“Be still and know that I am God.”      Psalm 46:10 Those words just keep echoing. A friend of mine gave me those words a couple of years ago that still ring clearly to me.   She told me sit myself down and take a deep breath and take a break from the hustle and bustle of this Christmas season.   Slow down, be still, and savor each word slowly.  Then one by one, take away the last word of the sentence and really think about what God’s Spirit is whispering to you. To help you

Jesus prayed,  “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.”  John 17:13 Jesus was praying those words to his Father right before he was betrayed and taken away to be crucified – right before he was going back Home. Why am I reading about the end of Jesus’ life and not the beginning of it this week before Christmas?  Isn’t it more joyful reading about Mary and Joseph’s anticipation

Each December I say, “I’ve got to be intentional.  I’ve got to make the effort to be still and enjoy the season.  I need to be intentional with our family to teach and remind them of God’s Story and the arrival of our Savior. The reality?  We’re three days behind already on our daily Advent devotion. There’s gifts to purchase or make. There’s baking to do.  There’s parties to attend.  Not to mention work.  There’s Christmas pageants and grumpy people in front of you in the lo

Now that all the leftovers are gone and the big weekend sale drive is almost over, it’s officially the holidays and things are going to pick up. Today, though, I’m sharing some things from the past month (or so) that gave me a smile, laugh, or taught me a lesson.  {I’m also joining with Emily P. Freeman’s link up with others who are telling what they’ve learned, too.} Before my short list begins, I pray that you’ll  be intentional this coming month to make time to be still an

#gratitude #joy

Next week is Thanksgiving. Many thoughts quickly come to mind, whether excitement or anticipation to be with family, savoring that delicious pumpkin pie, stress to clean the house, or maybe sadness because there will be an empty chair this year.  Or maybe you’ll be making sure your meal is served early in the day so you can be in the line for stores that will be opening their Black Friday sale at 6pm on Thanksgiving Day. Even though stores were decorated for Christmas last mo

Each day seems to go by quicker than the day before.  The first day of autumn feels like yesterday.  I think October is even busier than the Christmas month, which is only three weeks away. Even in the midst of busyness, trying hard to give the Giver thanks for all things. I had ordered a new book that I was anxiously awaiting because I wanted it to arrive in time to take with me to an appointment where I’d have time to read.  It didn’t come.  Kind of disappointed, I went to

This song is playing on Pandora by Thrid Day as I stare blankly at this screen.  Isn’t it a joy to see how just the right words can come at just the right time?  Part of that song comes from an old hymn written in the early 1900s by Helen Howarth Lammel. (click here if you’d like to listen to it) Turn your eyes upon Jesus and look for His wonderful face.  And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. May the things of earth grow strangel