God of This City–Of Every City (Part 1)
“I want [people] everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer…” (I Timothy 2:8a NIV). It was never our intent to encourage a worship service. We were just two people, celebrating Bill’s birthday at Elaine’s, a popular dueling piano bar in the basement of Asheville’s Grove…
Why a Word for the Year?
Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path (Psalm 119:105 CSB). ***Read to the end for a chance to win a wonderful new book!*** You’ve heard it asked. What’s your word for the year? This inquiry is everywhere come…
Peculiar Place
It happened almost exactly thirty-two years ago today. Alone in my living room, I went to the window for the last time. And on this particular morning, I did so out of obedience. At first, I thought I’d heard wrong. After all, my loving Father…
A New Year’s Letter to Wee Emory Wren
He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord (Psalm 113:9 NIV)! Dear Emory Wren, Here we are, at the close of another year. How ever can it be? Your second Christmas already, preparing for another trip around…
Simeon’s Song
**The following is a fictitious rendering of Simeon’s story from Luke 2. Unless noted, all scripture references are taken from the ESV.** For many years, Simeon held to the promise in the ancient scriptures, a reminder that became his prayer as he awaited the coming Messiah—…
Thankful for… Apostrophe
***(Read to the end for a chance to win an upcoming devotional!)*** Apostrophe—(n.) a mark to indicate the omission of letters or figures, the possessive case (Merriam-Webster.com) Contraction (n.) the act of acquiring… a shortening of a word… by omission… (Merriam-Webster.com) ******* I was thinking…
Give Him the Gift of Gratitude
“But one of them, seeing that he was healed, returned and, with a loud voice, gave glory to God” (Luke 17:15 CSB). **(The following is a fictitious rendering of Luke 17:11-19–The Story of the Ten Lepers.)** Imagine. You’ve been banished from your community. Separated from…
Recipe for Turning Grumbles to Gratitude!
Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good (Psalm 106:1a NRSV). What should have been a lovely autumn morning began with grumbles. Trying to get out the door for a family outing to Sky Top Apple Orchard, I quickly swept…
Godnections–Part 2
***(This was published first on Facebook, with only several omissions and / or additions. The formatting is a bit off here, though I don’t know why. I apologize for that.)*** ********** I recently had the privilege of spending some quality time with a dear friend….
Trust Me!
(***Read to the end for a special announcement.***) “Then God said, “Take your son… whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you” (Genesis 22:2 NIV). “All I want for Christmas is a…