General

What exactly is goodwill? We sing about it in our Christmas carols. The angel proclaimed it to the shepherds. And last week, we looked at it in my blog entitled, Our Eternal Advent, Unwrapping the Gifts.  “Peace on Earth, Goodwill toward men.” As I reflect on the Christmas story in my NIV Bible, Luke 2:14 reads, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”  Goodwill is interpreted as God’s favor. But what is “God’s favor?” Psalm […]

The wrapping and unwrapping of gifts is one of my favorite parts of Christmas. In the wrapping, I find peace and solace in the preparation of the gift itself. But in the excitement of the unwrapping, I discover love and joy. These are all gifts of our Eternal Advent. Last week, we focused on hope and how “hope sparks light” which leads us to all the other gifts. Today, as we unwrap the gift of peace, let us begin to notice all the places we […]

While talking to my sister the other day, I randomly said, “I feel like I’m stuck in some kind of eternal Advent.” With frustration, I explained when waiting persists, it can become difficult to keep the faith. However, there is one thing that always keeps me going. Hope. Hope is like a light in the dark and always keeps me moving forward. As we said our goodbyes, I could not shake this term, “the eternal Advent.” Letting the words resonate in my mind, I noticed […]

“It only takes a spark to get a fire going.” These are the words of the song, “Pass it On,” that have been running through my mind for the last few days. It is an old song I learned in youth group years ago. As I reflect on the words, I sense some lesson here I have yet to learn. “It only takes a spark to get a fire going and soon all those around can warm up in its glowing.” As we transition from […]

Sometimes, I forget that Thanksgiving is for giving thanks. I mean, it seems so simple. The instructions are in the name. Thanks-Giving, the giving of thanks. Yet, I breeze right passed it and miss the whole point. However, if I practice an attitude of gratitude, it becomes easier to remember to give thanks. Last week, I wrote a blog on 3 Steps  to Be  More Thankful. Realizing gratitude is an attitude that must be cultivated, I am still learning how to be thankful in the […]

If I told you there were three simple things you could do everyday to become more thankful, would you do them? If your answer is “YES,” then read on. As I opened my Jesus Calling devotion this morning, I read, “A thankful attitude opens windows of heaven.” The words reminded me that thankfulness is not a gift, it’s an attitude. However, it is an attitude we must choose. Sometimes, even moment by moment. Choosing to be thankful, when our circumstances do not call for it, […]