On this bitterly cold and windy night, the thermometer reads 0º. I go outside and walk a little while, bundled up, until I shiver. Now it feels good to be inside. I think of the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. The difficulties facing them on the journey and then finding no room in…Read more Blessed to Serve, Not Consume
Advent
JOY WHEN YOU GRIEVE
Handel's magnificent musical, Messiah, has been a source of joyful inspiration for me during Advent this year. Facing bankruptcy and failing health George Frederic Handel wrote with "a heart bursting with joy," The Messiah in 24 days. When he finished writing the Hallelujah chorus he said, "I did think I did see all heaven before…Read more JOY WHEN YOU GRIEVE
Sunday, Day of Joy
Sunday, happens between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The people of God gather in glorious praise from generation to generation to worship the Lord with thanksgiving and praise. This is a day of eternal priceless joy. The “joy of the Lord” is our strength and the Gospel is “good news of great joy.” (See Nehemiah…Read more Sunday, Day of Joy
Advent Hope and a Winter Wish
Our sons and their families are coming home for Christmas. We have grandsons hoping for a snowy Christmas to go sledding, build a snowman, and throw snowballs! One of them hopes that Papa and Gramma will give him a puppy for Christmas. Their hopes are wishes. It's how the word is used today. Wishes that…Read more Advent Hope and a Winter Wish
The Blessed Hope
A friend of mine said to me this week, “I am so excited about the return of Christ.” We had been discussing what the return of our Lord meant. Think about it with me for just a moment. There will be healthy and happy children. We will hear the sounds of children laughing and playing…Read more The Blessed Hope
Saint Nicholas Day
“The giver of every good and perfect gift has called upon us to mimic God’s giving by grace, through faith, and this not of ourselves.” Nicholas of Myra Today, December 6, is the day we remember a faithful pastor that our modern story of Santa Claus is based upon. Nicholas of Myra was a model…Read more Saint Nicholas Day
A Gift for Christ at Christmas
Early this morning in Dearborn, Michigan my thoughts are about the last minute things I had to do before Christmas Eve. Cards? Calls? Gifts? What’s the most important things you can do at Christmas? Among them is attending or watching our Christmas Eve Services to celebrate the birth of our Savior, as we thank Him…Read more A Gift for Christ at Christmas
Joseph: A Righteous Man
Joseph's character, faith, and God's choice of him to be the husband of Mary and a father to His Son, Jesus captivates me. Meditating on the few verses in the Bible about Joseph, I have grown to deeply appreciate his story. Joseph was a man of honor. Matthew's gospel describes him as a "righteous man."…Read more Joseph: A Righteous Man
This Time of the Year!
This time of the year is always so wonderful for me! It's Christmas! Special worship services, Christmas Eve, families and friends are getting together, parties, giving gifts, and in the middle of it all finding a quiet place by my fireplace early in the morning for quiet reflection and prayer. It's the time when I…Read more This Time of the Year!
CHRISTMAS FAVOR
“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ... Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:10; 14, NIV) A wonderful promise is contained in the phrase, "good…Read more CHRISTMAS FAVOR
Coram Deo 