When my family and I lived in Jamaica as missionaries, my parents took us to Wassi Art. This was a pottery store located in Ocho Rios. On display were beautifully crafted bowls, cups, and platters. There were also delicately painted vases, uniquely designed by the Wassi artisans.  

When invited to dinner at someone’s home, there is often an understated protocol of knowing what to wear or what to bring. Will it be a simple barbeque or a formal dinner party?  Should I bring the hostess a gift or bring along a dish to complement the spread?

And as they went, they were cleansed. Luke 17:14b (NIV)

What is something in your life that you would like to be healed from?

This was a question asked during a service that I attended a number of years ago. I remember sitting there and feeling like it was a loaded question; maybe even a trick question! 

Imagine walking into your nearest TJ MAXX or Marshalls on the first day of Spring, dressed in a heavy winter jacket covering an old outfit purchased long ago. You carry a separate shopping bag filled with old worn outfits, tattered by seasons of wear.

Imagine with me for a moment that a friend sends you a text message asking you for a favor. Your friend explains in her text that she needs some food to offer her unexpected guests. It’s late and all the grocery stores are closed; yes, even Walmart! YOU are her only hope. It’s midnight.

I love shoes.  No really.  I love shoes!  And accessories make the outfit!  A simple black dress becomes epic with the right shoe, the perfect handbag, and jewelry!  Since I was a young girl, I delighted in clomping around in my mother’s high heels, rooting through her jewelry box and piling on the glimmer. 

“Oh precious is the flow…..”

It was June of 2005. It was my first month of working as a graduate nurse on the Progressive Care Unit(step-down unit). I experienced many “firsts” during that month. There was one particular “first” that I will never forget.

Saying “YES” to my favorite person, place, or thing is easy, but saying yes to challenges, well, not so much! Most of us avoid difficult people, places, or things as much as possible. However, could we miss out on a great future by being parked in neutral?

Defenseless. Sheep are defenseless.

Some animals have sharp teeth – not sheep.

Some animals have poisonous venom – not sheep.

Some animals have great speed, hard shells, vicious claws, ferocious noises, impeccable hearing, or impressive camouflage – not sheep.

I think I can speak for most of the women population (those of you who still grocery shop, that is) about coming home with grocery store bags stacked up in the backseat. We set our game plan for unpacking the car: the challenge to carry as many bags in our arms as possible.

Seasons come and go. Some seasons are so lovely they could be encapsulated in a memoir book and other seasons, well, we are grateful to bid farewell to. Some seasons are marked with abundance and others are dry and gritty.

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1 (ESV)

I love a nice, warm throw blanket on a cold winter day. Actually, I enjoy blankets all year-round. I don’t discriminate on their textures either—chenille, sherpa, fleece, wool, plush, microplush, weighted, cooling, etc. Blankets seem to bring the same comfort as…

Have you ever found the perfect outfit? I mean, one that looks amazing AND fits your perfectly. When both come together at the same time, you just feel good! At least I do, and I bet you do too! So let me tell you a true story to start the year as we begin our new theme, FASHIONED.

What kind of singer are you? Do you sing loud and proud or ever-so-softly because you don’t want to be heard? Or are you the type of person that likes to hum to the tune of the song because you forgot the words?

Carry the King

I’ve often wondered what it would have been like to cradle Jesus when He was first born. There in a quiet, peaceful space, a newborn baby was celebrated.  He was a king. 

Have you ever thought about the actual physical environment where Jesus was born? Coincidence…..or not?

Luke tells us in his gospel that Joseph and Mary had traveled to Bethlehem, the town of David, to register in the census that was being taken as decreed by Caesar Augustus. Why Bethlehem?

We are beginning to slide into winter near Philadelphia. Those who live in northwest Pennsylvania have already experienced snow. Mostly cloudy skies overtake sunny days. Trees, which had beautiful colored leaves in October and November, are now barren. Everything can appear dreary during the winter, and everything seems to die.

sa·vor

/ˈsāvər/

Verb

1.      to taste and enjoy something completely; to appreciate something pleasant, especially by dwelling on it.

2.      to enjoy a food or an experience slowly, in order to appreciate it as much as possible