One of my favorite parts about the Christmas story is the angels. I love how they show up unannounced. I love how they celebrate the birth of Jesus, and how they tell the shepherds that Messiah was born. I’m sure the angels didn’t all look like this cute little figurine, because Gabriel told both Zechariah and Mary, “Don’t be …
Bite of Bread: Who was Jesus? (Preparing for Christmas)
My prayer for us, “Dear Lord, thank you for coming. Thank you for stuffing all your glory into a little baby–a baby boy born to save the world. It’s really beyond our understanding. But I pray that by your grace we will be given deeper insight with each “Bite” this week. Help us understand who your son, Jesus, was and …
Bite of Bread: Bible Reading Plan for Hope
Is anyone else having trouble getting into the Christmas spirit? Me too. My neighborhood is filled with houses all decked out for the celebration. Ann Voskamp Periscoped about the night before advent. And Facebook is filled with pictures of Christmas trees all pretty and perfect in my friends’ homes. I’m still recovering from Thanksgiving. And, I confess, I still have …
Bite of Bread: Don’t forget to Feed Your Spirit
This is a busy week for many of us. We will be busy preparing for Thanksgiving, running around buying turkeys and all the fixings for a bountiful meal. I’ll probably go to the grocery six times before the holiday actually arrives. (I always forget something, get home, and think of another ingredient I need.) Some of us will be cleaning …
Bite of Bread: The Power of Praise
They were two ordinary ladies–I can’t remember their names. I can barely remember what they looked like, but I will never forget their message given almost thirty years ago. No other sermon has affected me as theirs. Their words were revolutionary. Freeing. Empowering. No, they weren’t preaching about women’s rights. Their message was freeing to all man and womankind. It …