Christ in the Clouds

I grew up in a home where we observed Advent in many different ways. My mom was such a creative person. She built life-sized burlap-covered wood figures of the nativity that was set out on our front step every Christmas season. She made large wall banners with verses and artwork that were not only hung in our home, but also used in our church's sanctuary. And, of course, we either read an old-time version of the Christmas story from an antique book or the story directly from the Bible.  So, it's no surprise that Advent has always been an important part of the Christmas season for me. I have celebrated with my own family over the years in many different ways, from lighting candles to using an advent calender with different readings leading up to Christ's birth. Recently, one of my all-time favorite authors, Ann Voskamp, published a new Advent book called,  "Unwrapping the Greatest Gift".  I got so excited when I saw this book!  "Based on the overwhelm

 Thanksgiving is just a few days away, but I find myself struggling this year because of a great loss. The loss isn't due to a physical death, but the death/loss of a relationship that was very dear to me. I know it is often difficult to praise the Lord in the midst of grief and loss.  Suffering reminds us of our dependence upon God. Oftentimes when we are well and strong and "living in the sunshine" as it were, we are self-sufficient. But when suffering comes we must depend upon the Lord. Isaiah wrote: "In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength" (Isa. 30:15). Many Bible characters experienced deep loss and sadness, followed by great and wonderful examples of how we should respond to loss and sorrow Job -  Suffering silences Satan as we see in the life of Job. God gave Satan permission to lay his hand upon His servant and his praise silenced Satan. Instead of complaining this humble servant p

It was almost one year ago today that I wrote the post below. Happy Holidays.... Really, {With MY Family?} Go HERE to read it.... Yes, it's that time of year again.  And as the festivities begin, I remind myself that my family members are who they are.  There's nothing I can do about it.  Family relationships tend to bring out the worst in us, regardless of how evolved and self-aware we might be.   What is unacceptable treatment?  If any of these things sound familiar to you, you're definitely not alone. Rejection, abandonment, not taking the time to get to know you or to be in your life, making you feel unwelcome, someone being competitive or hypercritical of you, pressuring or forcing you to be someone you are not, blaming, ostracizing, manipulating, belittling, neglecting and abusing you…the list goes on and on and on. These types of experiences can make a deep imprint on our hearts and inhibit our ability to react without them being present in