Joy Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-10  “. . . my heart is joyful because of my God, . . .” Isaiah 61:10 Joy is a good word. Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary defines Joy as “the emotion evoked by wellbeing.” It is interesting to me that people don’t seem to use the word “joy” in their common communications […]

Love Isaiah 11:6c “. . . and a little child will lead them.” Isaiah 11:6c When my eldest son, Jason, was just four years old, I was on the patio going over some materials for a teacher training prior to the Advent season. It just so happened I was looking over the 4-year old class […]

Love Psalm 72:1-7 “May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, 
like showers that water the earth.” Psalm 72:6 There is a certain pouring out that is characteristic of God’s love. Psalm 72 is said to be a prayer for the guidance of a king, assumed to be Solomon. It is a […]

Love Philippians 1:3-11 “So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush.” Philippians 1:9-10 The Message by Eugene Peterson […]

Love Mark 1:1-8 “The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ . . .” Mark 1:1 It is always a bit of a challenge to read from the Gospel of Mark and the Gospel of John as Advent draws us closer to the birth of the Christ child because these two Gospels begin with […]

Love 2 Peter 3:8-15 “The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, 
but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish . . .” 2 Peter 3:9 Remember the old joke about the impatient person who prays for patience saying, “Dear Lord, give me patience . . . right […]

Love Psalm 85:8-13 “Faithful love and truth have met; righteousness and peace have kissed. Truth springs up from the ground; righteousness gazes down from heaven. Yes, the Lord gives what is good, and our land yields its produce. Righteousness walks before God, making a road for his steps.” Psalm 85:8-13 Sometimes the written word is […]

Love Isaiah 40:1-11 “Like a shepherd, God will tend the flock; he will gather lambs
 in his arms and lift them on his lap.” Isaiah 40:11a As a young child, one of my fondest memories during the cold Christmas season was having my mother bundle me up in her arms wearing her blue pea coat, […]

Hope Isaiah 2:4c “. . . neither shall they learn war anymore.” Isaiah 2:4c It was June 1969. As the son of a United Methodist pastor I was spending a few days with the family at the University of Redlands where my Dad always went for the Annual Conference. As a soon-to-be ninth grader, my […]