My favorite Christmas movie is Elf. It might just be my favorite movie period, the only one I can watch over and over. Something about Buddy’s “affinity for elf culture” though he is a human as well as his innocent unawareness of the fact that he sticks out like…well, like a grown man in an… Read More Buddy the Elf & The Incarnation of Christ
I just dropped four family members at Boston’s Logan airport after five full days together. It was such a gift, and I’m trying to treasure and ponder it all in my heart, since as an elder at my church said on Christmas Eve, “These times are few and far between.” He also had the gift… Read More Home For Christmas
A friend called on Wednesday. The first words out of her mouth described the death by overdose of another friend’s 23 year old son – a bright and capable college senior. Our already difficult conversation was interrupted by another call. It was my friend’s own daughter, whose choices against God are causing a great deal… Read More Advent Hope: Waiting For That Day
I’m living out a little fantasy of mine today and for the next two days called Being Alone In My House. It’s so amazing. You know I still love having a full house, lots of people around my table, and the sounds of laughter and lively conversations, but this is such a nice reprieve. Robert… Read More Reflections & Resolutions
Three more days until Christmas, and I kinda hate to get my hopes up but there’s been a snowflake icon on December 25 on my weather app for about a week now. A white Christmas would be so perfect, especially since my dad will be here from Texas. (Although he got about three inches at… Read More Friday Favorites: Christmas Traditions
I’ve been trying to be mindful of the waiting process this last week. That’s what we’re sort of re-enacting during Advent – the waiting for the One who is coming. Beth Moore wrote this on Sunday: Ears ached with emptiness, yearning to hear sounds of heaven. Some word from God. Nothing. 1 century then 2,… Read More Waiting and Hoping and Coming (and Grandmas)
Her words struck me intensely this time, though I’ve read them many times before. “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38) What a response. What beautiful surrender. What a quiet humility. What fierce faith. And displayed in the midst of a situation seemingly impossible, certainly… Read More What Mary Said (And a Special Request)
Macy’s on 34th John Piper’s Advent reading plan on the Bible App has been giving me a lot to think about and be challenged by lately. Here’s part of what day 22 said: “You can read every fairy tale that was ever written, every mystery thriller, every ghost story, and you will never find anything… Read More A Trip, A Tea Party, & 3 Winners!
Tea Party Prep! Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays always start the same way for the 40-somethings at my house. Up early. Workout clothes on. Bible reading with a side of hot tea. Out the door for a run – on the nearby rail trail or at the nearby Planet Fitness depending on weather conditions. (On Mondays… Read More He Calms the Seas AND the Season ( Plus…A Giveaway!)
Those aren’t two words I would normally use together ~ “wonderful” and “winter” ~ but there’s no denying that winter has brought many wonderful things so far. It was -1 degree here yesterday. (Not so wonderful.) Betsy stopped by at 7:45am to pick us up for our weekly ski trip to Mt. Snow, Vermont, and… Read More Wonderful Winter Catch Up