Condemned to die and hanging on a cross. Hoisted upon two wooden boards and on display for crowds to mock and ridicule. An excruciating and shameful way to die, but truth be told, a fitting ending for the life of evil and crime I had led. My final moments took place at Golgotha - the place of the skull. I never could have imagined that at this very place - surrounded by death, pain, … [Read more...]
How Long, O Lord?
You may have heard me share that my two favorite books in the Bible are Leviticus and Lamentations (followed closely by James). Lamentations presents this beautiful dichotomy between the terror and heartache of daily life, and the mercy and love of God. In the midst of describing untold despair, the writer of Lamentations pauses, looks heavenward, and proclaims, “Yet this I call to mind … [Read more...]
Searching for Peace in the Not-So-Silent-Night
My dad typically only wore his suit jacket to church twice a year – on Easter and Christmas. On those two days, my younger sister and I would always be sure to sit on either side of him. Just like Frosty's hat, there must have been some magic in those suit jacket pockets, for at Easter they were filled with black jelly beans and at Christmas – miniature candy canes. All throughout … [Read more...]
Rediscovering Christmas Truths…Behind the Locked Gate
As Christmas draws near, churches around the country celebrate the glorious day with special worship gatherings. Disco balls for Jesus at Journey Church, little kids singing sweet songs in Glendive and a church in Washington that raised the spirits of a sad heart. Each service unique and specially designed to once again tell the story of a baby's birth that changed the world. Each … [Read more...]
Happy to Hear “Happy Holidays”
We have ten kids in our family. And since I homeschool them, they're all home quite a bit when they're not volunteering, working, playing sports or doing other extra-curricular activities. With that many personalities in one house, you can well imagine then that misunderstandings, spats, kerfluffles and even arguments might occasionally occur. And when they do, the kids know well … [Read more...]