When our grandchildren were born, we were taken into the room to see them and introduced. Chad and Sara made a big deal of introducing and naming our grandchildren. Mary and Joseph didn’t have to have this conversation. They had no question about what they would call this child! The angels who visited Mary and […]
Leo Tolstoy translated a story written by Ruben Saillens. I’d like to share parts of this story with you as we prepare for Christmas. “It was Christmas Eve and although it was still afternoon, lights began to appear in the shops. Old Papa Panov, the village shoemaker, stepped out of his shop to look at […]
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote the poem Christmas Bells in 1863. Some of the words are: I heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old, familiar carols play, And wild and sweet – The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men! And in despair I bowed my head; “There is no peace on earth,” […]
Today is the day after the First Sunday of Advent. I have been looking for a devotion to guide everyone as we prepare for the Coming of Christ. I came across a devotion written by Rev. Larry Davies on November 14. Larry is the pastor at Virginia Beach UMC. I share parts of this devotion, […]
Thanksgiving is this week and I wonder how many of us prepare ourselves for this holiday. I’ve been thinking about gratitude a lot lately. I’ve wondered what it is? I’ve also wondered when we should show it, and I’ve wondered what God says about it? Paul wrote in I Thessalonians 5:18, “Give thanks in all […]
I have a colleague in Alabama whose family has suffered great tragedy. One of her sons harmed his two children, cut his brother with a machete, and shot at his father. He is now in prison. Another son died in his sleep last week at the age of 40. I called her last week to […]
When I was growing up, there was never a decision to be made about going to church on Sunday morning. My mother and father expected us to be ready for church and in the car. My grandmother was the church organist, and my brother John and I were in the choir. Church on Sunday morning […]
When I was a senior in high school, we had a terrible fire in Loudoun County. Our 4-H fairgrounds had four barns used for the annual 4-H fair. These barns were pole barns and used to house our 4-H animals during the fair. My father was president of the fairgrounds, so he was involved around […]
On my walk this morning, I saw a strange phenomenon. There is a small pond close to my house, and the cool morning air was causing a layer of mist above the water. The water was warm, and the air was cold. I walk several laps around this pond, and on my last lap the […]
Fall is a strange season. We have had a hot summer, and all of a sudden the season has changed. I walk every morning, and my walks have gone from shorts and tee shirt to sweat shirt and gloves. The trees have gone from all green to dropping leaves. The Fall season has suddenly […]