And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body given for you; do this in remembrance of Me. — Luke 22:19 I believe that Jesus asked us to remember Him during the breaking of the bread and the drinking of the wine every time, every…
The Advent Alternative
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son, and they will call Him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). — Matthew 1:22–23 Advent is about waiting, anticipating, yearning. Advent is the question, the pleading, and Christmas is the answer…
Practicing True Thanksgiving
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 On a snowy night we hosted house church, and I cooked a Thanksgiving dinner. Even though I had done the meal part of Thanksgiving twice that year, I hadn’t yet done the…
Pain: We Can Do This Together
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens . . . a time to tear and a time to mend. — Ecclesiastes 3:1, Ecclesiastes 3:7 I once told Aaron that if I found out I wasn’t pregnant that month, I’d break something glass, just to feel it shatter…
The Affects of Venomous Anger
Venom As churning cream produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife. — Proverbs 30:33 Earlier this year, a friend of mine made me really mad. Crazy mad. I felt small and scared and out of control, and like my friend was making decision after decision to hurt…
God Gives Lessons Over and Over: Learn the First Time
Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance. — Proverbs 1:5 In my first job out of college, one of the people I worked with drove me crazy. He pushed my buttons and hurt my feelings and twisted my words, and I couldn’t get past it. After months…