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“The beginning of love is to let those we love be perfectly themselves, and not to twist them to fit our own image. Otherwise we love only the reflection of ourselves we find in them.” – Thomas Merton “A good spy doesn’t wait for something to happen. A good spy looks to make something happen.” From Spy Kids 4 Chris, a friend from several years ago, has a child with a disability. He shared a story with 350 students I’ll never forget. What made the story compelling was not the adventure or storyline. It wasn’t the plot or the setting. It was simply this, he wept as he explained what it meant to him to watch someone at his church take time to get down on a knee, look his boy in the eye and [...]

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“But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating; for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and its people as a delight.” – Isaiah 65:18. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:22-25   Nothing expresses joy like the smile of a child who’s genuinely happy, at ease, laughing, and living in the moment. Children can’t suppress their joy. It’s evident on their faces, in their language, in their movement. It’s contagious, too. If I’ve had a difficult day, nothing brings me to a better place faster than spending time with my children. Their laughter and enthusiasm for life spread. It’s as if Jenna’s one [...]

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  “The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him.” Luke 2:33 Stories surrounding the birth narratives remind us that salvation comes in strange, unexpected places – a baby born in a stable, visits from foreigners, an encounter in the Temple with a 114 year-old man. All of these tell us that God works salvation in unexpected ways. God reveals himself to us in moments and situations we least expect. And often, we find it difficult to understand. This week, slow down, and keep your eyes open for all the ways God is at work in your life, your family, community and world. Read together the story of Jesus’ birth in Luke 2:1-40. Consider this birth story and the responses of those in it. Notice all the ways God was at work. Pay attention [...]

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“Lord, now I can die in peace!               As you promised me, I have seen the savior you have given to all people. He is the light to reveal God to the nations,             and he is the glory of your people,  Israel.”  - Simeon (Luke 2:29-32) It’s so easy for something to capture our sense of wonder, especially during the Christmas season. For some of us, there is that one thing we would love to unwrap. Whether it’s the latest cell phone, wide screen TV or money for a shopping spree, there is one thing that makes our heart skip a beat with anticipation wondering if this Christmas it will happen. Simeon lived his whole life with that type of anticipation. He waited expectantly for the Messiah. His life was consumed by one thing, [...]

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I have a history of driving cars that most of the teens affectionately refer to as ghettomobiles. My latest is The Granny Car – a 1997 Buick LeSabre complete with the mauve interior. It squeals, the driver’s seat falls back if I push too hard against it, and the gas gauge doesn’t work. I discovered the gas gauge was broken one morning before school when I ran out of gas and Deana had to break away from a school function she was volunteering at to go home, pick of the gas can, fill it up and bring it to me. Now, I have to reset the mileage every time I fill up and pay close attention to the miles I drive every day. Once I accidentally reset the mileage and forgot I did. I ran [...]

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