Hi Friends, Sometimes the Holy Spirit sets up dominos. A string of happenings where when the last knocks over, you find it was aimed straight at your heart. He did that for me this weekend. But first, in bold is a chorus I’ve been singing about this, and below that are a few thoughts. Not someday We were at a church this weekend where the congregation stands to hear the reading of the Word. There were 6-7 verses read, but my ears stopped at this phrase. “Therefore welcome one another, just as Christ also welcomed us…” (Romans 15:7). “Not grumble about them behind their backs,” the preacher expounded a few moments later. “Not care for them while rolling your eyes on the inside”. Early this morning, first cup of coffee in hand, I read a familiar phrase as the next domino fell: “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love” (Eph 1:4). Welcome one another. Be without blame before Him in love. It’s so easy to think we will get there “someday”. Our character will be greater. Our patience so much more mature. Then we will love well. When we have more money and influence. When we have more time to make a difference. When we are just a bit older. Then we will love well. But all I have, all you have, is what we’ve been given right now. This ordinary, normal existence. The people right in front of us, and maybe the ones “over there” we’ve avoided. With these hands, on this day, will we reach for our neighbor? Our spouse? Our children? God has chosen us — yes He will help us — to walk in blameless love. It’s for today. – Anna |
I am a singer, songwriter, wife, mother, Jesus follower. I send out a 2-minute read every Tuesday about Jesus and life in God.
Hi Friends, Christmas week… it’s here! Amidst the cookies and carols and last minute gift wrapping, pause with me as we look into a beautiful part of the Advent story… Last week, we left off at the angels appearing to the shepherds. They are given a message: “‘And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.’” A sign. What is the sign in the swaddling cloths? There are several answers to this that theologians have long pointed to. One...
Hi Friends, At this point in our unusual Advent series, it’s clear that God has chosen to do things much differently than we would have. And the announcement of Jesus’ birth is no different. You and I, we probably would have shouted the announcement of His arrival in the palace of the king. All eyes and ears, give attention! Or maybe we would have sent the message to the halls of the temple. Yes, it would be fitting to send word to the priests who spend their days in spiritual service to God....
Hi Friends, Welcome to week one of the Advent Series! This year I am writing these Advent devotionals for those overcoming spiritual anxiety. (You can read more on that here if you missed it.) There is healing for us in this Advent story, and it starts at the very beginning. In Luke 1:26-38, we see Mary visited by the Angel Gabriel and given a most shocking message. That she, a virgin, would bear the Son of God. She is overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, and it begins: Jesus spends His first 9...