When the Magi saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.Matthew 2:10-11 - NC writer Derek Maul According to Merriam-Webster, epiphany can be defined as …
Continue reading A January 6 Epiphany – grant us wisdom, grant us courage
Most of you already know that one of my favorite Christmas passages comes from Zechariah's song of praise. "(All this is) because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death,to guide our feet into the path …
Continue reading Supernova Savior: Light that Cannot be Contained
- My parents with Christmas gifts There is a lot I want to write about today. But most of it will have to wait. The problem with inspiration is that it is seldom convenient. The words come, then there is no time, and lo the moment is gone! Today, then, I have a series of …
Continue reading Portraits of Christmas (16 images that tell the story)
David and Beks sharing light with their church family Christmas Eve A child is born to us, a son is given to us, and authority will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.Isaiah 9:6 Here is a short message of greetings, love, celebration, and peace. Merry Christmas to everyone! …
candles at WFPC Silent night, holy nightAll is calm, all is brightRound yon Virgin, Mother and ChildHoly infant so tender and mildSleep in heavenly peaceSleep in heavenly peace - "Merry Christmas" CHRISTMAS EVE, 2021: One of the problems with nostalgia is its implicit suggestion that the past is more desirable than the future. Even though …
Then Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be with me just as you have said.” Then the angel left her. When Joseph woke up, he did just as an angel from God commanded and took Mary as his wife. But he didn’t have sexual relations with her until she gave birth to a son. …
Continue reading The intrusion, the disruption, and the danger of Jesus
- my dad heading to WakeMed North "This promise is for you, your children, and for all who are far away—as many as the Lord our God invites.”Acts 2:39 Well, it is the 4th Sunday in Advent, and the words I have chosen for this week are "Joy" and "Promise." It's honestly a bit of …
Continue reading The Promise of the Ages – even (maybe especially) in the ER!!
that (we) may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 This weekend, heading into the fourth week of Advent, I find myself wondering what exactly is all this expectation about? We talk about waiting, and anticipation, and this sense of journey, but a lot of …
- David and Beks with Geoffrey Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father; that will be enough for us.”Jesus replied, “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been with you all this time? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I …
Continue reading A Picture of Love (understanding incarnation)
When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:1-12 I have always thought that a Christmas Tree - or at least a real …
Derek Maul: Words, Photographs, and Food for the Journey 