Blog
-
Devotional of the week: A royal diadem
“The nations will see your vindication, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow. You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God. No longer will they call you Deserted, or…
-
An interview with a favorite author, Conrad Gempf
I got to know Conrad Gempf back when I worked for Zondervan, publishing fantastic UK authors. Although Conrad’s not a “UK author,” even though he got branded as such. He’s an American (from Jersey!) who has lived here a lot longer than I have. And I’m happy to report that he’s not lost his Yankee…
-
What fills your Ordinary Time?
Why do so many people not like January? Something to do with grey days and dreariness, after all that excess? I’ve always loved January; it’s the month of my birthday and our wedding anniversary. And I love getting back into routine after the hyper-activities of December. I didn’t do so well last December. I felt…
-
Devotional of the week: Are we one or the other?
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom… Whoever derides their neighbour has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue. A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret… A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.…
-
Book reviews – Waking Up in Heaven and Kisses from Katie
I love reading Christian biographies; they remind me that God can do amazing things in and through his people. Here are two books that chronicle two remarkable women, which I came across in my publishing work with Authentic Media (we secured the Commonwealth rights for them). The first is a story of someone who dies…
-
New year; new word?
Have you chosen a word for the year yet? This movement seems to be catching on, which doesn’t surprise me. It’s a simple but powerful idea (read my review of the book behind it here). One word is something we can remember and return to throughout the year. The word can inspire or encourage us;…
-
Devotional of the week – The New Self
January strikes a cold note in the hearts of many. After the excesses of December with its celebrations and feasts, the new year dawns and we wonder if we’d rather just stay under the covers. We drag ourselves to what in an image-obsessed culture might be the ultimate reality check – the scale – and…
-
What’s your word? A book review for the new year
Are you a list person? Do this; do that; scratch it off your list. Lists can focus the mind, but sometimes we create lists to foster (or manufacture) spiritual growth. Change this; read that; be that person. And yet we aren’t made to respond to such dictates, as if we were robots. Love, rather than…
-
“Prepare the way for the Lord” – an Advent poem
Advent is all about waiting for the coming of the Lord. Well, it’s supposed to be. I’ve now cleanly disposed of any and all of my good intentions this year, having started Advent already behind. I was going to do less – fewer cookies and decorations, more time in prayer and meditation. Nope, that didn’t last.…
-
An Advent Poem
Regular followers of this blog (love ya, Dad!) will note that I’ve been silent since Thanksgiving. Advent can be a shockingly busy time, which is ironic I know. Regular service here will resume in January, but here’s an Advent poem I recently came across, which I wrote in 1997. It’s admittedly on the twee side,…
