. . . and the government will rest on His shoulders. Man’s authority and rule, whether good or evil, rests upon the shoulders of my Savior. There is nothing that occurs without His notice. Nor does this world’s depravity extend beyond or above the reach of His goodness. Men’s choosing of sin and death is … [Read more…]
It’s hard to stay holy while we wait. It’s easier to be disappointed or embarrassed by our unanswered prayers. Sometimes, we are even prone to jealousy when we see others who have that for which we so desperately long. And the longer our longing goes unfulfilled, the more sparse hope becomes. It seems more natural … [Read more…]
I wish I could confidently say that I always know how to face a situation head-on, that I never struggle to find the right words to speak into the heart of a fellow sojourner. I wish I knew how to pray effectively. Without pause, without questioning what should be, could be, might be the will of God … [Read more…]
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…]
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…]
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…]
Each week this month, I will be posting an excerpt from my new E-book Breathing Advent: God’s Hope to a World in Need of a Savior. You can download your free copy here: https://barbarasnyder.net/resources/ In these final days before Christmas, it’s easy to get caught up in the frenzy of all the last-minute preparations. There’s … [Read more…]
Each week this month, I will be posting an excerpt from my new E-book Breathing Advent: God’s Hope to a World in Need of a Savior. You can download your free copy here: https://barbarasnyder.net/resources/ This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham: Abraham was the … [Read more…]