Love… One Sip At A Time // A Valentine Tea Party
I started hosting tea parties in an older home propped as pretty as you please on the corner of a quiet street. A family of four in a two-bedroom, one-bath home made for a tight fit, and tea parties felt downright snug, but no one would change a thing. Some teas were scripture-based, and others celebrated holidays, but every time, the room filled with the scent of scones, floral tea, and...
No Gift Tag Required
Today, let's consider giving one of the most freeing and grace-filled gifts we have the privilege to share with another person, or perhaps ourselves: forgiveness. It isn't wrapped in paper or bows, but laid-bare before another. The power of forgiveness doesn't diminish based on the recipient's response because it's not given based on our feelings, but rather, faithfulness. It is...
Downloading A Gift of Worship
Music moves the heart to worship like none other -- especially during the Christmas season. Some of my favorites: Michael Card Andrew Peterson Frank, Bing, and Johnny This year, I'm delighted (and very proud) to add another favorite to the list. Our son, Brandon, is a worship leader in OH and just released his first Christmas EP. It includes 3 songs: Go Tell It On The Mountain O Come O Come...
Christmas Camp Out
One of the boy's favorite Christmas traditions was camping out in the den. Mid-evening, we'd sometimes make a tent that opened towards the TV so they could watch their favorite Christmas movies as they fell asleep. Other times, we'd just let them roll out their sleeping bags by the Christmas tree. Once they fell asleep, all lights went out. You may wonder what this has to do with having a...
Shhh! It’s Anonymous
Growing up, my dad often helped others anonymously, especially elderly people living nearby. My favorite excursion involved waking up at the break of dawn and dropping off an anonymous gift (fruit, firewood, or another need) on a porch step before the recipient awakened. Let's take that basic idea and kick it up one glorious notch. A few ideas to get the creative juices flowing:...
Six Gifts To Give the Hurting
Do you know someone who has lost a loved one this year? Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 Christmas is a joyous season but for many it can be a very lonely, tear-filled month. Below are some ideas on ways we can come alongside the hurting this year: Be there. One of the best gifts we can give is ourselves -- our time, our energy...
Creating Family Traditions
It's never too late to begin a new family tradition! Back in 2008, and again last year, I shared this post, so if it seems familiar—it is, but new readers have joined us since last December. (Welcome!) Now, with two granddaughters and a grandson, Brian and I are re-creating some of our past traditions and starting a few new ones as well. To most, this is a simple (and bare) Nestle Quik...
Joining the $5.00 Experiment
“It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” -Mother Teresa Care to join me for a little experiment this week? If so, let's go! Purchase a 5.00 gift card of your choice (mine will be Starbucks) Pray, asking God to lead us to a person of His choosing. When you sense you've found the right person, share it with him/her and ask how you can pray for...
Our Gift to God
What to give Jesus for His birthday? When the boys were younger, we'd bake a birthday cake for Him and at other times we'd create new ways to give Jesus a gift, i.e., buying for someone in need, or we'd all write out our gift (being more patient with others, an act of kindness, etc.) on a slip of paper and put it on the tree. While these celebrations, acts of service, and growing...
Cathy Baker
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