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”
Tag Archives: christmas
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”
Our traditional worship songs/hymns and Christmas Carols are not enough – Advent Psalm of Celebration, Part 2
Right around the end of November, the discussion in our church worship planning session gets around to the question of “When should we start singing Christmas carols?” People love singing Christmas carols. But is it too early to sing only Christmas carols on the first Sunday of Advent? Maybe we should go with 50/50 at least until weekContinue reading “Our traditional worship songs/hymns and Christmas Carols are not enough – Advent Psalm of Celebration, Part 2”
Two names for salvation – Advent Psalm of Celebration, Part 1
I recently saw an interview in which a former coach and player talked about the impact playing professional football had on his family around the holidays. He would either have to be completely away from his family, or they would all be together in a hotel because he would have a game on Christmas DayContinue reading “Two names for salvation – Advent Psalm of Celebration, Part 1”
Is Santa Claus…God? – Advent Psalm of Celebration, Preview
Is Santa Claus…God? Of course not, but they sure do share some characteristics, don’t they? When we think of God, while we Christians do not believe Santa Claus is real, the typical cultural conception of God is very similar to the typical cultural conception of Santa Claus. Both are all-seeing benevolent givers of gifts who liveContinue reading “Is Santa Claus…God? – Advent Psalm of Celebration, Preview”
Advent and…the Psalms of Ascent, Part 5
This week I welcome guest blogger, David Hundert. David and his wife Terri are members of Faith Church. David is currently studying for his Master of Divinity at Evangelical Seminary of Kairos University. How do the Songs of Ascent help us understand Advent? As I mentioned in the beginning of this series here, the Songs of Ascent wereContinue reading “Advent and…the Psalms of Ascent, Part 5”
Prayer matters – Advent Psalm of Thanksgiving, Part 3
As we learned in the previous post, when King David was in The Depths, his life, emotions and faith felt very dark. The reality of life in The Depths brings us to the next matching pair in Psalm 30. Look at verses 2-3. David remembers when he called to God for help. He remembers howContinue reading “Prayer matters – Advent Psalm of Thanksgiving, Part 3”
When pain is like a house guest that wears out their welcome – Advent Psalm of Thanksgiving, Preview
The holiday season is in full swing, having started a few weeks ago with Thanksgiving and lasting until after New Year’s Day. During the holidays, many people will spend time with family. On Thanksgiving my family had lunch at my parents and dinner at my in-laws. Thankfully, they live only 5 minutes apart. Over theContinue reading “When pain is like a house guest that wears out their welcome – Advent Psalm of Thanksgiving, Preview”
Hidden sins and indiscretions – Advent Psalm of Confession, Part 1
As I write this in December 2023, we’re just three weeks away from Christmas Day. Do you hide Christmas presents and wait until Christmas Eve night to place the gifts under the tree? When you were a child, did you tried to find the hidden gifts and take a peek? Thinking about hiding things, takeContinue reading “Hidden sins and indiscretions – Advent Psalm of Confession, Part 1”
Engaging Scripture 