Monthly Archives: December 2015

This is the only picture that we have of our wedding day, December 24, 1949.  Taken on the Charles’ house porch after the marriage. Anna Ruth and I stand between Best Man Duane, my brother, and Barbara Shenk, Anna Ruth’s … Continue reading →

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.  He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s … Continue reading →

As the Prophet Isaiah proclaims a new day – sins forgiven and a new love for the Lord – we read some disconcerting words.  Maybe they are distressing because they cut to the quick. I am trying to read the … Continue reading →

And it will be said: “Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.”  For this is what the high and exalted One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a … Continue reading →

Salvation for Others “This is what the Lord says: The Sovereign Lord declares—he who gathers the exiles of Israel: ‘I will gather still others to them besides those already gathered.’” Isaiah 56  Note the phrase, “still others.” Israel was distressed, the northern kingdom had been conquered by Assyria … Continue reading →

This is one of my favorite pictures of the season, Jack and Ben, two most exciting great grandsons you can imagine, snapped by their Mom, Sara.   One smiles, the other is glum. I think Jack is on the left … Continue reading →

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!  Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor … Continue reading →

From ebony wood, a Congolese artist carved these amazing figures.  We love these miniature items.  I selected just Mary, Joseph, Jesus in the manger and one sheep to tell the story. Mary is demure, Joseph just concentrating – profound in … Continue reading →

Anna Ruth and I wish you a blessed Christmas, a day to reflect, ponder and praise – to focus on Jesus. We have been reading passages from Isaiah, written 700 years or so before Christ came among us, all pointing to … Continue reading →