heavenly presence
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The Joy of the Season
Can there be joy in a season when God calls us to work very hard to prepare for the coming of the Christ Child? The answer is a resounding yes. Our work during this time of the year is… Continue reading
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I Am Tired of Cleaning My House
Oh Lord, I am tired of cleaning my house. As I sweep the floor, I must move furniture with other layers of dirt and grime underneath the surface. When I started preparing my spiritual home for Advent, I thought… Continue reading
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The Most Incredible God in the Smallest of Voices
While we prepare for Advent, it is essential to realize that God does not simply wait to respond but continues to work in the world. The Divine designs his most incredible work in our hearts’ still, small recesses. In… Continue reading
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What Does it Mean to Ransom Someone?
In the famous Christmas Carol, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel pleads to “ransom captive Israel.” When I think of ransoming someone, there must be money involved. While the Merriam-Webster Dictionary does include the idea of a monetary payment in… Continue reading
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How Well Do I Know My Expected Guest?
Many of us know that Advent is a time of preparation, a season to clean our spiritual house to make way for Jesus, the guest, to come into our homes. Who is this Jesus that we should take such… Continue reading
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I Will Keep You in My Prayers (and I mean it)
I often say to people, “I will keep you in my prayers.” This saying has been with me since my earliest years in church. Sometimes, it is an immediate response without thinking about what I mean. My prayer life… Continue reading
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Doing Spiritual Work Brings Spiritual Joy
As I sweep my spiritual floor clean, I notice something that gets my attention. Laying in a corner of my soul is a list of those who have hurt me. I want to go over and sweep with everything… Continue reading
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Are We Saved by Grace or Works?
For many years, the idea of cleaning the house to prepare for the arrival of the Christ child has confused me. In short, must we “do” certain things before Jesus enters our hearts? The more profound question is, “Must… Continue reading
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The Christian Life Is Not All Happy, Happy, Feel Good Stuff!
When I was young, I heard a song that indicated that the Christian life provided a straightforward pathway. All one had to do was profess faith in Jesus, and suddenly one lived stress-free and happy all the time. I grew… Continue reading
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A Time to Live in a Spirit of Thanks
I must say that my heart is full this week of Thankgsliving. My oldest son arrived in town last night, and the first thing we did was sing together. In my world, there is nothing quite like singing with… Continue reading
From a Pastor's Point of View 