praise be to god
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Gathering at the Table Brings Me Joy
As we move through the season of Advent, we encounter many opportunities to dine with loved ones around a table. When we feast, we catch up and share moments to share our concerns and lift one another. This act… Continue reading
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Forgetting to Take Time to Be Still During the Holiday Rush
Today, I must be in a million places simultaneously. My anxiety level is high as I try to take one thing at a time and put a checkmark next to it on my list of things to accomplish. As… Continue reading
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I Will Serve Him If…
“But how could we possibly sing the LORD’s song on foreign soil?” (Ps. 137:4). As a pastor, I repeatedly hear, “I will start coming to church when I get my stuff together. I patiently respond, “Jesus does not care… Continue reading
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Did I Prepare Well Enough for My Guest?
When my wife and I expect company at home, we do our best to clean each room from top to bottom. When we had our dear friends over, we even placed things to cover up the less attractive areas.… Continue reading
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I Get Knocked Down, But I Get Up Again
During the season of Advent, when the world holds its breath as it waits for a miracle to restore order, we review ways to rise when we fall to the ground. Part of our cleaning work includes a fearless… Continue reading
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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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Rejoice, My Friends!
For some, the season of Advent brings sorrow. Tragic events from the past seem to overwhelm us, much less leave us feeling anxious and ill at ease. The psalmist spoke of pain when asked to sing the music of… Continue reading
From a Pastor's Point of View 