The first Christmas was a silent and holy night. I’m familiar with silent nights. Because they track me down and schedule dates on my calendar. You see, I lose my voice about once a year, unable to squeak out a single word. Laryngitis sets up residence in my vocal cords. But it’s never a good time. Five years ago, silence struck with a job interview the next day. And it happened once with three speaking events coming up, the first in only three short days. Still, I was rendered Continue Reading
Just For You {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
A group of us gathered in someone's living room to work our way through the next session of a Bible study. We sat quietly as the video component ended, surprised by who spoke up in response first. “Sorry you all had to sit through that,” the quietest woman in the room grinned, “because that was just for me.” We all know what she meant. One of the amazing abilities of our Lord is reaching out to us individually while reaching out to us all. His sweet love and unique relationship with Continue Reading
Why We Can be Generous {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
We tend to hear a lot about giving during the Christmas season. From finding and sharing presents to making year-end donations to spreading cheer, there’s just a lot of giving going around. We Have A Supply to Give From “Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.” -2 Corinthians 9:10 Sometimes we feel like we can’t afford to be generous. But our supply is ample. God himself Continue Reading
Let’s Paint the Town Red {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
Joy marked the occasion. So we painted the town red. Born the first day of December, I enjoy celebrating my birthday in the same month as Christmas. Every year my special day proves fun-filled and momentous. And since it's my birthday, I smile if I want to...smile if I want to...smile if I want to. But where did the expression “Let’s paint the town red!” originate? And how exactly does one go about it when celebrating? Painting the Town Red I found a plethora of answers. Here’s a Continue Reading
God’s Glory in the Little {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
It’s the season of small. Tiny lights twinkle. Cookies substitute entrees at parties. Our song selection shrinks as we delete in repeating the same tunes. Little things make us nostalgic and remind us to appreciate what we usually overlook. Miniature figures remind us of the quaint scene in history that changed eternity. God has a history of making much of little. We see this in the celebration of the birth of our Savior. Jesus incarnate was once the size of a poppy Continue Reading
Looking Beyond the Christmas Tree {Atlanta Journal Constitution Column}
On Dec. 17, 1903, near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, two brothers made history that would change the world forever. That was the day Orville and Wilbur Wright were finally successful in getting their “flying machine” off the ground for the first time. Their self-propelled, gasoline-powered biplane stayed aloft for 12 seconds, covering 120 feet on its inaugural flight. Excited about their long-awaited accomplishment, Orville rushed to telegraph a message to their sister Katharine: “Success four Continue Reading
