Isaiah 12:6 Blending Reflection: Have you ever been a stranger in a strange land? In my adult life, we have relocated seven times. Each new place—all within the United States—lead me to strange scenery, customs, and ways of thinking. When I sought out a Presbyterian...

Luke 2:14 Emotion Reflection:  Music plays a great role in my life and from early in my childhood I sang hymns, played piano and sang in choirs.  Singing “Glory to God” was just what we did.  Music has the power to shift our feelings from joy to sorrow. It can bring...

Luke 2:11-14 Angels Reflection:  Christmas music and angels seem to be inextricably tied together. We have all seen artist drawings or crafted models of angels singing and even holding music. We may even have singing angels hanging on our Christmas tree or on our...

Matthew 1:23 Love Reflection: Emmanuel, another name for Jesus, or is it? The prophets certainly said He would be named Emmanuel, but elsewhere in this scripture text Joseph was instructed by an angel to name Mary’s child “Jesus” and he (or they) did so. This phrase...

Philippians 1:3-6 Discernment Reflection: Prayer is so important in our walk with God, to share what is on our heart and to listen to what God wants us to know.  I practice this connection daily and numerous times throughout the day so that I know I am staying close...

Philippians 1:6 Christian Reflection: I thank God for family and loved ones, I pray with joy because of how they have helped me learn about God.  In good times and in life’s struggles, I know the Lord gives me strength. I will give glory and praise to God even for the...

Luke 1:63 John Reflection:  As children, we have little control over what our name will be. Our parents choose based on a variety of reasons. For example, my real name is “Dolores Marie”. I was told that this was a very special name my father chose especially for me....

Malachi 3:1-3 Purifier Reflection:  The first words of this passage reflect the prophecy of the appearing of John the Baptist, a harbinger of the coming of Christ. John shall prepare the way before Christ, by calling people to repentance.  The Messiah has long been...

Matthew 1: 21, 23 Promise fulfilled Reflection:  Our Savior was given names to portray what he would mean to us, and he then fulfilled the promise of those names. Names are assigned for varying reasons – a special meaning that the name has; a hoped-for quality or...

Matthew 1:21,23 Yeshua Reflection:  Picking out baby names for our daughters was no easy task. As we scoured books and websites for girl names, the first thing Richie and I considered was the meaning. We believed (and still do) that these names would give shape and...