Imagine what it might have been like for Joseph. Imagine holding the Son of God, Son of Man, in his arms and looking at his betrothed, servant of the Lord. It’s difficult for me to comprehend all the thoughts that must have been going through his head. God has a plan for this child to become one who saves the world from sin. Perhaps Joseph might have been wondering about that before he fell asleep after an exhausting experience. It’s…..
The First Day
Wake in the morning
with the Christ child
in your midst,
not distant or near, but here –
tangible and touchable.
Hear his cry, his coo, his sigh,
feel His breath.
Wake in the morning
and know His reality
is not just a dream.
Wake in the morning
with God’s promise
fulfilled.
(c) June G. Paul, All Rights Reserved 2019
I originally wrote this with the word “To” in front of the word Wake – –…..
Why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord should come to me? (Luke 1:43 NIV)
Here is a third question in Luke’s narrative surrounding the stories about the birth of Jesus. Again, I think it is one worth asking. Angelic appearances, visions, a pregnancy late in life, notes from a spouse rendered mute and a young cousin comes to visit with some pretty exciting, wonderful, frightening news. Yes, even though the angel Gabriel keeps telling everyone not…..
One of the most challenging things during Christmas is to mourn the loss of the people we love who are no longer with us.
I know, because I’ve done this for many years. I remember being in Jr. High when my Grandmother (Mom’s mom) passed away. And I remember going to church during the Holiday Season and missing seeing her sitting in the front pew. I remember missing many other people throughout my lifetime. I remember helping my father mourn…..
Perhaps you remember being a young person going somewhere with your parents and asking, “How Long . . . ” before we get there, before we can turn the radio station, before we can get out and change seats, so I have a turn in the front, or the back, or by a window. Maybe you remember being at work…..
Do you remember playing tug of war as a young person? People are assigned sides, or two people get to choose who is going to be on their team. When we are very young everyone just grabs the rope and starts pulling their hardest to see if they can outpull the other side and drag them over the center…..
“Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him, “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:31
Questions are great when asked by the right person at the right time! I’ve heard people teach and preach on this verse and story that surrounds it many times. Most often I’ve heard them focus on the fact that so many of us have such ‘little faith and so much doubt.’ But I want you to think about it differently…..
I’ve been stressed I’ve been blessed I know I am loved.
It’s been about two years since I have written a blog – tonight seemed like a good time to reconnect because of the three lines written above.
Sing those lines to the tune of “I’ve been cheated, been mistreated, when will I be loved?” If you don’t know the tune you could google it on You Tube and I’m sure it will pop up somewhere . . The…..
Today is 9/11/2017. Many people are remembering 9/11 and honoring the victims, first responders and survivors of the places where the terrible events took place.
I’d like to take some time to remember the countless people who survived the events from a distance. The healthcare workers and emergency workers who watched, who wanted to go help, but had to stay behind to help the…..
The famous Sermon on the Mount begins with the following verse; Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3 NIV)
It sounds so odd, doesn’t it? That the kingdom of heaven belongs to the poor in spirit. I mean, does it seem to you that many people think it doesn’t include them because they aren’t very strong in spirit? And…..