Tidings of Comfort and Joy
With “Joy to the World” and all the other songs of goodwill and glad tidings that describe this season, I would be remiss to think that we are all in a perky, celebratory mood. I know there are many that can hardly wait for this season to be in the “rear-view” mirror. I know it…
Letting our Christmas Joy Be About the Joy-Giver
Here we are on the other side of December’s half-time! It’s December 16th — only 9 more days until the presents are all unwrapped, we’re eating our Christmas breakfast and some of us are singing “Happy Birthday, Jesus”! For me, I’ll be driving home from my East Texas’ family’s Christmas Eve traditions to join my…
Do You Hear What I Hear?
The second verse of this wonderful Christmas carol is:“Said the little lamb to the Shepherd boy,Do you hear what I hear? Ringing through the sky Shepherd boy.Do you hear what I hear? A song, a song, high above the trees,With a voice as big as the sea. With a voice as big as the sea.”…
Our Voices Matter
I’m a big fan of the TV talent show, “The Voice”. To make it past the first audition, the contestants belt out a song while the chairs of the judges are turned away from them. Then the judges base their decision solely on how good their voice is — not by how they look or…
Go to Hell, Satan!
Yikes! Donna! You don’t talk like that! I don’t, but maybe I should! Actually, that title refers to Dolly’s new song from her recent Christmas special, “Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas”. In the middle of the song, she exclaims: “Brothers and Sisters! I’m here to tell you that Satan is real and walking amongst us…
Being Enough
I remember a time when I begged God to make me just like other super-moms and super-wives – organized, intentional with preparing healthy meals, ensuring my children were the respectful, honorable, ideal kids, and dutifully being the “pristine and perfect” wife, with a “zippedy-do-dah” kind of personality. I so wanted to imitate other women who…
Joy Joy Joy
It’s the third Sunday of Advent and time to sing “Go Tell It on the Mountain”! Well — not necessarily from a mountain — that would mean we’d have to go climbing! Perhaps we can start right here on level ground to be joyful and full of the good news of Christ’s coming to this…
Who’s that Knocking at my Door?
It’s about 8:30 pm. Tuesday night. Lights are out. I’m in bed watching a Hallmark Christmas movie! I’m caught up in the love story that I already know what the ending will be, when suddenly, loud knocking on my bedroom door. Yes, I said, “bedroom door” and not my front door! Holy jumping catfish!!! I…
How Will This Be?
Perhaps, like me, you have had an idea, a desire, a dream, or a vision deep in your heart, yet the “how to make it happen” left you wanting. We pray: “Lord, how will this be?” Those were Mary’s words. In Luke one, we read that Gabriel gave a “birth announcement” to Mary. He told…
Oh Happy Day!
Lest this blog sounds braggadocios, I’m using a scripture to explain: “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” ( 1 Corinthians 1:31) Please indulge me as I boast on God’s faithfulness, His goodness, and His mercy to me. After Elizabeth declared “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your…