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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November: Beards, Berlin, Billy and Bell

Seven days have flown by and my fingers have been itchin' to try and post a blog.  My husband arrived home on the first and even though we have tried to keep it quiet, restful and uneventful for him to be able to overcome the jet lag, this first week of November is gone and a memory!  I have much in my heart to share but well...November deserves a bit of honorary mention, this turkey-laden month tucked between the beautiful colors of October...

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