Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, 2024 Today is the Martin Luther King, Jr. Monday holiday. It kind of disturbed me this morning as I sat at home on my day off watching the television, that there was nothing about Dr. King scheduled on any of the channels my Dish plan offers. There were some stations that advertised Black History programs, but nothing specifically featuring the man to whom this holiday is dedicated, and although, yes, the Iowa caucus is... Read more
The Full Armor, Including Our Holy Boots Ephesians 6:10-17 tells us to “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the... Read more
I Admit It–It’s My Fault In my home, I usually do the shopping. I go faithfully every week, and because at my house we love to cook and we love to eat, I usually end up with a pretty full cart at the check-out. I don’t do a bad job, really, but there is one thing I can never seem to remember—toilet paper! I always forget the toilet paper! And believe me, this is not something that goes unnoticed! One... Read more
Just a Little Holiday Nostalgia This time of year makes me nostalgic. I think I’m not alone in this. Christmas is one of those times that brings back memories of childhood, family celebrations, friends’ antics, church meetings. New Years, too, sends our hearts on backward journeys, because it’s hard to move forward without glancing behind, whatever that looks like. The Holidays seem to be a ticket to the days of youth and a longing for days gone by–just a little... Read more
Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him (Psalm 127:3-5). Traditions Your Grandmother Used To Bake One of the most enduring traditions in my family is the baking of Christmas cookies. Every branch of the family tree on both sides had their favorites. They would appear every year without fail. Today I am going to begin baking. I’m a little late, but I wouldn’t dream of letting my children and grandchildren down … or my husband... Read more
Christmas Eve 1969: Most of the day had gone as expected. Grandma had homemade sauce bubbling on the stove before noon. Gnocchi were mixed, rolled, cut, and “tucked in,” as Grandma called it–one of the tasks I got to help with in the kitchen. The pot was already filled with the water in which they would cook. Fresh bread wrapped in a towel rested on the countertop near the warm stove. In the fridge, iceberg lettuce was torn (not... Read more
Disclaimer This is hard to write. I suppose it is a confession, of sort. I ask pardon in advance from anyone I may offend—no offense is intended. Please grant me grace. This is a difficult Christmas memory: A Difficult Christmas Memory One evening, more than a decade ago as Christmas was approaching, I was racing into Walmart to grab a few last-minute items. As I neared the entrance, I noticed a man in a wheelchair almost blocking my... Read more
An Original Script For a Quick and Easy But Effective Performance It’s late in the season, and if you need a Christmas skit, you have probably already found one. However, I would like to share the one we did this year–“One Holy Night,” an original script for a quick and easy but effective performance. It is perfect for performance by a small group with a limited budget, and it requires limited staging. If you need something to fit into a... Read more
The Value of Silence I have heard it said, “If you want to get someone’s attention–whisper.” I have also heard St. Francis of Assisi quoted thus: “Preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words.” Ecclesiastes 3:7B says that there is a “time to keep silence and a time to speak,” and in Psalm 46:10 “He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God.’” There obviously is value in the silent. When coupled with the holy,... Read more
Skillet, The Band Many groups are claiming to be part of the Christian music scene. Some are traditional while others are quite outside the box. The “outside-the-boxers” often come under the heavy fist of traditional pastors and parents who hear the sound, but not the words. I suggest not judging the cover without reading the book. Here are 9 lyrics (although there are many more) from the band Skillet that epitomize their Christian faith. First, may I offer an introduction:... Read more
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