My Favorite Time of Year

I love fall. I live for fall. Fall is my favorite time of year. We don't get a lot of visible changes in the SF Bay area, but I love some of the trees on the street near where we live. As an artist, these color changes just delight me to no end. I took a few pictures today on nice walk with our poochy, Shasta.





Faithful dog Shasta always has her nose in full gear.































I call these city deer. All show and no go. They definitely "illuminate" the night life.

Merry Christmas!

A Christmas Speculation, Part Three

Part three of this series is posted today over at SUM. For those who read the two part series last year, please know I always know there would be a part three. I just had no idea it would take a year to be revealed.

But as in everything, I've learned God has a distinct purpose for all He does and the timing in every bit of it. Have a very Merry Christmas, a day full of the love of the Saviour, family and friends. And may 2008 be an even more promising year for us all. All for his glory!

The Christ Candle

Welcome to the lighting of the Christ Candle.

All the candles are lit! Isn't it glorious!

Christmas Eve (after sundown or Christmas Day)
Color: White
Theme: Christmas
Suggested Scripture Readings: Luke 1:68-79, Luke 2:1-20

Lord, we praise you for this glorious day. Your Word came and became flesh in the tiny baby. You walked among us as a man and died for us as our Savior. You deserve all our worship, love, and praise. Mighty Counselor, Prince of Peace, Holy God, You are wonderful! We love you! Amen.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

OUR SAVIOUR IS BORN!

Fouth Sunday of Advent

Welcome to the fourth Sunday of Advent.

If you've created a wreath of your own for the first time this year, I hope it's a tradition you will hold onto. My first three candles have burned shorter. And now the fourth one is lit. Almost time to light the Christ Candle! May the Prince of Peace fill your year with new revelations of his presence. Be blessed!

Fourth Sunday of Advent
Color: Purple
Theme: Peace
Suggested Scripture Readings: Isaiah 9:6-7, John 14:27

Lord, thank you for sending your Son to be our Prince of Peace. We praise you for this wonderful peace you give us by the indwelling of your Holy Spirit. And mostly, we thank you for the promise of salvation, an eternity spent in the presence of Jesus Christ, our Saviour. All glory is yours, Amen.

A Christmas Speculation, Part Two

Part two of this series is posted today over at SUM. Part three will post Christmas Day.

I pray you're having a wonderful Christmas season. May your days be full of love and laughter, and your hearts full of love. May God bless you richly and keep your thoughts continually on his grace and the gift of his Son.

Third Sunday of Advent

Welcome to the third Sunday of Advent.

I hope you've been blessed by this tradition so far. I love seeing the candles burn down, creating a kind of stair step effect circling our wreath. Our excitement grows with each week as we watch the flames and anticipate lighting the Christ Candle. What a wondrous season. I pray for you that these last days before Christmas are filled with the joy of our Savior!

Third Sunday of Advent
Color: Purple or Pink
Theme: Joy
Suggested Scripture Readings: Isaiah 35:10, Psalm 51:12, Hebrews 12:2, 1Peter 1:8

Lord Jesus, thank you for coming as a tiny baby so long ago so that we may know the joy of your salvation. Show us daily how to walk in obedience to your glorious and freeing ways, and to always be ready to share the source of this incredible joy with others. In Your Holy Name, Amen!

A Christmas Speculation, Part One

If you were around last year, you might remember a two part story surrounding the events of Christ's birth. I never did get to write the third installment. So, I'm reposting this series over at SUM, along with the third part this year. I pray it bless you as much as writing them did me.

Merry Christmas!

Second Sunday of Advent

Welcome to the second Sunday of Advent.

Advent means "coming" or "arrival." So appropriate. And I just love the way each candle counts down the time to our Saviour's birthday. Both my girls were born in December, so it's a very special (and extremely busy) month. This tradition and an Advent Christmas tree quilt I created have helped my girls and I count down the days each December.

I've heard and read several interpretations of the wreath. Here are few of my favorite aspects:

• The green of the wreath represents the eternal life we have in Christ.
• The circular form of the wreath represents the unending love of God.
• The purple of the outer candles represents the royalty of royalty.
• The white of the center candle represents Christ's purity. (This candle is optional, by the way, but my favorite.)
• The flames represent the light of God coming into the world through his Son.

Second Sunday of Advent
Color: Purple
Theme: Love
Suggested Scripture Readings: 1John 4:7-19, John 3:16-17

Father, you sent us the greatest gift and representation of your eternal love when you sent your Son as a tiny baby for the sole purpose of his sacrificial death. Help us to be shining examples of your love in a hurting world. And let us never forget this sacrifice and the amazing depth of your love. We love you so much. In Christ's Holy Name, Amen!

First Sunday of Advent

I love this tradition. In my churches in Memphis and Zürich, we always had an advent wreath. I loved the lighting of the candles so much, that I adopted the tradition as my own. Each year, around Thanksgiving, I find the candles for our wreath.

Traditionally, the Advent wreath has five candles. Four purple or blue candles (sometimes the third or fourth candle is pink) and one white center candle. It's always a challenge to find the perfect center candle for the Christ candle. Our Lord and Savior deserves only the best.

Here's a picture of this year's Advent wreath. Each Sunday I'll post another picture of our wreath along with the meaning of each candle.

I hope you'll join my family and me in this wonderful tradition that exemplifies Jesus as the reason for the season.

First Sunday of Advent
Color: Purple
Theme: Hope
Suggested Scripture Readings: Isaiah 60:2-3, Romans 15:13, Titus 1:2, Hebrews 6:19

Precious Lord, we thank You for sending your son Jesus to be a light in a world of darkness, a light that never goes out or burns away. Teach us to place our hope in You and to share it with those struggling in hopeless situations. In Christ's Name, Amen.

A Christmas Speculation, Part 2

Joseph crouched next to Mary’s prone form. The babe lay nestled in the crook of her arm, either content in her warmth or unaware of his meager surroundings. Joseph knew not which, only that such circumstances were unbefitting a king.

All because of Augustus’ vile decree. They’d barely made it to Bethlehem in time for Mary to give birth. Now his wife lay in a bed of straw and a trough would serve as the babe’s first bed.

He stared at the child—at Jesus in awestruck wonder, then hung his head in shame. Had he failed the boy already? Had he failed Mary? More importantly, had he failed God? He’d almost walked away when he first learned of Mary’s pregnancy, yet God had given him a second chance. Would God give him a third?

Joseph felt Mary’s hand on his cheek, recognized her jasmine scent. He lifted his head. What would he see reflected back in her eyes?

Mary searched his face. A tender smile curved her lips. Understanding and love saturated her stare. “All is well, Joseph, and as it should be.”

Throat tight with his gratitude, he could only nod. Such trust! No wonder God had chosen Mary for such an honor as carrying the Son of God. That he could be half as worthy.

But why him? What did God see in a simple carpenter like Joseph? He leaned over and kissed Mary’s forehead, then did the same to Jesus. As his lips touched the downy skin of the babe, Joseph’s heart surged with love—a love like nothing he’d ever experienced.

He knew then he’d do anything for the tiny baby. He’d sacrifice everything, even himself if need be. Everything he had and was, he gladly gave to the babe put in his charge—to his “son.”

To Jesus.

All fear vanished.

All shame fled.

All trepidation over the future left in the wake of peace.

And Joseph knew all would be well.

Just as Mary said.