If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
    Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with you… – Psalm 130:3-4

This week I’ve been concentrating hard on my new book – a mixture of fulfillment, excitement, frustration, disappointment, and anticipation. I’ve also been playing with cover design – having discarded the original once I saw the proof copy a few days ago.

One idea is the view from Mt. Sinai. The book’s signature story is about the morning I climbed Sinai to experience the sunrise – and God’s profound presence; so using the image makes sense. I really wanted to use my daughter’s painting of the scene, but it doesn’t work in the format.

But the view is so arresting, so loaded with the gravity of such an encounter with God, that I thought I’d at least share it in this space.

If you were in the business of totaling out scoresheets based on sin, the psalmist says to God, then none of us stand a snowball’s chance… But, there is forgiveness with you!

That’s why God sent Jesus. That’s the anticipation of Advent! We couldn’t stand. But Jesus is willing to stand for us.

What wonderful news! – DEREK