Love shows itself most fully when things are not easy. When the stomach butterflies and all night conversations have passed, and the everyday reality of work and washing dishes and wearing the same t-shirt for 6 days and a row sets in.
Tag: advent devotional
light.
In the Nativity story, there was a star. In the dead of night, a bright, new light. One that shone so brightly that people were convinced to interrupt their lives and follow it's path. The star. The heavens, lit with angels. The Light of the World, born as an infant. This was the continuation, the passed candle, of the spark lit in Eden. Passed through generations, by Moses, by Isaac, by Rahab, by David, by Ruth and the Prophets. Then, it inhabited the Christ Child. Now, the candle is passed to you.
Drums
I love Christmas Carols. Their lyrics are timeless and sometimes reveal profound truths. But I don't love all of them. Why in the world do we need that tearjerker Christmas Shoes Song? Mary, Did You Know is history's most egregious case of mansplaining. And then there is the Little Drummer Boy.
Fear Not: Part 3
How married are you to your plan? How much deviation to your internal agenda for your day, your week, your life, do you allow? Does an unexpected detour in your path throw you into a tailspin? Do you carry room for the emergent needs of others to reroute your priorities?
The One
We as humans were created in the image of God, but then, in turn, God created Godself back into our image. Jesus was born, fully human, and the world was forever changed.
beings.
My dearest, you are created in the image of God. You bear the Creator's thumbprint on your very soul. Your very existence has worthiness, for you bear God's reflection in a way that is yours alone. The world would be less without this facet of God's light. Simply by existing, you are helping to paint a more complete portrait of our Creator for humanity to see.
Recognized.
In his life and ministry, Jesus did not make a project of the empowered. The established church in Jerusalem was powerful. They held money and reputation and sway on the community. It would have been strategic to play politic, to win over the Pharisees and Sadducees, to get the endorsement of those who were educated, wealthy, well connected, estimable. Instead, those were the ones Jesus seemed to criticize the most. He mercilessly pulled at the strings of power, unravelling systems that benefitted them and showing the ways that power had corrupted the truth and authenticity of faith.
Fear Not- Part 1
Those beloved by God in scripture seldom live a life according to the script. They are sent into exile. They are thrust into the center of attention. They are asked to run around naked in the town square or lay down on their side for over a year while eating food cooked over dung. People chosen and favored by God face unimaginable loss, hardship, and discomfort.
JoyPlusGrace 