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”
Tag Archives: Abide
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: On Right Paths
“He refreshes my soul.He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” Psalm 23:3 The ‘power of three’ exists all around us, conveying to us perfection, completion, and wholeness. We see it in nature: morning, noon, and night. Birth, life, death. And in literature: beginning, middle, end. Musketeers, little pigs, and blind mice. In art:Continue reading “Dwell: On Right Paths”
Dwell: By Still Waters
“He leads me beside quiet waters.” Psalm 23:2b Sitting on the riverbank, I perched at the water’s edge on a tree root protruding from the ground like a small bench. It had taken half an hour, easily, for me to finally sit still once I’d reached the river. Fluttering butterflies had beckoned my attention. Turtles andContinue reading “Dwell: By Still Waters”
Dwell: In Green Pastures
“He makes me lie down in green pastures”Psalm 23:2a, NIV Can you think back to a moment in your childhood when your parent’s presence calmed you? Like after a bad dream, and you sneak to their bedroom. Just lying on the floor next to my parents’ bed made me feel better because they were closeContinue reading “Dwell: In Green Pastures”
Dwell: With the Shepherd
“The Lord is my shepherd.”Psalm 23:1a For twenty years we lived on nearly an acre of red dirt land in Oklahoma. No fences. No outdoor animals. Just three boys who came and went through our back door. No one in our neighborhood had horses, cows, or sheep. So I have no working knowledge of whatContinue reading “Dwell: With the Shepherd”
Abide: Wholly in the Holy
Our summer sure sped swiftly! While we’ve met here week after week, I’ve been growing in understanding of what Jesus means by, “remain in me as I also remain in you” (John 15:4). Remaining, that practice of dwelling or abiding, is more than prayer. It’s more than worship. Or Bible reading. Or making good choices.Continue reading “Abide: Wholly in the Holy”
Abide: Taking Up Faith
Fight, flight, or freeze. Threats, stress, and pain come at us, and we either fight back. Flee the scene. Or freeze in place. Me, I’m the one who consistently left when things got rough. Too much tension and arguing? I’d hop in my car and hurry to my friend’s house. Too much accusation and pressure?Continue reading “Abide: Taking Up Faith”
Shelley Johnson 