A Father’s Love at Christmas
Every December, I set out my nativity scenes — all dozen-plus of them — but this year — something sweet caught my eye. Nearly every set shows Mary looking tenderly at Jesus in the manger or holding Him close, as any new mother would. But among all the figures, one nativity stood out from the…
Let’s have a Different Spirit
If there were ever a season that calls for a different spirit, it’s Christmas. And no, I don’t mean the decorating-till-midnight kind of spirit (although that can be fun). I’m talking about the spirit God pointed out in Numbers 14:24 when He said: “But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has…
The God of Sunrises, Scripture and Screws
Last weekend at Epiphany Ranch felt a little like stepping inside a hymn like “To God be the Glory” or “How Great Thou Art”. The first morning, Staci and I greeted the sunrise together at 6:00 a.m., wrapped in blankets, soft instrumental worship music floating in the background, the fireplace flickering its own quiet amen.…
He Came… So We Could Live
If Jesus had stayed in heaven, no one could have blamed Him.Glory beyond imagination. Worship without end. Angels on standby. No sickness, no sorrow, no sin. He had everything. But love won’t stay where it’s comfortable.Love goes where it’s needed.And so — He came. He stepped out of heaven’s brilliance and wrapped Himself in human…
Keep Christ in Christmas and in Every Day
These two magnets — each gently reminding us to “Keep Christ in Christmas” — were gifts from dear friends. They now hold a place of honor on our refrigerator, where we see them every single day. And I absolutely love our friends’ hearts — because they’re right. With all the glitter, garland, goodies, and good…
Still Counting My Blessings
This morning, while checking to be sure my blogs landed where they were supposed to (they did — thank you, Lord), a song started playing in my mind. Not on the radio. Not on my phone. Just there — settling into my heart. “Lord, I’m still counting my blessings…” — the chorus from “Counting My…
Advent: Holidays or Holy Days?
I spoke about Advent yesterday but I am leaning in even more! By the way, Happy Advent, dear friends! There’s a sweetness in the air this time of year that no scented candle can replicate — a hush, a hope, a holy expectancy drifting right into our homes like a soft winter breeze. But before…
Advent: When Heaven Comes Home to Us
Yesterday was the first Sunday of Advent — the doorway into the most beautiful story ever told. And while the world around us seems to sprint toward December 25th, Advent gently invites us to slow down — to breathe — to look up — and to remember the holy journey to Bethlehem that changed everything.…
Come Away with Me
Some mornings don’t just dawn — they unfold like a love letter from the Lord. Yesterday was one of those mornings. It was just my daughter Staci, and me — two recliners, one fireplace, one soft sunrise stretching its fingers across the big East Texas sky — and one little surprise guest: Aggie, the cat…
The Joys of Thanks-Giving and Thanks-Living
Thanksgiving Day is behind us, but Carl and I packed our bags with joy and headed straight into a Thanksgiving life — destination: Epiphany Ranch, East Texas. Ahh– that slice of heaven my Staci and Larry call home. The kind of place where the sky stretches so wide it feels like God painted it just…