praise be to god
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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
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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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Giving Thanks for My Current House of Worship
There are moments in ministry, especially itinerant service when moving occurs. Sometimes the possibilities of moving forward appear to be the next right steps. This experience is not the case for me at this moment. This week I had… 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 