Advent is a WOW word! It comes from the Latin adventus, a translation of the Greek word parousia. It is a word commonly used when speaking of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. What a great idea. A time for followers of Jesus to share together the ancient longing for Messiah’s first appearing, and to [...]
A Good Friday Reflection I grew up in farming and ranching country. By the time I was sixteen, I had worked for eight different landowners. Plowing, irrigating, harvesting, fencing, herding, feeding, whatever was needed. I often heard the boss call out, “Shut it down. Let’s go. It will still be here tomorrow.” “Wrap it up.” [...]
The side effects of love shouldn't be injury, degradation By Jodi Derrick Ever seen those TV commercials for the latest wonder drugs touting all the cures and life-changing results you can expect when you take their marvelous medication? The people in the ads look so blissful and healthy, they almost make you want to take [...]
As 2013 begins, I've been thinking about another kind of re-gifting By Jodi Detrick It's something most of us do, but rarely admit. We re-gift. With December's presents opened, there may be a few things we're eyeing with someone else in mind for this New Year. It's not that we mean to be ungrateful [...]
How A Gathering Commenced It took place two years ago this December. Dixie and I and a few others were having dinner in a restaurant, prior to attending a Christmas concert at Seattle’s Benaroya Hall. The conversation turned toward ‘church.’ All present, with a single exception, participated in the same church. All were active [...]