He is risen, he is not here... When the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James and Salome bought spices so that they might go and anoint him.  And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen.  And they were saying to one another, Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?  And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back; it was very large.  And entering the tomb, they saw a young man ...

*Dr. Tom Barnard was one of my college professors. He was one of my favorites.

I read a really good story a long time ago and I would like to share it with you. I was reminded of it on Wednesday the 22nd when I was caught in traffic at the mall as I returned yet one more time to exchange yet one more gift. Just after I’d had a not so Christmas like moment this story popped into my head and I was reminded that all of the things that make me crazy this time of year, really don’t mean a whole lot.

I don’t understand why some mornings I wake up eager and raring to go and other mornings I feel like Mrs. Potato Head. Since it is just days before Christmas and I don’t have a spare minute, I will ponder that beguiling question another day.

Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all of Your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all men. We bless You for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for Your incomparable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of Your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may make known Your prais...

I hate to admit that for most of my life I viewed Memorial Day as just another three day holiday.  In my early years it was usually the first weekend of the summer that we packed up the boat, skis and barbecue grill and drove to the lake.  I am not sure that I ever spent three seconds thinking about why the last weekend of May was different than any other weekend. Thankfully over the years that has changed and one specific location has helped me to develop a sense of reverence about th...