Can you believe it’s less than two weeks till Christmas? Before we know it, the clock will strike midnight, and 2022 will be upon us. Are you ready?
One of my favorite things to do at Christmastime is drive around and look at the lights. From city parks to downtown Oklahoma City to local neighborhoods, I like to explore and see them all. Continue reading “Be the Light”
This post was originally published on December 23, 2019.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Is 9:6)
Peace is elusive. With the invention of the smartphone, we are constantly connected and bombarded by dings, rings, and chimes. Instead of finding activities to engage our minds, we pull out our phones when we’re bored and pass the time on mindless games or scrolling through social media. We have email on our phones, so even when we’re away from the office, we’re still available and always on call. “Downtime” isn’t a word that’s even in our vocabulary anymore. Continue reading “Longing for Peace”
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” (Col. 3:15)
During the month of November, our thoughts turn to thankfulness more than at any other time of the year. Even so, when we’re dealing with something difficult, it can be hard to be grateful.
Does anyone ever feel gratitude for difficult circumstances? Perhaps someone who is unusually optimistic does. I believe I’m an optimistic person, but—full disclosure here—gratitude is not my first response when things are tough. Continue reading “Being Grateful During Hard Times”
Congratulations to Maggie S. from Traverse City, Michigan, the winner of this giveaway!
Stockings are a tradition in my family, and each time new members join our family, they get their own Christmas stocking made just for them. Each Christmas morning of my childhood, my brother and I would run into the living room to find what Santa had left under the tree. Then we turned to our stockings, which were overflowing with goodies ranging from toothbrushes to small toys to socks to books to gift cards.
I still have that stocking and hang it up every year. My little Yorkie companion, Lilly, has one of her own too, and I stuff it with fun things like dog treats, toys, and a new collar and leash.
This Christmas season, I’m joining The Kids Did It blog and The Mommy Island blog to participate in the Super Stocking Stuffer Giveaway Hop, which runs from November 9, 2021, to November 30, 2021. The winner will receive a signed copy of Death by Dice: A Bunco Club Mystery (my new Christian cozy mystery) and a $15 Amazon gift card.
Today, I want to share an excerpt from my new devotional, Echoes of Joy: A Thankful Heart. As we enter November, I hope you will be inspired to take a few moments each day to focus on gratitude and give thanks to the One from whom all blessings flow.
Day 1
Overlooking Thanksgiving
“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” (Col. 3:14–15)
The holiday season seems to get busier each year. With Thanksgiving sandwiched between Halloween and Christmas, we rush past it as we go from buying candy and costumes to baking goodies and trimming the tree. We squeeze in Thanksgiving dinner so that we can move on to Black Friday shopping and the bigger celebration of Christmas. Continue reading “Overlooking Thanksgiving”