The Gift of Receiving

The Gift of Receiving

“’Tis the season…” is one of the most common phrases we hear during the Christmas holidays. By the way, why do we only use “’tis” this time of year? It’s a perfectly good contraction. I think I’ll start a trend by using it more often. ‘Tis trending now! Sorry, ‘twas a rabbit trail. Anyhow, we often complete the phrase ‘Tis the season” with “of giving.”  For believers, it makes sense, since we’re celebrating the greatest gift that has ever been given. It’s a good practice to regularly contemplate all that we received from God when He gave us Jesus. Here’s … continue reading…

Alone At Christmas

Carol Landfried Picture

Christmas is a time to get together with family and friends and fun and food – at least that’s what the media is telling us in movies and TV commercials. And we all know how accurately they portray real life! The truth is, our Christmas experiences might be very far removed from what the media asserts. For a multitude of reasons many of us, more than we would like to think, will be spending Christmas alone. Actually, those of us who will be alone during the holidays – either alone physically, or emotionally – have more in common with the … continue reading…

The Valley of Baca

Carol Landfried Picture

Imagine being in the middle of a large, dry, lonesome valley. You can’t see any life, or any relief from the scorching sun by day or the pitch black of night. You’re alone, you don’t know how you got here and you don’t see any end to this painful, exhausting, life-depleting valley. As your hope of ever getting out of this place fades, the tears come, perhaps slowly at first, then faster and faster. After a while, when you’re all spent and you don’t have any more tears left to cry, you notice something on the ground right below your … continue reading…