by The Candlelighter | lovely to think
In our world, we are small, and likewise, in the universe our world is infinitesimal. Many people have difficulty believing that people on such a small part of the universe could actually matter to God. For some this is where they have a departure from the idea of God... 
by The Candlelighter | advent, day-16
What do you feel when thinking about your relationship to God? Fearful that He will judge you? Happy that He loves you? Unsure where you stand, and whether you have a place in the Kingdom of God? When people are afraid they won’t be accepted, often they avoid... 
by The Candlelighter | advent, day-17, good to enjoy
For an Advent wreath, this is the pink candle, or the “Candle of Joy”. We move closer to the celebration of Christmas, and we may make a choice to concentrate on the joyful aspects of the season. Choosing Joy This is easier, the more we consider the great... 
by The Candlelighter | advent, day-14
Promises to David, Foretelling Christ’s Kingship 2 Samuel 7:14-16 “I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. But my love will never be taken away... 
by The Candlelighter | advent, fun to do
Gifts and giving have taken center stage during Advent. We buy and wrap, we put some coins into the charity buckets, but what if we opened Christ-centered thoughts each day? What if we delivered them to family and friends, wrapped in thoughtful phrases and decorated... by The Candlelighter | advent, lovely to think
You must admit that God chooses some unexpected places to show up. Bethlehem might have seemed unpromising enough; but in the stable of the local Inn? No one would have guessed that. Then there was the continuation of Ruth’s life and the ancestral line of the... by The Candlelighter | advent
On Day 11 We are midway through the week’s emphasis on peace. Is it a matter of feeling peaceful or making peace? We aim for both, although they may not coincide as often as we wish. It is like that line “Why can’t we all just get along?” We... 
by The Candlelighter | advent, lovely to think
Much of the message we hear during Christmas is that of giving and receiving. It is everywhere, and put to all sorts of purposes. Human beings are crafty like that… turning things to their advantage. Used for merchandizing, fundraising, and charitable giving and... 
by The Candlelighter | advent, good to enjoy
When faced with a world full of warring factions we either become inured and turn a blind eye and deaf ear, or we despair at the frivolity of daily life, especially the festivities of life. How can we endure the pain of a hurting world, and then join in jolly food and... 
by The Candlelighter | advent, preparations
Thoughts for the Candle of Peace We begin the second week of Advent. It is appropriate to allow our thoughts to meditate on the message of peace, which is central to God’s reconciliation with rebellious mankind. We are so determined to go our own way, even when...
