Tag: Jesus Christ

Hope of the World

Posted on by Staci Mauney

But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. (Micah 7:7)

Do you celebrate Advent? I hadn’t heard about this celebration until I was an adult. I’d heard about advent calendars and wreaths, but I believed those were only for certain denominations. Then, about 15 years ago, I attended a Baptist church where the pastor lit a candle each week for Advent and told us more about what each candle represented. It was then that I realized Advent was for everyone.

The word advent comes from the Latin adventus, which means “coming.” During Advent, we celebrate that Jesus Christ came to the earth and that his second coming is imminent. Acknowledging Advent allows us to slow down during this busy season and focus on the reason we celebrate: Jesus. Continue reading “Hope of the World” →

Delays

Posted on by Staci Mauney

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. (Prov. 16:9)

A few months ago, I flew from Oklahoma City to New Orleans for a work conference. After hearing so much about delays and problems with flights over the last few years, I wasn’t looking forward to it.

Thankfully, the delays I experienced were minor, and I got to my destination only five minutes later than planned. The longest delay occurred when I arrived and couldn’t find my luggage. I watched the conveyer belt for my lime green suitcase (you can’t miss it!), but it never appeared. The Uber driver who was taking me to the conference hotel called every ten minutes or so as he circled the airport, waiting for me to emerge. Finally, when the conveyer belt stopped moving, I realized that my suitcase wasn’t coming out. I found an airline representative, who went into the back to check for me, and thirty seconds later she wheeled my suitcase out.

Delays in life are inevitable. Do we handle them with anger and annoyance? Or with patience and calm? If you’re like me, it depends on what causes the delay and how long it takes. Usually, there’s a mixture of emotions—first anger at the delay, and then worry as reality sets in and I realize I can’t do anything about it. Calm acceptance happens much later, often after a delay is resolved and I’ve moved on. Continue reading “Delays” →

Peace like a River

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“I will extend peace to her like a river . . .” (Isa. 66:12)

God can speak to us anywhere, through anything. Often, he uses nature. After all, nature is his creation, and his fingerprints are all over it. Over the years, I’ve found peace by taking walks, enjoying the fresh air, and studying the things that God has made. But I’ve found the most peace—the place where God speaks to me the most clearly—near water. Continue reading “Peace like a River” →

Details Matter

Posted on by Staci Mauney

So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out. This is how you are to build it . . . (Genesis 6:14–15)

As a writer and editor, I know that details matter. If a comma is out of place or missing, it can change the meaning of a sentence. When writing a scene for my cozy mystery, it’s important to include details so that the reader can “see” what’s happening in the story.

It can be tempting to think the details of our lives don’t matter to God—that he’s too busy running the universe and helping people with bigger problems than our own. Continue reading “Details Matter” →

Charlie Gets a Nickname

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“For we are God’s handiwork…” (Ephesians 2:10)

My new puppy, Charlie, met my parents for the first time last week. I had warned my dad that I was expecting him to come up with a nickname for the little guy. He had nicknamed my Yorkie, Lilly, “Lilly Doggins,” and people still ask me about her and call her by her full name.

My dad did not disappoint me—Charlie is now “Charlie Bones,” so named because he loves to chew on his bone-shaped chew toys. One evening, my dad stared calling him “Mr. Charlie Bones-Jangles” after the song, “Mr. Bojangles.” It’s a bit of a mouthful though, so we quickly shortened his nickname back to “Mr. Charlie Bones.” Continue reading “Charlie Gets a Nickname” →