A man in my congregation, rather than waving or saying “Hi,” makes the peace sign with his fingers. When we drive by each other in the community, out comes his peace sign. Why? Because we English-speakers sometimes use the word peace as a greeting. It was common in the 1960s when people would say, “Peace,Continue reading “Peace is so much more than a greeting – Advent Peace, Part 4”
Tag Archives: christianity
Jesus’ grand welcome – Advent Peace, Part 3
My granddaughter Lily is eleven months old, crawling all over the place and climbing stairs. She especially loves to do everything her older three-year old brother is doing. The other day her brother Luke and I were playing with wooden trains, building a track layout on the floor. Lily crawled right into the middle ofContinue reading “Jesus’ grand welcome – Advent Peace, Part 3”
Have you ever been on the outs with someone? – Advent Peace, Part 1
It’s that time of year when Christmas cards come flooding in. Have you been sending and receiving them? Last year when my in-laws’ 2023 Christmas card came, I noticed something very interesting about the accompanying letter. They gave an update about everyone in the family, except me and one of my brothers-in-law. They named everyContinue reading “Have you ever been on the outs with someone? – Advent Peace, Part 1”
We long for peace in a fraught world – Advent Peace, Preview
This past week I received the following text messages, each from a different person. Do you see a theme? “Prayer request: feeling pretty overwhelmed this week with everything going on, having a hard time managing stress.” “I’m at urgent care now. Been having tightness/pain/gas build-up(?) on the left side of my chest on and offContinue reading “We long for peace in a fraught world – Advent Peace, Preview”
Two words that transform our hopelessness – Advent Hope, Part 5
This week I once again welcome guest blogger, Kirk Marks. Kirk is a retired pastor of 30 years who now works in international fair trade. Are you feeling any hopelessness about something in your life? Maybe you feel you’re losing hope within. If so, even if just a little bit, you might resonate with theContinue reading “Two words that transform our hopelessness – Advent Hope, Part 5”
How to put our hope in the right things – Advent Hope, Part 3
This week I once again welcome guest blogger, Kirk Marks. Kirk is a retired pastor of 30 years who now works in international fair trade. A couple years ago, I reached a direction-changing point in my ministry career. Some things that I had worked very hard on for a long time, and that I hadContinue reading “How to put our hope in the right things – Advent Hope, Part 3”
Hope is to the soul what oxygen is to the body – Advent Hope, Part 2
This week I once again welcome guest blogger, Kirk Marks. Kirk is a retired pastor of 30 years who now works in international fair trade. While I was serving in the coal regions (as I mentioned in the previous post), I graduated from seminary, and after seminary I sought opportunities to continue my education. IContinue reading “Hope is to the soul what oxygen is to the body – Advent Hope, Part 2”
The sickness of the human soul – Advent Hope, Part 1
This week I once again welcome guest blogger, Kirk Marks. Kirk is a retired pastor of 30 years who now works in international fair trade. When I shared with my family that I was going to be preaching the first Sunday of Advent on the theme of hope, my youngest daughter, Margaret, said, “Oh, wow,Continue reading “The sickness of the human soul – Advent Hope, Part 1”
Christmas Lights and Bruises – Advent Hope, Preview
Two days ago, the Friday after Thanksgiving, my wife and I lugged our Christmas decoration boxes down from our attic. It’s time to glam up our house for Christmas. My guess is that you have done or soon will do the same. Last week at Thanksgiving dinner one of my nephews told me that theyContinue reading “Christmas Lights and Bruises – Advent Hope, Preview”
The most important trait of a disciple of Jesus? – 2 Samuel 22, Part 5
What do you think is the most important trait of a disciple of Jesus? My selection of the picture above could give the idea that I think a small group discussion is most important. While I think those kinds of bible studies or accountability groups or discussions are really important, there is another trait thatContinue reading “The most important trait of a disciple of Jesus? – 2 Samuel 22, Part 5”
Engaging Scripture 