The man stood on stage, his once empty hands clasping a bouquet. In the blink of an eye, the flowers had materialized. For the next thirty minutes, I sat amazed, watching him make things appear and disappear at random. This first encounter with a magician held all the magic intended for my six-year-old self. But … [Read more…]
The holidays have long since passed. Thanksgiving and Christmas skipped into the New Year without a glitch. And here I am, still pursuing Advent. While I read and thoroughly enjoyed Susie Larson’s Advent devotional Prepare Him Room and just yesterday returned Ann Voskamp’s The Greatest Gift to the local library, emails of Christ’s coming still sit unopened in my … [Read more…]
I was recently asked the question: “How do you want to finish this year?” Two words immediately came to mind: Peaceful and Expectant. I want to come to grips with who I was in 2021, both my highlights and my less-than-stellar moments. Some things I mastered with finesse; others I barely mustered through.Too often, I … [Read more…]
The Bible is filled with miracles. Stories of lives turned by truth unfolding in human hearts as steadily as its pages are unfurled. But it is also a work of mystery. A place where the nonsensical becomes the most rational. Where the extraordinary becomes obvious and expected. Where the simplest of ways births the most extravagant of wonders. … [Read more…]
We all know them. People in our lives have lost their way along the path of Kingdom living. Wandering children, siblings, parents, friends, coworkers, or strangers we pass every day. We don’t have to look far to find someone who has strayed from the narrow way. Prodigals surround us. It is difficult to see how … [Read more…]
The sky shall unfoldPreparing His entrance.The stars shall applaud HimWith thunders of praise.The sweet light in His eyes shall enhance those awaiting.And we shall behold Him, then face to face. O, we shall behold Him. We shall behold Him,Face to face in all of His glory.O, we shall behold Him.Yes, we shall behold Him,Face to face, our Savior and Lord. The angel will soundThe shout of His coming.And the sleeping shall … [Read more…]
These hands spread across worn Bible pages embraced nearly 105 years of living. Alberta Lambert was the oldest friend I have ever had. Her life spanned more than a century, and while there are a few folks who have outlived the number of her earthly years, I have not known any of them personally. Nor … [Read more…]
To live with expectation is to live in a celebration of hope. And when it is grounded in the depths of Father’s love, we are assured we will not be disappointed. Advent is the perfect time to perfect our expectations by turning our hearts toward Bethlehem. A place known for its smallness filled with the … [Read more…]
As we approach the Christmas season, it’s easy to get caught up in the frenzy of it all. There’s baking to be completed, cleaning to be done, gifts to purchase, parties to attend . . . or maybe there isn’t. Instead of rushing about to plan and celebrate, you may be experiencing the crushing loneliness … [Read more…]
This request, around which my fingers had been clenched for years, was meant to be delivered palm to palm as I sat on His lap in confidence. — from Every Bitter Thing Is Sweet by Sara Hagerty Palm to palm. The imagery of this intimate interaction captured my heart. Palm to palm — this is how Father … [Read more…]