And so, we know that God loves the whole world and we know that Jesus taught the people of earth so much and that we are still learning. And we know, that Love is Good and God is good. We know and have come to believe that God does not shame people into obedience – God calls people and releases them from disgrace, from shame, from pain by loving them, without conditions. Our greatest struggle is to learn how to…..
Imagine what it might have been like for Joseph. Imagine holding the Son of God, Son of Man, in his arms and looking at his betrothed, servant of the Lord. It’s difficult for me to comprehend all the thoughts that must have been going through his head. God has a plan for this child to become one who saves the world from sin. Perhaps Joseph might have been wondering about that before he fell asleep after an exhausting experience. It’s…..
The First Day
Wake in the morning
with the Christ child
in your midst,
not distant or near, but here –
tangible and touchable.
Hear his cry, his coo, his sigh,
feel His breath.
Wake in the morning
and know His reality
is not just a dream.
Wake in the morning
with God’s promise
fulfilled.
(c) June G. Paul, All Rights Reserved 2019
I originally wrote this with the word “To” in front of the word Wake – –…..
Why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord should come to me? (Luke 1:43 NIV)
Here is a third question in Luke’s narrative surrounding the stories about the birth of Jesus. Again, I think it is one worth asking. Angelic appearances, visions, a pregnancy late in life, notes from a spouse rendered mute and a young cousin comes to visit with some pretty exciting, wonderful, frightening news. Yes, even though the angel Gabriel keeps telling everyone not…..
We’ve all asked these questions when we’re told that something we have hoped for that seems impossible is about to happen. Or when we think what someone is telling us sounds a bit outlandish and strange. These two questions, asked by key characters in the Gospel of Luke can help us step into the Luke’s story about the Birth of Jesus.
How can I be sure is the first question asked, and it’s asked by a priest named Zechariah with…..
One of the most challenging things during Christmas is to mourn the loss of the people we love who are no longer with us.
I know, because I’ve done this for many years. I remember being in Jr. High when my Grandmother (Mom’s mom) passed away. And I remember going to church during the Holiday Season and missing seeing her sitting in the front pew. I remember missing many other people throughout my lifetime. I remember helping my father mourn…..
It might not be surprising that many people have a difficult time in accepting the Christmas Story, the story about the birth of Jesus , the One whom we call the Son of God. There is so much talk of strange and mysterious things happening, angels, prophecy, people following stars – admit it, some of this does sound…..
What’s on your Christmas Wish List this year? What if instead of making a Wish List you created a Christmas Blessing List.
The Sermon on the Mount has been floating through my head for a few days now. Yesterday I wrote the “How Long?” post. Some people who are wondering How Long before they receive the blessings outlined…..
Perhaps you remember being a young person going somewhere with your parents and asking, “How Long . . . ” before we get there, before we can turn the radio station, before we can get out and change seats, so I have a turn in the front, or the back, or by a window. Maybe you remember being…..
Do you remember playing tug of war as a young person? People are assigned sides, or two people get to choose who is going to be on their team. When we are very young everyone just grabs the rope and starts pulling their hardest to see if they can outpull the other side and drag them over the…..
