What pictures fill your mind when you read the Christmas story? Maybe your mind is filled with the many nativity scenes decorating lawns and coffee tables. And all of them look so peaceful, don't they? Jesus gently lays in the hay, Mary looks fully recovered from labor and filled with joy, worshipers stand adoringly nearby and even the animals look clean and docile. No doubt there were peaceful … [Read more...]
Peace Be With You
It’s three days before Christmas and I am at peace. There is no tree decorated in my living room. Gifts will be few and simple as a result of a tough financial year. There are no stockings hung by the chimney with care (an annual safety hazard I somehow justify year after year). And I haven’t even begun to think about what to fix for our Christmas dinner. I’m thinking “meat” might be one item on … [Read more...]
Jesus, Jacob, and the Polar Express
We do Santa Claus at our house. There. I admitted it. Online, in a Christian blogpost to be viewed by the cyber SWAT teams of theology police. And you can take away my John Calvin signature Reformed Theology card but it still wont change the fact that the guy in the red robe has a place in our home during the Advent season. Actually, it isn’t just during Advent—it’s all year long. We … [Read more...]
Christmas Laughter!
One of the character traits I especially value is the quality of honesty. So, I'm going to tell you the truth: my blog posting deadline crept up on me. Truly it did. After five straight weeks of illness at our house, followed by a restful week of vacation (Thank You Lord!), I'm back in the saddle at work again. Then it hit me: "Great Scot! I have a blog posting due!" So, rather than faking it, in … [Read more...]
Joy to the World
I grew up in a Southern Baptist church. My father was a pastor and we were blessed to be raised in the faith from our birth. There are many things I love about Southern Baptist life. And there are some things that are just funny memories. Like always singing the 1st, 2nd and final stanza of various hymns. Always. And so, I will never forget being in church on Christmas eve a few years … [Read more...]
One New Habit That has Entirely Changed My Life
I've added one small habit to my day that has entirely changed my life. Seriously. No, it isn't jumping out of bed to do the latest 5 minute exercise fad. It isn't chugging down a veggie-packed juice recipe or learning to use the latest productivity app. Amazingly, it's so easy that I am asking myself why I didn't start doing this simple thing long ago. But how can one small thing—something … [Read more...]