All Fool’s Day
Christians have neglected April Fool’s day for too long! It is a religious holiday, although the origin is unknown. In the 18th century this holiday corresponded with all Saint’s day and All Soul’s day. It represents several concepts. The beginning of spring suggests that Old Man Winter has been tricked. God’s new life emerges from…
Holy Week Customs
Customs Maundy Thursday: maundy may mean several things but is most often believed to mean commandment or mandate. Jesus gave the message of brotherly love to His disciples in John 13:35. This day marks the last supper, the washing of the disciples’ feet, the communion command and the sorrow that followed in Gethsemane. Through the…
Week 7 The Flavor of Love
What flavors do you think of at this time of year? What delights your taste buds? Think of the kaleidoscope of tastes, the traditional and the new, fresh fruits and desserts, eggs and breads. Some of the flavors we think of would also have been part of the first Easter season. But some of the…
Week 6 The Victory of Love
The Bible says, “Like a lily among thorns, so is my love…”(Song of Solomon 2:2) The crown placed on Jesus’ head is a symbol of both suffering and honor as a king. The white lily reminds us that Jesus is innocent; He had committed no sin! The gold anthers (middles) of the lily signify the…
The Sippy Cup
Mike’s recent sermon encourages me to consider afresh the role of God as father. One thing I thought about yesterday in my quiet time is the role of prayer in our relationship with our Father. By way of an example, I would like you to consider the point Jesus makes when the disciples ask him…
Week 5 The Hand of Love
Think of all the things you can touch that are related to this special season. What does Easter feel like?…a newborn chick’s soft feathers or the hard shell of an egg (or its ooey, gooey insides!); the rough wood of a cross or the smooth & cool carved stone of the tomb; fine fabrics of…
Week 4 The Eyes of Love
(The sights in the kaleidoscope of Easter swirl amidst a myriad of colors, shapes and traditions. Of course we see bunnies and chicks, new flowers and green, eggs and lilies, pastel colored dresses and beautiful bonnets. We might even see the symbolism behind the colors, the variety of plants associated with the season, and the…
Celebrate this Heartbeat
I’m gonna celebrate this heartbeat Cause it just might be my last Everyday is a gift from the Lord on high And they all go by so fast…. (lyrics and song by Randy Stonehill) This is the tune stuck in my head this morning as I ponder the brevity of life and the struggle for…
Clayton Turns 19
Clayton – You are my blood, my baby. You grew inside of me. I felt you move, experienced your kicks and hiccups, felt your heart beat so close to my own before anyone could know you. I have watched you grow day after day more godly, intelligent, fun, and special than I could I could…
Week 3 The Voice of Love
Easter time is filled with joyous sounds of celebration and life: lambs bleating, choirs singing, the crack of a baseball bat, rain against windowpanes, birds chirping, someone sharing the gospel and so much more! Let your imagination hear! The kaleidoscope of events surrounding Christ’s death and resurrection was accompanied by many different sounds. Most of…