JOY — Down in My Heart to Stay
Being the “senior” of my family has its rewards. I remember the Christmas frenzy when I was on the hunt (like you mom and dads) for the perfect Christmas gift(s). Rather than resisting changes, I’ve decided to take hold of them and own them. I’ve become quite savvy at accepting change and doing my best…
God is Really, Really With Us
One of the most comforting messages of Christmas is: “Emmanuel — God with us”! When we take that message to heart and honestly believe it with all our hearts, then we’ll recognize Him. The Baby grew up, lived and died for us and lives today in us through the Holy Spirit. Where we go, He…
I am NO Chameleon
One of the things I love most about holidays is playing family games. Some of the best laughs or the most competitive disagreements can be found playing games – especially when some of the said members are “speech and debate” champions. LOL! But it boils down to family fun and being together on the things…
Prepare Ye the Way for Children of all Ages
Merry Christmas! “Prepare ye the way of the Lord…..” were Isaiah’s prophetic words (Isaiah 40:3) and John the Baptist repeated them in advance of Jesus making His debut. (Mark 1:3) And, when Jesus made His debut, it was because of His Father’s love for ALL of His children. EVERYTHING about Christmas is about children of…
“Do Not Fear” Seems to be a Theme Here
Merry Christmas Eve! NO FEAR here! Well, maybe a smidgen of fear was here a couple of days ago. My grandson, Payton and I made a weekend trip to Austin. While there, we heard that the pastor of my children’s church had contracted Covid. We had been to the church the previous weekend. No fear…
I Can Hardly Wait
My son sent a photo of he and Shawntel taking friends with their little two-year-old girl to see Austin’s spectacular Trail of Lights. They’re getting that little one started early. And that’s what my parents did for me. As a child, some of my fondest memories of Christmas included the drive to look at Christmas…
A Hearty Welcome to Christmas!
I think Advent and Christmas have been welcomed this year like a gigantic, band-playing, dancers-dancing, and gorgeous floats rolling along like a Christmas parade. I went to many of those Christmas parades in downtown Dallas when I was a kid. Oh, the anticipation for the last float – Santa! As 2020 is coming to a…
How Do Our Yeses Measure Up to Mary’s?
A friend came over to receive some items for a ministry position that she had said YES to. We talked about how a YES means uncertainty yet a beautiful and dramatical inward change when that YES comes out of our heads and we say it out loud! When we say YES, suddenly we start to…
A Woman for all Seasons
Robert Whittington applied the description, “Man for all Seasons” to the English statesman and scholar Sir Thomas More ( 1478–1535). I knew that “Man for all Seasons” line and thought about it as I was inspired by Mary, the Mother of our Lord, as “A Woman for all Seasons”. I’m thankful for the internet that…
Bah Humbug or Good Tidings of Comfort and Joy
“Bah Humbug” is an expression Ebenezer Scrooge said to show disgust about the Christmas season. Maybe it’s an expression that you may not say out loud, but you’re still feeling it. With all the Christmas songs of comfort, joy and peace, I would be remiss to think that we are all in a perky, celebratory…