to me. Fear begins to surround me asContinue reading “When you really need to remember again…”