Sometimes our greatest challenges end up being our greatest blessings. I am so thankful for this child I call Son.

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Have you ever been hurt by someone? What a stupid question. Of course you have. It’s part of being human. Whether it’s intentional or not, others have a way of sending a stinging arrow straight into our hearts. It’s especially hard when it comes from someone we care deeply about.

In a recent sermon, I heard a pastor use this word: transcending. We can transcend any past hurt.
“For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those
who are perishing.” (2 Corinthians 2:15)

We become what we think. “Think on these things…” It is possible. With a choice on our part coupled with God’s power at work in us. And over time, we will be amazed at the transformation.  

When in London, we happened into a vintage shop and saw a most splendid piece of antiquity... I found it most intriguing due to the love of books, especially old books.
The color, the shape, & particularly the several moments of contemplation with the mystery of its history played with my emotions & then it somehow seemed to whisper my name.

I wonder if there are those out there that are starving for some measure of love to be splashed in their direction.

Anxiety is a thief that comes to steal our joy. And yet, it’s often something that many of us struggle with, including myself; no matter how “spiritual” or successful you are, it’s not a respecter of persons.

It’s easy to be filled with joy when all of life is going just the way we want. When we’re healthy. When family members are getting along. When kindness and love abound.

What about when all of life stinks?

If ever there was anyone who was forced to trod a crazy, crooked path and cry out to God, “Where are you?” it was Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Known by many as one of America’s greatest poets and educators, Longfellow reached deep within himself to be able to write the inspired words of the beloved carol, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”.

He is the image of the invisible God,

the firstborn of all creation.

What little we know of Wenceslas is fascinating. Although the song we sing was written almost 1000 years after King Wenceslas died, it was based factually on the character and typical actions of this monarch who was devoted to Christ.

I’m not musical and I struggle with carrying a tune, but I love good music. Especially during the Christmas season. Many of the old Christmas carols bring back a surge of cozy childhood memories.

One of my favorite memories is not what I’d call cozy. More like reckless, hilarious and downright dangerous.

Many years ago, when I was a teenager living on my parents’ farm in the mountains of Vermont, I took a walk. A very slow and peaceful walk on a December evening with fat snowflakes drifting silently down, giving a sense of serenity to the dark night.

“Relax and delight in what I have for you today.”

If anyone ever got a very clear calling from God, it would have been Mary. She was to carry and give birth to God’s Son! The long-awaited Messiah! And this news came from the mouth of an angel. Not just any angel. Gabriel, himself, one of the highest-ranking angels in God’s Kingdom!

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How often do we leave God's prescribed path for our life? I'm not talking about the many times God takes us down unexpected paths of His choosing. I'm talking about the countless times we stop listening to Him and accidentally turn the wrong way. Or the many times we willfully ignore His plans and do our own thing.

The following is from a friend of mine, Tim Hall, who has suffered from a physical ailment for many years; one that doctors seem to have no answer for. Yet Tim keeps pressing on, knowing that God is at the helm of his life and that God’s plans are good.

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I don't know anyone that has a life that has gone exactly as they planned, do you? Even those of us that have committed our ways to the Lord can't brag about how smoothly our lives have unfolded. Face it. Life is filled with many unexpected twists and turns. I call this “The Crazy Crooked Path”, something that all of us can identify with.

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I just went on a short, but leisurely drive. A much-needed drive through a beautiful area of Florida's Panhandle.

Why was this drive needed so much? I needed a re-set. An attitude check. As if God called me into time-out. Not sent me into time-out, but called me. Time-out with Him. How cool is that?

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