‘Tis the season for Christmas plays, concerts, cantatas, and “Journey through Bethlehem” programs. Most people attend these events without too much thought about what’s going on behind the scenes, right? …
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Hope in Hopelessness
“Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus …
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Asking Amiss
I crossed the border of Myanmar on a Friday at one o’clock. It was a border run for the last seven days I would be in Thailand. If I crossed …
To God Be the Glory
Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, BWV 565 Johann Sebastian Bach October 25, 2019, 7:00pm at the historic Calvary Church 27 Church Street, Stonington, CTThe organ’s notes descend from the …
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Seasons within a Season
Spring is the season I crave most. Everything feels newly awakened and alive. It’s time to buy a new journal or devotional and share my spiritual journey with others. I …
Letting Go
Earlier this year, we made a mistake in ordering the wrong size shoes from Europe. The price tag was a bit more than we like to pay for shoes and …
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How Does Your Garden Grow? Part 2
4. Boundaries are necessary. Garden: Predators abound. For our garden in particular, we were concerned about deer. So we made the effort to find out the most effective yet least offensive …
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Boundless God
Two weeks… just two weeks left. I faced the days with dread of the end. Not just because Abby would be married and gone, but because decisions loomed beyond the …
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Instructions from Titus 2, Part 2
“The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young …
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Our New Home
Stepping out of the airport in Chiang Mai, my senses immediately verified that we were, in fact, home. The humidity, heat, and the distinct aroma of Thailand temporarily woke me …
She Loved Much
And behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, and …
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Fear Thou Not…
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee …
How Does Your Garden Grow? Part 1
Growing a garden is much like growing your walk with God. The parallels have become more stark to me as this year was the first time I planted my own …
Our Alabaster Boxes
I grew up in America at a time when an athlete who was put on camera would wave and say, “Hi, Mom!!” The athlete usually didn’t have a microphone, but …
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The Face of the Woman He Loves
When women act like women, men act like men. Nothing calls forth the true, noble, masculine nature so surely as pure femininity. Men naturally want to use their strength and …
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The Pursuit of Love
There was a young girl without a father’s love. He was present, yet lost interest when she began to speak; he was hurt by her preference of her loving mother. …
Don’t Wait for an Easier Day
This week is a transition week for my family. Yesterday we had our last deputation meeting and are now spending a week regrouping as a family: really focusing on refreshing …
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Two Ships and the Water Between
Imagine the youth group to be on a jovial party yacht and the adults of the church to be on a nearby cruise ship. I could best describe my memory …
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Not Everyone
Do you have strength? Are you a pull-yourself-up-by-your-boot-straps kind of person? I use the term “I do it myself” after it was said that way many, many times by one …