Hello. It's the first day of March and it's Ash Wednesday. This is a very important day to Christians, of course, because it's the first day of Lent. We have forty days (excluding Sundays) of "giving up" to represent how Jesus spent forty days fasting in the desert where he overcame temptations from Satan. The ashes come from the burning of palm branches that were used on the previous Palm … [Read more...]
The Rules of Civility
I just finished reading the book "The Rules of Civility" by Amor Towles. One of my publisher's marketing associates had mentioned the book to me when several of us were at dinner one night at a conference. I wrote it down and ordered the book, but saved it for a time when I could read without too many interruptions. That time came this past Christmas when it rained for over a week. I curled up … [Read more...]
A New Year and a New Focus
The New Year is a time to make resolutions, to leave past failures behind and start fresh. It's rather like an author opening a new document and staring at the blank page. Excitement hums, anticipation whirls, and hope-filled ideas swim in the waters of grand dreams and endless possibilities. Yet, amid all that hope and excitement lies a twinge of fear, of uncertainty. What if this new idea isn't … [Read more...]
Overcoming in the Desert Seasons
Do you like deserts? Not desserts, mind you, those are much easier to love. But deserts. Specifically, the desert times of life. Those seasons in our earthly journey when our hearts feel dry and empty, purposeless. When our spirit can grow weary due, perhaps in part, to a prolonged illness or injury, to trials or troubled relationships, or maybe disappointment in a career. Those times when … [Read more...]
The Story of the Advent Calendar
Did you ever play with those paper advent calendars as a kid? I used to love those things. Opening each door between December 1 - 24 until Christmas arrived. And no, I never cheated and looked at more than one hidden picture at a time. ;-) I actually like surprises. When my children were young, I invested in a wooden advent calendar. We would hang it on the wall, and each day, the kids and I … [Read more...]
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