Last night my extended family rang in the new year together as we gathered to celebrate the wedding of two beloved 20-somethings in our family. Like births, weddings intrinsically hold within them much hope–hope for the future, hope for lasting love, hope for starting well so that all that is to come will have aContinue reading “God With Us: Hope”
Category Archives: Dwell
God With Us: Presence
Today we light the fifth candle of Advent in honor of Jesus Himself. Imagine an Advent wreath encircling a looming, white candle, arising from its central place and marking Christ’s presence at the center of our being–personally and corporately. The flame flickers its glow across the room ready for the joy of this Day. YetContinue reading “God With Us: Presence”
God With Us: Love
Perhaps there is no word more overused in our culture than ‘love.’ Love my family.Love chips and salsa.Love Jane Austen.Love Hallmark Christmas movies.Love a good mystery.Love my Christmas tree.Love my friends.Love a good cup of hot tea. You get the idea. We tend to L.O.V.E. everything. In all our loving, we lose the potency forContinue reading “God With Us: Love”
God With Us: Joy
This time of year the word ‘joy’ can be seen and heard everywhere–on decorations, in songs, even on people’s lips. All of which become reminders of just how much we long to have joy in our souls. Instead of just seeing and hearing about joy, we deeply desire to possess it ourselves. Ironically, it’s thisContinue reading “God With Us: Joy”
God With Us: Peace
The rush of a season meant for festivities often leaves us floundering in a wake of struggle and stress. Hustle shifts, becoming the hectic pace of hurry. Long lists begin to feel like imprisonment instead of empowerment. And plans for peace and joy get swallowed by panic and chaos. Will I get it all done?WillContinue reading “God With Us: Peace”
God With Us: Goodness
So much fills our senses this time of year. Baubles on trees. Music jingle-jangling through every speaker. And stories of all sizes and skill-sets. From tall tales told by uncles around the table to the newest holiday book on display at the store, from romances set in Pinterest-styled living rooms to bedtime dramas about flyingContinue reading “God With Us: Goodness”
Dwell: In God’s House Forever
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.Psalm 23:6b This time of year conversations swirl, spurred by simple curiosity, “Are you going home for the holidays?” Home. The word can mean something different for each of us, and many have attempted to give it a solid definition–or at least a direction: As IContinue reading “Dwell: In God’s House Forever”
Dwell: In God’s Goodness and Mercy
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my lifePsalm 23:6a On this journey with the Shepherd King, David, we’ve trekked through fields and valleys and mountaintops to get to this final verse–to be reminded that Psalm 23 is a looking back. David gazes upon this life he has walked with hisContinue reading “Dwell: In God’s Goodness and Mercy”
Dwell: In the Overflow
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.Psalm 23:5b Summer sunshine brings life with its warmth. Plants and trees flourish, fruit ripens, crops mature. And insects multiply. Fly swatters stay busy during picnics and barbecues. Spray covers skin to keep bugs at bay. We do just about anything to avoid the nuisance of tiny, flyingContinue reading “Dwell: In the Overflow”
Dwell: At His Table
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.Psalm 23:5:a October turns the corner this week, and November looms large because it ushers in the holiday season. Packed full of traditions, Thanksgiving and Christmas mean much in our culture, but at the heart of all the festivities is the feast. In every culture,Continue reading “Dwell: At His Table”
Shelley Johnson 