Truth For The Heart
There are some songs with words and music so personally significant, I still remember the first time I heard them. Mary, Did You Know? is one of those songs. I first heard it sung by a small vocal ensemble at the water’s edge of a town harbor during an outdoor Christmas celebration ten years ago. […]
Read More“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 (KJV) The roots of the music of Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel! go back to the 15th century.1 The Messianic titles in the lyrics, called the O Antiphons, are […]
Read MoreIn the second chapter of his letter to the Philippians, Paul turns to writing to them about considering each other—serving each other—ministering to each other. He lays the groundwork—the foundation—the irrefutable bedrock of ministry as he makes this appeal to them. Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of […]
Read MoreYou may have wondered why, if Joy to the World is my favorite Christmas carol, I didn’t wait and post it on Christmas Day. I have several reasons. Joy is a major theme of Philippians, and I want to keep this theme in mind—because the topic of Philippians 1:29 is one that is difficult for us […]
Read MoreSeveral years ago when my daughter came home from college, her local voice teacher wanted her to sing with other students at a recital. A voice lesson was squeezed in at the last minute, and because most of her music was still packed up, she grabbed the score of Les Misérables as we ran out […]
Read MoreThere are many reasons why I respect and, yes, love the Apostle Paul. His words near the close of his final letter in the New Testament, 2 Timothy, reveal the stalwart character of the man who loved his fellow believers, and the man who loved the Lord Jesus.
Read MoreI’m thankful for many things—my husband, my children and for various family and friends who are part of my life. I am grateful for strangers I have met who have encouraged me. Over the past three years my family has been through difficult times, as you may have guessed from some of my writings. We’ve […]
Read MoreJames 3:13-18 has been one of my favorite passages in the Bible for a long time. “Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in a wise meekness. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie […]
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The heart that hears and understands With tenderness the pain, In caring, shares revealing scars To help me bear the strain. Compassion’s mark is found on those Who suffering have met; I trace their kindness in their words, As well as courage set. Those who have been through fire’s blaze Shine bright to those who […]
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Kindling for Candles 