Only a few friends see my house when it’s a mess. They’re the same ones that let me in their messy homes. Only a few friends hear when my life feels like a mess; they’re the same ones who’ve shared their messy lives with me. But I wonder how many times I don’t host an event because my house looks less-than-perfect. Wouldn’t someone appreciate hospitality even if my home looked less Martha Stewart and more Ann Stewart? Sometimes Martha can {Read More}
Joy to the World
December 13, 2012 By 2 Comments
“Joy to the World” was originally titled “The Messiah’s Coming and Kingdom” (Doesn’t have quite the same joyful ring, does it?) The carol paraphrases Psalm 98:4-9, calling for all of creation to joyfully praise the reign of the Lord. Anybody can play or sing the opening melody by starting at C and heading down one full octave! Though we sing “Joy to the World” at Christmas, most of the song declares Jesus’ Second Coming. Consider the phrases Joy to the {Read More}
In His Name
December 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment
We read yesterday that God Himself gave Jesus the Name above all Names–A name that brings salvation. Savior. Yahweh saves. The importance of His name connects Christmas with Easter. Throughout all the New Testament, much is done IN HIS NAME, and we are still encouraged to do all things IN HIS NAME. What’s in a name? A lot. In His Name…. We will be hated because of His name The Gentiles will hope in His name Two or three will {Read More}
Name Above All Names
December 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Parents-to-be are often asked, “What are you going to name your baby?” There is something delightful and special about finding the perfect name with the right fit, sound, flow, and meaning. We named our firstborn Christine Alane because, like her namesake Alane, she was born at Christmas, the name sounded beautiful and elegant, and it means bright and shining follower of Christ. Mary and Joseph did not get to choose the name of their firstborn; His heavenly Father named Him. {Read More}
Strength in Weakness
October 3, 2012 By 1 Comment
We hear that God is Jehovah Raphe, the Healer. But what about when we, or someone we love, is not healed? When it seems that the number of our days is unfairly less and we are robbed of significant moments that our contemporaries take for granted? My husband’s best friend Paul has Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Paul is losing motor function from his toes to his head. Soon he will be unable to speak, chew, swallow, and eventually— breathe. His wife {Read More}
Crying Politics: When Our Children Do Not Make the Team
September 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment
With November 4th around the corner, you might think this is about elections. It’s not. This is about when our children do not make the team, get a part in the show, or earn first chair in the orchestra. What do we do? The biggest disservice we pay them is crying “Politics!” There may be times when the reason could be a poor coaching choice or a director’s bad decision, but as someone who has sat in the director’s seat, {Read More}
Jesus Is…the Answer
April 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment
So many hymns talk about blood. And that picture has a certain “ick” factor. One familiar hymn reveals the paradox: Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Another similar hymn was one of the praise songs in our summer VBS program. Each day the 100 elementary kids belted out the jazzed up version of this gospel tune with an accompaniment CD that turned the familiar hymn into an upbeat {Read More}
Jesus Is…Our Saviour
March 26, 2012 By 1 Comment
“Let’s go check to see if there are any new lambies,” I said to Julia. In a muddy corner outside the barn we found a mother and baby. But there were also two other suspicious mounds stuck in the mud that turned out to be muddy, wet lambs barely able to lift their heads. Although I didn’t expect them to survive, with my kindergartner’s help and hope, I began a futile rescue attempt. Second grader Christine ran warm bath water {Read More}
Jesus Is…the Good Shepherd (Part 2)
March 21, 2012 By 1 Comment
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6 If indeed “we are his people, the sheep of his pasture,” it is no compliment. Sheep are very “not smart” (at our house we’re not allowed to say the word dumb). They are also followers, smelly, and easily lost. And when they tip over, they give up and don’t {Read More}
Jesus Is…the Good Shepherd (Part 1)
March 13, 2012 By 1 Comment
Consider the answers to this simple quiz: “Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the __________of his pasture.” Psalm 100:3 The primary animal sacrifice for sins was a ______ The shepherd left 99 to rescue the one lost ________ Who were the first to hear of Jesus’ birth? _________ What was King David’s occupation?_______________ Jesus didn’t call Himself the Good Carpenter, He called Himself the Good ______ {Read More}
