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, 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...
Hi Friends, I’m planning something unusual for this Advent season. For the last couple years, I’ve taken the weeks leading up to Christmas to stare with you into the passages of Scripture about Christ coming as a baby. The birth of Christ is a storyline that’s rich in wonder. We could spend all 365 days of the year focusing on it and not exhaust all there is to see. This year, I want to immerse us in this story once again… But with an unusual twist. I am writing an Advent series for those...
Hi Friends, I’m in one of those marriages. You know the kind. One where my husband starts playing Christmas music the day after Halloween, and I am left dumbfounded that someone could so heedlessly skip right over the Thanksgiving season. Yes season! (I know about half of you are on team husband, but I press on.) I’m wanting to be more intentional this year about my thanks-giving. The cultivation of gratitude in my heart and life. And I’m starting this “thanks-giving” focus in an unusual...