Influence

You’ve heard the adage that we become the sum of the 5 people we surround ourselves with the most? Expanding that thought, we tend to adopt the philosophies, energy, and values of our environment and influencers. Because we are human. We like to fit in, no matter how much we claim individuality. We tend to …

Palm Leaves and Hosannas

Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem at the beginning of his final week of mortal life. The people hailed him a king, waving palm branches and shouting ‘Hosanna!’ Palm branches were symbolic of victory and triumph, and hosanna means ‘save now.’ This man who had raised a man from the dead must be the Messiah, …

Casual & Covenant Love

The legend of St. Valentine purports that in the face of great opposition he performed Christian marriages against the edicts of the rulers of the time. He refused to deny his faith in Jesus Christ and was eventually martyred on February 14. I don’t know how much of the story is true, but I love …

Feeling Like Christ[mas]

For the first time in 30 years, our Christmas was going to be spent without children. I wondered if Christmas even could be Christmas without most of the people I love, without our traditions and gatherings and togetherness. Because that is what Christmas feels like, isn’t it? The gathering and the together, with the special, …

Come With Haste

I wonder what the shepherds who saw the angel and hosts of heaven thought about the message they received the night Christ was born. Did they immediately recognize the significance of what was happening? Consider why the Savior of the world would be found lying in a manger? Did they question whether or not it …