Blog
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Devotional of the week: God in us for unity
We’re at the beginning of Advent, but instead of starting a new series, I’m continuing with this one through December on the indwelling Christ. After all, the Incarnation – the coming of Jesus – is what we celebrate at Christmas, how he’s birthed in our lives. May your time of waiting this Advent season be…
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Darkness to dawn: An Advent poem
The first Sunday of Advent hearkens our period of waiting for the coming King. Darkness Deep darkness Walking and stumbling Feeling our way Feet in the muck Sucking us down Helpless cries Feeling lost But then the sense A lightening of our spirit Darkness turns to dawn The light breaks through The…
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Giving Thanks
Today is the fourth Thursday in November, so for me and millions of others, that means only one thing: Thanksgiving. A day for giving thanks and feasting. A day to tease our British friends that we’re celebrating our independence from them. But living as an American in the UK as I do, these high days…
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Review: One Thousand Gifts
I reviewed One Thousand Gifts at the end of 2011 in the Woman Alive Book Club that I run. But with it being US Thanksgiving tomorrow, it seems an appropriate time to post my review here. Enjoy – and be thankful. Ann Voskamp seemed to have it all – a loving husband, six strapping children to…
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Devotional of the week: Practicing the presence of Jesus
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love… I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:9–17) Our text comes from what is…
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Hope will not disappoint
“Don’t give up hope!” the well-intentioned friend says. The one in pain wants to punch her friend, but restrains herself while thinking, “What does she know about hope? What does she know about disappointment and betrayal and death? How can she tell me not to give up on hope?” Though perhaps lacking tact, the friend…
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When God throws you a life ring
I sucked in my breath as I read a suicide note. Having seen plenty of movies, I was expecting drama or at least a nice piece of paper. But this was just a torn scrap with a few words jotted down. He was matter-of-fact in his note to my friend, saying that his girls needed…
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Devotional of the week: Painful pruning; lasting fruit
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes… Remain in me, as I also remain in you… If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.” (John…
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We will remember
We traipsed to the Tower of London on Sunday – Remembrance Sunday – to see the nearly 900,000 handmade poppies that have been planted to commemorate the start of the First World War. Although we were jostled by the crowds, we were moved by the beauty and pain of the sea of red. Each poppy…
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Devotional of the week: Gold dust in the skies
Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them… But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said…
