That Difficult Person Dear Jesus, I need Your help. Someone is making my life difficult. I have tried to be kind and patient — You know I have, Lord. But there have been times when I’ve lost my temper — You know that too. I’ve said unkind things and thought even worse things. Our relationship…
Believing and Listening
The Best Answer to Prayer The word of the Lord came to [Abraham]… “A son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars — if indeed you can count them.” Then He said to him, “So shall…
Christmas Sunday: Angels
Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and He will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? — Matthew 26:53 ESV On the Sunday before Christmas, our family hurries home from church, excited to light the “Angel Candle.” The circle of light was finally complete on our Advent wreath,…
O Come, Let Us Adore Him
Savoring Gifts I will give thanks to You, LORD, with all my heart. — Psalm 9:1 There’s nothing like Christmas morning for children. They wriggle through breakfast, stealing glances at the bright packages underneath the tree. Their anticipation is contagious. When you hand children gifts, they eagerly tear off the wrapping paper, throwing it aside.…
Expectation
When they cry out to the LORD because of their oppressors, He will send them a savior and defender, and He will rescue them. — Isaiah 19:20 Expectation. What’s more exciting than to eagerly await a person or an event? Perhaps it’s Christmas, a new baby, loved ones we haven’t seen for far too long,…
When I Ask
Dear Jesus, You are amazing. Not only do You give me what I need, but You bless me with so much more than I ask for. In the book of Matthew, You said, Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give…
Sharing Holy Christmas Joy
A Legacy of Joy The memory of one who lived with integrity brings joy. — Proverbs 10:7 VOICE We’re in that season when families travel great distances to reconnect, share long conversations, eat meals, carry out traditions, and reminisce about relatives that the little ones never got to meet. Maybe your grandfather passed away years…
He Entered the Mess
He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was obviously pregnant by this time. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born; and she gave birth to her first child, a Son. She wrapped Him in a blanket and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room…
Journal, Pray, Reflect, and Connect with God
Editor’s note: Have you heard about The Weekly Prayer Project? It’s part book, part journal with a challenge to spend 52 weeks in prayer and daily Bible meditation. It’s a fantastic way to connect with God, pray, reflect, and journal our prayer journeys. The topics in The Weekly Prayer Project are centered around 7 different…
Surprise Packaging
He had no form or majesty that we should look at Him, and no beauty that we should desire Him. — Isaiah 53:2 Hariett has a real gift when it comes to gift wrapping. She’s given concert tickets tucked inside empty cereal boxes and jewelry disguised in old coffee cans. No empty container is off-limits.…