On Thursdays in December, I will be featuring a hymn from the season and its story. I love hearing the roots of these songs as music adds so much to the holidays and to our worship. Those who sing, pray twice – St Augustine. O Come O Come Emmanuel Emmanuel – even the sound of this word evokes peace within me. Emmanuel – “God is with us” – Doesn’t that just amaze you that God Himself stays with us? Advent is a time of welcoming, anticipation, and waiting. Our prayers rise up, “O come, please come and be with us, Lord. O come, Emmanuel.” This name, which Matthew refers to in his Gospel (Matthew 1:23), was first given to Jesus by the prophet Isaiah 700 years before His birth (Isaiah 7:14). “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" is a favorite hymn to sing during Advent. Its history originates in the medieval Roman Catholic Church. This mournful melody was originally a Plainsong or Chant, which is the earliest form of singing in the church. It is believed that the traditional music … [Read more...]
Christmas at Maxwell’s – Movie Review and DVD Give-Away
Looking for the miracle and magic of Christmas? Leave behind the hassle and hustle of being rushed this season and spend a few hours with your family enjoying a Christmas movie. I recommend watching Christmas at Maxwell’s. I met Tiffany Lauffer at a writer’s conference a few months ago and we immediately became friends. As we got to know each other, she shared that she produced, along with her father William, this movie. How cool is that!Not only is this a good Christian family story, but Christmas at Maxwell's is also a Dove Foundation Award winning holiday film filled with messages of faith, hope, and love. The movie features the Austin family and the tremendous changes they are experiencing. Andrew Austin has everything – two amazing children, a successful business, and a wonderful wife. But life and a past secret bring change and in an instant, life no longer has the order and gentleness it once held. His wife, Suzie, becomes extremely ill and as Andrew struggles to find answers, … [Read more...]
Trusting God – Lectio Divina
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:2 (NIV)My God, in whom I trust.Lord, all I cling to is my trust in You.You are all I have.You are all I need.The world disappoints.Friends and family scatter.My own weaknesses trip me up once again.Yet You are always there for me. You are my safe haven, my firm foundation.Forgive me when I withhold my entire trust in You. I am battered by the world and my own self-doubt distracts me from fully relying on You. I think at the last minute I can do it myself. Or Superman will swoop down and rescue me, changing all of my circumstances.Yes the truth is, Lord, all I have is You and You are enough.I do believe in Your goodness.I do believe in Your love.I do believe in You.Fill me each day with Your faith so I am say with my whole being: I trust in You, Lord. … [Read more...]
First Sunday in Advent Quote of the Week – Frederick Buechner
“The house lights go off and the footlights come on. Even the chattiest stop chattering as they wait in darkness for the curtain to rise. In the orchestra pit, the violin bows are poised. The conductor has raised his baton. In the silence of a midwinter dusk, there is far off in the deeps of it somewhere a sound so faint that for all you can tell it may be only the sound of the silence itself. You hold your breath to listen. You walk up the steps to the front door. The empty windows at either side of it tell you nothing, or almost nothing. For a second you catch a whiff of some fragrance that reminds you of a place you’ve never been and a time you have no words for. You are aware of the beating of your heart…The extraordinary thing that is about to happen is matched only by the extraordinary moment just before it happens. Advent is the name of that moment.” — Frederick Buechner, Whistling in the Dark, pp. 2,3 … [Read more...]
Thanksgiving Blessings
Today is the Thanksgiving in the U.S. – a time to give thanks. I am grateful for you as a reader of this blog. May my words continue to be a blessing.Here is a thought for your Thanksgiving Day:Be Thankful Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire, If you did, what would there be to look forward to?Be thankful when you don’t know something For it gives you the opportunity to learn.Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow.Be thankful for your limitations Because they give you opportunities for improvement.Be thankful for each new challenge Because it will build your strength and character.Be thankful for your mistakes They will teach you valuable lessons.Be thankful when you’re tired and weary Because it means you’ve made a difference.It is easy to be thankful for the good things. A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.Gratitude can turn a negative into a … [Read more...]
The Spiritual Practice of Gratitude
This is the time of year many of us ponder what we are thankful for in life and generally live with an increased sense of gratitude. Living a life of gratitude helps us find the positive side of life and reminds us what is really important. Seeing the world through the lens of thankfulness gives our lives more meaning, more appreciation, and more joy. Gratitude balances life by counteracting all the negatives the world throws at our souls. “Gratitude is like a flashlight. If you go out into your yard at night and turn on a flashlight, you suddenly can see what's there. It was always there, but you couldn't see it in the dark." (From Dawna Markova, Attitudes of Gratitude.) “When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.” G. K. ChestertonHere are a few videos to sprinkle some gratitude on your journey and help you make it a daily spiritual practice:Gratitude, Nichole NordemanPractice GratitudeA poem about … [Read more...]
Our Choices – Lectio Divina
Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. (Prov 8:10-11, NIV)ChooseLord the word “choose” keeps appearing to me this week.I blog about it.The word pops up in conversation.Then I see it in this verse.You have given each of us this marvelous gift of free choice. We can choose the flashiness of world’s glitz Or we can choose Your words of instruction.We can choose to spend our time and resources panning for flecks of gold Or we can choose digging through Your Word for knowledge.We can dress up hiding our true selves behind fancy jewelry and exquisite masks Or we choose bare our souls before you, clothing ourselves only in Your love, grace and wisdom.Lord help me always to choose the best way, Your way. … [Read more...]
Ordinary Love that Keeps our Lamps Burning – Quote of the Week – Mother Teresa
Don’t think that love, to be true, has to be extraordinary. What is necessary is to continue to love. How does a lamp burn, if it is not by the continuous feeding of little drops of oil? When there is no oil, there is no light and the bridegroom will say: “I do not know you”.Dear friends, what are our drops of oil in our lamps? They are the small things from every day life: the joy, the generosity, the little good things, the humility and the patience. A simple thought for someone else. Our way to be silent, to listen, to forgive, to speak and to act. Those are the real drops of oil that make our lamps burn vividly our whole life. Don’t look for Jesus far away, He is not there. He is in you, take care of your lamp and you will see Him.”– Mother Teresa … [Read more...]