What if Joseph said “No”?

Every year we hear the story of Christ’s birth. The angel speaking to Mary. The shepherds. The magi (wise men). To Joseph, through a dream. We can read in scripture, and maybe know by heart, the storyline. But what if Joseph said “no”? Would we blame him? Would we understand his decision? Mary was justContinue reading “What if Joseph said “No”?”

Advent Daily Devotional

Prepare – Devotions for Advent The season of Advent is coming. How are you preparing to celebrate God coming into the world in the form of Jesus Christ? How are you preparing for Christ’s return? This is a season of waiting and of preparation. There are many ways we can get ready and joyfully celebrate:Continue reading “Advent Daily Devotional”

Prepare: Daily Devotional for Advent

Click here for: Prepare – Devotions for Advent Advent is soon approaching. How are you preparing to celebrate the Christ who came into the world and changed everything? Christmas is much more than parties, giving gifts, and making everything perfect. Christmas is about celebrating and worshiping God, who came down to earth in the formContinue reading “Prepare: Daily Devotional for Advent”

Love Changes the World

  Every person has a story of how the world is not how everyone else sees it. Every generation tells of how the world is completely different from how “it used to be.” What do we mean by this? I think we are all trying to tell how the world is changing, in our ownContinue reading “Love Changes the World”

Finding Joy

ADVENT WEEK 3: Joy How have you been taking the time to prepare to truly and fully celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ this year and prepare yourself for his return? What does this look like in your day to day life? Everything in our lives will not go as planned, and people will frustrateContinue reading “Finding Joy”

Confidence in Prayer

Someone just asked their friend to pray in public. The friend felt fear creeping in. “What if I say the wrong words, that other person has much better prayers than I do!” These are thoughts that are not uncommon. It is scary, at times, to speak in front of a group of people. But prayerContinue reading “Confidence in Prayer”

Peace: Have No Fear

ADVENT WEEK 2: Peace The four weeks leading up to Christmas is a time we should take each year to prepare ourselves Jesus Christ coming into the world: a time of celebrating his birth, and also preparing ourselves for his return. When we take this time seriously, we have the opportunity to again place ourContinue reading “Peace: Have No Fear”

Putting Out Fires

We are all busy people. There is just too much to do, too much to handle, too much to fix. It never fails that we cannot get ahead in our schedules. Why does this happen? A few weeks ago, I wrote about having too many “irons in the fire.” Today, let’s focus on why weContinue reading “Putting Out Fires”

Telling the Story Again

First Week in Advent Luke 1:1-25 (Common English Bible) Many people have already applied themselves to the task of compiling an account of the events that have been fulfilled among us. They used what the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed down to us. Now, after having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, IContinue reading “Telling the Story Again”

Filled With Expectation

As I read the verses for today, I think of the Johnny Carson show where Ed McMahon announced, “Heeeeere’s Johnny!!!” The expectation of the audience was raised when those words were spoken with excitement. I remember watching the Johnny Carson Show and loving hearing him announced. I think a similar response happened with the crowd aroundContinue reading “Filled With Expectation”