We participated in an Ash Wednesday service last week unlike any other I’ve attended. There were no ashes, but the church’s choir sang parts with volume, clapping and swaying to the beat. The whole-person-worship worked me out of my comfortable rut. Then the preacher took the microphone and stood before his congregation. “Fasting without prayer …
Flowers of every color adorn the cross. It is gorgeous but only a memory now. As I gaze at the photo, I reflect on Lent and Easter. Each year is different, though my goals remain the same, to love God more dearly and sincerely. This Lent I resolved to take up two actions and give …
Today, I post new friend, Jen Neimann’s, guest blog. Jen Niemann is a Jesus lover, wife, and mom to two young adults, and lives in Chagrin Falls, Ohio with her husband and Jazzy the cat. A former RN and caregiver, she enjoys dabbling in writing, gardening, worship dance, and being active in her church’s Women’s …
I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus…. Let us keep living by that same standard to …
What we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life— and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us—what we have …
For the past eight years, during both democratic and republican presidencies, we’ve seen an increase in shootings, addictions, enmity between races and political parties, sexual immorality, gang crime, depravity in film and TV, denying life to babies, and contempt of God and Christians. I’ve also witnessed an increase in Christians praying for our country based …
Mark 10: 46-52 Then they came to Jericho. And as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road. When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, …
Every year, about the time we begin to wear long sleeves, Mom would call my sister, brother and me together. She would hand us the thick Sears catalog and a red ballpoint pen which wouldn’t smear on shiny pages. “Circle what you want Santa to bring you for Christmas.” She didn’t give parameters like how …
Moving boxes, in addition to dozens of antiques collected over the years, crowded my friend’s living and dining rooms. Half the boxes had been loaded in the rented truck, but still no furniture. I handed a box to Philip, the next person in the box brigade, and I spoke my mind. “We can fit boxes …
Trail Marker 1 Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom. verse 6 Trail Marker 2 Purify me with hyssop, And I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be Whiter than snow. verse 7 Trail Marker 3 Make me hear joy …
My husband rustles in the closet. I forbid my eyelids to lift, and I dive back into my dreams. “If you get dressed and go vote with me, I’ll take you to breakfast.” I whip off the covers and sit up. “Bagelheads or McDonalds, whichever place you want to go.” Bagel head’s glorious morning muffin …
The Day After Whew! Lent is over. I almost said, Easter is over, since it was yesterday, but Easter is my every day now. The time of constant self-examination and mourning sin is past. I am a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.The old has passed away; …