archives

Miscellaneous

This category contains 40 posts

Advent 2019 #4—Illuminated Deliverance

When one looks out over the land, he sees distress and darkness, gloom and anxiety, darkness and people forced from the land. The gloom will be dispelled for those who were anxious. … Now he brings honor to the way of the sea, the region beyond the Jordan, and Galilee of the nations. The people … Continue reading

Advent 2019 #3—Illuminated for Fellowship with God

You are Yahweh, Most High over all the earth. You are exalted far above all gods. Hate evil, you who love Yahweh; for he preserves the souls of his kind ones by snatching them from the hand of the wicked. Light is shining for the righteous and gladness for the upright in heart. Be glad … Continue reading

Advent 2019 #1—Illuminated by Jesus

I am the Light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life. …  The person who sees me sees the One who sent me. I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me will not remain in darkness.” … Continue reading

Thanksgiving Sonnet 2019—Identified by Gratitude

This year’s sonnet prayer for Thanksgiving arose from my thinking about Colossians 3:15–17. As an added bonus there’s a threefold benediction that you can use at the end of your celebration of God’s grace. Colossians 3:15–17 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; … Continue reading

Christmas Sonnet 2018—Humble Exemplar

For this year’s Christmas prayer sonnet I thought Philippians 2:6–9 would be a good seed text. It’s not strictly a “Christmas text,” but it is definitely about the incarnation, and, significantly, about our response to it, as Paul suggests earlier in the chapter: Humble perseverance in the face of God’s sovereign dispensation yields effective love and … Continue reading

Thanksgiving Sonnet—A Day Is Not Enough

Always rejoice, constantly pray, in everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 O Lord, we set aside this day to say That we rejoice in all that you have done; With love and joy we’ve only just begun To celebrate your gracious resumé. Indeed, a day … Continue reading

Palm Sunday’s Ride—Humility’s Hurrah

Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! Look! Your king is coming to you: he is legitimate and has been saved, humble and riding on a donkey. Zechariah 9:9 Jesus proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because his followers thought that the kingdom of God was going … Continue reading

Christmas Lights

You have prepared your salvation in the presence of all peoples, a light of revelation—to the nations and the glory of your people, Israel. … This child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel and for a sign to be opposed. As a result of him the thoughts of many hearts … Continue reading

From Love to Hope to Faith

It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect longsuffering as an example for those purposing to believe in … Continue reading

Enjoying Light

“I am the Light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” John 8:12 “He who sees me sees the One who sent me. I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me will not remain in darkness.” … Continue reading