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Thresholds
The angels’ cries are echoing in my heart today, “Gloria in excelsis Deo!” Glory to God in the Highest! Our God has drawn near, not that He is ever far away. In fact, He is so near that without His presence our hearts would cease to beat. Every breath we breathe, every hair on our head, every thought and word (heaven help me!) are known. Does that stir your heart? I hope so. Today, as we have crossed another marker, let us rejoice! The current state of affairs humanly speaking may look grim. It may appear hopeless. Not so. We must look with our spiritual eyes. Through the grace and mercy…
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The Woodworkers
Imagination is a wonderful and powerful thing. Reading the Christmas story again reminds me how few details we have about the actual birth of Jesus. Was Mary in labor long? Did Joseph have experience delivering babies? Were there angels with them during this time – expectantly waiting and watching for the Messiah to be born? Did the Innkeeper have regrets after turning them away? Did Joseph ever doubt Mary’s faithfulness? Somehow, I don’t think so. This is where imagination comes in to play. Joseph. What a man he must have been! Much attention is given to Mary, but Joseph was also “chosen” and extraordinary. In fact, Joseph has been an…
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Practicing Gratitude
“Do all things without complaining and disputing,” Philippians 2:4 NKJV Certainly, this must be a typo. Everything? Surely there have be some activities that allow just a little grumbling, or at least heavy sighs? Or – one of my favorites – perhaps just a teensy sarcastic zinger? Nope. Ok – so let’s dig a little deeper. There must be a way out of this. Let’s look at the word “everything“. There has to be some wiggle room in the definition, right? Uh-oh, Dictionary.com doesn’t help my case one little bit. Its definition of Everything is, “every single thing or every particular of an aggregate or total; all.” Well, nuts! I guess…
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Makin’ a List
Today is the day after Thanksgiving. With a grateful heart, I find myself looking around at the odds and ends that make up my Christmas decorations…the Christmas Village, the crotched tablecloth pinch-hitting as an upscale Christmas tree skirt…two white ceramic angels perched on my grandfather’s clock. So many memories and sweet sentimental things that somehow coalesce into a harmonious theme – at least for me. Each piece is a loving reminder of someone dear. Someone who has contributed greatly to my life. Which brings me to God. When you examine your life can you see HIs hand in it? I hope so. I hope you can recognize Him blessing you,…
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Simple Things
Many people are starting to gear up for the Thanksgiving and Christmas season. There is a nearly tangible expectation in the air – in spite of the uncertainties making noise in our world. Others may even be dreading this time of year. It can definitely be a mixture of bitter and sweet. I have been thinking a lot about it, hoping the true foundations of the season will be the focus this year instead of the trappings. Oh, don’t get me wrong – I love to decorate and put up my lights as much as the next person. In fact, I told my sister yesterday that sometimes I still feel…
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Yesterdays & Tomorrows
None of us know our future – notta one of us. This is a strange pill for me to swallow, since I am a planner by design, by habit and even by profession. Rows and columns fill my days. However…there is this “other side” – the one that is an inveterate dreamer and desires to fly by the seat of my pants. Sometimes I indulge that side. It has reared its head recently. How I wish to embrace the wildness within. Are you with me? So I write today for those who feel stuck in the mud, or perhaps may have regrets about a hasty decision, or maybe neither of…
