"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us." (John 1:14) Every year about this time I read an article or hear an interview where someone describes what they love most about Christmas. In America, there are a lot of things to love. Hearing Christmas carols everywhere you go, gathering with family and friends, smelling Christmas cookies in the oven (and the eating of those cookies), extended family shopping trips, last minute gift purchases, live nativity scenes, piling in the car to look at Christmas lights on Christmas Eve, finding something you REALLY wanted under the tree on Christmas morning… I’m sure you could make your own …
Tag Archives | Devotions
Monday Devotions – Spiritual Dementia
Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered, O offspring of Abraham, his servant, children of Jacob, his chosen ones! (Ps. 105:1-6 ESV) Recently, we’ve been experiencing something of a mini-crisis in our home. My 85 year old mother-in-law, is suffering from dementia. Although she’s been with us for over …
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Monday Devotions – Cultivating Thankfulness
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!” (Ps. 100:4 ESV) What does God value as we enter His presence? Gratefulness. Our culture puts a high value on being “real” as we come before God. Genuine. Vulnerable. Authentic. The Psalmists don’t hesitate to tell God when life is a mess and they’re struggling. (Check out Psalm 13, 42, and 88). But in a society where self-expression is often hailed as the ultimate virtue, I’m not sure that “being real” before God is my problem. Being thankful is. Why is God so concerned that we be grateful? There are a number of reasons. …
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Monday Devotions – Am I Astonished?
I’ve spent a good amount of time in the past few years using the book, The Valley of Vision, as I meet with God in the morning. It’s a collection of prayers from various Puritans, put together by Arthur Bennett. Apart from God’s Word, it is the most helpful tool I’ve encountered for exposing the depth of my sin and the greater power and glories of the Gospel. Here’s one section from the prayer called “The Mover” that has affected me deeply: O Lord, I am astonished at the difference Between my receivings and my deservings, Between the state I am now in and my past gracelessness, Between the heaven I am bound for and the hell I merit. Who made …