Close Out of a Year

Whew!  Have you been able to take a moment and stop and catch your breath after the holiday "gladness"?  (I'd say "madness" but that word only fits in certain cases and not in this one :)  I've said it before...I love the holidays!  But, this week between Christmas and New Year's can be a bit of a "no man's land".  Sleeping in, eating up all the leftovers and goodies, continued visits with guests and the big decision "Do we have a New Year's party or not?".  (oops...forgot the other big question "Do I take down the...

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Advent Baby, Part 2

I watched a Christmas movie the other day where a children's pageant was being played out.  I was reminded of my own children in the days when they were shepherds, wise men and, yes, angels (oh they were so cute!! :)  One time as the procession was making their ascent on the stairs to the stage, the narrator proclaimed "and the wise men fell down before the babe and worshipped Him."  One wise man did just that...he tripped and fell...

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Fourth Week of Advent: Where Did the Baby Go?

The anticipation and waiting....the days and weeks before Christmas are full, frenzied and can be fun as we get ready to be with loved ones to celebrate.  We are in the midst of the fourth week of advent (and yes, I missed Sunday...but never too late to ponder). The fourth week of Advent centers on the theme of LOVE.  Not enough words or thoughts to fully grasp what love means during the Advent season.  God stuffing himself into...

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A Chocolate Covered Christmas

This is not a serious post.... It is the middle of the month... It is the last full shopping weekend before Christmas.... It is the fourth Sunday of Advent in 2 days.... It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas.... And...it is "National Chocolate Covered Anything" Day (it really is!  You can google American Food Holidays and find it!)  And so in honor of this day... Frozen Peppermint Cheesecake with chocolate drizzle...

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Third Sunday of Advent: The Amazement of a Baby

We move into the third Sunday of Advent (tomorrow).  I'm a day early, but last week I was a day late, so I am evening things out a little :) If I were to put a thought or theme into words for this Sunday, it would be JOY or amazement....EXCEEDING JOY!  (again I know there are traditional themes for the Sundays, but this word is leaping out at me today).  Take time in the next couple of days to read the birth of Christ in Luke 2....

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O Tannenbaum

O Christmas Tree O Christmas TreeYour branches green delight us! It's fascinating how a simple green tree adorned with lights seems to awaken a childlike excitement in us...or some of us anyway!  I love when it is time to put up the tree.  Once you get the past the figuring out which lights work, the untangling of the strings of lights and get them on the tree draping just right....it is rather enjoyable.  Like many of you, I put on...

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St. Nicholas Day

Hidden amongst the first days of December and the beginning of the holiday extravaganza, noise and bustle, is a holiday most Americans are unaware.  This special day, along with the Advent season, became a tradition of our days in Austria.  And is the namesake where Father Christmas and Santa Claus get their beginnings.... Nicholas was born in the third century in the small village of Patara, once a part of Greece, but now is modern day...

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Advent Peace

I know, it is Monday...the day after the second Sunday of Advent.  It was one of those weekends....lots of activity and celebration; I celebrated a birthday. Last night when finally laying head to pillow, my heart was filled with thanksgiving for my life - my family and friends and the blessings of knowing Him.  When I awoke yesterday morning I told the Lord that when I laid down at night at the close of the day, I wanted to be overwhelmed...

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Anticipation

My house is a mix of boxes, decorations, an unadorned tree and furniture being moved.  Yes, it is that time of year when we pull out those glittery balls, tinsel, candles and wreaths!  I absolutely LOVE this time of year!  I have so much fun decorating (although I admit it was much more fun when the kids were little and helping me....Bing Crosby crooning in the background "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas"....egg nog passed around,...

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Advent Wreath

We had an incredible message yesterday at our church out of John 9 and the healing of a man born blind.  This is the story where Jesus heals a man by spitting on the ground, mixing mud and spreading it on the man's eyes!  I won't repeat the sermon, but it was one of those that really challenged our hearts.  I praise God and am so thankful to be part of a body where the preaching and teaching is from His Word and you leave carrying...

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Advent Sunday

Wow!  Did it seem like this last week was a blur and frenzy of activity, only to realize now that another season of busy-ness is upon us?  The planning, shopping, cooking and cleaning that takes place before the guests arrive on Thanksgiving...the fun, fellowship and full stomachs that follow....and then the day after when we stop to breathe?  Unless, of course, you ventured out to take on the masses of shoppers for Black Friday....of which I confess, I do not do.  That part of Thanksgiving week I can definitely do without....

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What Storm?

There's a messenger at my door knocking loudly to be let in. He's panting, sweating and barely able to stand. He's come a fair distance and encountered many obstacles to bring these words.  He breathlessly cries out,  "The Good News of Jesus Christ - the Message - begins here..." That's how Mark begins his writing of the Gospel (The Message Version).  I began to read his words this week and was immediately, like never before, impressed...

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Veterans and Ravioli

Today is Veterans Day....and how many of us really know what this day means, other than it is a federal holiday and no mail is delivered? ** A national holiday in America honoring military veterans taking place on November 11th. ** Also known as Armistice Day, the day the Armistice was signed to end World War I. ** The war formally ended with the Germans signing the Armistice on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. ** The official spelling of Veterans (for this holiday) contains no apostrophe, as declared by the American...

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God's Story + You = BESTSELLER

Once upon a time..... In the beginning...... A story, a beginning....the greatest Story ever told...the greatest Beginning ever... When we read God's Word, we are invited into His Story....not the other way around.  So often we take His Story and fit it into our lives.  The purpose of His Word to us, is to invite us into His Story.  He spoke, He began, He created, He worked, He rested, He gave, He loved and on the story goes.   I...

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Thankful Hearts in a Thankful Month

I just can't seem to get further into the month of November without thanking God out loud to you...Psalm 34:1 "I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise will always be on my lips."  It seems fitting as this is the time of the year most people stop to say they are thankful...at least on one day of the month :)  Considering the words "thanksgiving" and "to give thanks" appear in the Bible at least 67 times that I could find, let's do...

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