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”
Tag Archives: Advent
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”
Behold: Love
One morning this fall, wrapped in a warm blanket and settled in my cozy chair, I set out to read my daily Scriptures and devotion, having no clue that the prayer at the end would ignite in me a new searching, a new longing: “Come, Holy Spirit, and help me learn to behold Jesus inContinue reading “Behold: Love”
Behold: The Word
Years ago coffee percolated through a contraption that took time and effort. I remember my grandma pouring water in the bottom half of her aluminum coffee pot then putting in a pole-like-contraption topped with a basket, into which she measured out coffee grounds — usually from a red Folgers can. She’d put on the lidContinue reading “Behold: The Word”
Playing Psalms — An Advent Series, The Epilogue
The “Hallelujah Chorus” still thrumming in our ears and hearts, we collectively wonder if that’s it. It always seems to happen — we wait and watch for Christ’s coming each year, then all at once Christmas is over. That same feeling of loss settles over us now. We want more. That’s when we realize theContinue reading “Playing Psalms — An Advent Series, The Epilogue”
Playing Psalms — An Advent Series, Act 4
As the curtains rise, so do our hopes! It’s time for Act Four of Playing Psalms. Our hearts, in equal measure, eagerly anticipate what comes next and despair of this production’s conclusion. Because we’ve already peeked at our playbill, we know that this Act will include parts of Royal Psalm 89. Act Four, Scene OneContinue reading “Playing Psalms — An Advent Series, Act 4”
Shelley Johnson 