If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always be where you’ve always been. – T.D. Jakes If you’ve been around this space for a while, you probably know I practice a quarterly habit of sharing some self-reflections and things I’m learning. Self-reflection allows me the opportunity to put words to experiences after they’ve …
Ash Wednesday: The Measure of the Ordinary
Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings. – William Arthur Ward This past week, Christians around the world celebrated Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is a quiet, solemn occasion. This observance is one of my favorites, although I didn’t go to my first Ash Wednesday …
Christmas Day – Come + See
Readings: Luke 2:6-20 Today is the day. Today is the day the Messiah entered the world as a humble babe. God chose the most human way to come into the world. And the first people called to come and see the newly born Jesus was a group of humble shepherds. God comes first to the …
Day 26 of 26 – Silent Night
Want Advent emails delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up here! Readings: Luke 2:6-7 This year has been a weird mix of noise and quiet. The world has been noisy, full of speculation and fear and everchanging information. But our small world, the world inside our house, has been relatively quiet. We’ve spent lots of …
Day 25 of 26 – Hope in the Unexpected
Want Advent emails delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up here! Readings: Matthew 11:1-19 + Luke 3:18-20 There’s a lot about this year that didn’t go as planned. Trips and vacations called off. Family gatherings postponed. Many families have felt an uncomfortable tightening of household finances. Others have said unexpected goodbyes. We all have mourned and …
Day 24 of 26 – O Little Town
Want Advent emails delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up here! Readings: Exodus 12:1-12 + Luke 2:1-5 + Matthew 2:1-2 If I step back and look at any given day, most of the goings-on feel ordinary. Of course, random and unexpected things pop up. We make decisions and deal with things that come up. …
Day 23 of 26 – Light in the Darkness
Want Advent emails delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up here! Readings: Isaiah 9:2; 6-7 + Matthew 2:1-12 If you’ve been watching or reading the news, I’m sure you’ve heard about the upcoming ‘Christmas Star.’ This evening, Jupiter and Saturn are coming together in what scientists call a “great conjunction.” From Earth, the two …
Day 22 of 26 – God Uses the Small
Want Advent emails delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up here! Readings: Psalm 8 This week’s Psalm has some powerful imagery in it. As he writes, David praises God for his majesty, glory, and strength. Our God is a big God. He made the universe, setting the moon and stars in their places (v. …
Day 21 of 26 – Worth Given by God
Want Advent emails delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up here! Readings: Luke 1:13-17 + Luke 1:67-80 + Mark 1:1-8 John the Baptist is a fascinating person. He’s known as a wild man, living in the wilderness and subsisting on honey. But John also has a unique origin story, which undoubtedly drew attention to his …
Day 20 of 26 – Provision in Community
Want Advent emails delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up here! Readings: Luke 1:39-56 When I married my husband, I knew I would have to move. He was living and working south of my hometown. For the first time, I would be uprooting. I lived in my hometown for nearly 30 years before I was …