Category: Tools

Advent 2025 officially begins on Sunday.  Over the following four weeks, Christians often spend time in reflection on the various themes of this church season.

For many denominations, the traditional four themes of the four weeks of Advent are hope, peace, joy and love, in that order. That would make the first week’s theme hope. 

Hope is a word whose force and meaning has been a bit diluted over time.
 

Regardless of how you feel about Halloween, for many people it marks a chance to put on a costume and engage the world in ways they might not ordinarily. People enjoy the opportunity to express their personality in costumes. Masks and disguises play a key role in this annual celebration.

The Bible speaks often about two different realms, asserting that there is more going on than meets the eye. In Biblical terms, these realms are two different kingdoms: one earthly and one heavenly; one natural and one supernatural. 

There isn’t a “best time” for everything. Sometimes there is just “now, do the thing.”

I have been a slave much of my life to waiting for optimum timing, or waiting to have more information, or waiting to be able to control things better. 

My mom was the youngest of four girls. Her oldest sister, who was two decades older than my mom, was a tiny little Southern spitfire. My aunt had something to say about everything under the sun. If she was shocked or surprised by something, she would loudly proclaim, “Well, I declare!”

Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion! Declare His deeds among the people.

Psalm 9:11 (NKJV)