Posts about Worship

What is your favorite season of the year? Mine is spring, for several odd reasons…

We often think of thanksgiving in terms of the holiday named for the virtue. “Happy Thanksgiving,” we say, with the best of intentions and the merriest of hearts. In the process, we might inadvertently equate the two — happy and thanksgiving — as if they must go together.

Thanksgiving is a major American holiday focused on family, friends, and, of course, delicious food. In the commotion of football, family games, and all of the yummy food in between, it is easy to lose focus on the real meaning of the holiday.

Anyone who knows me well knows I am all about process improvement. I am a fixer! Whether it’s a work process or a better means to enhance the way systems need to operate at the grocery store, I am often offering my input into how things can or “should” function better.

Ephesians 2:4-9 NIV But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.

In all transparency, I really struggle this time of year. I want to make my kids Christmas special; I want to stay on budget, I want to get the best deals, and I want to focus on creating memories over giving physical gifts. Yet, at the end of the day, I am often left feeling exhausted and unfulfilled. And then there’s the anticipation, maybe even worry, about receiving gifts.

I was having bad dreams...