The Blog From The Branches Team
I want to get a tattoo similar to Jon Foreman’s album cover for his EP, Winter. A leafless, cold, lifeless and lonely tree in middle of a long December. My wife, Dawn, says it’s too depressing and why would I ever want to do that? Especially since I am an eternal optimist who doesn’t just see the glass half full …
Jeremiah 29:13: “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” (NLT) Deuteronomy 4:29: “But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.” (NIV) It seems it’s our natural state to feel like something’s not quite right. Like we’re looking for …
The Angels Candle: Peace Advent Reading: Luke 2:13-14 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” … I don’t know if it’s some weird boyish fascination, but I love throwing sticks and logs into …
Advent Week 2 Bethlehem Candle: Provision Advent Reading: Luke 2:4-8 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the …
Advent Week 3 The Shepherd Candle: Joy Advent Reading: Luke 2:8-12 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to …
Last week I was watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and saw the Pentatonics sing Where Are You Christmas. First, they are amazing. (Even if the parade is all lip synching, they are still amazing.) Second, it got me thinking. Where are you Christmas Why can’t I find you Why have you gone away Where is the laughter You used …
The space in-between is a painful space. The not-yet. Incomplete. Confusing. Unknown. Unfulfilled. It’s the point where you lose hope the longer you stay. Holy Saturday is the in-between. Jesus was crucified and buried. For all his followers knew, that was the end. They had lost all hope that he was the true messiah as he promised. Confused, sceptic, disappointed …
Have you thought about your last meal? If you could plan it out what would you eat? Who would you invite? Jesus thought about it. And did it. He knew when and where it would happen. He knew what to eat and he knew who to invite. Today is Maundy Thursday. Today we remember what happened at Jesus’ last supper. …
Welcome to Lent. The exact beginnings of this Church tradition are unknown. The Bible doesn’t mention the season of Lent but we have come to recognize it as the 40 days (ok, 46 days but we don’t count Sundays) before Jesus rises from the grave on Easter morning. And Christians have been participating in Lent for hundreds of years. Lent …
Ready to talk to your child about baptism? Here’s some helpful information: Choose a time to talk with your child when you can give them your full attention Let your child ask questions and dig into the answers together Be prepared to jump into the bible (use the references below) What’s the meaning of baptism? Baptism is the outward …
