Yesterday as I sat reflecting the Christmas season of 2024 I just knew it went by way too fast. I wanted more time. I hadn’t even burned up all my Bath and Body Works Christmas candles. I wanted more time with my family. I wanted more time to visit with my oldest grandson who is … Continue reading LET THE FESTIVITIES ROLL ON
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The invitation
“He was checked in his transports by the churches ringing out the lustiest peals he had ever heard. Clash, clang, hammer, ding, dong, bell; bell, dong, ding, hammer, clang, clash! Oh glorious, glorious! Running to the window, he opened it, and put out his head. No fog, no mist. Clear, bright, jovial, stirring, cold—cold, piping … Continue reading The invitation
WRAPPED IN SWADDLING CLOTH
One of my pastors from recent years coined a term I love and have used quite often as I read God’s word ”SANCTIFIED IMAGINATION” My sanctified imagination runs rampant around this time every year. I love all the hidden gems and nuances of that first Christmas Eve and all the events surrounding the days when … Continue reading WRAPPED IN SWADDLING CLOTH
The counting of the omer
”In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing … Continue reading The counting of the omer
OH DEATH WHERE IS YOUR STING
”When this corruptible is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: Death has been swallowed up in victory. Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting?“1 Corinthians 15:54-55 HCSBPaul was quoting the prophet Hosea ”“I will deliver this people from the … Continue reading OH DEATH WHERE IS YOUR STING
What do you do with Saturday
What do you do with Saturday while you are waiting on Sunday? I know what the Jewish religious leaders and the Roman authorities did: ”The next day, the day after Preparation Day for Passover, the chief priests and the Pharisees went together to Pilate. They said to him, “Our master, we remember that this imposter … Continue reading What do you do with Saturday
THE CURSED TREE and the crown of thorns
”They crucified two criminals with Him, one on His right and one on His left. So the Scripture was fulfilled that says: And He was counted among outlaws.“Mark 15:27-28 HCSB Oh the irony of Good Friday! The innocent Lamb of God hung between the guilty of the land. The two criminals deserved execution Roman style, … Continue reading THE CURSED TREE and the crown of thorns
THE FAREWELL MEAL
His death is imminent. In fact by the end of this meal the soldiers and his betrayer would be coming for Him. ”Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, … Continue reading THE FAREWELL MEAL
His Certain Place
”And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet.“Luke 21:37 ESV ”When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed … Continue reading His Certain Place
AT THE TEMPLE
”And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, and they said to him, “Do you … Continue reading AT THE TEMPLE