Christmas Eve, 1906 marked a significant event. One hundred three years ago, the first AM radio broadcast occurred. It’s reported that ships off the New England coast heard the first song ever broadcast: O HOLY NIGHT.
Continue readingThe Paradox Of Christmas
Two shopping days until Christmas! That announcement greeted me first thing this morning, and I was struck by the amazing paradox embedded in a common seasonal countdown. Hurry up and shop for the birth of God’s Son!—sounds a bit silly if you think about it.
Continue readingChristmas In A Single Word
Agape. That’s it. If you want to distill the entire notion of Christmas into a single, simple concept, it’s Agape. Self-sacrificial, intentional love. That’s the message of Christmas. I was thinking this morning about the idea of approaching Christmas intentionally (10 Ways You Can Enjoy An Intentional Christmas) and I had the idea that I […]
Continue readingSometimes You Just Gotta Chuckle
If you’ve been following along, you’ll understand that this hasn’t been the easiest week for me, so it was a good time to encounter the following silly story. The theology’s a bit shaky and there’s no real moral or lesson except that it’s good to chuckle occasionally and stop taking it all so seriously.
Continue readingAdversity And Christmas
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back […]
Continue readingYou And A Manger
What would Jesus think? Last time I wrote about A Wheelchair And A Manger and wondered how Jesus would respond to the presence of a disabled person in the nativity circle. As I considered comments and reactions, I realized that I avoided my own question. I began by asking “What would Jesus think?” but I […]
Continue readingA Wheelchair And A Manger
What would Jesus think? I’ve been doing a little exercise based on 10 Ways You Can Enjoy An Intentional Christmas. I’m trying to spend some time each day at the nativity scene, wondering about the thoughts, emotions, and experiences of each character. I found myself wondering how Jesus would respond to the presence of a […]
Continue readingThe River (Relentless Grace excerpt #11)
Happy Monday! For the next few Mondays, I’ll post a series of excerpts from RELENTLESS GRACE. You can read previous excerpts here. I hope you enjoy them, and that you’ll encounter God’s invitation to give hope another chance. THE RIVER (Relentless Grace Excerpt #11) Note: This final excerpt includes notes from the journal that formed the […]
Continue readingBetter Than You Planned
Plans are useless; planning is indispensable. Dwight D. Eisenhower Have you ever planned and dreamed about something until you were certain that you had it all figured out–and then watched as things unraveled? I didn’t write the following story, but I share it with the hope that you’ll join me in seeking a bigger perspective.
Continue readingWill You Accept The Gift Of Christmas?
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great […]
Continue readingWhat Are You Giving Jesus For Christmas?
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” … On coming to the house, they […]
Continue readingHow To Help Without Hurting
What are your important anniversaries? Birthdays, weddings, holidays—we all keep significant dates tucked away as reminders of important milestones and events. Many anniversaries prompt celebrations and warm memories, but some recall events of sorrow and tragedy.
Continue reading