Tag: celebration

A blessed weekend

As I shared on Facebook earlier – we had a wonderful weekend celebrating a dear friend’s birthday on Friday night, celebrating my sister’s adoption of two amazing kids yesterday and then taking part in their dedication on Sunday.

Each of the events were great reminders that I’m blessed with amazing friends and family and have so much to give thanks for.

I wasn’t able to take as many photos as I would have liked at any of the events but I do have a few videos and photos from Aaron’s party Friday night.

For what it’s worth:

Why December 25th?

If you read the Apostle Luke’s letter to Theophilus and Matthew’s recording of the Good News, they begin early on by telling of the birth of Jesus.

Now Luke and Matthew never make any mention about the specific time of Jesus’ birth. We know there was a census and Herod was King at the time, but there’s little else we know about the actual time of year or a specific date as to when Jesus was born.

But if you read Luke’s letter carefully, he makes an interesting point about shepherds in the region — doing what shepherds do best — watching their sheep (at night).
Continue reading Why December 25th?

A day of mixed emotions

Amy E. Blundell (Dec. 2004)

Some days you wake up not knowing how you should feel.

Today is one of those days.

Six years ago today, around 1 or 2 in the afternoon, I received a phone call that changed my life forever.

My sister Amy had passed away.

As C.S. Lewis said about the death of a close loved one – it’s like an amputation. You never get over it. You don’t out grow it. You don’t get used to it. You just learn to live without it.
Continue reading A day of mixed emotions

A few thoughts on the 4th of July

My friend Angus Mathie over in Scotland sent me a question a few weeks back…

I am preaching at a local church, coincidentally, on the fourth of July. I have been reading from a photograph of the Declaration of Independence. I realize that I am asking a lot but is it possible to inform me what this Day means to you as a US citizen and how does the average person celebrate the Day?

I do not want to put you to a lot of trouble but I am really interested in your point of view. Please don’t be concerned about my reaction to anything you would say as I don’t cherish Britain’s colonial past at all.
With love, Angus.

Thought I’d share my thoughts here as well…
Continue reading A few thoughts on the 4th of July

Rethinking Mother’s Day

What would it look like if the church were to re-capture the essence of the early Mother’s Day movements?

What would it look like for us to celebrate the imprint of Christ and not Caesar?

This weekend I celebrate my own mother, Laurie’s mother and so many other mothers who have carried the imprint of Christ on their lives — and thus left that impression upon me (and others) as well.

Happy Mother’s Day!

May we all learn to live lives full of love, grace and compassion like only a mother can give.

something beautiful advent christmas extravaganza

You’ve mailed all your Christmas cards, you’re wrapping the last of the gifts and you’re tired of all the Christmas re-runs on TV?

Well have no fear, the something beautiful podcast advent christmas extravaganza is here!

The podcast went live mid-day today (half a day early) and already it’s had 44 downloads! It may be a record setter. We also posted a special “bonus” episode for material that didn’t quite fit with the rest of the extravaganza (23 downloads of that episode already – totaling 67 downloads in one day – I KNOW that’s a record).

Anyways, head on over to the something beautiful podcast and download the Christmas joy. And have yourself a Merry little Advent and Christmas.