Imagine being rock bottom and hopeless. Imagine being fifty-six years old, jobless, in failing health and near bankruptcy. When you were younger, you flunked out of college and left home, hoping to find your own way in the world. And you did. You made a name for yourself. People recognized your talent. You wanted more …
“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year!”
I used to have a long list of things I “needed” to get done before the family celebration on Christmas Eve. The change in my thinking began when I attended an “Unplugging the Christmas Machine” retreat. When I made my to-do list for Christmas and who did each chore (me), I was appalled. No wonder …
“’For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in, naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me. I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, …
As Christmas approaches, volunteers in red aprons or jackets and a velvet Santa cap stand by a red bucket and ring a bell. You see them in front of supermarkets and stores and hear them wishing people a Merry Christmas, even those who don’t give a dime to help others, but walk right past to …
“Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
Alas, Thanksgiving is over. The turkey and all the trimmings have been gobbled, the dishes washed and put away. The children and grandchildren have all gone home and the mums on the front steps are wilting in the rain. The house echoes with conversations and laughter. Sigh. Then I remember: Thanksgiving is far from over. …
“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”
It’s been a couple of weeks since we returned home from South Africa, but we’re still talking about the many things we enjoyed. Sua du Plessis from Christian Arts took us to Moyo, a restaurant across the street from the hotel in Melrose Arch. Moyo is Swahili and means “soul”. Sua ordered for us, knowing …
“O, Lord, what a variety of things You have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures…”